Rhoda

By Jenny Brown

Everyone who watched The Mary Tyler Moore Show always wanted to be Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore); most of us, though, related better to her best friend, Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper). Rhoda was a loud, perpetually single, witty woman who was unlike anything on television before her.

In 1974, Rhoda left Minneapolis to return to her home of New York and to her own show, Rhoda, living in the same building as her sister Brenda (Julie Kavner) and not far from her overbearing Jewish mother Ida (Nancy Walker) and her long-suffering father (Harold J. Gould). This boxed set of four videos contains episodes from each of the five seasons, beginning with her unforgettable wedding (who would've thought that Rhoda would find a man!) to Joe (David Groh) in the 1974 season and ending with her parent's separation in 1979.

Hurry! Rhoda was married on October 28, 1974 in front of an estimated audience of 40 million on CBS. Courtesy CBS

Some of these shows are remarkable, as when Joe and Rhoda separate after a few years of marriage. Others don't hold up as well next to these groundbreaking episodes, such as "An Elephant Never Forgets," in which Brenda comes to terms with the fact that she's lost weight and is attractive. But as a glimpse at the 1970s, the eight episodes are a wonderful trip backward and remain hilarious, albeit slightly dated, today. No, you still don't get a look at the faceless doorman, Carlton. And yes, we can still all relate to Rhoda.

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Check out our Rhoda forum! Do you have a favorite episode of the show? What do you remember about the series? Do you have any questions about it or its stars? Now you can post comments and questions directly to our TV forums! Click here to see what other Rhoda viewers have said or to post your own comments about the show!

		Your Memories Shared!

My favorite episode of RHODA was the one where Joe finally proposes marriage to Rhoda. I especially loved the epilog, where Rhoda telephoned Mary Richards to announce the good news. I consider this scene as the ultimate victory of Rhoda over Mary: even though they were best friends, there was always a sub-conscious rivalry over elegible men. --Anonymous

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