Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted will tell the story behind the making of TV classic The Mary Tyler Moore Show. To be published by Simon & Schuster in 2013, the book will offer readers a glimpse inside the lives of the groundbreaking female TV writers who lent their real lives to scripts, the men who created the indelible characters, the lone woman in the network executive ranks who cast the legendary ensemble, and the colorful cast of actors who made it all work. James L. Brooks, Grant Tinker, Allan Burns, Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman, Betty White, Gavin MacLeod, Ed Asner, Ted Knight, Georgia Engel — they all came together to make a show that changed women’s lives, and television. Here’s how they did it.
“Delicious… For any fan of the show or TV history in general, this book is pure pleasure.” –Kirkus (starred review)
“Fast-paced and charming…Armstrong’s absorbing cultural history offers the first in-depth look at a series that changed television.” –Publishers Weekly
“This is a wonderful book. It takes us backstage with a keen insight on the writing, directing and casting of one of the best television shows, ever. I didn’t want it to end, any more than I wanted The Mary Tyler Moore Show to end.” –Carol Burnett, author of Carrie and Me
“I tried to skim this book, but failed miserably, finding I couldn’t put it down. In case you’re wondering how we got from I Love Lucy to Girls, the answer is: ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,stupid!’ Jennifer Keishin Armstrong’s deft weave of social history and sharp entertainment reporting explains how this revolutionary show made the world safe for Lena Dunham.” –Peter Biskind, author of Easy Riders, Raging Bulls
“Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted hurt my face. Jennifer Armstrong brought back memories and laughs from one of the best eras in television. She made me stay up all night and by the morning my face hurt from smiling. I forgive her because I enjoyed the book so much.” –Gail Parent, author of Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York
“Pop-culture gold: a can’t-put-it-down history of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the misfit genius women (and men) who made it. Mary & Lou & Ted & Rhoda is essential reading if you love The Mary Tyler Moore Show, or TV comedy wizards, or things that are awesome.”—Gavin Edwards, contributing editor at Rolling Stone and author of ‘Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy
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You better have a book reading/signing because I have 4 people including myself who will attend!
Don’t worry, I will! And I will have info here, on my site (jennifermarmstrong.com) and on Twitter.
Hi! Can’t wait to read this. One note: in the colorful cast of actors who made it all work, there’s no mention of Mary Tyler Moore. She was there, wasn’t she? Just, um, saying.
I think that’s implied in the name of the book and the show!
It is. But since you mentioned everyone else, I actually thought, maybe Mary herself just didn’t want to participate. No matter — I can’t wait to read the book!! Good luck with it!