CBS, PBS and other networks will honor the life and legacy of legendary actress Mary Tyler Moore. She died Wednesday at age 80.
Moore, who anchored the groundbreaking CBS comedy series “Mary Tyler Moore Show” from 1970-77, died Wednesday in Greenwich, Conn. Her death was caused by cardiopulmonary arrest after she had contracted pneumonia, according to The New York Times.
“CBS This Morning” co-host Gayle King anchors “Mary Tyler Moore: Love Is All Around.” The one-hour CBS special airs at 9/8c Jan. 26. The special will feature original reporting and present segments from the CBS archives of the pioneering actress’ life and career.
Oprah Winfrey and other admirers of the actress discuss their thoughts about Moore’s impact on acting and how women were portrayed in the media, as well as Moore’s work outside of entertainment.
Winfrey also appears in “Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration,” a 2015 PBS documentary. PBS stations plan to rebroadcast, but you’ll have to check local listings at PBS.org. The documentary is currently streaming on member station websites. Watch a clip at the top of this story.
The documentary commemorates the influential TV icon and her 50-plus-year career that spanned award-winning films, Broadway shows, and TV. “Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration” features interviews with Dick Van Dyke, Betty White, Valerie Harper and many others who recall Moore’s career highlights and underscore the importance of her TV characters in shaping society.
A longtime CBS star, Moore headlined such CBS series as “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961-66), “The Mary Tyler Moore Hour” (1979), “Mary” (1985-86), and “New York News” (1995).
But her signature role was as single working woman Mary Richards in CBS’ “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” In the comedy, the forever optimistic Richards moves to Minneapolis for a job. She eventually becomes a TV news producer. The character becomes the voice of reason in the newsroom. She often refers to her gruff boss, Lou, with a drawn out “Mr. Grant.”
Moore won four of her seven Emmy Awards for the role. The series forever changed television and how it presented women in the work place.
CBS Corp. chairman and CEO Les Moonves called Moore a once-in-a-generation talent on Wednesday.
“She will be long remembered as a gifted actress, television pioneer and a role model to so many,” Moonves said in a statement. “CBS has lost one of the very best to ever grace our airwaves and our industry has lost a true legend and friend.”
Other networks are sure to schedule tributes to Moore. I will add those below as they become available.
SundanceTV Mary-thon
SundanceTV plans to broadcast a marathon all 24 episodes of the final season of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” beginning at 6 a.m./5c Jan. 28. The series debuted on Sept. 19, 1970. The finale, titled “The Last Show,” aired March 19, 1977. One of the most acclaimed series of all time, it earned numerous awards including three Golden Globes, 29 Emmys and a Peabody Award.
Mary and MeTV
MeTV plans a three-hour marathon of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” beginning at 2/1c Jan. 29. This marathon of six of the most famous episodes kicks off with the series premiere, titled “Love is all Around.” Other episodes include “Chuckles Bites the Dust,” in which the death of Chuckles the Clown brings more laughs than tears. Find the schedule at MeTV.
Early Mary
GetTV also plans to honor Moore with broadcasts of two pre-“Mary Tyler Moore Show” appearances. The episodes air beginning at 11/10c Jan. 30. Find the getTV broadcast schedule here.
- The 1969 variety special “Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman” reunited the stars as they saluted the American woman. The special helped Moore launch“The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” After her well-received turn, Moore and her then-husband, Grant Tinker, successfully pitched the sitcom to CBS.
- In “Johnny Staccato,” Moore plays a contestant in a beauty pageant in a 1960 episode titled “The Mask of Jason” episode. She turns to piano-playing private eye Staccato (John Cassavetes) when a mysterious disfigured man threatens her.
Mary Tyler Moore
