Who can turn the world on with her smile?

That one's easy: Mary Tyler Moore can! Only a handful of female stars have earned the sobriquet "America's Sweetheart" — in the 1970s, the title was Mary's alone. Her lauded portrayal of Laura Petrie on the legendary Dick Van Dyke Show during the 1960s earned Moore enough clout to successfully pitch her own sitcom. The Mary Tyler Moore Show debuted in 1970 and shot to the top 20, where it remained for six straight seasons. It would go on to earn dozens of Emmys.

Right Person, Right Time

Why was The Mary Tyler Moore Show so successful? For one thing, Moore's immense likeability — a fact that was established immediately on The Dick Van Dyke Show. The exceptional writing team, led by legends-to-be James L. Brooks and Allan Burns, is also part of the explanation. With a messenger as loveable as Moore, the writers were able to address many burning issues of the era — women's rights, sexual liberation, homosexuality, divorce, and more — without alienating their mainstream audience. The show may seem quaint from our vantage point today, but at the time, it was downright radical (as far as TV sitcoms go, that is).

The Gold Standard

The Mary Tyler Moore Show has inspired countless comedy writers and sitcoms through the years — particularly the news team/workplace relationships genre that it originated (see: Murphy Brown, 30 Rock, Parks and Rec...) Tina Fey has acknowledged 30 Rock's debt to the show, explaining that they "try to be like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, where it's not about doing the news". Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman once acknowledged that the show's final episode influenced their own sitcom finale. Oprah Winfrey has said that Moore’s production company, MTM Enterprises, inspired her to create her own (Harpo Productions).

Ready to Test Your Knowledge of The Mary Tyler Moore Show's Classic Episodes?

Let's see how well you remember this groundbreaking show. If you like this one, be sure to check out our Dick Van Dyke Show quizzes and the rest of our fun TV and entertainment trivia quizzes!

The Mary Tyler Moore Show Trivia Quiz: The Classic Episodes

The Mary Tyler Moore Show Trivia Quiz: The Classic Episodes