WJM's station manager decides to hire a ruthless critic to be a part of the 6:00 news. He is a former college professor and as acerbic and self-centered as is possible. He has nothing food to say about anything, from drama, to movies, to food, to local media. However, he does bring controversy and that's what is desired to boost ratings. He angers everyone in the office. At one point he takes Mary with him to a high priced French restaurant and creates a huge scene. Mary, of course, is hilarious. Finally, he decides to take on his own station. The final scene is pretty classic, but it has a nice little twist.
3 Reviews
"Sensible, rational people..."
beaudare-7099622 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
As an American actor/ screenwriter I think this episode is not only the highlight of the entire series, with clever, deft writing, but also has a superb performance by Eric Braeden, as critic, Karl Heller. Breaden's charming, intelligent, witty but impossibly truthful professer turned cultural watchdog for WJM, is truly a joy to behold. His one weakness is for beautiful women and he, of course, takes lovely Mary Tyler Moore to dinner and is then confronted by smug, pompous waiters and wine that has turned. But Braeden somehow manages to make his character rise above it all and appear not only to be correct, but also charmingly arrogant and admired by the other customers, as he and Mary walk out during their dinner. And when he is again confronted in the newsroom by an irate staff, after delivering harsh criticism on the WJM station, he then states, "As long as I deal in truths no matter how unpleasant, I have nothing to fear from either of you. And sensible, rational people do not throw pies or punches for stating an honest truth... Only a fool would vent his frustration in those ways," and Ted Knight pushes the pie Betty White is holding right in Braeden's face, is one of the best moments in television comedy. Truly a great episode and a classic TV series.... Beau Dare
The cultural watchdog
Rrrobert31 March 2020
Station manager Mel Price (David Ogden Stiers) hosts a party to welcome old friend Professor Karl Heller (Eric Braeden) who is in town to teach some classes.
Karl puts the newsroom regulars offside with his disdain for their plebeian interests in movies and popular stage musicals. They aren't thrilled when Mel announces his appointment of Karl as a critic on the news, and are horrified by the scathing reviews Karl presents.
Braeden is excellent in the main role and Mary gets some great comedy moments in. Everything fits together perfectly in the fast moving story and there are many strong laughs. Karl's pompous speeches are a riot.
Karl puts the newsroom regulars offside with his disdain for their plebeian interests in movies and popular stage musicals. They aren't thrilled when Mel announces his appointment of Karl as a critic on the news, and are horrified by the scathing reviews Karl presents.
Braeden is excellent in the main role and Mary gets some great comedy moments in. Everything fits together perfectly in the fast moving story and there are many strong laughs. Karl's pompous speeches are a riot.
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