This is a good one. Murray Slaughter, the head writer of the news, has been working for three years on a play, but he has been getting rejection notices. He has been shooting pretty high. One day he is notified that his play will be performed if he provides permission. It turns out that Ted Baxter sent it in to a small theater. Of course, he will be playing the lead. It is a disaster. What Ted called ad-libbing was leaving the stage and looking up his lines from the script. The cast knows what's coming when Mary hosts a cast party and waits for Lou to get a review. Ted is so in love with himself he feels he surpassed Olivier. There is a lot of funny byplay with Murray and Ted, Ted being utterly clueless.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (TV Series)
We Closed in Minneapolis (1971)
User Reviews
Review this title3 Reviews
Apparently the play had many ad libs
Rrrobert4 July 2019
OK episode. Murray's play will finally be mounted - but it is with the local theatre group where always Ted plays the lead.
Good interplay and funny lines for the main regular cast. The antics on stage sound like a riot but (partly for budgetary and practical purposes) we never see any of it.
Good interplay and funny lines for the main regular cast. The antics on stage sound like a riot but (partly for budgetary and practical purposes) we never see any of it.
Low on laughs, abounding with sweetness.
planktonrules5 February 2024
Murray has written a play, but again and again, its been rejected for publication. When he receives what he assumes is yet another rejection letter, he's shocked that a local theater group wants to produce the play. His excitement is short-lived however, as Ted learns about the play and decides to try out for a part...and Murray knows it will be a disaster!
Murray's prediction of disaster seems to be true, as a local theater reviewer wrote a scathing review of the play...and Murray is crushed. Fortunately, charming Mary is able to help...a bit. And no, it does NOT include launching Ted Baxter into space or arranging for him to be kidnapped!
While not an especially funny episode, it has heart and is quite sweet.
Murray's prediction of disaster seems to be true, as a local theater reviewer wrote a scathing review of the play...and Murray is crushed. Fortunately, charming Mary is able to help...a bit. And no, it does NOT include launching Ted Baxter into space or arranging for him to be kidnapped!
While not an especially funny episode, it has heart and is quite sweet.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
