Mary Tyler Moore: Season 3 - My Not-So-Secret YouTube Obsession
Okay, confession time. I spend way too much time on YouTube. And a shockingly large chunk of that time? Watching full episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, specifically Season 3.
Judge me if you must! But I'm telling you, it's pure comfort food television.
Why Season 3? Let's Discuss.
Maybe it's the nostalgia. Maybe it's the fashion. (Those A-line skirts! That hair!). Whatever it is, I can't get enough. Seriously, I think I've watched the whole season like, five times.
Don't get me wrong, I love all of Mary Tyler Moore. But Season 3 just hits different.
It’s like the show really found its groove. The characters are so well-defined. The writing is sharp and hilarious.
Lou Grant: The Dad We All Wish We Had (Sort Of)
Ed Asner as Lou Grant? Perfection. He's gruff, he's got a heart of gold (buried deep, deep down), and he's secretly Mary's biggest fan.
Who wouldn't want Lou Grant as their boss? Okay, maybe not actually want him as your boss. But watching him be someone else's boss is pure joy.
And let's be honest, we all have a Lou Grant in our lives. The person who pretends to be annoyed but secretly cares the most.
Ted Baxter: The Loveable (and Hilariously Awful) Anchorman
Then there's Ted Baxter. Oh, Ted. He’s the ultimate buffoon. He's terrible at his job, unbelievably self-absorbed, and yet...you can't help but love him.
Ted Knight just nailed that role. The way he puffed out his chest. The utterly clueless pronouncements. Genius.
I secretly wish I had Ted Baxter's confidence. Even if it was completely misplaced.
Mary Richards: Still a Role Model (Even on YouTube)
And of course, there's Mary Richards herself. Independent, career-driven, and surprisingly relatable, even decades later.
Sure, her apartment is bigger than mine. And her wardrobe is far more stylish. But her struggles with work, relationships, and just figuring things out? Totally me.
It’s also worth noting that in a world filled with chaos, Mary Tyler Moore provides a warm and safe place, something particularly needed today.
Okay, Unpopular Opinion Time: Season 3 is the Best Season
Here it comes... the unpopular opinion. I think Season 3 is the best season of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. There, I said it!
I know, I know, some people are all about Season 4, or maybe even Season 5. But for me, Season 3 is where everything just clicked.
The chemistry between the cast is at its peak. The storylines are hilarious and heartwarming. Plus, those opening credits? Iconic.
YouTube: My Mary Tyler Moore Time Machine
So, thank you, YouTube. For making it so easy to binge-watch Mary Tyler Moore episodes. Especially Season 3.
I fully expect to find myself watching it again next week. And the week after that.
Don't judge me. Go watch an episode. You might just become a Mary Tyler Moore devotee yourself. You have been warned.
Who can turn the world on with her smile? Mary Richards can!