Feeling Down? Ted Baxter’s Got The Answer!
First of all, I’m thankful that we made it through Election Day here in the US without incidents – and that the next two months go smoothly and fairly.
There are days (perhaps longer!) where life is frustrating and can wear you down – and in 2020, this #QuarantineLife is really putting our patience to the rest.
So I realized that your point of view is everything…how you choose to see life is how you will live it…and Anchorman Ted Baxter, the legendary character from the brilliant Mary Tyler Moore show, sums it up perfectly!
Ted Baxter was the pompous yet lovable Anchorman at WJM-TV in Minneapolis, Lou Grant was the tough as nails News Director, and Mary Richards was the empowered independent Producer in an era when women NEVER had empowered roles on TV.
The Brilliant Wisdom Of Tex Baxter!
On this classic episode, Mary was worn down and a bit depressed, which was very unusual for her…but Ted was there to give her the advice she needed…here is the clip – watch to the end to get the full impact of Ted Baxter’s brilliance:
So, while Ted didn’t even understand his own advice, his character always knew “what was what” and his innocence, bluster and ego never masked what was at its heart a pure, genuine soul…and Ted Knight was brilliant in the role, especially when the legendary Walter Cronkite stopped by the show:
After Ted “talks shop” about which words are more difficult to say on-air, Cronkite looks at Lou Grant and mutters:
“I’ll get you for this!”
The role made Ted Knight a star. He received six Emmy Award nominations for the role, winning the Emmy for “Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy” in 1973 and 1976.
Knight went on to star in the TV series “Too Close for Comfort”, and also had a role in the iconic comedy “Caddyshack” as well.
This hilarious film starred Chevy Chase and Bill Murray as well – and had the classic theme song by Kenny Loggins, “I’m Alright!”
Here is the trailer:
This 1980 comedy is beloved, and always helps put a smile on my face.
And I never knew this, but Knight released an album of comedy songs as well!
Knight died in 1986…but I still watch the “MTM” show just to see his greatest moments…and there is a book all about the show – making the case for what a brilliant and groundbreaking show it was:
It broke TV taboos in so many way, and here is a look at the stories behind the making of this great TV classic – red more by clicking here:
https://johnrieber.com/2013/08/19/mary-tyler-moore-show-you-got-spunk-a-tv-classic-revealed/
Of course, Mary Tyler Moore had a long and varied career, including an Oscar nomination for her work in the Best Picture of 1980, “Ordinary People”.
She was a great Actress and a great person as well – she died a few years ago and will always be remembered – you can click here to read more of her incredible story:
https://johnrieber.com/2017/01/25/rip-mary-tyler-moore-brilliant-entertainer-broke-tv-barriers/
Finally, since I mentioned that Knight haD TV show, “Caddyshack” AND comedy albums, and here is another guy who also appeared in “Caddyshack” and had a hugely successful career on TV and comedy as well:
Dangerfield was terrific in “Caddyshack”, driving Knight crazy the entire movie with his snappy one liners, like when he passed gas loudly in a group and proclaimed:
“Did someone step on a duck?”
I own several of Rodney’s classic comedy albums, and his appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson are the stuff of legend – in fact, if you click her you can see some of his best:
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Categories: Art, Awards, Books / Media, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Hollywood, Memoirs, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities, TV Show
johnrieber 
Fabulous feature article on Ted Knight! He was a gem. I have been a huge MTM Show fan since it aired, being entertained by the beautiful ensemble cast that will continue to keep me entertained pre-CoVid and post CoVid. Thank you.
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I have the entire series on DVD, and now Hulu has it as well…a joy from beginning to end, and Ted Baxter and Sue Ann Nivens are two of the best supporting characters in TV history!
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This made me smile 🙂
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Yes, now more than ever it’s all about how we choose to look at what’s in front of us and I saw do it with as much enthusiasm as we can!
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So very true
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Thanks for the wonderful memories. Ted was hilarious and made the show even better. I remember the Walter Cronkite episode.
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That is a classic – and of course the dinner party that Johnny Carson attended! When they had the blackout and you only heard his voice!
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Yes!!
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I loved Ted!
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That took me back to watching the MTM show on TV here. I didn’t really ‘get’ a lot of the American comedy at the time, but the format felt familiar and ‘cosy’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ted Knight was brilliant!😁
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Yes, and I love that scene…we need that attitude now more than ever!
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Ted Baxter was one of a kind in a one of a kind show. Ted Knight was also in Psycho. He’s a guard in the asylum that brings Norman Bates into his/her cell.
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OH WOW! I DIDN’T KNOW THAT BUT NOW HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT AS I HAVE THE DVD!
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