Still from: **05) Episode 8: “The Snow Must Go On” (Aired: 11/07/70 | Filmed: 08/14/70)**

Mary: Mr Grant, you don’t seem to understand. In order to be in charge, you have to be able to exert authority. I’ve never been any good at that.

I’ve recently been re-watching one of my favourite TV comedies, The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Created by James L Brooks and Allan Burns, the series ran on CBS in the United States from 1970 to 1977. Mary Tyler Moore plays Mary Richards, a 30-year-old independent woman who, after a broken engagement, has moved to Minneapolis. There she gets a job as an associate producer on the news programme at local TV station WJM.

In the opening title sequence, to the mellow tones of Sonny Curtis singing ‘Love Is All Around,' we see Mary driving her white Ford Mustang to Minneapolis, walking happily around the lakes and shopping streets, gleefully throwing her blue tam o’ shanter into the air.

Mary is a smart, optimistic, considerate Midwesterner, with magnificent fashion. In brightly coloured shirt dresses, turtlenecks and trouser suits, she navigates the challenges of volatile office politics, unpredictable friendships and romantic entanglements, with grace, wit and fortitude.

Lou: Mary, when someone does a terrific job, I believe in letting them know it….Good work, Murray!

In Series 1 Episode 8 (‘The Snow Must Go On’) Mary is asked by her boss, tough but kind-hearted producer Lou Grant (Ed Asner), to take charge of the studio floor on the critical night of the Minneapolis city elections.

Mary faces a crisis of confidence.

Mary: You want me to be in charge, but that’s your job.
Lou: No, my job is telling you what your job is… Look, if it’s a question of extra money.
Mary: No, it’s not a question of money.
Lou: Good, cos there isn’t any.

Despite Lou’s belief in Mary’s ability, she continues to resist.

Mary: Mr Grant, really, I’ve never been any good at exerting authority. They’re probably not even going to listen to me.
Lou: What d’you say?

Mary’s concerns seem to be realised when, on taking to the studio floor, everyone ignores her.

Floor Manager: Who OK’ed this material?
Mary: Well, I did.
Floor Manager: What about Lou?
Mary: Well, I’m sort of in charge of the show tonight.
Newswriter: You’re in what?
Mary: Charge

The news coverage is fronted by vain, dim-witted anchorman Ted Baxter (Ted Knight). With slick hair, golden tan and bright blue blazer, he relies a little too heavily on his cue cards.

Ted: Welcome to WJM’s continuous election night coverage. And remember: We’ll stay on air until a winner is declared. Takes off glasses… Looks concerned.

To add to Mary’s problems, a state-wide blizzard wreaks havoc on the studio’s technology. The teletype system malfunctions, the phones go down, and Ted is forced to ad lib. He explains what the letters WJM stand for, does impressions of Hollywood screen idols, recites recipes and sings Danny Boy. And all the time the Mayoral votes are stuck on Turner 85, Mitchell 23.

Ted: I need new numbers. I can’t ad lib any more!

Through all this, Mary uses her charm to coax and cajole Ted to persevere.

And then, at 2-30 AM, the exhausted and dejected team hear that Channel 3 has announced Turner as the winner. They demand that they do the same, so that they can sign off for the night.

Mary puts her foot down. They owe it to their viewers to wait for an official outcome. It would be dishonest to do otherwise. Faced with a restless workforce, she holds her ground.

Mary: Ted, if you declare a winner now, you’re fired.

Reluctantly the studio team gets back to work, and improvises a show.

Finally, at 6-30 AM, they learn that the blizzard has calmed, and Mitchell, not Turner, has been officially declared winner.

Mary has been vindicated.

In just 25 minutes, this episode has demonstrated, with humour and style, a simple truth of working life. Authority may be conferred by a role or job title. But true leadership must be earned - by strength of character, by unifying and motivating, by making difficult decisions, by navigating a storm.

Mary: I guess I’m not so bad at being in charge after all.

'How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big,
And girl this time you’re all alone.
But it's time you started living,
It's time you let someone else do some giving.
Love is all around, no need to fake it.
You can have the town, why don't you take it.
You might just make it after all!’
Sonny Curtis, ‘Love Is All Around'

No. 517