jc-osms "Rhoda" was, if I remember rightly, the only U.S. MTM sit-com to get a set screen-time on British television. The original "Mary Tyler Moore Show" and its other spin-off "Phyllis" were treated as schedule-fillers at best and even the dramatised "Lou Grant" ended up on the graveyard shift. But "Rhoda" I'm sure was shown on BBC2 at 9 o'clock on Tuesday's for I believe all its series showings and I loved it as a youngster at the time. Back then, I knew very little of Valerie Harper's character's origins on the Tyler Moore show, but that didn't matter, the laughs were there from the start as well as the strong supporting characters of Rhoda's waspish mother played by Nancy Walker, fresh from "McMillan and Wife" and Julie Kavner (later the voice of Marge Simpson) as her man (and food) hungry kid sister Brenda, while the insertion of their boozy off-stage doorman Carlton also made for some off-beat humour.The humour was of the sharp and sassy New York Jewish type and largely set-bound in Rhoda's massive apartment. Valerie Harper was a delight in the title part, by turns confident and insecure, independent but mother-dependant. Romance entered her life in the form of hunky construction company boss Joe, played by Davud Groh, but the marriage wasn't to last. I remember later episodes playing up Brenda's eccentric choice of boyfriends, some of which worked (klutz-type Nick Lobo) and some of which didn't (smarmy type Gary Levy). I also seem to recall the series ending with Rhoda working for old sourpuss Kenneth MacMillan's clothing company and some enjoyable sparring between the two of them, but my main memories will always be the bright, sunny early series and that distinctive "La La La" theme music.Would love to see it again.

DKosty123 Where Mary Tyler Moore explored and independent woman, this spin off went into the Independent woman being romanced, married and divorced in a short time. This was Rhoda, the artist who got something created from her success with her girlfriend.The show explores her relationship with her younger sister and her husband. At times it is very funny. Carlton the doorman is a classic comedic character. He has more punch lines than most and his timing is spot on.Rhoda does not have as much sex appeal which makes this series a more down to earth type of show. This is one of the rare times where the show is selling normal relationships without someone being considered a sacred idol.In the early 1970's women were still really getting started on their equal rights they are still fighting for. Rhoda represents those values well.

SoSingular This show is ground-breaking and paved the way for many shows to come. Before Friends and Seinfeld, this was the show about singles living in New York City. This show portrayed the Jewish-American culture in a positive light. The chemistry between Valerie Harper, Julie Kavner, and Nancy Walker is among the best that television has ever seen. And, while always funny, it was constantly breaking its premise in half and yet still staying funny and great. I love, too, how it is the first great sitcom that used self-deprecation as a tool to provide humor and portray grand humanity. Both Harper and Kavner (Marge Simpson of The Simpsons) belong in the Television Hall of Hame based simply on this wonderful show.

Andy B-8 Being British I have never had the pleasure of watching any episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show from which this sitcom spun off from so I didn't know much about Rhoda's character in that show. However, I found this show very funny anyway.Valerie Harper may be the lead but the show really shines because of the wonderful Julie Kavner as her sister and Nancy Walker as her interferring mother. Characterization is always very important in making a great situation comedy - just look at Cheers, The Golden Girls, Roseanne.Carlton the Doorman was always good for a laugh even though you never saw what he looked like.A very funny show.