The Mary Tyler Moore Show premiered in 1970, quickly establishing itself as one of television’s most influential sitcoms.
The “Scandalous” Green Dress Episode
One of the most memorable—and mildly scandalous—episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show involved Mary wearing a now-iconic green dress. In the episode “Today I Am a Ma’am,” Mary wears a glamorous, form-fitting emerald green dress to a party in an attempt to feel more youthful and confident.
This particular dress, with its daring style, became somewhat controversial for its perceived suggestiveness. Although relatively tame by today’s standards, the outfit sparked surprise among viewers in the 1970s, who weren’t accustomed to seeing female characters in attire that openly embraced their sexuality.
This episode highlighted Mary’s attempt to navigate societal pressures around aging and desirability, creating a humorous but honest look at how women were expected to present themselves.
Check-out the famous ‘green dress’ clip:
