The Mary Tyler Moore Show premiered in 1970, quickly establishing itself as one of television’s most influential sitcoms. Created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns, the show followed the life of Mary Richards, a single, thirty-something woman building her career as an associate producer at a Minneapolis television station.
Played by Mary Tyler Moore, Richards’ character broke away from the traditional mold of female TV roles by showing a woman who was independent, career-oriented, and comfortable being single, without her story centering around marriage or children.
This sitcom was a revolutionary portrayal of the modern woman during a time when traditional roles were being questioned and redefined. The show tackled topics like equal pay, birth control, and gender stereotypes, setting new standards for how women could be represented on screen.
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:
