by Herbie J Pilato
I regard myself as a beautiful musical instrument, and my role is to contribute that instrument to scripts worthy of it. — Ed Asner
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of The Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS, September 19, 1970, to March 19, 1977). The iconic sitcom made superstars of its namesake, already an American Sweetheart (via The Dick Van Dyke Show, CBS 1961–1966), as well as a host of charismatic performers including Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman, Betty White, Georgia Engel, Ted Knight, Gavin MacLeod, John Amos, and Ed Asner.