Winning Words 1/10/11
“You’re gonna make it after all.” (Sonny Curtis – MTM theme) MTM is one of my all-time favorite TV shows. “Perky” Mary was an example of one who was always trying to make the best of difficult situations. “Throwing her hat in the air” was a way of saying, “I can do it. I will do it.” One of the best episodes was when she laughed during the funeral of Chuckles. There was a message in that. ;-) Jack

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Don't remember that episode but I did watch her program. It was refreshingly and funny! FROM JACK: The "Chuckles" episode is considered to be one of the best of the series.

CHUCKLES EPISODE SUMMARY: The WJM-TV children's clown is killed by an elephant during a parade. The fact that he was dressed as a peanut leaves the newsroom in stitches. The jokes disturb Mary, who
admonishes them for their lack of respect. And then a funeral.... This is one of the most beloved and funniest Mary Tyler Moore episodes and is one of television history’s most famous moments. Not only are the jokes corny and funny, the situation in which Chuckles dies is hilarious, and Mary’s reaction is amusing, against all the laughing. She tries so hard to make them show more reverence for a fallen comrade. This all leads to her own demise at the funeral. As the priest performs the eulogy, he lists all of Chuckles various characters from the show. Mary finally sees the humour and begins to snicker and snort, trying in vain to stop herself from laughing at what should be a very solemn moment. We’ve all been there. Trying desperately to stop laughing in church or during a speech, or anywhere inappropriate. It is very hard once it starts, and we are treated to a virtuoso performance by Mary Tyler Moore. Her snickering and embarrassing attempts to conceal it are priceless! She laughs and looks around innocently, as if she too is attempting to see who is laughing. Finally, she lets out a series of snorts, giggles and a big huge guffaw. She is whimpering from the strain of holding in the laughs, as she listens to the minister tell her that it is ok to laugh, that’s what Chuckles wanted here today, not tears, but laughter. Tears and crying were an insult to him. He encourages her to laugh for Chuckles, and bursts out in sobbing tears! It is without a doubt one fantastic episode, and is one of televisions most memorial moments indeed!

FROM PL IN MICHIGAN: I think that was one of the funniest bits of all tv. FROM JACK: This episode is an example of the two masks symbolizing drama...the laughing face and the crying face. According to "Google," they represent the muses of tragedy and comedy Thalia and Melpomene. Thalia is the muse of Comedy in greek drama and is shown as a laughing mask and Melpomene is the muse of tragedy and is shown as a crying mask. These muses are the inspiration for creating art forms, such as tragedy and comedy. They are represented as masks because the actors of Greek plays work masks to represent their characters.

FROM MOLINER CF: Did you ever notice that the "hat" never came down? I think there is a significance in that. FROM JACK: You're probably the only one in the world sees the significance.

FROM ILLINOIS LIZ: That's my dad's favorite episode, too. FROM JACK: It's a dad thing, I guess.

FROM MO IN ILLINOIS: You'll have to enlighten me on MTM...I don't recall that TV series. I do agree that a sense of humor and a positive outlook saves the day in most situations. My sister Jan was great at seeing the funny side of almost any situation, and we were the best gigglers, ever. Get us started, and we'd keep laughing until we were wiping tears!! I think if we've made it this far, we ARE going to make it!! FROM JACK: You probably never saw the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Because you were studying in the library.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: Too bad she clouded our images of her with a face lift. FROM JACK: I'm usually disappointed when the old folks come back and try to recreate once-popular show. We are the age we are; however, you look pretty good for the age you are...and without a face-lift, too.

FROM PRAW IN ILLINOIS: We are enjoying the DVD's of 5 different seasons of "Mary" and they are as fresh , humorous, and fun today as back in the 70's. Good clean humor too! FROM JACK: Santa Claus must have enjoyed the show, too.