First Female Writer onThe Mary Tyler Moore ShowRemembers Getting Asked to Join the Series as a 'Dream Come True'

Mar. 15, 2025

Mary Tyler Moore and Valerie Harper on the set of ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ in 1970.Photo:Bettmann/Getty

Bettmann/Getty

The Mary Tyler Moore Showcoincided with changing attitudes about women in the workplace, both on screen and off.

In her sit-down, Silverman opens up about being offered the job to write onThe Mary Tyler Moore Showand what it meant at the time. The already-accomplished comedy writer knew James L. Brooks from when they were both coming up as young creatives in New York City.

“He said, ‘So what are you doing now?’ I said, ‘I’m just about to wash my hair,' " she recalls. “He said, ‘No, no, no career wise, writing wise. We’re going to be doingMary Tyler Moore’s series.' "

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A young Treva Silverman.NBC News Studio

NBC News Studio

Silverman says that next “came the words that ring in my memory. ‘You’re the first person we’re calling. We would like you to write as many as you would like.’ "

“That was a dream come true. I thought, ‘I’m home,' " she shares.

Silverman’s impact would be felt early on, with her writing credit on five of the 24 half-hour episodes that made up the show’s first season.

Valerie Harper as Rhoda Morgenstern and Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards in 1970.

The results were episodes that rang true with an audience of increasingly female viewers throughout the show’s run.

source: people.com