Mary 1978 Variety Show

Aired on 9/24/78. Mary Tyler Moore, 
David Letterman, Michael Keaton, Swoozie Kurtz, Dick Shawn, Jim 
Hampton, Judy Kahan. First episode. "After great success in 
sitcoms, Mary Tyler Moore tried something a little different with 
this variety series that was very obviously inspired by the Carol 
Burnett Show. Unfortunately, the polished-but-old-fashioned 
song-and-dance numbers and the often corn ball sketch comedy was 
out of step with the times post Saturday Night Live, 'Mary' looked 
very out of date. (Although it should be said that Mary herself was 
in great shape and looked terrific in the dance numbers.) As well, 
a certain element of hipness was provided by sketch comedy regulars 
David Letterman, Michael Keaton and Swoozie Kurtz; however, the 
too-infrequent glimpses of their edgier brand of humor severely 
clashed with the generally conservative nature of the rest of the 
show. Not surprisingly, the whole uneasy mess only lasted a few 
weeks on the air. Comes with Case.