 Phyllis
1 9 7 5 - 1 9 7 7 (USA)
48 x 30 minute episodes
 In
1975, it was decided that MTM Enterprises would produce the second
spin-off from the successful Mary Tyler Moore Show (Rhoda
had been the first spin-off in 1974).
Cloris Leachman would star in her own series and continue to play
the character she so skilfully portrayed for five seasons on MTM,
Phyllis Lindstrom.
The show began with great ratings and reviews (the #6 show of the
1975-76 season) but ratings declined in the second season and the
show was abruptly taken off the air after only 48 episodes.
The series had Phyllis a recent widow when her unseen husband
Lars dies. Phyllis and her daughter Bess (Lisa Gerritsen) move to
San Francisco to live with Lars' mother Audrey (Jane Rose)and her
new husband Judge Johnathan Dexter (Henry Jones).
Phyllis soon found work as an assistant at a photography studio
owned by Julie Erskine (Barbara Colby & Liz Torres). Leo
Heatherton was the dim-witted single photographer (played by Richard
Schaal who had been a guest star numerous times on MTM and
was Valerie Harper's (aka Rhoda) real-life husband at the time).
The second season format dropped Julie and Leo as Phyllis found
work as a secretary at the San Francisco Board of Directors.
Caramine Caridi played Phyllis' new boss Dan Valenti, Garn Stephens
played Phyllis' co-worker Harriet, and John Lawlor played the
dim-witted supervisor Leonard Marsh.
Judith Lowry was introduced in the first season as Johnathan's
outspoken eighty-seven year old mother, Sally (Mother) Dexter who
moved in with them. (Phyllis and Bess were also still living with
Johnathan and Audrey).
Mother Dexter was married during the second season to a ninety
one year old man. Bess also married Dan's nephew Mark toward the end
of the series. Mark and Bess also moved in with Johnathan and
Audrey.
A few tragedies embraced the Phyllis set from the
beginning. After only the third episode had been filmed, actress
Barbara Colby (who played Julie) was murdered by gang members in a
drive-by shooting.
Judith Lowry (who played Mother Dexter) died in December 1976, a
few weeks before the wedding episode was telecast. Episodes were
filmed earlier then, so Mother Dexter would appear almost until the
last episode.
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