Mary finds out that Lou and his wife, Edie, have separated. She has numerous encounters with him, but he is doing the whole nine yards in the chauvinist game. It turns out that his daughters have all left the nest and he wants things to be like a honeymoon. His wife, on the other hand, decides to go to college and get a degree. He gives her an ultimatum and walks out. What transpires is kind of ugly in its own way. Mary ends up in a bar with Lou, Ted, Murray, and Gordy and they air all their prejudices. They talk really big but it's really insulting to her. There are some good moments when Ted reveals his cheapskate side. But it has a rather touching ending. The artificial log thing is just a bit risqué.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (TV Series)
The Boss Isn't Coming to Dinner (1971)
User Reviews
Review this title5 Reviews
Shaggy dog story
Rrrobert10 July 2019
A bit of a shaggy dog story (like the joke Ted tries to tell) of why Lou won't come to Mary's for a dinner party.
Mary Tyler Moore and Ed Asner act their parts well.
It felt like the characters of Murray, Gordy, and even Ted were changed slightly to explore the sexism angle. But they didn't really need to change Ted much, he always puts his foot in it, giving many of the laughs here.
Mary Tyler Moore and Ed Asner act their parts well.
It felt like the characters of Murray, Gordy, and even Ted were changed slightly to explore the sexism angle. But they didn't really need to change Ted much, he always puts his foot in it, giving many of the laughs here.
Times are changing
kellielulu29 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
In rewatching a number of episodes I find Lou Grant less likable than I remember. This is not to say I dislike him. Lou Grant is an important character and his scenes with Ted are some of the funniest of the series.
Lou and Mary at this point of the series still have a relationship that's hard to define. It goes beyond boss and employee but while he says her opinion is the one in the newsroom he respects he at times ( here and in other episodes) doesn't always act like it. He keeps blowing off her dinner invitations instead of telling her he and his wife are having problems. . Mary thinks she's the only one who knows but finds out she's the last person to find out. Even Ted knew! The scene when they are all out having drinks is pretty disrespectful to Mary . She sometimes puts up with more than she should have to.
It's also the first but not the last of Lou's marital problems. He is really only thinking of himself when he wants things a certain way and doesn't consider his wife Edie at all only in that he just expects her to feel the same . She doesn't. She's interested in getting more out of life and is going for a college degree.
The episode ends seemingly with the problem with Edie and Lou worked out but ultimately it isn't. It's interesting he just goes home and it's clear Edie will continue her pursuit of a college degree.
Lou and Mary at this point of the series still have a relationship that's hard to define. It goes beyond boss and employee but while he says her opinion is the one in the newsroom he respects he at times ( here and in other episodes) doesn't always act like it. He keeps blowing off her dinner invitations instead of telling her he and his wife are having problems. . Mary thinks she's the only one who knows but finds out she's the last person to find out. Even Ted knew! The scene when they are all out having drinks is pretty disrespectful to Mary . She sometimes puts up with more than she should have to.
It's also the first but not the last of Lou's marital problems. He is really only thinking of himself when he wants things a certain way and doesn't consider his wife Edie at all only in that he just expects her to feel the same . She doesn't. She's interested in getting more out of life and is going for a college degree.
The episode ends seemingly with the problem with Edie and Lou worked out but ultimately it isn't. It's interesting he just goes home and it's clear Edie will continue her pursuit of a college degree.
Where's Edie?!
planktonrules6 February 2024
When the episode begins, Lou is in a great mood. He just had the wedding for his third daughter and now the house is kid-free...and he plans on getting romantic with his wife, Edie...who we have never seen up to (and including) this episode. However, his second honeymoon is short-lived, as apparently Edie is not happy with their lives and wants to separate from Lou. However, since Mary is a goody-goody who insists on trying to fix others' problems, she tries her best to help the situation. Lou is not appreciative of these efforts.
This is a non-comedic episode. After all, separations and divorce are not, generally, funny topics! As such, it's okay but the episode also leaves you feeling a bit sad for the characters...even after its hopeful ending. Just okay.
This is a non-comedic episode. After all, separations and divorce are not, generally, funny topics! As such, it's okay but the episode also leaves you feeling a bit sad for the characters...even after its hopeful ending. Just okay.
How times have changed
taverngeek-213389 August 2023
This is one of those episodes which show how much the work environment has changed (for the better). Frist, that hosting the boss for dinner was a big deal showing status and acceptance. Second, that she took his bundle of dirty shirts as a favor might back then be seen as kindness, but now appears to be so subservient as if she was a doormat. Today, you'd expect the act of kindness to be giving him the name of a dry cleaner. Third, the conversation among the guys in Mary's presence at the bar was cringeworthy despite Murray and Gordi being otherwise good people.
If that premise was to be written now then Mary, Murray and Gordi would have immediately told Lou he was wrong and ask him how long before he'd admit he was wrong.
The show has a continuity error as it is after an episode of the crew having dinner at Murray's, but has dialogue of Mary not knowing that Lou and his wife have had dinner at Murray's.
If that premise was to be written now then Mary, Murray and Gordi would have immediately told Lou he was wrong and ask him how long before he'd admit he was wrong.
The show has a continuity error as it is after an episode of the crew having dinner at Murray's, but has dialogue of Mary not knowing that Lou and his wife have had dinner at Murray's.
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