When we think about how to honor the life of someone like Valerie Harper, we have two choices. We can get lost in sadness, or we can celebrate the incredible legacy she left behind. The MeTV Network has chosen the latter. They're paying tribute to Valerie's amazing career with a special presentation of select episodes from two iconic TV series: The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda. This special marathon airs on MeTV this Sunday, September 8th, starting at 5:00 p.m. ET/PT and running until 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Let's take a moment to remember why Valerie Harper was such a beloved figure in television history.
Valerie Harper: The Woman Behind Rhoda Morgenstern
Valerie Harper will always be remembered for her unforgettable role as Rhoda Morgenstern, the quick-witted and lovable best friend to Mary Richards on the legendary The Mary Tyler Moore Show. With her sharp humor and undeniable charm, Harper turned Rhoda into one of the most iconic feminist characters of the 1970s. Her performances earned her three Primetime Emmy Awards. But her journey didn't stop there. In 1974, Rhoda got her own spin-off series, aptly titled Rhoda, where audiences got to see even more of her personality shine through.
Rhoda: A Show That Made History
When Rhoda premiered in 1974, it made history in more ways than one. It was the first and only television series to debut at the top of the Nielsen ratings. The show followed Rhoda as she left Minneapolis to return to her hometown of New York City, where she embarked on a whirlwind romance with divorcee Joe Gerard, played by David Groh. The wedding episode between Rhoda and Joe became a cultural phenomenon, with over 52 million Americans tuning in to watch. This made it the most-watched television episode of the 1970s. Over its four-season run, Rhoda garnered 17 Primetime Emmy nominations and seven Golden Globe nominations. Valerie herself took home her fourth Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, along with a Golden Globe for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy.
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But Valerie Harper's career didn't end there. She continued to make appearances in various television series, including The Love Boat, Touched By An Angel, Melrose Place, Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, Dancing with the Stars, and 2 Broke Girls. In 2000, she reunited with Mary Tyler Moore for the made-for-TV movie Mary and Rhoda. Even after being diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of brain cancer in 2013, Harper kept working. She appeared in short films, performed on stage, and lent her voice to animated series like The Simpsons and American Dad. Her dedication to her craft was truly inspiring.
