15 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’

13. Captain Stubing Was Almost Lou Grant

Gavin MacLeod — who went on to fame as The Love Boat’s Captain Stubing after several years playing lovably acidic head writer Murray Slaughter — originally read for the part of Lou Grant. However, after his read, he requested to read for Murray, whom McLeod thought he could embody more capably than the gruff Grant. It all worked out for the best because Ed Asner was amazing and McLeod irreplaceable.

14. The MTM Kitten’s Name Is Mimsie

When the news broke that Mary Tyler Moore was forming her own company to launch her new show, the obvious connection of her production company’s initials — MTM — to the larger brand was pointed out. As a result, the decision was made to harp on the connection and get a much smaller lion to roar in the company’s logo. So, the company scoured local shelters, ultimately rescuing the iconic orange kitty, named Mimsie.

15. “Sherry” Was Murdered in Real Life

Actress Barbra Colby played Sherry in several episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show (you may remember her as the person who designed Mary’s green dress) and later went on to co-star in Phyllis. Sadly, just a few episodes into that gig, the actress and a friend were shot in Venice, California. No robbery occurred, and the murder remains unsolved today.