A Bronx Tale

Her friend Mary Richards “could turn the world on with her smile,” but after four seasons in the shadow of her Minneapolis neighbor, New York City native Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper) decided to give her hometown one last chance. And it was clear: Harper had the comic sass to be America’s Jewish Sweetheart.

Rhoda may not have matched the staying power of its predecessor, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but the spin-off’s first two seasons — season one is finally coming out on DVD (April 21) — are classic sitcom magic. There’s Brenda (Julie Kavner), Rhoda’s younger, plumper sister who is the Rhoda to Rhoda’s Mary. Then there’s "Ma" (Nancy Walker), their meddling mother with the withering stare and a way with a one-liner. And finally, there’s Joe (David Groh), who Rhoda’s mother refers to as “that guy with the funny name.” And the ever brilliant but never seen Carlton the Doorman (Lorenzo Music).

Years before Sex and the City, Rhoda and her sister lamented men and dating on the Upper West Side, with a 70s flair (declares Brenda: “I’m still getting over the great ‘What fun it is to be a woman’ hoax!”). But Rhoda found happiness — for a while — with Joe. And when, halfway through the season, they got married and Rhoda had to ride the subway in her wedding gown to get there, throwing your hat in the air in Minneapolis suddenly paled in comparison.


Rhoda: Season One will be available April 21 from Shout! Factory.