Farmer Ted and the News

I love any episode that focuses on Ted since he's my favorite character behind Mary, but I have to concur with the other reviewer here that observes the treatment of Ted as being bullying.

With Murray it was most blatant and personally shocking because I gasped when he walked up to Ted and literally tore his clothes...and twice--each time being out of the blue and for no reason at all. Ted looks bewildered afterwards.

Mary witness both assaults and just sits there doing nothing when Ted looks at her in shock. It's obvious that Murray is incredibly jealous of Ted because throughout the whole series I notice how he finds ways to mention Ted in an insulting manner even when he's not there. It's almost an obsessive behavior with him.

We find out a bit more why he's so jealous when Murray learns Ted's yearly salary, which causes him to irrationally tear Ted's clothes the first time early in the episode with absolutely no provocation at all. It's psychotic behavior.

I guess something like this was considered comedy in the early 70's but it's shocking to see today. Even more shocking was how Mary witnesses both unprovoked assaults and did nothing. Do they really hate Ted that much?!

Then there's Lou who is Ted's superior and boss who literally tells Ted he'll bash his face in if he doesn't null the new contract he made with him. Ted backs down out of fear to Lou, who tries hard to look scary when in reality Ted could probably have taken on the out of shape Lou and won with one arm tied behind his back.

I just don't understand the mistreatment of Ted. Yes, he's immature and kind of an imbecile, but he never insults, harms or threatens anyone, yet this is what his co-workers do to him in return and it's so sad and cringy to watch.

Mary is kind of passive in all of it, but her character is always pretty passive/aggressive with pretty much everything in her life so I can let her slide, but Murray and Lou are both just immature and hateful in this episode and come across as petty, jealous and unlikable. The more they beat on Ted, the more I like him and despise them.

With the possible exception of the death of Chuckles the Clown, this is probably my favorite episode of Mary Tyler Moore. There are so many funny bits. First of all, there is Ted tearing up his paycheck, thinking it his new contract. Then, Ted hiring an old lady to negotiate for him. Then Lou's response to what Ted is doing with his non-exclusive contract: dog food commercials, pork sausage, slice and dice products (note the band aids on his hands), etc. And Lou's reaction when he knows Ted has got him. I won't spoil it for those of you who have not seen this episode, but Murray's reaction to Ted''s salary and Lou's final foray are priceless. Don't miss this one. The timing and the writing are impeccable.

Extra funny straight-ahead comedy episode.

Ted's agent (Lurene Tuttle) negotiates a new non-exclusive contract for him. Lou agrees, reasoning that no one would hire Ted for the mooted film and Broadway work. Lou becomes despondent when Ted instead does undignified TV commercials each night.

The regulars are all in top form while Ed Asner gives a masterclass in comedy acting. Valerie Harper (Rhoda) appears in an unrelated but funny sketch in Mary's apartment about the Christmas store display.

Many laugh out loud moments.