MovieChat Forums > Mary Tyler Moore (1970) Discussion > Who hired Ted?

Who hired Ted?

posted 8 years ago by macecoronel
6 replies | jump to latest

Did Lou hire Ted... and if so, why? Or was Lou already there and saddled with Ted? I'd find it hard to believe Lou would purposely choose him unless he was already stuck for a hire.

[–] hifijohn 8 years ago

the show needs the charactor of ted for the comedy but realistically, any station would have fired him in five minutes.

[–] gbennett5 8 years ago

Agree. Ted is my LEAST favorite character, as he really had no redeeming qualities
whatsoever. He cheated on Georgette; he was a cheapskate; dumber than a box
of rocks, and totally vain.

[–] ElRaisuli 8 years ago

I think there is dialog that implies that Lou was already at WJM when Ted was hired. It's hard to believe that Lou would have been totally out of the loop on hiring the show's anchorman, although it could be that someone forced Lou to hire Ted. On the other hand, you would expect Ted to play that card again at some point, and he doesn't. Ted does not seem to have a "protector" at the station.

As for why Lou would've hired Ted (if he did)... in the business world you discover that some people interview really well and yet turn out to be duds. It's almost like an evolutionary survival mechanism that ensures that the incompetent at least get a shot [see "What's Wrong With Swimming"].

You sort of see this scenario play out in the final episode when new management evaluates the news staff and Ted is the only one not to get fired.

[–] gbennett5 8 years ago

Yes, Lou mentions at least once that Ted was there before him. Lou and Murray
despised Ted; one can see why.

I think feather-head Georgette was brought in as Ted's love interest to soften
him - the same way Edith Bunker softened Archie. For me, it didn't work. But
I admit I'm in the minority. And Ted Knight WAS brilliant at what he did.

[–] ElRaisuli 8 years ago

I think the evidence that Lou was there before Ted (and was involved in his hiring) can be found in the episode "Once I Had A Secret Love," from season 6.

While getting rid of some old files at the office, Mary and Lou come across Ted's job application.

MARY: "Personal references... Jacques Cousteau??"

LOU: "Yeah, it was Ted's idea. He figured we couldn't check since Cousteau was under the water most of the time."

[Later, Ted notices his old job application as he's leaving the news room.]

TED: "Hey, look at that! My résumé! By the way Lou, did you ever get in touch with Jacques?"

[–] SamHardy 8 years ago

I think you need to get out more. It was a comedy device. Ya know, fiction?