In the pilot, it seems that Bess and Mary have never met; however, Phyllis says they've been longtime friends. Later, in S05E08, Mary is 34 and Phyllis says she's 43. Judging by a couple of episodes, an age gap is an issue, at least in dating...
So I was wondering if any fans know how they met, or if it was ever mentioned on Phyllis or on any spin-offs in the same "universe".
Nothing specific. I always assumed that their families had been friends, so they had known each other for many years. Or maybe they were from the same hometown.
I think when Bess asks about why she should call her 'Aunt Mary', Mary says that they've been friends for a long time.
Al - Alicia
An - Andrew
Jo - Joseph
Be - Benjamin
Thanks, alanjobe. And you're right, it was Mary who said it.
I guess earlier sitcoms were written at a time when fans aren't as, well, fanatical in having to know everything about the characters. These days, as you know, shows often include the most minute details to add more depth to characters. I was hoping it would've been mentioned at some point, but your idea makes a lot of sense.
I think they met just after college. In an episode in Season 4, I think it's Phylis' brother who asks her if they met at college, when he's trying to find out how old she is, just before Rhoda comes in and they hit it off. Will have to rewatch the episode to check. ( Any excuse...)
share[deleted]
I think there's just a continuity glitch of sorts in there, not uncommon for sitcoms of the era. It's unlikely they would have known each other for years because Mary wasn't from Minneapolis, right? She had just moved there at the start of the series. Unless part of her choice of Minneapolis was because Phyllis offered her an apartment to stay in there, which is always possible but I don't remember it.
shareFor some reason, I thought Mary and Phyllis were cousins.
shareI may be imagining it, but I thought there was a fleeting reference in an episode to Phyllis having once baby-sat for Mary. If she's 9 years older, 15-year-old Phyllis could have baby-sat for six-year-old Mary.
shareI may be imagining it, but I thought there was a fleeting reference in an episode to Phyllis having once baby-sat for Mary. If she's 9 years older, 15-year-old Phyllis could have baby-sat for six-year-old Mary.