THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW 1976 Cast Signed Autograph Original Script

Description

THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW celebrated it's 50th anniversary this past year, and this iconic and influential classic comedy still sets the standard today for excellent writing for a comedy series.  During it's 7 year run in the 1970's, the series earned the best writing Emmy a total of 5 times.  Mary Tyler Moore has long been recognized for the impact of her role on her namesake show that portrayed an empowered and successful single woman in her 30's embracing her independence.
Original cast signed scripts from this era are exceptionally rare as they weren't as commonly signed as many were in the years to come.  Over 30 years of collecting, the only cast signed scripts I've seen from this show are typically the last two seasons.  This one, from the final season, has the distinction of being the only one I've ever seen that also includes the signatures of it's creators, James L. Brooks and Allan Burns, as well as longtime director Jay Sandrich.  And now, with the passing of Ed Asher, the only signers still living are Sandrich and Brooks.
Offered here is an original script to the final season episode, HAIL THE CONQUERING GORDY.  It is a notable one for many reasons.  First, it is personalized to a woman at the Minneapolis CBS affiliate that had visited the studio and was known by the creators and cast.  Second, as the series was wrapping up, this episode marked the one-time return of John Amos, who had portrayed weatherman Gordy early in the series run prior to departing for GOOD TIMES.  The plot is hilarious, as Gordy has achieved the top market New York status and national attention long desired by Ted Baxter.
The script is a first draft dated December 3,1976.  It was signed in that era by Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, Ted Knight, Georgia Engel and Gavin MacLeod.  Note that Betty White did not appear in the episode, which would explain her not having signed it.  As previously noted, it was also signed by the series creators and director.