Ep 21. The Boss Isn't Coming to Dinner

The Mary Tyler Moore Show season 1 episode 21 titled "The Boss Isn't Coming to Dinner" follows Mary Richards, a single and independent woman in her thirties, who works as a news producer for WJM-TV in Minneapolis. In this episode, Mary is excited to host a dinner party for her colleagues, including her boss Lou Grant, who she has invited but has not received a confirmation from.

Mary spends the day preparing for the party, buying groceries, cleaning her apartment, and cooking a fancy meal. However, as the hours go by, Lou still hasn't shown up, and Mary begins to worry that he won't be coming. She becomes increasingly anxious and stressed as she tries to entertain her other guests, including her best friend Rhoda and new colleagues Gordy and Sue Ann, who seem to have their own agendas for the night.

As the evening progresses, Mary's stress and anxiety increase as she keeps waiting for Lou to arrive. She starts to fear that her boss might have a problem with her or that he simply didn't want to come to her party. As she confides in her friends about her fears, they try to reassure her and convince her that there might be a good reason why Lou hasn't shown up.

Meanwhile, Lou is stuck in a bar with his friend Murray, who convinces him to have a drink before going to Mary's party. Over the course of the evening, Lou gets increasingly drunk and starts to forget about the dinner party altogether. However, Murray manages to sober him up in time to call Mary and explain his absence.

Mary is relieved when she receives Lou's phone call and is overjoyed when he finally shows up at her apartment. The dinner party goes on, and Mary finally relaxes and begins to enjoy herself. However, she learns an important lesson about putting too much emphasis on other people's opinions and not enjoying the moment for what it is.

Overall, "The Boss Isn't Coming to Dinner" is an enjoyable and lighthearted episode that showcases Mary Richards' personal and professional life. It explores the dynamics between colleagues and friends, the anxieties and stresses that come with hosting a party, and the importance of being present and enjoying the moment. The episode also highlights Mary's strong work ethic and her willingness to go the extra mile for her colleagues, even when it means putting her own well-being on the line.