Ep 7. A New Sue Ann
- TVPG
- October 26, 1974
- 26 min
-
8.7 (211)
Mary Tyler Moore Show season 5 episode 7, titled "A New Sue Ann," revolves around the arrival of a new cast member Sue Ann Nivens (Betty White) on Mary's show. Sue Ann is a bubbly, perky and witty homemaker who is a new addition to Mary's show as an on-air cooking expert. Being the perfectionist that she is, Sue Ann is eager to impress and prove her mettle to the staff and viewers of the show.
As soon as Sue Ann arrives, she strikes up a conversation with Mary and asks for a rundown of the characters on the show. She is quick to notice that Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper) has been losing weight, and offers her some cooking tips to help her regain her lost weight. Sue Ann also catches the eye of Ted Baxter (Ted Knight), who is smitten with her.
Soon, Sue Ann's bright energy and charm win over everyone on set. Everyone except for Lou Grant (Ed Asner), that is. Lou is very skeptical of Sue Ann's overly-positive demeanor and her expertise in cooking. He sees through the façade and suspects that she might be putting on an act for the cameras. Mary tries to reassure Lou that Sue Ann is genuine and says that he should give her a chance.
Meanwhile, Sue Ann decides to cook a special meal for everyone on set to showcase her culinary skills. As she busies herself in the kitchen, Mary notices that Sue Ann is being a bit too critical of her assistant, who just happens to be Rhoda. When Mary confronts Sue Ann, she brushes it off and chalks it up to her perfectionist tendencies.
Finally, the day of the special meal arrives, and everyone is surprised by the delicious spread that Sue Ann has prepared. It seems as though Lou has finally come around to Sue Ann's charms. However, when he makes a comment about how she doesn't seem like a "real" person, Sue Ann's façade drops. She becomes upset and tells Lou that she doesn't know who she is anymore, as she's always playing different roles to please everyone around her.
The reveal of Sue Ann's vulnerability shocks everyone on set, as they had all assumed that she was the epitome of perfection. Mary tries to comfort her and tells her that it's okay to be herself, but Sue Ann is still distraught. In the end, Lou apologizes for his harsh words and offers to help Sue Ann find her true self.
"A New Sue Ann" is a heartwarming episode that sheds light on the importance of being true to oneself, and not always putting on an act for others. It also showcases the incredible talent of Betty White, whose nuanced performance as Sue Ann Nivens earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.