Norman Lear’s syndicated soap opera satire Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976-1978) was a groundbreaking television phenomenon that kept audiences tuning in nightly for doses of the hysterical and neurotic characters of the fictional Fernwood, Ohio. The precursor to the Costco sample lady, Louise Lasser’s braided title character was obsessed with products and waxy build up. Her husband Tom (Greg Mullavey) had problems long before the little blue pill became featured in nightly television commercials. And Loretta Haggers (Mary Kay Place) was writing tell-all country music songs before Taylor Swift’s parents were old enough to date.
I recently had the opportunity to chat with the fabulous actors who brought life to this cult classic. Catch up with Louise Lasser (Bananas, Taxi), Mary Kay Place (Big Chill, Big Love), and Greg Mullavey (Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice, iCarly) in my Parade Magazine online column Showbiz Analysis, and listen to the interviews on Whine At 9.
Loved hearing Louise Lasser and I forgot about her work on Taxi. She will always be Mary Hartman!