Opinion: After watching one episode of ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ she was hooked

To the editor: Back in New York in the 1970s, my roommate and I were shocked when our friend had to leave a party so he could catch “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Seriously? (“Mary Tyler Moore, beloved TV icon who symbolized the independent career woman, dies at 80,” Jan. 25)

We were in the arts, and he was scooting out for a sitcom? “But have you watched it?” he asked. Of course we hadn’t. “We’ll talk after you do.”

So we watched it. And wow, it was sly and fresh and witty and charming and even the tiniest bit edgy, and Mary was so adorable you just wanted to take her home. Which is what we did, every single Saturday night after that.

Years later I got to play Mary’s secretary on the pilot of her series “Mary.” By then I had some experience, but I’d never been in such absolute awe as I was at that audition. And during the week of rehearsals and shooting, she was everything they’re saying she was — lovely and professional, a dream to work with.

We’ll miss you, girl.

Kate Zentall, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: As if we needed reminding that we live in a time when love isn’t all around anymore, this had to happen. For her sake I’m almost glad: I think she was in pain for a long time. But it’s awful for the rest of us.

To give you one example of what a caring, giving person Mary Tyler Moore was: In high school I didn’t go out much. Somehow she must have gotten word because she made the sacrifice of ending her still-popular eponymous TV series (Carol Burnett would do the same thing a year later) just to give me less reason to stay home on Saturday night. And I never got to thank her.

As Laura Petrie would say, “Oh, Rob!”

Kevin Dawson, Los Angeles

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook