Allan Burns The last project between Hayward and Burns would be as story editors for the sitcom "Get Smart". In 1969, Burns began a partnership with James L. Brooks after being impressed with the television pilot for Brooks's show "Room 222". Burns joined the "Room 222" writing staff and later produced the series. After "Room 222", television executive Grant Tinker hired Brooks and Burns to develop a television series for CBS starring Mary Tyler Moore. In 1970, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" premiered and became a critically acclaimed series, spawning spin-off series such as "Lou Grant" and "Rhoda". Brooks and Burns also
Mary and Rhoda first production to be set in the series' "universe" in 18 years since the series finale of "Lou Grant" in 1982. "Mary and Rhoda" was written by Katie Ford, executive produced by Mary Tyler Moore and Susan B. Landau, and directed by Barnet Kellman. During the opening title sequence, the original 1970 version of the theme song "Love Is All Around" is played and then switches to the 1996 version recorded by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Mary Richards-Cronin returns to New York City after spending four months in Europe (“Italy, mostly,” she tells a cabdriver) following the death of