Phyllis (TV series) had higher overall ratings than "Rhoda" that season, as well as equal ratings with its parent show, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". The stigma of the deaths of several cast members during the show's run, as well as the ill health of actress Jane Rose, are also said to have been factors in the series' cancellation. The final episode ("And Baby Makes Six") had Bess announcing that she and Mark were expecting their first child. This installment aired Sunday, March 13, 1977. The same week, on Saturday, March 19, Leachman made her last appearance as Phyllis Lindstrom on the final
Mary Lou Finlay Mary Lou Finlay Mary Lou Finlay (born 1947) is a Canadian radio and television journalist, best known for hosting various programs on CBC Radio and CBC Television. Finlay graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1967 with a BA in English and French literature. For three years she did writing and researching for the Canadian War Museum before her leap to journalism when she began hosting a CBC Ottawa television magazine. In 1975, Finlay moved to Toronto to co-host CBC Television's "Take 30". She hosted her own program, "Finlay and Company", in 1976 and 1977 and developed a loyal following.