Lou Grant (TV series) examination of ethical questions in journalism, including plagiarism, checkbook journalism, entrapment of sources, staging news photos, and conflicts of interest that journalists encounter in their work. There were also glimpses into the personal lives of the "Tribune" staff. "Lou Grant" was a spin-off from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". Unlike "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", which was a 30-minute sitcom, "Lou Grant" was a one-hour drama. When "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" ended its run, that series' co-creators and producers, James L. Brooks and Allan Burns, had a commitment to create a new show starring Ed Asner. They decided that
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