The Mary Tyler Moore Show its original run, receiving twenty-nine Primetime Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series three years in a row (1975–1977), and for which Moore received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series three times. The series also launched three spin-offs: "Rhoda" (1974–1978), "Phyllis" (1975–1977), and "Lou Grant" (1977–1982). In 2013, the Writers Guild of America ranked "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" number six on its list of the "101 Best Written TV Series of All Time." Mary Richards (Moore) is a single woman who, at age 30, moves to Minneapolis on the heels of a broken
Thomas Carter (director) was presented with the "Distinguished Alumnus Award" from Texas State University. Carter first began his film career as an actor. His first roles included working in television shows/movies such as: "M*A*S*H", "Lou Grant", "What's Happening!!", "The Secret of Isis", "Whose Life Is It Anyway?", "The Blue Knight", "Good Times", and "Hill Street Blues". He was a regular on the sitcom "Szysznyk" (1977). Carter is most known for his appearance on the series "The White Shadow" between the years 1978 through 1980. "The White Shadow", which ran three seasons from 1978 to 1981. Carter played James Hayward, a troubled teenager with