Despite the show's connection with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", none of that series' other regular characters ever appeared (or were even referred to). The only "MTM" character ever seen on "Lou Grant" was Flo Meredith, a churlish veteran journalist (and Mary Richards' role model and honorary aunt, played by Eileen Heckart) with whom Lou had had a brief fling while in Minneapolis. However, lead actors from other MTM shows did appear in guest roles as other characters, including Jane Rose and Julie Kavner.