Before she filmed the first episode of the series, Walker made her only appearance on "Rhoda" for the 1976-77 season. In the season premiere, "The Separation", Rhoda (Valerie Harper) and her husband Joe (David Groh) decide to separate. Rhoda tries to keep the news from her mother Ida (Walker), since Ida is about to embark on a year-long trip across America with Rhoda's father (Harold Gould). Ida learns the truth from Rhoda prior to Ida's departure. For her performance in this episode, Walker was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actress In A Comedy or Drama Series. "The Nancy Walker Show" premiered on ABC-TV in late September 1976. It received poor reviews and low ratings and was cancelled in December 1976.