
Mary Richards is a thirty-something single woman who settles in Minneapolis after breaking up with a boyfriend. She lands a job as an associate producer of the evening news at WJM-TV, which happens to be the area's lowest-rated station. Her boss, Lou Grant, hates her spunk but often looks to her to solve newsroom (or even personal) problems. Mary's other coworkers include news writer Murray Slaughter, egomaniacal anchorman Ted Baxter and "Happy Homemaker" Sue Ann Nivens (Betty White). Mary's home is a modest studio apartment -- and her upstairs neighbor, Rhoda Morgenstern, quickly becomes a good friend. Later in the series, Mary moves to a plush high-rise apartment before leaving Minneapolis and WJM for good.

Mary and Lou attend a seminar in Washington, D.C.

Lou suffers an acute case of jealousy when an ex-girlfriend arrives at Mary's party.

Mary's Aunt Flo challenges Lou to a contest of journalistic abilities.

Mary discovers incriminating news about an old friend who is seeking re-election to Congress.