Ted Baxter greatest moment

[@ralph0901]

the day Ted Baxter became a hero

[@davidhardwick3816]

What a show, and GOD HOW I LOVED TED BAXTER!!!

[@JakeMabe1]

What makes this go from funny to genius is how Ted just does it and keeps on walking. Truly golden.

[@docadams7099]

Yep, he just took care of business at hand and acted so professionally. For once, lol.

[@jamessandy5873]

The whole thing is so brilliantly timed and executed...definitely on my list of 20 funniest scenes from the entire series.

[@razor6552]

The inspiration for future movies where a guy causes an explosion followed by a wall of firey destruction and doesn't look back as he walks forward in slow motion.

[@rhoadesjerry9696]

"Only a fool would vent his frustration in those ways." TED: "You rang?"

[@stevevasta]

😄😄😄

[@chrislacke5188]

Laverne & Shirley had their version of this whenever Lenny and Squiggy would walk in and say “hello.”

[@c.s.jackson7214]

You like this pie? You want this pie? HAVE A PIE. ON ME.

[@trajan75]

"If the fool persisteth in his folly, he would become wise" William Blake

[@annapopkin3171]

Not only is Ted Knight's timing pure gold, so is Bette White's reaction 😂

[@thomash.schwed3662]

And everyone else's reaction, including Eric Braeden.

[@georgehenderson7783]

@@thomash.schwed3662 Beat me to that reply by 2 weeks! Was going to write the same exact 7 words!

[@dingfeldersmurfalot4560]

She was loving being at the center of things at that moment!

[@ajs11201]

@@thomash.schwed3662 I saw a recent interview Eric Braeden gave. Apparently, he still has fond memories of doing that show.

[@DJ-bj8ku]

Ted was perfect to deliver the pie because he wasn’t bound by the same professional standards as Lou and Murray. Love it.

[@Maggie-rr8gi]

Hilarious!

[@Jasenspeed401]

Real dialogue. Intelligent dialogue. Witty dialogue that wasn’t trying to be clever but just was. Brilliant!

[@cylon6]

I love that they left in Mary and Ed's real laughter at the end.

[@jl3322]

The good ole days!!

[@liz326522]

The audience howling with laughter after Ted's "moment of glory"... authentic, perfect.

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

How many takes? Certainly only one.

[@Mama-Ames]

Ted Knight was a GENIUS!!! He made this show SO SO FUNNY! Rest in Peace Mr. Knight. You will ALWAYS be loved.

[@harryplummer6356]

You are so right! I just loved him in MTM.

[@TheGreatWhiteScout]

Additionally, he had five campaign stars in the European Theater as an US Army Combat Engineer. Not only a great comic actor, but a soldier who answered the call for his country.

[@charlieyellowstone8248]

And he didn't even have to say a word! 🤣😅😆

[@RitaSora]

Yes! Still laugh so hard when Ted is in a scene. Been watchng since day one.I watch every weekday on Decades TV and my MTM Show dvd's on the weekend.Ted has always been my favorite on the MTM show.

[@Gradguy1]

Ted K so good … but the writer’s … wow!!!

[@aiberlane3390]

I love how Ted does it so casually! He just glances at the pie, pushes Sue's hand up, and keeps on walking.

[@joedellaselva1251]

I have a feeling judging from the cast's reaction that Ted Knight ad-libbed the pie in the face.

[@trvman1]

The days when they knew how to write comedy. Today most "comedy" is stupid sex related jokes/situations and they are old and worn out because they have been used so many times. The only "recent" sitcoms that didn't have to take that route were The Middle and Last Man Standing. They were so realistic.

[@E.JayViera]

Didn’t even turn to see the wreckage.

[@loulfw2513]

@@joedellaselva1251 yeah probably. Because otherwise the scene would have ended with... I'm sorry, WHAT was your answer again?

[@IsiahTomas]

I hope that felt as good as it looked.

[@Vejur9000]

This was so brilliantly written and acted, by veteran masters of their craft. Brilliant. Ted Knight was a brilliant comedic actor.

[@RitaSora]

He sure was brilliant! Love every single time he walks in because I know I am gonna laugh!!!!!

[@tedosmond413]

Born Tadewurz Wladzui Konopka in Terryville, Conn., Mr. Knight went into the Army shortly after graduation from Terryville High School. He served in World War II with the First Army Group's combat engineers as radio reconnaissance operator and was among the first American troops to enter Berlin toward the end of the war. He won five Bronze Stars during his military service.

[@RobMacKendrick]

And scene. Absolutely perfect. Perfect writing, perfect acting, perfect direction and blocking. MTM made the best.

[@liz326522]

RobMacKendrick Without sounding incredibly clueless, what exactly is blocking and what made it so perfect in this scene? Just curious.

[@RobMacKendrick]

Blocking is the way the shots are lined up (sequence and angle). If you watch the sequence from first to last, noting each frame change and the way the actors stand and move through the scene (note that the arrogant snob remains still while everyone else moves in relation to him), it tells the story as eloquently as the script. You could just lay out a series of stills without dialogue and people would laugh just as hard. The MTM crew were famous for minding all the details, and this scene demonstrates why they're still remembered as among the best.

[@liz326522]

RobMacKendrick Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that to me, I find that so interesting, especially when you think of how much had to go into even a simple scene, to make it the best it can be. That cast and crew really were the cream of the crop, weren't they? Lightning in a bottle they were.

[@RobMacKendrick]

Not at all; I picked this stuff up "in the street" so to speak, just as an interested fan, and it really does heighten my appreciation of the movies and TV shows I love, to have a sketchy understanding of Cinematography 101. And I'm totally with you on the MTM team. They were so sharp on so many levels. I guess that's why we're still talking about them. (And watching them!)

[@Tmanaz480]

Great explanation. This was a live audience sitcom, so it had to be performed like a play. There was little chance for retakes.

[@peterschultz354]

Eric Braeden looks like he's trying not to laugh after "getting it." By his own account, he said he really loved doing this episode.

[@U2WB]

A bit of trivia: Eric Braeden used to go by the name Hans Gudegast - which I presume to be his real name.

[@cindytaylor9336]

That scene was gold for Ted Baxter. Ted Knight was a comic genius.

[@jeffreygalus5417]

The sad thing is that we will never see an ensemble like this ever again 😔

[@suemeade2864]

Never

[@ellenmindy5905]

No we won't. The best cast and the best show ever to have graced our screens

[@annrodriguez2891]

NEVER❤

[@KevinReynolds-ux2mg]

Cheers was pretty darned good though. not disagreeing with you but Cheers and actually Taxi had amazing casts/chemistry.

[@henrikhanssen6321]

I have hope. Parks and Rec, The Good Place both had great casts. But I always loved the CBS Saturday Night line up.

[@tomitstube]

beautifully written, tension builds and builds, looks like he's going to get away with it, and ted walks by without saying a word.

[@cindytaylor9336]

😀😀😀

[@faithcastillo9597]

I miss when TV was this good.

[@RitaSora]

Oh me too!!!!

[@fr.chiphines1414]

We all do

[@gvravel]

Once again, the writing on this program was superb.

[@RitaSora]

Yes! In my opinion the best writing especially when written by Ed Weinberger& Stan Daniels or Treva Silverman.The other writers are great to!

[@davidwalter2002]

This is just so perfect, since the audience is craving that physical revenge. And for the critic to say that only a fool would act that way, only to have the official Fool of the Station do it is just ideal.

[@glennmarshall4693]

that was perfect timing by Ted too

[@tolfan4438]

That may be the most perfect moment of comedic timing ever.

[@docadams7099]

I used to hate pie-in-the-face routines, but I've always loved this one. Go get him, Ted Baxter!

[@planner812]

Thats why we love Ted Knight and Baxter Take your pick

[@ghostinthemachine8243]

Ted Knight was epic on The MTM Show, but his performance in the movie 'Caddyshack' made him immortal.

[@basilmarasco1975]

*Well!* We're *waiting!*

[@LarryNemecekTrekland]

Have your opinion, sure -- but there's 7 years of MTM and Caddyshack is just a 2 hour movie. A movie can make a big impact for single-watchers, and that may be how perception history plays out in the end ...but my god nothing can replace his Ted Baxter. (BTW neither the WaPo nor LA TImes obits mention CShack; the NYT has it in the 4th graf. They all lead with MTM and his 2 Emmys.)

[@brbob4934]

@@LarryNemecekTrekland Ditto. Caddyshack was fine, but you will ALWAYS remember Ted Baxter. NEWSMAN. Pure genius.

[@veronikalake6934]

My favorite show for 50 years!!!! Its so funny and heart warming..I miss those days terribly

[@RitaSora]

Me too! Watched since day one and still my favorite comedy show!

[@Lava1964]

I remember when this first aired. I laughed solidly for about two minutes.

[@sallymiller1359]

I just love Lou's laugh, it's like a little kid but he wears it well. Ted Knight is genius

[@stanleyban]

Love it, love it, Ted Knight gets the last laugh! No matter how many times I see this, I can't help bursting out with laughter!!! LMAO!!

[@geo_ashburn]

In an interview, Eric Braeden said that the pie to the face was brilliant timing.

[@1.21JJWatts]

That show was pure genius. They got belly laughs with a pie in the face gag.

[@liz326522]

So good, sooooo funny! And man oh man, do I love Ted Knight.

[@RitaSora]

Me too! My favorite on the show!

[@kasteman1]

This scene looks like it was impossible to get through without someone cracking up.

[@michaelgask]

The timing and the writing in this short scene is incredible... perfectly judged.

[@billlonee9470]

Such a great show. Such a brilliant ensemble cast!

[@suemeade2864]

The Best

[@d.a.elliottjr.367]

I grew up watching this in the 70s. I'm a little sad that most of those people are gone now.

[@Joe-d7m6k]

Real sad--- now they are all gone.

[@deborahstrong2296]

Love it! Victor Newman finally gets his!

[@randymillhouse791]

I was so lucky to be a kid as this show was on our old tube, 3 channel television. Thank you God!

[@RitaSora]

Me too!

[@jimslancio]

My God, what a great show this was!

[@suemeade2864]

The Best

Good oli days of our lives ..R.I.P.

[@tedtimothy9074]

Sometimes Ted Baxter was foolish, but under it all, he had a good heart

[@MrRufusRToyota]

It was the rhythm beginning with Ted kicking the door open. Those series of choices were genius.

[@FomorViceroy]

The moment Betty White enters, you can see Gavin put his fist up to his mouth trying to contain his laughter. They’ve rehearsed this multiple times and know what’s coming. This is also one of those moments where, if it had gone wrong, they’d have to take a considerable amount of time to reset everything and do it again. It may not seem apparent, but, there’s a lot riding on that moment and it illustrates how good they all were. The critic in this episode is played by Eric Braeden; who also played John Jacob Astor in Titanic.

[@DragonNinja4680]

He also is a lead actor on The Young & The Restless.

[@DragonNinja4680]

I would love to see the bloopers reel on this scene if they exist!

[@DragonNinja4680]

Did you see on Gavin's forehead some of the pies cream land on him!

[@Vic-u5c]

​@DragonNinja4680 how dud eric braeden manage without laughing. He played this role very well

[@tclearytcleary]

Eric Braeden also played Dr. Forbin in Colussus: The Forbin Project, an early portrayal of a computer taking over the world.

[@ronleight9341]

Simply AWESOME!!

[@cottrosbc]

Masterpiece!!!

[@unowen-nh9ov]

The blocking on this scene is perfect, every character has literally a moment to step up.

[@andydotyhere303]

Only a fool would do that…..enter Ted…. The timing is impeccable.

[@annrodriguez2891]

My father absolutely loved MTM show..He taped the last episode and we watched it again andd again...Its a long way to Tipperary .so long ago..

[@scottodonnell7121]

CBS made staying in on Saturday night the cool thing to do.

[@marywatkins6798]

They were all so good! A perfect ensemble cast. I loved The MTM Show as a kid. I remember in the 1980s and the popularity of Murphy Brown, MTM said it was just her show copied.

[@soulstrength]

I concur...greatest moment indeed -- and without a word spoken. Well done sir!

[@steveweatherly1976]

One of the greatest shows of all times! It's been 50 years and I still love reruns every Monday through Friday... And Ted Knight (may he rest in peace) absolutely made this show!

[@janetgriffiths7200]

It would be so hard for them not to crack up!!!!! Priceless!!!

[@Spiritgumm]

A scene where they literally get to have their cake and eat it, since Ted walks in on cue, as usual, as "the fool" but on this occasion gets the credit for doing what noone else will stoop to.

[@dianedizayee5211]

Ted was not intimidated by that pompous character.

[@Zero_Point_Energy1]

Ted: Only a fool? I’m your huckleberry…

[@kkroeger5868]

The audience reaction tells us everything....comedy gold.

[@timd8912]

Flawless scene...talent....

[@Leslie58]

Ted Knight... pure comic genius

[@elizc2]

sure was......don't know if you know this but after the first couple of years he literally cried and went to the producers complaining that people would think his character was stupid. He didn't realize was a comedic genius he was. The producers finally convinced him. So glad they did. He was terrific...

[@RitaSora]

So true!

[@bearchaser67]

I watched MTM when I was a kid. Good comedy stands the test of time, still made me 😂

[@Plexcom60]

Why the hell can't we have this show back on television. It outclasses nearly all that is presented to us as comedy now.

[@Jay-vr9ir]

Because they have all passed , except for Eric(HANS) .

[@stridedude]

Perfect comedic timing, with the multi-leveled punchline of the joke implied, rather than stated explicitly. Brilliant writing.

[@CptColumbo]

Today's television doesn't make me laugh like I did at this show.

[@SuperGuitarDude7]

I hope younger people are seeking out shows like this and The Odd Couple and M.A.S.H, etc. and watching them. Such great writing and acting. I know they're watching shows like Friends and Seinfeld, which are great and are like 20 years old now, but it's a shame if they don't go farther back and watch these shows that not only are great but were so original and innovative. I swear there were probably thirty or more plots of The Odd Couple that every other sitcom took and used (getting audited by the IRS being just one example).

[@kellys7664]

I love them all! Classic Comedy!❤❤

[@jamesdrynan]

Perfect timing! " Only a fool..." Enter Ted. He really shmooshed him. Definitely one take!

[@brainfat1]

Three minutes of "you're not that guy" but Ted says"I'm that guy! "

[@larrywolfson6863]

The cherry on the icing on the cake. Usually a picture is worth 1,000 words that one was worth a million. Only Ted’s character could have pulled that off and still be true to the character

[@67lionsoflisbon37]

The main cast members may all be gone now; but they're Immortal. Making people laugh forever. God keep and rest them all.

[@RitaSora]

Amen!

[@RitaSora]

Great scene, great show! Ted was my favorite.Love You always Ted! Really miss this cast! Thanks for posting this!

[@carseye1219]

The writing on that show was incredible. They kept growing the characters and making every half-hour a masterpiece. As much as I loved it, I was glad they went out on top before it got tired.

[@woxyroxme]

I loved it when everyone at the station was fired except for Ted Baxter that had to be one of the best last episodes of a TV show ever.

[@stevenodenthal3458]

The only one left alive in this room is Betty White. She will outlive us all.

[@bigal6442]

Got some bad news for you, Steve...

[@kemhopkins3421]

One of the best shows EVER!

[@AndrewGraziani-k7d]

Timing is a significant component of comedy.

[@Grundig80]

I love how it starts off with Mary, who was the voice of reason, and worked it's way down through Lou and Murray, then Sue Ann and finally to Ted at the bottom.

[@jamest681]

Rest in peace in Heaven everyone.

[@Philbert-s2c]

RIP to Ed Asner, Gavin McCloud and Chloris Leachman, who all passed away this year. Oh, and somebody put a guard around Betty White please? :)

[@dwlopez57]

1st person to appear on television in 10 different decades

[@arrrgonot7801]

Its hard to believe. Love everyone of them

[@clgil77]

Can you imagine...she's the sole survivor of both of her hit shows.

[@dingfeldersmurfalot4560]

Asner was so great. It's a shame we didn't see a heck of a lot more of him. Lou Grant is still one of my favorite shows of all time.

[@djmoch1001]

Someone forgot to put the guard around Betty. :'(

[@chrisheffernan7540]

Ted Knight was awesome on the Mary Tyler Moore show. R.I.P. Mr Knight

[@billthomas2652]

The best part is that the moment Ted opens the door the audience is way ahead of them.

[@locutus1126]

damn.. lost Ed, Gavin and Betty all in the same year. I was too young at the time, but always remember my dad watching this show and laughing so hard.

[@maryellenmacioge7609]

Cloris Leachman too I believe... 4 of them

[@josephf1555]

This actor is credited with almost 3,300 episodes of Young And The Restless!!

[@eddygsmusicworld1708]

yah he is a legend Mr. Braeden

[@ZEZERBING]

Dietrich on rat patrol.

[@eddygsmusicworld1708]

@@ZEZERBING I found him there

[@Regreviews]

The king of daytime

[@daveguitarnowski4402]

@@ZEZERBING Dammit... you're right!

[@charlestatumii]

Sheer brilliance. MTM was...is...one of our greatest sitcoms ever.

[@colin6768]

"And sensible rational people do not throw either pies or punches". I sure as hell wouldn't throw a punch at Eric Braeden - he's a boxer in real life. He was great in The Rat Patrol and great as Victor Newman. Don't remember this episode but after watching this clip I'm going to have to watch the whole episode.

[@tomh.2405]

He also played a heavy in the low-budget movie (a pilot for a TV show that never came to fruition) called "Code Name Diamond Head." Mystery Science Theater 3000 based an episode on it, and during all the riffing the guys pause occasionally to puzzle over where they'd seen him before.

[@billbusen]

Don't let Dr. Forbin design your computer system, though.

[@geo_ashburn]

@@billbusen 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@geo_ashburn]

After Betty White passed away, Eric Braeden talked about how everyone on the show was great to work with.

[@peterrice7739]

This is where Victor Newman finds that he is no match for our heroes, Mary Richards and Ted Baxter. They are truly a Dynamic Duo in this scene.

[@cindydott452]

Charles Forbin! Colossus wouldn't have thrown a pie though.

[@bufnyfan1]

Eric Braden (Victor Newman) has said in interviews that he loved his experience on the Mary Tyler Moore show--that all the cast were very gracious and kind to him

[@Permiate]

TED THE FOOL DID NOT DISAPPOINT

[@Joyce-k8v5w]

This show was the greatest.

[@JSDesign.Hongkong]

It’s superb in every aspect. Brilliant.

[@paulaneary7877]

GENIUS, truly comedy, television genius.

[@passqualecaiazza7728]

I love this show. I enjoy all the characters in the show. I own every episode and watch them every few years.

[@passqualecaiazza7728]

I started watching them and on season 3. Fantastic show.

[@13thwho]

Now we know what made Victor Newman the way he is.

[@Keyfer62]

A fool comes in handy every now and then.

[@bariant299]

Beautiful!

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

So as you can see, Ted Did have a purpose after all on the show.... doing what the rest of us secretly want to, but have too much self-respect to.... The actor did a very good job playing a pompous caricature of a critic. At one point Mary asks him "was there Ever a movie that you liked?" And he replies "There was one. It was a Ukrainian film......called "Blood On The Dog's Face". It was about deformity. But even the title seemed to possess a certain unnecessary.....whimsy".

[@t24hy44]

Priceless.

[@brianarbenz7206]

Every once in a while, ya need a fool!

[@tonyginnetti5828]

Without question or argument, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" will forever be one of television's all-time greatest shows, PERIOD! The most admiral, albeit sad thing, about this show was the decision to end it while still on top! Way too many shows want to go on forever to the point where ideas and plots run thin and ratings slipping with viewers just not tuning in anymore. "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" did everything right and that finalé was a WOW!!!!!!!

[@JoeW-i7z]

The same effort was put into The Bob Newhart Show. The difference between his home life and his workplace was always interesting. There are even patients that are always close by. The other MTM shows didn't last long. I'm not sure if LOU GRANT was MTM. But that was a different type of show.

[@jcortese3300]

"Only a fool--" Enter Ted Baxter. Exit Ted Baxter. Annnnd ... scene. :-)

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

Eric Braeden great german actor..and obviously very good humored

[@docadams7099]

Neither Mary, Mr. Grant, Murray, or Sue Ann could take care of the situation, so Ted Baxter did.