I first discovered Mary Richards and the Mary Tyler Moore Show on ‘Mary Mondays’ on old school Nick-at-Night. Like many girls/women/ladies who watched that show, Mary became a sort of idol. She was so nice and pretty and hardworking. And unlike news producers often portrayed on television today, she wasn’t cutthroat and overtly sexy. Mary was a lady. And the men in her office still respected her. Imagine that. When I (finally) got promoted to Associate Producer at Nightline my mother said, “Just like the Mary Tyler Moore Show!” And when I got sent to Minneapolis for work, I got up super early to pay homage at the Mary Tyler Moore statue. I blinked in my photo and wore an embarrassing outfit because I am, much to my chagrin and despite my best efforts, really more of a Rhoda.

Anyway, I toasted my original homegirl, Mary Richards (and Mary Tyler Moore) tonight–and tomorrow, I’ll try to turn the world on with my smile.