From the Mary Tyler Moore Show episode “Not a Christmas Story” (November 9, 1974). Murray (Gavin MacLeod) has written a new opening for Ted (Ted Knight):
“Good evening. This is Ted Baxter, with news from around the world and around the corner.“
But Ted thinks it would be better the other way around:
“Good evening. This is Ted Baxter, with news from around the corner and around the world.“
And, of course, an argument follows. Perhaps the show’s writers themselves had disagreed about how the line should go.
Who do you think has it right — Murray, or Ted? Which opening sounds better to you, and why? Anyone teaching a writing class: you might bring this question in and ask your students which and why.
Related reading
All OCA
MTM posts (Pinboard)
[The episode is at
YouTube. The first scene has the argument, but the line is a subject of discussion as the episode continues.]