Mary applies for a secretarial job at television station WJM-TV, the area's lowest rated channel.

Other friends of Mary's include WJM's Happy Homemaker Sue Ann Nivens, and Georgette Franklin, who later marries Ted.

In the final episode of the series, the entire newsroom staff is fired—with the exception of Ted—in an effort to boost sagging ratings.

The Mary Richards character makes several guest appearances on spinoffs Rhoda and Phyllis via visits to New York and San Francisco, respectively, and in scenes via telephone.

After her husband's 1999 death in a rock climbing accident, Mary discovers that he has squandered their money in his reelection campaigns.

[1] According to co-creator Allan Burns, Minnesota was selected as Mary's home after "one of the writers began talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the Vikings".

[2] A television newsroom was chosen as Mary's workplace because of the supporting characters often found there, stated co-creator James L.