It always seemed weird to me that Brenda was dating her cousin. I know they were just third cousins or something like that and it wasn't illegal , but it still seemed strange.
In well to do families, it's not not unusual for cousins to marry. Third cousins is legal in CA. I personally don't have any cousin's I'd want to marry! Definitely not! Gross thought!
Tell you something that might surprise you. I'm a straight guy and Valerie does absolutely nothing for me. Julie Kavner though....lovely eyes, would look even lovelier with hair cut short! :)
This irritates me. I've seen stuff like this too many times. Brenda didn't want to date Lenny anymore, and was perfectly within her rights to break up with him. It's not Brenda's fault. It is however Lenny's parent's fault for raising a son who can't deal with rejection.
Too many of Rhoda's family interfere with Rhoda's and Joe's privacy. When they divorced, Rhoda shoulda reminded her family about their visits. I wonder what they all did when Rhoda lived in Minneapolis, in another state, and not close to NYC.
Good recall. I remember the MTM episode.. but not that the boy was a younger version of this actor playing Lenny. Do you recall which MTM season and episode?
Lillian (Eileen Heckart) was also Mary's aunt Flo, the brash, outspoken "real journalist", and love interest for Lou Grant. He proposed marriage, and she said no.
Mildly liked this show, but always thought David Groh as Joe was a weak element. Much better when Rhoda was single, and more opportunity for humor with her dating different men.
I agree, Joe's kind of a jerk to her sometimes... 🤷 It's Definitely better in the first 2 seasons, then it's just blahhhhhh, yet I love to see what's going on with them for the day, like friends I wanted a sister like Brenda and Rhoda That closeness, and pure love for each other. 🙏💜
She barely dated after that though. This is what annoys me with this show. They split Rhoda and Joe so they can have single Rhoda, spend most of season three with them in limbo, then the rest of the episodes Rhoda's dating life is a blip. Johnny Venture was a total dud and none of her other experiences as a single woman are memorable at all besides that one date Ida sets her up with, but even he was more annoying than funny
Never understood this episode. Brenda could never attract a man, was terrified of ending up an 'old maid & yet here she is turning down an offer of marriage. It makes no sense. Oh wait, it's Lennie asking her. Now it makes sense!
Here I am again.....anyway......I'll say it. Ida's hairdo makes her look like Countess Dracula. I understand in their day if you had a widows' peak you should show it.My aunt wanted my mother to comb my hair back. Believe me, I need bangs to this day.
When Rhoda went to New York. To go on vacation to see her sister. She meet Joe I thought she messed up her relationship He ask her to moved in together. She ask him together married. He wasn't ready. She told him she would move back to Minneapolis. That isn't the way you talkto your boyfriend.
For everybody who's freaking out about incest.... Rhoda clearly says that they're only cousins by marriage.... meaning aunt Flo must've married into the family with lenny who was a product of herself and another, unrelated man. Or, she married one of Rhoda's uncles, got divorced and had lenny with another guy later but stayed close with family. Either way, there's no blood!!!
Because at the time it was commonplace. You obviously do not understand history and try to hold people of a different time to the values of your present time
Lenny said to Brenda lots of luck. That's what I had assume the initialism lol meant instead of laugh out loud. Lenny is a whimp, woose, and a child. Lenny is using passive resistance. The Rhoda looked either pregnant or she was slightly chubby in 1976.
+CaptainGrimsdale Your comments are starting to bug me. Rhoda or Valerie was HARDLY chubby whether in 1976 or any year. And being a wimp (not Whimp), being passively resistant and childish, is his character. He's necessary to the story line and not necessarily popular. Incidentally, LOL meant Lots of Laughs.
Lenny and Brenda are third cousins. Lenny would be Ida's second cousin, as Lenny's mom Lillian is a first cousin to Ida. The woman playing Lillian has been on lots of shows. Remember in that episode when Rhoda and Joe dated, and Joe wondered who was behind the curtain in Brenda's apt.? It was when Joe had the pro basketball tickets to the Nicks game. Rhoda wanted to go, too, but Joe only had one ticket. Brenda said Lenny was a third cousin. Third cousins aren't distant cousins, but also not close ones. They can legally wed and have normal kids, but to me it'd still be kinda "icky".
If Lenny’s mother is Ida’s first cousin, then Lenny and Ida’s offspring - Brenda - are SECOND cousins, not third cousins. Lenny would NOT be second cousins with Ida. He would be her first cousin once removed.
Eileen Heckert was on other sitcoms back then. Her voice was kind of croaky. I watched almost every TV show when new, during the 1960s and 1970s, during my childhood and teens. TV was awesome then. I also liked those "movie bumpers" shown before any TV movie began, during the 1970s and most of the 1980s.They can be seen on you tube.I miss those days.
I knew they were distant cousins. Even if they aren't blood related it still sounds strange to date a distant family member. Like if I dated my ex-brother-in-law.. we aren't blood related but it would still be super weird for everyone.
Eileen Heckart earned an Oscar nomination for playing the drunken mother of the classmate killed by “The Bad Seed”. Adapted from the stage play, with a sanitized ending - still a great flick .
It's hard for writers to keep coming up with fresh funny stories but some of the later episodes, like this one, are just dumb & ridiculous. Another one had a goat wearing a tutu, it had nothing whatsoever to do with the story !
I know people married their cousins in the 1870's, but I thought they had stopped that practice by the 1970's. Brenda dating her cousin is just plain sick!
Something that confuses me about this relationship between Brenda and Lenny...... Those two are blood related...... I just realized this show promotes incest. I wouldn't care if he was a 10th cousin...... They share the same bloodline...... I thought I was hearing things when a few episodes ago Brenda said, "Oh I'm just going out with cousin Lenny!"
I'm watching this show for the first time. It is not surprising that Joe leaves Rhoda. She is so insecure in their relationship, it is uncomfortable to watch. Brenda,Brenda what are you doing???
Yeah itssssa no for Lenny alllllllday everyday for Brenda Not a gd catch at all It's Benny for Benny.... I hate him & Joe Lenny would hv NVR spoken again...
@@jeanmiller1142 To the discerning eyes, weren’t Rhoda, Brenda and the mother were all obvious gender inverted males that masqueraded as females, allegedly ?
Why would anyone want to date their cousin, even though he's not a first cousin? They could be close and friends,and do some things together, but as cousins only, never in love!The actor is cute, and has a sweet personality, but he needs a non-relative.
It always seemed weird to me that Brenda was dating her cousin. I know they were just third cousins or something like that and it wasn't illegal , but it still seemed strange.
Yes very strange!
FDR and Eleanor? the Royal Family. 3rd',s
That was common back then and in New York. And yet they make fun of Southerners for inbreeding - 😄
In well to do families, it's not not unusual for cousins to marry. Third cousins is legal in CA. I personally don't have any cousin's I'd want to marry! Definitely not!
Gross thought!
Idk why this portrayed this as normal.. gross to me
Brenda is looking more and more glamorous as the episodes progress and well dressed here for her job.
Good grief Valerie Harper was gorgeous!
God Bless her 💓😇
Tell you something that might surprise you. I'm a straight guy and Valerie does absolutely nothing for me. Julie Kavner though....lovely eyes, would look even lovelier with hair cut short! :)
@@davidsanderson5918 She has short hair in all of the more recent pictures on Google
Agree…
And she never thought she was
Eileen Heckart the Great: anything she graced burned a little brighter.
This irritates me. I've seen stuff like this too many times. Brenda didn't want to date Lenny anymore, and was perfectly within her rights to break up with him. It's not Brenda's fault. It is however Lenny's parent's fault for raising a son who can't deal with rejection.
Rhoda was an awesome show.
They're all annoying
"I know, and you picked your mother, that's ok, I understand!" Gotta love Eileen Heckart!
Eileen Heckert! Love her!! Yes, Aunt Flo on MTM also...
When Ida wipes up the floor with her cousin, she will use Bounty paper towels.
🤣🤣 I'll always think of her
"Bounty, the quicker picker- upper" 😜
I love Eileen Heckart in everything she did! Drama, comedy, suspense, you name it she could do it. I sure miss her.
She was memorable on the MTM show but the best performance I've seen her in, is as the grieving mother of the dead boy in The Bad Seed film, 1956
@@katiezee2 I agree.
⚘RIP ⚘beautiful lady ⚘
Rhoda: "My mother told me to take names!" 🤣
Rhoda is one of my favorite shows I remember when she got married it was a big thing the rating were very high. R.I.P.
Family like this we don’t need lol 😂
Eileen Heckart rocks. I miss her.
Hey Larry I like her also especially in the movie The Bad Seed.
If I were part of this family, I would definitely disown those wackos!
Rhoda's mom is Rosie the paper towel lady.😄
aunt lilian is aunt flo from the mary tyler moore show!!! :D
And this is sooo ridiculous!!!!
Brenda had to be real down on herself. After she lost the weight. Her conscience really grew.
Too many of Rhoda's family interfere with Rhoda's and Joe's privacy. When they divorced, Rhoda shoulda reminded her family about their visits. I wonder what they all did when Rhoda lived in Minneapolis, in another state, and not close to NYC.
I'd consider that one of the issues of their marriage
I always thought that Carlton was so funny. He was the producer of Rhoda his name was Lorenzo Music. He had the funniest voice.
Multi-talented man he also wrote for the show and he is the voice of Garfield
YIKES😱!!! Brenda is dating her cousin and the family approves😲! Ugh!!!😫
Second cousin
You’ll be ok toots
Hey I just realized Lenny is that little schmuck that tried to make a move on Mary and Lou almost killed.
🌹
Good recall. I remember the MTM episode.. but not that the boy was a younger version of this actor playing Lenny. Do you recall which MTM season and episode?
@@annajacob7981 It was season 1 and the episode was called "He's all yours".
@@Gioveolympus Thanks very much!
So, what about her FBI boyfriend from a couple of episodes ago?
ROFL ''My mother told me to take names.'' Brenda walks in.. *applause* hahahahahaha That is so hilarious.
Lillian (Eileen Heckart) was also Mary's aunt Flo, the brash, outspoken "real journalist", and love interest for Lou Grant. He proposed marriage, and she said no.
i noticed this too! thanks for posting this fact. :)
Twice when I was 19.
Mildly liked this show, but always thought David Groh as Joe was a weak element. Much better when Rhoda was single, and more opportunity for humor with her dating different men.
I agree, Joe's kind of a jerk to her sometimes... 🤷
It's Definitely better in the first 2 seasons, then it's just blahhhhhh, yet I love to see what's going on with them for the day, like friends
I wanted a sister like Brenda and Rhoda
That closeness, and pure love for each other. 🙏💜
She barely dated after that though. This is what annoys me with this show. They split Rhoda and Joe so they can have single Rhoda, spend most of season three with them in limbo, then the rest of the episodes Rhoda's dating life is a blip. Johnny Venture was a total dud and none of her other experiences as a single woman are memorable at all besides that one date Ida sets her up with, but even he was more annoying than funny
The whole family shows up! That's concern for sure.
Hey its Aunt Flo!! 😂😂👌
Poor Brenda. This was a rather weird episode. I have no idea what Brenda will do, I hope she stands up for herself to Lenny and his family.
Boy!! Lenny really needs help. Not an ounce of confidence in himself
Never understood this episode. Brenda could never attract a man, was terrified of ending up an 'old maid & yet here she is turning down an offer of marriage. It makes no sense. Oh wait, it's Lennie asking her. Now it makes sense!
Here I am again.....anyway......I'll say it. Ida's hairdo makes her look like Countess Dracula. I understand in their day if you had a widows' peak you should show it.My aunt wanted my mother to comb my hair back. Believe me, I need bangs to this day.
The writers were lucky they originally wrote that Rhoda pressured Joe into marrying her. They used and twisted it for the reason why he leaves her.
I'm just gonna say it, I love Rhoda more than the MTM show
As pathetic as Lenny is he seems more thoughtful and less self centered than the accordion player or Benny.
But one thing though.....ITS HER COUSIN!!!😫
And definitely less self-centered than his mother.
@@MultiLisa10 , he's a second cousin.
When Rhoda went to New York. To go on vacation to see her sister. She meet Joe I thought she messed up her relationship He ask her to moved in together. She ask him together married. He wasn't ready. She told him she would move back to Minneapolis. That isn't the way you talkto your boyfriend.
Nobody forced Joe to get married. Rhoda had the right to ask for what she wanted. I don't understand the controversy over this matter.
when she said "my mother told me to take names" and their reaction! TOO funny! :)
"i'll be as gentle as i can. " "brenda lenny cracked up and you're to blame." LMAO!
For everybody who's freaking out about incest.... Rhoda clearly says that they're only cousins by marriage.... meaning aunt Flo must've married into the family with lenny who was a product of herself and another, unrelated man. Or, she married one of Rhoda's uncles, got divorced and had lenny with another guy later but stayed close with family. Either way, there's no blood!!!
@@dm2129 I'm talking about Brenda dating her COUSIN!!!!!!!!!!
4:49 "OK, I'll go home and get my pajamas." LOL
Lillian played aunt Flo character to Mary on the mtm show season 6 episode 6.
This is so stupid! They could not get another actress!
To have Brenda dating a cousin-even a distant one- is just weird and gross. Why did they do that to her?
Because at the time it was commonplace. You obviously do not understand history and try to hold people of a different time to the values of your present time
@@Shamonwhitehurst252 This isn't ancient history. It's the seventies.
Not given the times.. it was not unusual
Lenny said to Brenda lots of luck. That's what I had assume the initialism lol meant instead of laugh out loud. Lenny is a whimp, woose, and a child. Lenny is using passive resistance.
The Rhoda looked either pregnant or she was slightly chubby in 1976.
+CaptainGrimsdale Your comments are starting to bug me. Rhoda or Valerie was HARDLY chubby whether in 1976 or any year. And being a wimp (not Whimp), being passively resistant and childish, is his character. He's necessary to the story line and not necessarily popular. Incidentally, LOL meant Lots of Laughs.
@@irshgrl500 Or Little Old Lady. Or more recently Laugh Out Loud.
Brenda actually could say "we're cousins, we cannot date" lol.
You obviously do not understand History
Lenny and Brenda are third cousins. Lenny would be Ida's second cousin, as Lenny's mom Lillian is a first cousin to Ida. The woman playing Lillian has been on lots of shows. Remember in that episode when Rhoda and Joe dated, and Joe wondered who was behind the curtain in Brenda's apt.? It was when Joe had the pro basketball tickets to the Nicks game. Rhoda wanted to go, too, but Joe only had one ticket. Brenda said Lenny was a third cousin. Third cousins aren't distant cousins, but also not close ones. They can legally wed and have normal kids, but to me it'd still be kinda "icky".
If Lenny’s mother is Ida’s first cousin, then Lenny and Ida’s offspring - Brenda - are SECOND cousins, not third cousins. Lenny would NOT be second cousins with Ida. He would be her first cousin once removed.
WOW ! This Lenny Guy Really does look like Smithers from The Simpsons. Who knew? explains the Marge Simpson Turn On!
Eileen Heckert was on other sitcoms back then. Her voice was kind of croaky. I watched almost every TV show when new, during the 1960s and 1970s, during my childhood and teens. TV was awesome then. I also liked those "movie bumpers" shown before any TV movie began, during the 1970s and most of the 1980s.They can be seen on you tube.I miss those days.
''Uh oh.'' "Apologize.'' ''Sorry!'' ''Thank you.'' ROFL
Remember Carlton The Doorman
Lenny is a stalker.
I forgot Brenda and Lenny were cousins. Interesting and kinda weird.
Emily Edwards They were third cousins, and not blood related (if that's possible.) I remember that from season 1.
I knew they were distant cousins. Even if they aren't blood related it still sounds strange to date a distant family member. Like if I dated my ex-brother-in-law.. we aren't blood related but it would still be super weird for everyone.
Emily Edwards So true! It's weird no matter how you look at it....
@@Carrie-xo7yx I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks it's strange.
Exactly...... This show was promoting incestuous relationship......Ewwwwwwwwwwwww
Omg Brenda dating her cousin eew that’s awkward
It’s not a first cousin, and many families back then married into each other. If you would study history you wouldn’t have a closed mind.
ever seen Blue sclera
Anyone remember "The Bad Seed"? Fabulous scary film
Eileen Heckart earned an Oscar nomination for playing the drunken mother of the classmate killed by “The Bad Seed”. Adapted from the stage play, with a sanitized ending - still a great flick .
Rhoda&Joe are strong but the other characters are more relatable!
Joe seemslike a bit of a jerk sometimes I think, how he wants to "Date" after marriage... WT...?
@@Michelina22 Well... it is maybe because Rhoda forced him to marry!!!!
@@suzannegirard6556 lol. forced?
It's hard for writers to keep coming up with fresh funny stories but some of the later episodes, like this one, are just dumb & ridiculous. Another one had a goat wearing a tutu, it had nothing whatsoever to do with the story !
So right!
Kissing cousins 😘
I used to beat up my cousins and Brenda dates them!😳
I don't get this. Isn't Brenda dating a relative then?
Yup!🤢
@@MultiLisa10 better than dating you
You don’t understand history or Jewish families
Isn't Ida putting their marriage on the rocks?
Let the girls go Ida !!
I know people married their cousins in the 1870's, but I thought they had stopped that practice by the 1970's. Brenda dating her cousin is just plain sick!
They went to see a doctor, he assured them there was no chance of insanity. ;)
KLH My cousins daughter married her first cousin 😱 her mother’s sisters son 🥴
@@388Caroline Oh my, my condolences
Then don’t do it
Where's the Brenda spin off??
the simpsons. lol
I still find it weird that they made a cousin to cousin relationship in the writing room for Brenda...morbid
Creepy.
They’re second cousins
Carlton on mad drip
brenda was dating her cousin?
Apparently so. Of all the men in New York, she can't find anyone to date except her cousin?
A shame, smh
That's funny 😂
Not....
Yes!
Season 2 of Rhoda
Could a show theme song be more annoying? I'm glad they got rid of it in the later seasons. This episode was hilarious.
The La La's were much better than the deep disco's of the following intros!
@@vanessadillon2101I agree!! I loved the children singing that intro song!!❤
Oh my gosh I hated this theme song
Nope nope nope that's marys Aunt the journalist.... Bad bad character crossover
Like apartments sister live same building.
Lenny was on mary tyler mo. He was a grouper
lenny was on mtm show a guy had a crush on mary. marys aunt flo.
It was very common for Jewish people to marry cousins in centuries before due to prejudice…
Mary and Rhoda have the same aunt (Aunt Flo).
Marvelous!!!! not....
were they planning a spin-off with Eileen Heckart?
she was only 56 in this??
Something that confuses me about this relationship between Brenda and Lenny...... Those two are blood related...... I just realized this show promotes incest. I wouldn't care if he was a 10th cousin...... They share the same bloodline...... I thought I was hearing things when a few episodes ago Brenda said, "Oh I'm just going out with cousin Lenny!"
Yup, any way you cut it its wrong
They explained wayyy back in season one that they are third cousins by marriage.
FDR and Eleanor. study some history
Lennie is cute
I don't know about his looks, but his acting is cringe worthy. His bit around the 2:00 mark looked like something from a junior high play.
You can have him!
@@suzannegirard6556 no one wants you either toots
Lenny was her cousin??
Calton needs to mind his own business
wasnt aunt flo marys aunt??
yes, and it is so weird...
It's no wonder Joe left and then divorced Rhoda. Too many interfere from her family.
I'm watching this show for the first time. It is not surprising that Joe leaves Rhoda. She is so insecure in their relationship, it is uncomfortable to watch. Brenda,Brenda what are you doing???
YESSSSS!!!!!!!
Yeah itssssa no for Lenny alllllllday everyday for Brenda
Not a gd catch at all
It's Benny for Benny....
I hate him & Joe
Lenny would hv NVR spoken again...
Carlton's voice drives me 🤯
I want to see him though ! These days there would never be a doorman able to be drunk all day like that ! Good ol' days...
How was incest acceptable in a popular sitcom?
Who did Rhoda say who the man in the picture was? I thought I heard her say Tom McCan.
Right, she did. For those who may not be familiar with the reference, Thom McCan was a famous, popular shoe brand/retailer.
And the Lenny character was obsessed with shoes - hence the portrait of his hero, Thom McCan. LOL!
yYOU HEARDRIGHT, Lenny has a thing about shoes.
Yes, I guess Lenny must've had a foot or shoe fetish
@@davidpatrickcox3004 Yessss 😜
Loved this show,but the song irritating
Weren’t all three lead women on this show inverted men, ?
“Tilt siddiqui “ OK, Mr. Incel , go take your meds and go back to sleep.
what?
@@jeanmiller1142
To the discerning eyes, weren’t Rhoda, Brenda and the mother were all obvious gender inverted males that masqueraded as females, allegedly ?
@@tilatsiddiqui3969 yes
19:10
Why would anyone want to date their cousin, even though he's not a first cousin? They could be close and friends,and do some things together, but as cousins only, never in love!The actor is cute, and has a sweet personality, but he needs a non-relative.
Agreed. It's really weird.
Jewish families married into each other because so much prejudice by Lily-white Americans and they needed protection
it's her mother's cousin's son...so is that 2nd cousin? not that weird
Yes, it is that weird.
Its weird
@@KLHKLH grow up
@@MultiLisa10 you comment on everyone’s post , you really must be starved for attention.
3rd cousins
No
How could they be serious about a relationship between Brenda and Lenny?! Aren’t they first cousins?
They’re second cousins…
Thirds.
I'm glad I didn't bother watching this during its first run.
their engaged , not ! thanks
Was it normal to date and marry your cousins in the 70s?
For Jewish families under prejudice , yes it was
Stupid episode, watching too many, some good but boring hearing same Ole stuff.