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Farewell to the King of Quality Television
December 1, 2016  | By Noel Holston  | 18 comments
 

The first time I met Grant Tinker, on my wide-eyed first TV critics press tour way back in 1973, I wanted to be him. I mean, c'mon. He looked like the distinguished gentleman in the Hathaway shirt magazine ads, minus the eye patch, and he was married to Mary Tyler Moore. What wasn't to envy.
     
But hearing of Tinker's passing at the age of 90, it's not so much his ridiculous handsomeness or his one-time wife that come to mind but, rather, what he did to profoundly change prime-time programming for the better. Tinker never wrote a line of dialogue that I know of, never directed an episode, never acted as a hands-on producer, but he he had an eye for talent and a respect for both that talent and the intelligence of the viewing audience.
     
A former ad man and network programming executive, Tinker and Moore formed MTM Enterprises in 1969 to develop and produce her eponymous CBS sitcom. While arguably only a small leap in sophistication from The Dick Van Dyke Show in which she'd blossomed, The Mary Tyler Moore Show provided their company the template for an amazing collection of urbane, humane sitcoms, including The Bob Newhart Show and Rhoda. MTM under Tinker would eventually extrapolate the sensibility of those shows into an even more influential string of dramas with comedic elements, starting with the MTM spin-off Lou Grant and encompassing hour-long shows as diverse as Hill Street Blues, The White Shadow and Remington Steele – shows if not for which today's cornucopia of great dramas would not exist.
    
In 1981, after NBC had done one of the great belly flops in TV history, Tinker left MTM to take the job of chairman and CEO. He raised the network from the ruins by running it the way he'd run MTM, committing the Peacock network to quality projects, hiring (and trusting) the best and most ambitious creative talent he could find, and betting that the audience would find and embrace the shows.
     
Tinker became a critics' darling because of what his programmers put on the air and because he was honest with the press about what it took to make a network succeed, his personal tastes notwithstanding. It wasn't all highbrow fare, not by a long shot. But there was a heretofore unknown balance. For every A Team there was a St. Elsewhere (right), for every Manimal a Bay City Blues. No top TV executive ever had less to apologize for.
     
I do recall Tinker making an excuse, however. He told a roomful of TV critics on a mid-'80s press tour that even if NBC wanted to fill more of its schedule with A-grade shows, there simply weren't enough writers and producers of that ability in the talent pool to make them.
     
The staggering number of high-quality shows that have appeared since the late 1990s suggests he was wrong. Then again, it may just be that he didn't fully comprehend the groundwork his MTM and NBC shows were laying.
       
But we do.

 
 
 
 
 
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18 Comments
 
 
This tribute to Grant Tinker reflects on his significant legacy in the television industry and how his vision reshaped prime-time programming.
Nov 22, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
uzuy
Grant Tinker’s legacy as a TV executive reshaped prime-time programming, from founding MTM Enterprises to revitalizing NBC. His eye for talent and commitment to quality shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Hill Street Blues, and St. Elsewhere set a standard for excellence in television that still resonates today.
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Jul 3, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
While Tinker's candidness with the press and his dedication to quality earned him praise from critics, his true impact lies in the enduring legacy of the shows he championed. From "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to "Hill Street Blues," Tinker's influence can be felt in the rich tapestry of television history. And though he once expressed skepticism about the abundance of top-tier talent, the proliferation of high-quality shows in recent decades serves as a testament to his enduring influence and foresight. Grant Tinker may have bid farewell, but his contributions to the golden age of television will continue to resonate for generations to come.
May 28, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Grant Tinker's legacy in television extends far beyond his dapper appearance and iconic marriage to Mary Tyler Moore. As a pioneering force in prime-time programming, Tinker reshaped the landscape of television by championing talent and intelligence over formulaic approaches. While he may not have personally crafted scripts or directed episodes, his keen eye for talent and unwavering commitment to quality paved the way for some of television's most beloved and influential shows.

From the founding of MTM Enterprises with Mary Tyler Moore to his tenure as chairman and CEO of NBC, Tinker fostered an environment where creativity flourished and groundbreaking content thrived. Through MTM, he gave rise to a new wave of sophisticated sitcoms and dramas that set the standard for television excellence. Tinker's leadership at NBC further solidified his reputation as a tastemaker, as he steered the network towards a diverse lineup of high-caliber programming.
May 28, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
This article pays tribute to Grant Tinker, praising his impact on TV programming. Tinker's keen eye for talent and commitment to quality resulted in iconic sitcoms and groundbreaking dramas. His legacy is seen in the high standards he set for the industry, earning respect from critics and viewers alike.
May 14, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
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While he may have underestimated the abundance of talent in the industry, his contributions to television will always be remembered and appreciated.
Apr 4, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
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Jan 11, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
In this nostalgic reflection, the author expresses admiration for Grant Tinker during their first encounter in 1973. Tinker, resembling a Hathaway shirt model and married to Mary Tyler Moore, becomes an object of envy, capturing the charm of an era and the allure of television industry personalities.
Jan 5, 2024   |  Reply
 
Also to note: Tinker became a critics' darling because of what his programmers put on the air and because he was honest with the press about what it took to make a network succeed.
Feb 17, 2024
 
 
 
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Jan 21, 2023   |  Reply
 
Grant Tinker revolutionized TV by nurturing quality programming at MTM Enterprises and NBC, leading to iconic shows like "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Hill Street Blues." His legacy lives on in today's high-quality television dramas.
Jul 31, 2024
 
 
 
 
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