“That Girl” was a groundbreaking sitcom that aired on ABC from 1966 to 1971.
Starring Marlo Thomas as Ann Marie, an aspiring actress living in New York City, the show
was a hit with audiences and critics alike.
While many fans of the series may be familiar with its basic premise and characters, there
are several lesser-known facts about “That Girl” that are worth exploring.
Join Facts Verse as we explore the controversial scene that took “That Girl” off the air
for good.
Marlo Thomas Was Not the First Choice for Ann Marie
One notable fact about “That Girl” that even diehard fans of the series might not
be aware of is that Marlo Thomas was not the first choice for the lead role.
The producers originally wanted actress Tammy Grimes to play Ann Marie, but she turned down
the part.
Thomas was eventually cast in the role, and she went on to become synonymous with the
character.
Not only that, but Marlo Thomas also went on to have a pretty big influence over not
only the way that the character was portrayed but the trajectory that the series’ narrative
would take.
Another interesting tidbit about “That Girl” that may surprise fans is that the show was
originally called "Miss Independence."
However, the network thought that title sounded too feminist, so it was changed to "“That
Girl”."
This change was indicative of the cultural norms of the time, which were still evolving
in terms of gender roles and expectations.
However, that doesn’t mean that the show didn’t still manage to sneak in a plethora
of groundbreaking feminist themes.
While “That Girl” was set in New York City, it was actually filmed in Hollywood.
The exterior shots of New York City were filmed separately and added to the show in post-production.
This technique was common in television at the time, but it highlights the challenges
of producing a show that is set in a specific location but filmed elsewhere.
Even so, the New York City location proved integral to the spirit of the show, and it
couldn’t have been set anywhere else.
A pair by the names of Earle Hagen and Sam Denoff wrote the theme song for “That Girl”,
and it became a hit in its own right.
Sam Denoff was also one of the series’ creators, alongside Bill Persky.
The song, which was performed by Chet Atkins, reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
in 1967.
This is a testament to just how big of a cultural sensation the show was at the time that it
aired.
Both the series and Marlo herself became unprecedented sensations.
In addition to starring in the series, Marlo Thomas also served as a producer.
This was unusual for a female actress at the time, and it helped to establish Thomas as
a trailblazer in the industry.
Her involvement in the production of the show speaks to her commitment to creating a character
and a story that would resonate with audiences.
It’s only fitting that such a groundbreaking feminist series should feature its lead female
in an integral role behind the scenes.
“That Girl” Explored Groundbreaking Topics In keeping with its groundbreaking ambitions,
“That Girl” was a show that was known for tackling some incredibly controversial
topics for the time period.
Some of the topics that the show tackled include premarital sex and women's rights.
In fact, the show's writers even received death threats after an episode that dealt
with birth control.
This willingness to address and engage with contentious issues was ahead of its time,
and it cemented the show's place in television history.
Ann Marie's wardrobe on “That Girl” was yet another aspect of the series that was
considered groundbreaking for the time.
The character's fashion sense was a reflection of the changing times, and it helped to establish
her as a style icon.
This is an example of how the show was not only entertaining but also influential in
terms of fashion and cultural trends.
Unsurprisingly, this was also another aspect of the series that Marlo herself exerted a
good deal of control over.
Over the course of its five-year run, “That Girl” featured appearances from several
actors who would go on to become stars in their own right.
Some of these actors include Ted Bessell, Bernie Kopell, and George Carlin.
This speaks to the show's ability to attract and showcase talent, and it is a testament
to its lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
Ted Bessell would go on to appear on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, as well as star alongside
screen legend Bette Davis in the 1973 B movie Scream, Pretty Peggy.
Bernie Kopell would go on to portray the character of Dr. Adam Bricker on The Love Boat from
1977 to 1986.
Meanwhile, George Carlin is considered one of the best comedians of all time.
“That Girl” Ended in a Groundbreaking Way
Despite its popularity with audiences, “That Girl” was canceled after only airing for
a relatively brief period of five seasons.
Although it was a popular show during its run, it faced tough competition from other
popular shows of the time such as "The Brady Bunch" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."
The decision to end the show was reportedly made by ABC, which wanted to focus on more
male-oriented programming.
This is a reminder of the challenges faced by female-led shows in a male-dominated industry,
and it underscores the importance of continuing to push for greater diversity and representation
in television.
The ending of “That Girl” was considered particularly groundbreaking for its time.
The show's main character, Ann Marie, was engaged to her boyfriend, Donald Hollinger,
played by actor Ted Bessell, for the entire run of the series.
In the final episode, which aired on March 22, 1971, Ann and Donald are still engaged
and planning their wedding, which was a departure from the traditional television convention
of having the main characters get married in the final episode.
The decision to have the show end with the main characters still engaged was actually
Marlo Thomas' idea.
In an interview with the Television Academy Foundation, Thomas explained that she wanted
to challenge traditional gender roles and show that women could have fulfilling lives
without necessarily getting married.
She felt that having Ann and Donald remain engaged was a more realistic portrayal of
modern relationships.
The idea for the way Marlo wanted “That Girl” to end was initially met with resistance
from the show's producers, who were concerned that audiences would be disappointed by the
lack of a traditional happy ending.
However, Thomas persisted, and the ending ultimately proved to be a success.
Critics and audiences alike praised it for its realistic portrayal of modern relationships,
and it paved the way for other shows to explore similar themes in the years that followed.
The ending of “That Girl” was a groundbreaking moment in television history, and it remains
a testament to Marlo Thomas' vision and determination as an actress and producer.
“That Girl” Turned Marlo Thomas Into a Star
Marlo Thomas won a Golden Globe in 1967 for her role on "“That Girl”."
She was also nominated for four Emmy Awards during the show's run.
These accolades are a testament to Thomas's talent and the impact of her portrayal of
Ann Marie.
Marlo Thomas was born on November 21, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan.
Her father was an actor and comedian by the name of Danny Thomas, and her mother was named
Rose Marie Cassaniti.
She grew up in Beverly Hills, California, and attended Marymount High School in Los
Angeles.
She later graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in education.
Thomas started her acting career in the early 1960s with small roles in television shows
such as "77 Sunset Strip" and "Bonanza."
In 1965, she landed the lead role in the sitcom "“That Girl”," which ran for five seasons.
After "“That Girl”," Thomas continued to act in television and film, including appearances
in the movies "Jenny" and "Thieves," and the TV shows "McMillan & Wife" and "The Love Boat."
She also produced several television shows and movies, including the acclaimed children's
series "Free to Be...
You and Me" and the Emmy-winning TV movie "Nobody's Child."
Just like she did with “That Girl”, Marlo Thomas faced some criticism for her involvement
in the "Free to Be...
You and Me," a series that she not only produced but also starred in.
The show, which aimed to promote gender equality and challenge traditional gender roles, was
controversial in some circles for its progressive themes.
In addition to her acting and producing career, Thomas has been a dedicated social activist.
This should come as no surprise given the groundbreaking nature of her hit television
shows.
She has worked as the National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
founded by her father, and is the National Outreach Director for the hospital's fundraising
organization, ALSAC.
She has also been involved in various women's and children's charities and was awarded the
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014 for her philanthropic work.
Thomas has been married to talk show host Phil Donahue since 1980, and they have been
active in various social and political causes together.
They have also co-authored several books, including "What Makes a Marriage Last" and
"The Freedom to Choose."
While Marlo Thomas was adamant that her character on “That Girl” could never officially
tie the knot, it seems that she wasn’t so averse to the notion of entering into a long
and healthy marriage in her real life.
Marlo Thomas’ creative input helped the television show “That Girl” end its run
in a memorable and groundbreaking way.
Now it’s time to hear from you: did you know that the television series “That Girl”
ended with its main character still tenuously engaged to be married and that its open-ended
finale was considered groundbreaking and controversial for the time period?
Comment down below!