<Li> Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod), the head writer of the news makes frequent quips for Ted Baxter's mangling of his news copy, and Sue Ann Nivens' aggressive, man - hungry attitude . He is Mary's closest coworker and close friend . Murray is married to Marie, and has several children . </Li> <Li> Ted Baxter (Ted Knight) is the dim - witted, vain, and miserly anchorman of the Six O'Clock News . He frequently makes mistakes and is oblivious to the actual nature of the topics covered on the show, but considers himself to be the country's best news journalist . He is often criticized by others, especially Murray and Lou for his many shortcomings, but is never fired from his position . Initially a comic buffoon in the series, Ted's better nature is gradually revealed as the series unfolds, helped along by his sweet but sometimes perceptive girlfriend Georgette . </Li> <Li> Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper) (1970--74) is Mary's best friend and upstairs neighbor . She works as a window dresser at the fictional Hemphill's department store . Though insecure about her appearance, she is also outgoing and sardonic, often making wisecracks, frequently at her own expense . Like Mary, she is single . She dates frequently, often joking about her disastrous dates . Rhoda moves to New York City and falls in love after the fourth season, beginning the spinoff series, Rhoda . </Li> <Li> Phyllis Lindstrom (Cloris Leachman) (1970--75) is Mary's snobbish friend and neighbor . She is married to an unseen character, Lars, a dermatologist, and has a precocious daughter, Bess (Lisa Gerritsen). Phyllis is controlling and often arrogant . She is actively involved in groups and clubs and is a political activist and a supporter of Women's Liberation . Rhoda and Phyllis are usually at odds with each other and often trade insults . After five seasons, Phyllis is widowed, learns her husband had virtually no assets and she must support herself; she moves to San Francisco in the spinoff series Phyllis . </Li>

When does rhoda leave the mary tyler moore show