That Girl

"... that girl!" —The punchline to the Once an Episode Cold Opening gag.

An American sitcom that aired from 1966 to 1971, following the adventures of Ann Marie, played by Marlo Thomas, a budding actress who moved to New York to make her big break into Broadway. Occasionally aided by her boyfriend Donald Hollinger (Ted Bessell), she attempted or was pulled into many different schemes in hopes of becoming a star, though later seasons focused on more formulaic sitcom situations.

Aside from the comedy aspect, That Girl is often viewed as the forerunner of other successful shows starring single women such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show or Murphy Brown. It also addressed the issues of its time, in its own unique style.

Most famous for the opening of every show, the "That girl!" Title Drop, accompanied by the title itself appearing at the bottom of the screen, with only a few variations over its five year run.

---

That Girl contains examples of:

• Acting for Two: Ted Bessell does this in an episode, playing Donald and a doctor who is his double aside from hair color.
• Animated Adaptation: "That Girl in Wonderland," a one-shot animated movie made by Rankin/Bass and Topcraft and aired on ABC in 1973 which features Ann picturing herself in the starring role of various classic fairy tales. Marlo Thomas returned to voice Ann for the film.
• Artistic Title: The shots of Ann walking around New York.
• Big Applesauce
• Bland-Name Product:
  • Newsweek -> Newsview
  • William and Norris Agency -> Gilliam and Norris Theatrical Agency
  • Lee Strasburg Institute -> Benedict Workshop of the Dramatic Arts
• Christmas Episode: Two of them; "Christmas and the Hard-Luck Kid", in Season One and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas, You're Under Arrest" in Season Two.
• Episode on a Plane: Ann as stewardess on a flight to Florida.
• Hey, It's That Guy!:
  • Linus Van Pelt was the boy Ann took care of back when she was a teacher at a boarding school.
  • The Love Boat's Doc was Donald's fellow Newsweek employee, Jerry Bauman.
  • Lt. Col. Henry Blake booked Ann to do a soda commercial, and have her lipsynch while another young woman's voice was dubbed over hers.
  • Winne the Pooh is the neighbor who plays the organ loudly at night for an episode.
  • Eddie's father / the martian's roommate / the Hulk's Bruce Banner is Don's frat brother who locks himself in Don's room so Ann will feel comfortable spending the night with a "strange man."
  • Mr. Whipple plays a help desk employee.
  • Rich Little takes Ann on her computer match date.
  • Trike-riding Ruth Buzzi of Laugh-In plays a friend of Ann in later seasons.
  • Darrin Stevens' mom also plays Don's mom.
  • The Center Square, Paul Lynde, convinces Ann to sell shoes door-to-door.
  • Meathead Mike Stivic plays a variety of roles.
  • Archie Bunker is an opera tenor with sensitive vocal cords.
• Hilarity Ensues
• Once an Episode: The "...that girl!" gag.
• Only Sane Man: Donald, most of the time.
• Identical Stranger: who looks like Donald.
• Instrumental Theme Tune: Four of the five seasons.
• The Show Goes Hollywood: And Ann tries for stardom.
• Recurring Extra: * The late actor Ed Peck played five different characters in all five seasons.
• Sitcom
• The Teaser: Setting up the plot and the title gag.
• Title Drop: Once an Episode