Why Gavin MacLeod believed Captain Stuber was the ''antithesis'' of Murray Slaughter

Though audiences love to watch Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the character certainly did not lead an enviable life. Just ask Gavin MacLeod, who played the character throughout the show’s seven-year run.

“Remember, Murray was not a character of great color or vitality,” said MacLeod during an interview with The Clarksdale Press Register. “He was always the one who came through the door last.”

Of course, despite Murray’s pitiful nature, the role gave MacLeod an opportunity to expose himself to an audience. “I’m grateful,” the actor said, and argued that the show “made me a saleable commodity.”

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Of course, The Mary Tyler Moore Show paved the way for MacLeod to take on the role of a leading man in The Love Boat. The actor recalled reading the pilot script for the series.

“I took the script to my home in Palm Springs one weekend and laughed twice reading the very first page,” said MacLeod. "I had made up my mind that if I did take another series, it would cast me in a role that would be the antithesis of Murray Slaughter. I like the idea of this show being a wonderpiece of diversion. I felt the country was ready to go for this type of show.”

The role of Captain Merrill Stubing was a sharp pivot from previous roles.

“You can imagine how I feel now,” said MacLeod. “The captain is a winner. He’s got color, glamor, sex appeal and a uniform…Some reviewers call me ‘the Handsome Gavin MacLeod.’ Imagine! Nobody described me like that on Mary’s show.”