Though Lou warns her against it, Mary is interviewed by harsh newspaper columnist Mark Williams (Peter Haskell) who hates TV and is adept at twisting innocent interview answers to make them sound more dramatic.
I was a bit worried when they then went on a date. Like many dating episodes the guy is a bit sleazy which makes you wonder why Mary goes all soppy around him. Luckily they didn't go overboard on the romance angle, sticking to comedy. Much of this involves Mary herself including a great bit when the date comes to an unexpectedly abrupt end.
The episode works well because the story is strong, there's lots of comedy, and the regular characters all play well with many funny moments. I especially love Rhoda's bits of advice when commiserating with Mary after the date suddenly ends.
I thought it was interesting that Mary knew she was being interviewed as she was the only woman in the newsroom but Murray and Ted were kinda oblivious to that angle. Lou was onto it though. Ted of course is more focused on himself imagining HE will be the one interviewed, then trying to insert himself into it when he realises the subject is Mary.