Mackenzie Phillips opened up about a past conflict with former One Day at a Time costar Richard Masur and revealed that the two eventually cleared the air years later.
Phillips discussed the tension while appearing on Valerie Bertinelli’s Getting Naked podcast, where the former costars reflected on their experiences working on the long-running sitcom.
The One Day at a Time alum recalls her past tension with Richard Masur and the apology that changed things
Phillips did not sugarcoat how she remembered working with Masur during the show’s first season.
“Richard Masur wasn’t very nice,” she said.
When Bertinelli noted that Masur only appeared during Season 1, Phillips repeated, “He wasn’t very nice.”
However, the relationship between Mackenzie Phillips and Richard Masur changed after they crossed paths at an event years later.
Phillips said Masur apologized to her despite not remembering the specific interaction that had caused the tension.
“I don’t even remember what it was. I don’t even remember what I said, but whatever I said, I’m really sorry,” Phillips recalled him telling her.
She said Masur also praised her abilities and acknowledged how young they had been at the time.
The apology helped Phillips put their earlier conflict behind her, and she said they “made peace.”
Masur played divorce lawyer David Kane during the first season of One Day at a Time. His character eventually left after ending his relationship with Ann Romano, played by Bonnie Franklin.
The CBS sitcom ran for nine seasons from 1975 to 1984. Its One Day at a Time cast also included Phillips, Bertinelli, Franklin, Pat Harrington Jr. and Mary Louise Wilson.
During the same Getting Naked podcast conversation, Phillips and Bertinelli also discussed their different experiences with series developer Norman Lear.
Bertinelli admitted that Lear sometimes intimidated her, even though she felt protected by him. Phillips remembered their relationship much differently.
“I pedestalized him,” Phillips said. “I always adored Norman. I loved Norman. I trusted Norman.”
Her comments about Masur revealed that not every relationship from her early television career had felt as positive. Still, the later apology gave Phillips a chance to move beyond the old tension.
