My Living Doll

Lore & Background

When Miller is transferred to Pakistan, McDonald reluctantly takes charge of the robot, whom he passes off as Miller's niece Rhoda. He attempts to educate her to be 'the perfect woman'—one who does what she's told and doesn't talk back—while she tries to learn human society. The show was created by Jack Chertok based on the Pygmalion–Galatea myth and was bought by CBS without a formal pilot due to the success of Chertok's My Favorite Martian.

Reader's Guide

My Living Doll holds a unique place in television history as an early attempt to blend science fiction with domestic sitcom conventions. Its most enduring legacy is the phrase 'Does not compute,' which Rhoda used when confronted with contradictory information, later entering the science fiction lexicon. The show also anticipated later robot-themed sitcoms, such as Small Wonder, created by My Living Doll producer Howard Leeds. The series was developed without a pilot, reflecting the network's confidence in Chertok's track record.

Did You Know?

• The series was bought by CBS without a formal pilot, at the request of network president James T. Aubrey.
• The phrase 'Does not compute' originated from this show, used by Rhoda when faced with contradictory information.
• The original 35mm negatives were reportedly destroyed in a fire at a storage facility; surviving episodes come from 16mm prints.
• Producers originally wanted Efrem Zimbalist Jr. for the male lead, but CBS overruled them to cast Bob Cummings.