It's very trying on a marriage when you're doing a one hour show, week after week after week. You don't have enough time for people that maybe you should have top priority.

Gavin MacLeod’s quote, "It's very trying on a marriage when you're doing a one hour show, week after week after week. You don't have enough time for people that maybe you should have top priority," speaks to the challenges of balancing a demanding career with personal relationships, particularly marriage. As an actor, MacLeod was referring to the time-consuming nature of working on a television show, where the schedule of filming, rehearsing, and promoting can leave little room for other aspects of life, such as spending time with loved ones. The quote highlights how the demands of a career in entertainment, especially one with a high workload, can interfere with maintaining healthy relationships.

The phrase "very trying on a marriage" indicates the strain that long hours and constant work can put on a marital relationship. In this case, MacLeod’s acknowledgment of the emotional and practical toll of his career on his personal life is an honest reflection of the sacrifices involved in his work. This comment also suggests that, despite the rewards of fame and success, the lack of quality time with a spouse or loved ones can be a serious downside of a busy career, making it difficult to nurture relationships that require attention and care.

The second part of the quote, "you don't have enough time for people that maybe you should have top priority," reflects MacLeod’s realization that work, while important, can sometimes overshadow what truly matters—his relationships. It speaks to the prioritization that many people face in trying to balance their professional ambitions with the need for emotional connection and support from family or partners. It suggests that the lack of time and attention to loved ones can lead to neglect or emotional distance, which can affect the stability of personal relationships.

Gavin MacLeod, best known for his roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Love Boat, was reflecting on the challenges of life in the spotlight. The origin of this quote stems from his own experiences in Hollywood, where long hours and frequent travel can take a toll on even the strongest of personal relationships. His candidness about the difficulties of balancing work and family gives insight into the realities of a career in show business, and how it can impact one’s personal life and marriage.