Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) Deadpan (1988) User Reviews

Destructive Criticism Meets Static Reception

[WeatherViolet · 9/10 · 19 September 2009]

New York City's Woolcott Theatre welcomes "Mainely Murder," the first attempt by playwright Walter Knapf (Miles Chapin), which he bases upon a novel, "A Murder Comes to Maine," by his former schoolteacher Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who attends dress rehearsals, after lending her endorsement based upon Walter's first draft.

Producer Shayne Grant (pronouned "Shay-nah") (Carole Cook), with playwright and author on hand, receives condescending theatre critic Eliot Easterbrook (Dean Stockwell), to interview the trio on stage for his "Live at Five" television commentary. Eliot also presents theatre reviews during his 11 PM telecast.

Director Jason Richards (Lloyd Bochner) and publicist Barney Mapost (Rich Little) add their respective professional touches to the production, as Shayne and Walter attempt to convince Jessica that inferior edits may be corrected but probably not in time for tomorrow's opening night.

Newspaper theatre critic Danny O'Mara (John DiSanti) and his assistant, Denise Quinlan (Christopher Norris) attempt a more open mind than does the television theatre critic, as they prepare to attend opening night.

While the "Deadpan" audience sees none of the "Play within a Play" performance beyond dress rehearsals, the theatre audience is told that Craig Donner substitutes for Tony Jasper in the role of the Woodsman. At least one cast member is seen beyond the stage: Barbara Blair (playing Prudence) (Marilyn Hassett), who attends the cast and crew reception, to await television and newspaper reviews.

But after reviews of "Mainely Murder" differ considerably, a body is discovered to complicate matters. A frustrated Lieutenant Aloyius Jarvis (Eugene Roche) conducts the subsequent investigation, to what appears an "open and shut case" -- if not for Jessica's determination to disprove the officer's theory.

Newspaper editor Ed Cullen (Philip Abbott), Shayne's Assistant (Don Correia), and several other survivors provide Jessica with information regarding a case of "Deadpan" theatre reviews.

Jessica on Broadway

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 30 July 2017]

Miles Chapin is one of Jessica Fletcher's former creative writing students who has adapted one of her mysteries as a Broadway play which brings her down from Cabot Cove to see the opening.

But on opening night prominent critic John DiSanti who gave the play a good review was shot to death in his apartment. Everyone from director Lloyd Bochner to producer Carole Cook is suspected especially after the review is found to be a phony. But of course the suspicion settles on Chapin and there's Angela Lansbury ever ready to defend one of her former pupils.

Stealing this whole episode is this cynical critic and mortal enemy of DiSanti, Dean Stockwell. You really are in awe of how much of a hateful soul Stockwell is and how he even spurns Lansbury's offers to help him when he's under suspicion.

Good episode of a note so good view of the Great White Way.

You really do need Ziggy here.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 12 March 2021]

One of Jessica's books has been adapted for Broadway, she soon realises that the critics have a big part to play in its success, darling.

After the rough and tumble of the rodeo episode, it's time for a big change in tempo and style, an episode which focuses more on the luvvies.

It's very nicely written, very well produced, and it will keep you guessing, I didn't call it, a nice switch.

Personally I thought one or two of the actors in this were very wooden, I won't call them out, as I know there are fans, some of the dialect is delivered in a very dubious way, it would take a big leap to guess who I mean.

It takes me back to my school days seeing those huge computer discs, this must be when the technology they we all know and use today was just starting to get into the mainstream.

Good, 7/10.

Theatre critiquing with 'Murder She Wrote'

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 6 September 2017]

Have always been quite fond of 'Murder She Wrote'. It is a fun and relaxing watch that makes you think as you try to unwind in the evening. If one wants more complex, twisty mysteries with lots of tension and suspense 'Murder She Wrote' may not be for you, but if you want something light-hearted and entertaining but still provide good mysteries 'Murder She Wrote' fits the bill just fine.

"Deadpan" is in my top 5 episodes of Season 4, along with "Witness for the Defense", "Old Habits Die Hard", "Trouble in Eden" and "Mourning Among the Wisterias", and one of my favourite episodes of 'Murder She Wrote' too. Season 4 was a very good season on the whole, with the only disappointments being "It Runs in the Family" (not awful with the efforts of the cast saving it but didn't feel like 'Murder She Wrote') and "Just Another Fish Story" (for non-Grady and Donna fans this is not an easy sit through and the mystery was disappointing, but Angela Lansbury and the rest of the supporting cast upped things a bit).

Of the "Jessica has her work adapted" episodes, and there are quite a few of them, "Deadpan" is not just one of the best of them, to me it's THE best. The story is always engaging, with the behind the scenes of the play and how theatre critiquing is portrayed providing a lot of intrigue. The mystery is a clever one and keeps one guessing right up the last second, with a denouement that may be complicated on first glance but is one of the show's most ingenious. There are some obvious, rushed or clunky ones on the show but also a lot of clever and well thought ones, but not many truly shocked me, this one did.

Angela Lansbury is terrific in one of her best remembered roles for good reason, and there is a delicious guest supporting cast, one of the most delicious on 'Murder She Wrote'. As good as John DiSanti, Lloyd Bochner, Carole Cook, Eugene Roche, Rich Little and Marilyn Hassett are it is a fantastic Dean Stockwell who steals the show as one of the show's most loathsome characters.

Production values are slick and stylish as ever with 'Murder She Wrote'. The music has energy and has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune.

The writing is thought-provoking and amiable and as said the story and acting are on point.

In conclusion, one of my favourites. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Excellent episode

[shakspryn · 8/10 · 18 October 2023]

One of the qualities that this series has, which helps to make it so enjoyable for the viewers, is that the actors so often are clearly having a lot of fun with their roles, and that is certainly true here. Actors love the chance to play over-the-top theatre types--it really tickles them.

The guest cast in this episode is outstanding, as is so often the case with this show. I especially liked watching Lloyd Bochner as a cynical director and Carol Cook as a tough producer. And Marilyn Hassett! She has a small part, but she is so beautiful and engaging and funny! I just wish she had been in a lot more shows, she is such a special lady.

And, always powering this series on, Angela Lansbury. Her magnetism and deftness, her perfect timing and complete command of her character, are the foundation for every episode. It all builds on her great talent. This episode is pure fun and fans will enjoy it. I have a fondness for those episodes where Jessica gets down to New York City; such a contrast to Cabot Cove!

The mystery in this plot is a good one. This is a fine addition to the long list of Jessica's New York City adventures.

Deadpan

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 24 August 2023]

When one of her former students adapts her novel Mainly Murder as a stage play, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is honored to attend the show's opening night. Not long afterward, the reviews come out, with one critic lavishing praise on the production, and the critic's chief rival penning a devastating pan. When then "positive" critic is murdered and the "negative" critic is accused of the crime, Jessica must come to the defense of a person who obviously despises her!

Dean Stockwell plays a cynic and a rather harsh critic, his scathing words sends anger through the theatre world, and here he trashes the play based on Jessica's book. He steals every scene he's in, and what makes this mystery a good watch.

Broadway....by way of Hollywood.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 25 November 2022]

"Deadpan" is an episode that is set on Broadway in New York City. However, the show did a poor job in disguising it, as the theater doesn't look like those on Broadway AND you can clearly see the Hollywood Walk of Fame outside the theater! Still, despite a lack of effort to make the show look like it's in New York, it's a decent episode.

One of Jessica's books has been made into a play which will soon debut. One of her old students has written the play and although she wants to show enthusiasm for the project, it's obvious to her that the play stinks. At the same time, a very caustic theater reviewer has made it his mission to destroy the play as he hates it even more. Inexplicably, however, another famous reviewer has apparently submitted a glowing review of the play. This makes sense later when they discover the second reviewer was murdered and his murderer apparently wrote the glowing review and submitted it by computer to the newspaper. What's really going on here?

Dean Stockwell is very entertaining as the caustic critic...haughty, condescending and, well, a real jerk. As for the murder and the rest of the episode, it's about average...which still makes it well worth your time.

Very good episode

[wkozak221 · 6/10 · 22 June 2020]

This is a very good. It is centered on the theatre which I love. The cast is good overall but I find a few problems. 1. Dean Stockwell is playing a pompous character again. Carol Cook is IMO playing the same role over and over again. 2 of my favorites is Rich Little. Always liked him in every role. Also, Eugene Rouche. He does a great job here, as always. I think he be great in comedies.