Murder -- According to Maggie 

A show cancellation coincides with a network executive's murder.

Director:

John Llewellyn Moxey

Writers:

Peter S. Fischer (created by), Richard Levinson (created by)

Stars:

Angela Lansbury, Denis Arndt, Talia Balsam

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Angela Lansbury	...	Jessica Fletcher
Denis Arndt	...	Lt. Vincent Palermo
Talia Balsam	...	Julie Pritzer
Diana Canova	...	Mary Margaret 'Maggie' McCauley
Miriam Flynn	...	Vi
Dwayne Hickman	...	Brian Thursdan
Leann Hunley	...	Dana Darren
Bruce Kirby	...	Andy Butler
Paul Kreppel	...	Leo Kaplan
Gary Sandy	...	Keith Carmody
Tim Thomerson	...	Bert Rodgers
Tom Troupe	...	Director
Ann Morgan Guilbert	...	Harriet De Vol (as Ann Guilbert)
Ben Slack	...	Burnsie
Greg Norberg	...	Phil Dooley

Storyline

Jessica talks about Maggie, her most promising high school English pupil, who made it as an author, albeit not in literature but as TV script writer. However, her hit series 'Beat Cop' may be canceled after a mystery man shoots a network VP during a screening, after the widow whose money controls the studio intervened against axing it. Lead actor Bert Rodgers' fingerprints are found on the gun, so LAPD Lieutenant Vincent Palermo, after who his character was modeled, arrests him. The new executive will cancel it without the star, so Maggie must find the killer or another job.

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Plot Keywords:

tv show | screening room | talking to the camera | agent | tv network | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Goofs

Jessica says, "Will we ever hear from Margaret Mary again?" when the character she is referring to is named Mary Margaret.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jessica Fletcher: [reciting] "The rose huddles quietly, head bowed upon its nettle stalk, silken white petals enveloped in the darkness of night. And then, with the first light of dawn, it peers proudly toward the first needles of sunlight, darting westward, giving of itself to another newborn day."

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Soundtracks

Murder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison

User Reviews

One of the best non Cabot Cove episodes

This episode has always been one of my favorite non Cabot Cove outings, along with the Ireland episodes, which were also great. The mood of this episode is so light hearted but engaging. Diana Canova did a great job in her role, creating a very likable character. The scenes with her boyfriend to be and the inspiration for beat copy, Denis Arndt as Lt. Vincent Palermo, were great. Ann Morgan Guilbert also stands out in her brief appearances, perfectly capturing a smart, powerful woman who knows how to handle snot nosed puppy dogs like Keith Carmody, played very well by Gary Sandy, not to mention Dwayne Hickman as the likable studio head and Maggie's agent, whose actions are not always in Maggie's best interest. And Tim Thomerson was just perfect as egotistical Hollywood type who looses it when he becomes a suspect, only to revert back to his old ways, having learned nothing in the process. In the end, I felt a little sorry for Bruce Kirby's character.

The only true weak point is the continuity error with the pencil and the writers treated us the audience as idiots, having to repeatedly show us the "here it is, but gone here" bit.

Still one of the best MSW shows set out of Cabot Cove.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1990 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 29, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

47 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1