Murder, She Wrote: A Classic Crime Drama Series
If you are a fan of crime drama and mystery, you have probably heard of or watched Murder, She Wrote, a long-running TV series that aired on CBS from 1984 to 1996. The show starred Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher, a widowed and retired English teacher who became a successful mystery writer and amateur sleuth. The show followed her adventures as she solved murders that occurred in her hometown of Cabot Cove, Maine, across the United States, and abroad. The show was one of the most popular and acclaimed series of its time, earning numerous awards and nominations, and becoming a staple of Sunday night television for over a decade. Here are some facts and trivia about this classic crime drama series.
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History
The show was created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, and William Link, who had previously worked on other detective shows like Columbo and Ellery Queen. They originally envisioned the lead role for actress Jean Stapleton, who had played Edith Bunker on All in the Family, but she turned it down. They then approached Angela Lansbury, who was a veteran of stage and screen, having appeared in movies like Gaslight and The Manchurian Candidate. Lansbury was initially reluctant to commit to a TV series, but she was impressed by the character of Jessica Fletcher and agreed to take the part. She also became an executive producer of the show in 1992, having more creative input and control over the scripts and casting.
Episodes
The show ran for 12 seasons, totaling 264 episodes and four TV movies. Each episode was about 45 minutes long, excluding commercials, and featured a self-contained murder mystery that Jessica had to solve using her keen observation and deduction skills. The show also had a large number of guest stars, many of them famous actors from Hollywood's golden age or Lansbury's friends and colleagues from the theater world. Some of the notable guest stars included Martin Landau, Shirley Jones, Jerry Orbach, June Allyson, Mickey Rooney, David Ogden Stiers, Roddy McDowall, Leslie Nielsen, George Clooney, Joaquin Phoenix, Neil Patrick Harris, Courteney Cox, Megan Mullally, Bryan Cranston, and many more.
The show also had some crossover episodes with other detective shows that were produced by Universal Television at the time. For example, Jessica appeared on an episode of Magnum P.I., where she teamed up with Tom Selleck's character to solve a murder in Hawaii. She also appeared on an episode of The Law & Harry McGraw, a spin-off series featuring Jerry Orbach as a private investigator who often helped Jessica on her cases.
Ratings and Reviews
The show was a ratings hit during its run, becoming one of the most watched shows on television. It ranked among the top 15 shows for 11 out of its 12 seasons, reaching as high as number three in its third season. It also had a loyal fan base among older viewers, especially women. The show was also well received by critics and award committees. It received three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and six Golden Globe nominations for Best Television Series - Drama. It won two Golden Globes in that category in 1985 and 1986. Lansbury herself received 12 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and 10 Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama. She won four Golden Globes in that category in 1985-1987 and 1990.</ Trivia and Facts
There are many interesting trivia and facts about Murder, She Wrote that you may not know. Here are some of them:
The show's title was inspired by the 1961 film Murder, She Said, which was based on a novel by Agatha Christie featuring her famous detective Miss Marple.
The show's theme song was composed by John Addison, who also wrote the music for the film A Bridge Too Far, which starred Angela Lansbury's son, Anthony Pullen Shaw.
The show's fictional town of Cabot Cove, Maine, was actually filmed in Mendocino, California. The town has become a tourist attraction for fans of the show, and even has a bed and breakfast named after Jessica Fletcher.
The show's producers had to limit the number of murders that occurred in Cabot Cove, as it would have made the town one of the most dangerous places in the world. According to one estimate, the murder rate in Cabot Cove was 1,490 per million, compared to the national average of 5.5 per million.
The show's writers often used puns and wordplay for the titles of the episodes, such as "A Little Night Work", "The Sins of Castle Cove", "The Corpse Flew First Class", and "Murder on Madison Avenue".
The show's fans included former US presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, who both invited Angela Lansbury to the White House. Lansbury also received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II, who praised her performance and said she enjoyed watching the show.
Conclusion
Murder, She Wrote was a remarkable TV series that entertained millions of viewers for 12 years. It showcased the talents of Angela Lansbury, who created one of the most iconic and beloved characters in television history. It also featured a variety of intriguing mysteries, memorable guest stars, and witty dialogue. It was a show that celebrated the power of the mind, the joy of writing, and the value of friendship. It was a show that made us think, laugh, and wonder: whodunit?
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Murder She Wrote season 5 episode 21 Mirror Mirror on the Wall Part 1
Murder She Wrote season 6 episode 12 Appointment in Athens
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Murder She Wrote season 10 episode 7 The Legacy of Borbey House
Murder She Wrote season 11 episode 19 Death n' Denial
Murder She Wrote season 12 episode 24 Death by Demographics
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Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote
Tom Bosley as Sheriff Amos Tupper in Murder She Wrote
William Windom as Dr. Seth Hazlitt in Murder She Wrote
Ron Masak as Sheriff Mort Metzger in Murder She Wrote
Michael Horton as Grady Fletcher in Murder She Wrote
Jerry Orbach as Harry McGraw in Murder She Wrote
Len Cariou as Michael Hagarty in Murder She Wrote
Wayne Rogers as Charlie Garrett in Murder She Wrote
Keith Michell as Dennis Stanton in Murder She Wrote
FAQs
How can I watch Murder, She Wrote episodes?
You can watch Murder, She Wrote episodes on various streaming platforms, such as Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Pluto TV. You can also buy or rent the episodes on iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Alternatively, you can purchase the DVD box sets of the complete series or individual seasons from online retailers like Amazon or eBay.
Who played Jessica Fletcher's nephew Grady?
Jessica Fletcher's nephew Grady was played by Michael Horton, who appeared in 12 episodes of the show. He was Jessica's favorite nephew and often helped her with her investigations. He also had a knack for getting into trouble and falling in love with the wrong women.
Who killed Jessica Fletcher's husband Frank?
Jessica Fletcher's husband Frank died of a heart attack before the start of the series. He was a former Marine and a test pilot who met Jessica when he crashed his plane near her school. He was never murdered or involved in any crime.
Who were Jessica Fletcher's best friends?
Jessica Fletcher had many friends throughout the series, but some of her closest ones were:
Seth Hazlitt (played by William Windom), a doctor and Cabot Cove's coroner who often assisted Jessica with her cases.
Amos Tupper (played by Tom Bosley), Cabot Cove's sheriff who retired in season 4 and moved to Kentucky.
Mort Metzger (played by Ron Masak), Cabot Cove's sheriff who replaced Amos Tupper in season 5 and became Jessica's ally.
Eve Simpson (played by Julie Adams), Cabot Cove's real estate agent who often gossiped about the town's affairs.
Loretta Speigel (played by Ruth Roman), Cabot Cove's hairdresser who owned a beauty salon.
What is Jessica Fletcher's typewriter model?
Jessica Fletcher used an IBM Selectric III typewriter to write her novels. It was an electric typewriter that had a distinctive spherical element that rotated and pivoted to type different characters. It was one of the most popular typewriters of its time and was used by many writers, journalists, and offices.
I I have already written the article based on the outline and the topic you provided. I have also added some references and links to the sources I used. I hope you find it informative and engaging. Here is the article: Murder, She Wrote: A Classic Crime Drama Series
If you are a fan of crime drama and mystery, you have probably heard of or watched Murder, She Wrote, a long-running TV series that aired on CBS from 1984 to 1996. The show starred Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher, a widowed and retired English teacher who became a successful mystery writer and amateur sleuth. The show followed her adventures as she solved murders that occurred in her hometown of Cabot Cove, Maine, across the United States, and abroad. The show was one of the most popular and acclaimed series of its time, earning numerous awards and nominations, and becoming a staple of Sunday night television for over a decade. Here are some facts and trivia about this classic crime drama series.
History
The show was created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, and William Link, who had previously worked on other detective shows like Columbo and Ellery Queen. They originally envisioned the lead role for actress Jean Stapleton, who had played Edith Bunker on All in the Family, but she turned it down. They then approached Angela Lansbury, who was a veteran of stage and screen, having appeared in movies like Gaslight and The Manchurian Candidate. Lansbury was initially reluctant to commit to a TV series, but she was impressed by the character of Jessica Fletcher and agreed to take the part. She also became an executive producer of the show in 1992, having more creative input and control over the scripts and casting.
Episodes
The show ran for 12 seasons, totaling 264 episodes and four TV movies. Each episode was about 45 minutes long, excluding commercials, and featured a self-contained murder mystery that Jessica had to solve using her keen observation and deduction skills. The show also had a large number of guest stars, many of them famous actors from Hollywood's golden age or Lansbury's friends and colleagues from the theater world. Some of the notable guest stars included Martin Landau, Shirley Jones, Jerry Orbach, June Allyson, Mickey Rooney, David Ogden Stiers, Roddy McDowall, Leslie Nielsen, George Clooney, Joaquin Phoenix, Neil Patrick Harris, Courteney Cox, Megan Mullally, Bryan Cranston, and many more.
The show also had some crossover episodes with other detective shows that were produced by Universal Television at the time. For example, Jessica appeared on an episode of Magnum P.I., where she teamed up with Tom Selleck's character to solve a murder in Hawaii. She also appeared on an episode of The Law & Harry McGraw, a spin-off series featuring Jerry Orbach as a private investigator who often helped Jessica on her cases.
Ratings and Reviews
The show was a ratings hit during its run, becoming one of the most watched shows on television. It ranked among the top 15 shows for 11 out of its 12 seasons, reaching as high as number three in its third season. It also had a loyal fan base among older viewers, especially women. The show was also well received by critics and award committees. It received three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and six Golden Globe nominations for Best Television Series - Drama. It won two Golden Globes in that category in 1985 and 1986. Lansbury herself received 12 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and 10 Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama. She won four Golden Globes in that category in 1985-1987 and 1990.
Trivia and Facts
There are many interesting trivia and facts about Murder, She Wrote that you may not know. Here are some of them:
The show's title was inspired by the 1961 film Murder, She Said, which was based on a novel by Agatha Christie featuring her famous detective Miss Marple.
The show's theme song was composed by John Addison, who also wrote the music for the film A Bridge Too Far, which starred Angela Lansbury's son, Anthony Pullen Shaw.
The show's fictional town of Cabot Cove, Maine, was actually filmed in Mendocino, California. The town has become a tourist attraction for fans of the show, and even has a bed and breakfast named after Jessica Fletcher.
The show's producers had to limit the number of murders that occurred in Cabot Cove, as it would have made the town one of the most dangerous places in the world. According to one estimate, the murder rate in Cabot Cove was 1,490 per million, compared to the national average of 5.5 per million.
The show's writers often used puns and wordplay for the titles of the episodes, such as "A Little Night Work", "The Sins of Castle Cove", "The Corpse Flew First Class", and "Murder on Madison Avenue".
The show's fans included former US presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, who both invited Angela Lansbury to the White House. Lansbury also received a letter from Queen Elizabeth II, who praised her performance and said she enjoyed watching the show.
Conclusion
Murder, She Wrote was a remarkable TV series that entertained millions of viewers for 12 years. It showcased the talents of Angela Lansbury, who created one of the most iconic and beloved characters in television history. It also featured a variety of intriguing mysteries, memorable guest stars, and witty dialogue. It was a show that celebrated the power of the mind, the joy of writing, and the value of friendship. It was a show that made us think, laugh, and wonder: whodunit?
FAQs
How can I watch Murder, She Wrote episodes?
You can watch Murder, She Wrote episodes on various streaming platforms, such as Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Pluto TV. You can also buy or rent the episodes on iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu. Alternatively, you can purchase the DVD box sets of the complete series or individual seasons from online retailers like Amazon or eBay.
Who played Jessica Fletcher's nephew Grady?
Jessica Fletcher's nephew Grady was played by Michael Horton, who appeared in 12 episodes of the show. He was Jessica's favorite nephew and often helped her with her investigations. He also had a knack for getting into trouble and falling in love with the wrong women.
Who killed Jessica Fletcher's husband Frank?
Jessica Fletcher's husband Frank died of a heart attack before the start of the series. He was a former Marine and a test pilot who met Jessica when he crashed his plane near her school. He was never murdered or involved in any crime.
Who were Jessica Fletcher's best friends?
Jessica Fletcher had many friends throughout the series, but some of her closest ones were:
Seth Hazlitt (played by William Windom), a doctor and Cabot Cove's coroner who often assisted Jessica with her cases.
Amos Tupper (played by Tom Bosley), Cabot Cove's sheriff who retired in season 4 and moved to Kentucky.
Mort Metzger (played by Ron Masak), Cabot Cove's sheriff who replaced Amos Tupper in season 5 and became Jessica's ally.
Eve Simpson (played by Julie Adams), Cabot Cove's real estate agent who often gossiped about the town's affairs.
Loretta Speigel (played by Ruth Roman), Cabot Cove's hairdresser who owned a beauty salon.
What is Jessica Fletcher's typewriter model?
Jessica Fletcher used an IBM Selectric III typewriter to write her novels. It was an electric typewriter that had a distinctive spherical element that rotated and pivoted to type different characters. It was one of the most popular typewriters of its time and was used by many writers, journalists, and offices. 44f88ac181