Original subtitles

What a bunch of bulls.

First of all, they didn't write about the interview she did with the

Sandinistas. Secondly, she stood Warren Beatty up. He didn't stand her up. And

thirdly, what kind of ties are these?

I thought Wyde was out.

You know, when they asked me to fill in for Murphy, I couldn't believe it.

It was kind of like that time when I became Miss America.

Did I ever tell you about that? Oh, yeah, yeah. It's an exciting story.

So, who wants to put a little money down here? I say Murphy comes back a changed

woman. It was so incredible when they announced my name.

First runner -up, Corky Sherwood.

Murphy will never change. Once a pain in the butt, always a pain in the butt.

Jim, we are talking a month at the Betty Ford Center. You saw the segment I did

on that place. They knocked the stuffing out of you. Now, come on. Ten bucks.

But then I got that phone call.

It's always very sad when Miss America calls from Grace.

Although when she said she loved animals, no one took her literally.

Did I ever tell you what she did the night before? Yeah, yeah, what a mind

picture. It's 9 .30.

At 10 o 'clock, Murphy Brown is going to get off that elevator late as usual.

She will insult at least three people, grab a cup of black coffee, and bum a

cigarette. Then she will lock herself in her office until she comes up with the

perfect piece for next week's show. As usual, you're on. All right!

Wait, I have to get my checkbook.

Rex, please.

Hey, Frank.

Nice piece you did on that prostitution ring.

Jim, what have you done to your hair? I like it. Coffee, Miss Brown? No, thank

you.

I'm going to miss her. Me too.

Okay.

Which one of you turkeys got their greasy fingerprints all over...

You were fondling it while I was gone.

I couldn't help myself. It was wearing a dress. It had breasts. We talked. We

hit it off.

You're very strange.

And I actually missed you.

Thanks for sending me the Chippendales calendar.

Mr. March got me through August.

I am proud of you, Murph. You came out the other side. Frank, I haven't had a

drink in over a month.

I haven't had a cigarette in three weeks.

Four hours and 22 minutes. I've been pleasant. I've been polite.

Don't ever tell anybody this, okay?

I did aerobic. I left every vice I have at that place, except for chewing

pencils. I can't live without the taste of a number two soft drink. I've got to

have it. I wouldn't let them break me. It's okay, Murph. You've got to hold on

to something.

Boy, being away from this place was like cutting off my oxygen.

So. How bad did the ratings drop? Oh, they didn't.

No, really.

No, I... I'm telling you. We killed the competition last week, and believe me,

it was heavy. There was a Partridge family reunion special and Emmanuel

an ALF two -parter.

Oh, I gotta go meet my film crew. Listen, later on, I'll buy you a drink.

We'll have some lunch. Nice, lunch.

Miss Brown.

Hi.

Just wanted to come up and introduce myself.

Miles Silverberg. Hello.

Did you want an autograph?

Autograph?

Autograph? No.

I'm Miles Silverberg. Right.

Silverberg Miles. You said that.

The new executive producer of FYI.

Excuse me?

I said, I'm the new executive producer.

They replaced Arvin with you?

Your Miles Silverberg? Yes. Yes.

Miles Silverberg.

And let me just say what a big fan I am. You know who the Shirelles are.

Excuse me?

The Shirelles?

The Ronettes? The Delphonics?

It's only my second day.

How old are you?

Twenty -five.

What's your background?

Ah, master's degree from Harvard Business School. Working background.

Three years in public television. I ran my... Getting worse.

I'm sorry, Mr.

Silverberg, if it appears I'm being rude to you. It's just that I can't help

thinking about the fact that while I was getting maced at the Democratic

Convention in 68, you were wondering if you'd ever meet Adam West.

Look,

I can understand this reaction.

I know how much you loved and admired Arvin.

But the man retired.

He did. The show needs new blood.

Are you the same new blood who thought it would be a good idea to have a former

Miss America who won by default, no less, fill in for me? Oh, no, definitely

not.

I'm the one who decided she should join you, Frank, and Jim on a permanent

basis.

Are you kidding me?

The woman has no journalism background.

Think back.

Atlantic City, 1982, the talent competition.

Corky Sherwood walks out on stage and coordinates a closet?

Doesn't that tell you something?

Who knew where she was going to put those last two dresses?

Miss Brown, she's been testing through the roof. You can't ignore that.

Oh, yeah?

I've got this for you. Hi.

I hope I'm not interrupting anything.

But I just wanted to say, mercy.

What a pleasure it is to meet you and tell you myself that I will be honored

be sitting beside you every Wednesday night.

And if I can be even one tenth the journalist you are, I have reached my

Because you, Murphy, are the best.

Gee, thank you very much. That's really sweet.

Oh, Miles, how do you pronounce this word?

She -ite.

Women 18 to 34 are writing to her for hairstyling tips. She thinks Camus is a

soap. Come on, Brown.

All I'm asking is for the chance to impress you. It takes a lot to impress

Okay. How about this?

I have landed you maybe the biggest interview of the year. Unless you're

about Bobby Powell, I'm not impressed.

Bingo.

You're kidding.

Nope.

Wow.

Look here on my date book. What does that say?

Buy tampons.

Above that, first order of business, land Bobby Powell.

60 Minutes 2020, the Today Show, they're all trying to snag this guy. How did

you do it?

Well, it wasn't easy.

I'm looking at you in a totally new way, Miles.

I mean, there are always compromises we have to make along the way. Of course.

I just finished graduate work in compromise.

So. What kind of compromise?

No big deal.

I had to promise Bobby Powell that you wouldn't ask him the question.

You promised Bobby Powell I wouldn't ask him if he had an affair with a married

woman who happens to be running for vice president of the United States?

So what's your point?

What are we running here? Do I look like Robin Leach? Forget it. I can't do the

interview. See, I have this reputation, which I'm very proud of.

I've never done an interview with my hands tied, and I'm not about to start.

I'll come back after you've had a chance to mull this over.

I think it went well, don't you?

Miss Brown?

Hi. I'm Sherry French, your new secretary.

What happened to my old secretary?

she left to sell Herbalife.

Oh. Well, welcome aboard, Sherry.

Uh, do me a favor, will you?

Get rid of these things for me.

And bring me some fresh pencils.

Number two, soft.

A lot of them.

Miss Brown, I couldn't help overhearing what you and Mr. Silverberg were talking

about.

I think you made a very big mistake passing on that interview.

You can't just... categorize things as black or white.

Issues facing the media now are often very gray.

Do you mind if I sit in your chair for a minute?

I just want to see what it feels like.

Sherry doesn't work here anymore.

This is Robert.

Well, I'm sorry, but Miss Brown is on the phone with the Secretary of State

right now.

Who is this?

Oh! Uh, yes, yes. Hold on. I'll tell you around.

Oh, come on, Mr. Secretary. You're not backing out on me, are you?

Look, we can pre -tape in the morning, and I'll have you on a plane to Helsinki

in the afternoon.

Come on.

I'll do my Ted Koppel impression.

Uh, excuse me. A very urgent call just came in. I'm going to have to get back

you. Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

Eldon Bernicke?

Okay. You were supposed to show up to paint the inside of my house two weeks

ago.

I left the keys with my neighbor. She said you arrived late, spread out your

drop cloth, ordered a pizza, and never came back.

Now, you may get away with this sort of thing with other people, but I am

definitely not other people.

Murphy Brown.

I'm on TV.

Look, be there tomorrow morning ready to paint, or I'll sue your overalls off.

No, I don't know Heather Locklear.

Robert?

I'm sorry, did I scare you?

No.

Would you see if you can get the First Lady for me, please?

Of the United States?

That's right.

You can do this, Robert.

Yes, I know.

Just give me a minute.

Murphy? You again.

I just spoke with Bobby Powell.

He'd really like you to do the interview, but if not, he's going to

Jane Pauley.

The big J?

We are talking about full -page ads in newspapers across the country, a

guaranteed 40 share.

You know,

This may sound awfully old -fashioned to someone who would wear a tie like that,

but... It's new.

Do you like it?

No. My dad once told me never to do anything that didn't feel right.

This doesn't feel right. So if you want me to do it, you'll have to call my dad

and clear it with him.

What's your father's phone number?

Bobby's available for lunch today. I think you should meet with him. You

give up, do you?

I'll be back. I know.

Murphy?

I heard you turn that interview down, and I just want to say I would have done

exactly the same thing.

Hey, Miles?

Okay,

okay. Murphy, welcome back.

Hey, Phil.

Bobby Powell isn't here yet, but I saved you your favorite table, where you gave

Ed Meese the Heimlich maneuver.

Memories.

What can I get you?

How about a designer water?

Good for you.

One designer water, coming right up.

How's little Phil?

Oh, he's fine.

Big Phil?

Just fine.

Phil Senior?

Still going strong, that would.

Phyllis says to say hello.

There he is.

Bobby Powell.

And shy looking. Yeah, right.

Well, this will take about two seconds.

Bobby Powell, Murphy Brown. Miss Brown, it's a pleasure to meet you. Really a

pleasure.

Thanks for agreeing to see me. I know how busy you are.

Why don't we have a seat over here?

Nothing, thanks.

A lot of people are offering me a lot of money to tell my story.

Now, I don't know if this will make any sense to you, but I'm not interested in

the money. I just want the story told straight.

That's why I picked you.

Everybody knows you the best.

Wow, you're pretty smooth, Mr. Powell.

I bet that sheepish grin of yours got you pretty far.

Pretty far?

You know what happened to me this morning?

I got let go from my job.

You did? Yeah.

Too much bad publicity.

My friends don't call me anymore.

I can't walk out into the street without everybody staring at me. Mr. Powell,

you haven't experienced pain until the National Enquirer puts your head on Tia

Zadora's body.

You got yourself involved with Gwen Lansing, who happens to be married with

kids and may end up running this country one day.

I think you've both got to expect a little publicity.

And frankly, Mr. Powell, I think publicity is exactly what you're after.

You know, I thought you'd be different.

I really did.

You've made up your mind about me already.

I didn't think the press was supposed to do that.

Did you sleep with Gwen Lansing?

Do you think America has the right to know everything?

No.

Neither do I.

You know, Ms. Brown, there's another reason why I picked you.

You must know what it's like to have a whole country pass judgment on you.

I see you've been reading your tabloids.

That's why I thought you'd understand.

Look, all I want is a chance to tell my story with some kind of dignity.

But it looks like these days that's just too much to ask.

Thanks for your time.

So what's the story?

Well, he wasn't what I expected.

You gonna do the interview?

I'm gonna do the interview.

Okay,

Mr. Bernicke, this is Murphy Brown again.

You were supposed to show up to paint the inside of my house this morning.

I was there. You weren't.

You blew it.

Oh. And change the message on this phone machine. Nobody likes listening to

Margaritaville for five minutes.

Robert. I'm

fine.

Would you return these to the tape library for me, please?

I can't take it.

I can't take the pressure. I'm like one raw, pulsating nerve.

I feel the veins in my head pressing against the inside of my skull and

expanding until they're ready to explode.

It's too much. It's just too much.

Robert, maybe you should go back to sports.

Yes, I think that would be good for me.

Now that the Olympics are over.

See the ad in this morning's paper?

B.

Right.

Say, Jim, can I buy you a cup of coffee? There's something I wanted to ask you.

Sure.

This is kind of hard for me.

Well,

I'll just jump in.

Have you ever felt...

Really nervous before a big interview.

I don't mean like when you were first starting out.

That's expected.

I mean, have you ever felt not like yourself?

Like you went through something that changed you and you start to wonder if

maybe you've lost the thing that made you special and you won't be able to

it off and everyone will see through you and you'll fail in front of millions of

people?

No.

Thanks for the talk, Jim. You bet.

The university called to confirm your luncheon date.

Lecture date.

Yes, on the 16th. The 15th.

Yes.

And then you got a call from a... Momar.

Somebody.

Gaddafi? Right.

I knew he was Italian.

Mrs. Caldwell?

Yes, dear?

Never mind.

Right.

Hi. I was told to see the executive producer.

That's me, Miles Silverberg.

You're Miles Silverberg?

I skipped a grade in high school.

This is Jerry White. and Steve Katzman, my agent, Dan Palmer and Tom Jacobson,

my attorneys, and Eric Leahy, my publicist. Nice suit.

Thanks.

Mr. Powell, we're going to need you to step over here, please. We've got about

minute till airtime.

Hello again.

Hi.

This is really something.

Me and Murphy Brown on live television, prime time.

How many people do you think will be watching tonight?

A lot.

Feel okay?

Yeah. Okay, remember what I told you. Don't divert your eyes too much. It

you look dishonest. Let the camera pick up your natural charisma.

Everything goes well tonight. Tomorrow we make that major deal with the...

Jerry, can we talk about that later? Oh, sure.

Hi, I'm a big fan.

Nice teeth.

We made a deal with Bobby Powell.

Don't worry, Miles, I'm cool.

It's the new me.

Ten seconds to air time.

We're going to be great.

Forty share guaranteed.

Five seconds to air time.

Four, three, two... Good evening, and welcome to FYI.

For your information tonight, Frank Fontana exposes new chemical dumping in

Niagara River, while Corky Sherwood reports on the darker side of

At the top of our show this evening, a special interview.

Murphy Brown talks with a very talked -about man, Bobby Powell.

Until a month ago, no one knew his name.

This photograph changed his life and perhaps the direction of a presidential

campaign. This evening, Murphy Brown talks with Bobby Powell live.

Murphy?

Thanks, Jim.

Let's start with the question everyone's asking. Did you sleep with Gwen Lansing

or not?

I had to ask

the question. You know, it's in my genes.

And also, I have very bad PMS.

That's it.

25 and all washed up.

Wait a minute.

This is not the Miles Silverberg I know.

You know, I hate to admit it, but you really pulled one off tonight.

Frank's piece was one of the better examples of investigative reporting I've

seen in a long time. I know it was your idea.

And let's face it, you pretty much blew the doors off the fat -sucking business.

I think you ought to fight for your job, Miles.

I'll help you do it.

You're kidding.

Why?

I don't know. Don't push it, okay?

Who am I trying to kid?

I'm way over my head.

You want to know something?

I've been in over my head since the day I invited Joel Shaw to my junior prom.

He was 35 at the time.

You can't always play by the rules, Miles. Taking risks is how I got here.

Although lately, I've been wondering what to do for an encore.

And?

Well, maybe running my own country is unrealistic.

So I've set new goals.

Like live through this day.

Keep a plant for more than two weeks.

Get a date on Saturday night.

You know, I haven't had a date in over a month, Miles. And you're starting to

look real good.

Oh, geez.

Murphy.

The boss employee thing. I don't know. I was kidding.

I knew that.

Any chance I could buy you a pizza?

I've got a few ideas for next week's show.

You're on.

Now, Miles, if we're going to be working together, you've got to brush up on

your Motown.

Seriously.

Those raisins didn't invent that song.

You'll get much better at the end.

What are you doing here?

I fired you.

I just finished your kitchen ceiling.

Come see if you like it.

Industrial Revolution.

I took a chance.

I like it.

Well, then I must continue.

I was just about to start a cotton gin.

Hey, wait a minute. It's after midnight. I got stuff to do. Oh, that's no

problem, but if you could just keep the music down, because sometimes it's hard

for me to concentrate.

I hope you don't plan on moving soon or nothing.

Oh, I'm going to be here a while.

You know, 30 million people watched me on television tonight.

Yeah?

I won 10 bucks at lotto.