Original subtitles

And now, festooned with Olympic rings and flags, the charming town of

Lillehammer awaits the world. That's us!

We're the world!

Doesn't it just give you chills?

No time for chills, Corky. Not until I get all my people corralled onto a plane

to Norway and our special edition of FYI at the Olympics is beamed back to the U

.S. Where is everyone? It's almost midnight.

What are you talking about? It's ten to six.

But it's midnight in Norway, Frank. I got up at 3 a .m., which is 10 a .m.

Scandinavian time. That is the only way to combat jet lag. Adapt to the time

zone of your destination.

That and avoiding all caffeine and... sugar. Put down that donut, you fool.

You might as well put a gun to your head.

Yes, it is. You'll think you've died and gone to Valhalla when you visit the lap

village of Trelvar with its hourly reindeer races and authentic reenactment

Viking funeral. No, no, no. No lap village.

No dead Vikings. Remember, this is a working trip, not a vacation.

Tickets, passport.

Don't worry, Miles.

I am ready. I even bought an extra bag for all that free Olympic stuff we'll be

getting. Paula Zahn told me she got a year's worth of Christmas gifts out of

92 games.

Ooh! This year's Olympic mascot will be played by two children representing

legendary Norse figures, Håkon and Kristoff. Oh, isn't that cute?

I want some free stuff for them on it.

I cannot believe I haven't been to Norway. It looks like such a beautiful

country. So fresh.

So blonde.

So I have my own room, right, Miles?

It's not sending us over there for sightseeing or women or free stuff. This

working trip, not a vacation.

Don't worry, Miles. I'm all prepared for my interview with that perky little

Nordic skater. Go ahead, quiz me.

Hamel, camel, double toe loop, triple axel with a Haagen -Dazs twist. I could

on and on.

You know, Murphy.

Just because you're not interviewing some big political mucky -muck doesn't

that you should take this lightly.

Celebrity interviews aren't as easy as you think.

Oh, please.

I think I can handle one little fluff piece. And if it'll get me to the

Olympics, I guarantee you it'll be the best damn piece of fluff you've ever

seen. Just one interview, and then I am frolicking with my son in a winter

wonderland.

Ticket, passport, got it.

So sorry.

Are you getting sick yet?

It would be absurd. I never get sick.

In fact, I haven't had a sniffle since that Christmas party of 76 when Walter

Cronkite dragged his flu -wracked body over to my house and sneezed his way

across the living room like Typhoid Melon.

Even with a temperature of 104 and my feet in a bucket of ice water, I still

went on the air.

And there's my little Manuk. Geez, he is in there, right? If not, this down

jacket has a very heavy duck inside.

Tickets. Passport.

Oh, what, you need a passport?

What?

You're right, he's very easy.

You know, I can make sure you don't get a meal on the flight. I have that power.

All right, people, let's move it out.

I remember.

Everybody have your passports and your tickets.

What, charming?

Maybe about 20 ,000 cars jammed into it. Guess me, Little Hammer's nothing but a

big old parking lot with reindeer dropping.

Where's your Olympic spirit?

I don't know, Murphy. I guess it's probably stranded on a runway somewhere

my luggage.

Okay, so you lost your suitcase, but don't you feel a little silly worrying

about things when you're surrounded by the pageantry and splendor of the

Olympics? Whoa, look at that visor. Who do I talk to to get me one of them?

Well, it's 10 .30 a .m.

And does my body know it?

No. My body didn't make the crucial jump to Norway time because it was kept

awake the entire flight by that endless screaming and crying.

You just had to bring him, didn't you, Murphy? Well, I'm sorry, but I've never

flown before.

I think we pretty much figured that out when the flight attendant was

demonstrating the oxygen mask and you started shouting, we're going down,

going down.

The Bernikes are a land -faring people.

Family legend has it when the first immigrants were crossing the ocean to

America, my ancestors said, nah, we'll go around.

Excuse me.

I feel the need to freshen up.

Should I take the little guy?

Oh, gosh, with this many layers, who can tell?

Yeah, well, better be safe.

Hi, I'm Frank Fontana, American TV journalist.

I'll be here all week.

Let's go!

I swear to God, Jim, I'm going to have to pace myself. What?

These women, they are gorgeous.

Thank you. It's a gift for Doris.

Tim, are you sure you're not getting sick? I told you I don't get sick. My

have it cleared from the flight, that's all.

Hi, Murphy Brown, FYI. I just want to tell you how delighted we are to be here

in your beautiful country and how honored we are to be part of this year's

Olympics. Now, are you the guy we see about the free stuff?

Free stuff?

Yeah, you know, visors, parkas, perks.

Oh, yeah, there's a special gift from your network.

Oh, you hear that? Special gift from the network.

Keychains? With these heckle and jekyll kids on it? That's it?

Are you sure there's nothing more down there? You know, parkas, ski vests,

commemorative mugs?

CBS, right?

That's it.

No wonder we love football.

Pushing and clawing through shop after shop, trying to find something to wear

that didn't have the Olympic rings or the stupid torch or these tool brats on

it.

Of course, you can't find anything like that in this godforsaken town. But hey,

that's okay, because I just looked smashing in this lovely Olympic ensemble

only cost $423.

What does Lillehammer stand for anyway?

Soak the tourists?

Did you even hear a word I said?

I'm sorry. I'm going over by commentary.

Quite an outfit.

Two minutes, Mr. Sillerstein.

Look, look. It's got both Hocken and Lugan on it. Now, I haven't had it

appraised yet, but it looks like real gold to me. You know, I might be willing

to part with it in exchange for, oh, say, that ski parka.

Murphy, see those cameras over there? People milling about with headsets on?

Did you hear anything? All right.

Okay, think about it for a little bit, but I'm warning you, I've got some

Canadians who are pretty interested, and I can't stall them much longer.

Will you focus? You have an interview to do.

Don't worry, Miles. I'm going to skate right through it.

Yvonne, Vick and Hormel, two hours till the face -off, and then it's the U .S.

by two goals, or I'll do a snow angel in my skin, Miles.

Thanks so much for taking the time to be with us tonight.

Tell me something. That warm -up suit, do you have to actually be competing to

get one of those? Good evening.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Jim, are you sure you're okay? You sound really sick.

I'm fine.

Good evening.

Five, four, three...

from the Athletes' Lodge in picturesque Lillehammer, Norway, site of these 1994

Winter Olympics.

Frank Fontana gives us a behind -the -scenes look at security for the Games,

while Cokie Sherwood profiles the charming shopkeepers of Lillehammer.

But first, Murphy Brown brings us an exclusive interview with the darling of

this year's Olympics, Norway's Inge Sorensen. Murphy?

Thank you, Jim.

be in Norway for long without seeing my guest's likeness in shop windows, on t

-shirts, and most recently as a 20 -foot ice sculpture in the Lillehammer Town

Square. Ailed as Norway's greatest chance at figure skating gold since

Henne took the prize in 1936, she has become a shining symbol of her country's

pride, dreams, and hopes for the future.

Inga, welcome.

Welcome to you.

Inga, tomorrow night you're going to be skating for the gold medal, a dream that

thousands of young women aspire to, but only a handful realize.

What is it about you that puts you in those select few?

My skating.

But we in America know about Inga the skater. We'd like to know a little bit

more about Inga the person.

Well, I am a person who skates.

And we know the incredible sacrifices you make for your skating, getting up

early every morning, practicing hour after hour. But what is it you do when

you're not skating?

When I'm not skating, I'm...

Getting ready to skate, or I am the fiend of skating.

I see. You know, I remember when I was your age, and I don't think I would have

had your commitment.

Don't you ever just miss doing things that other teenagers do?

What do they do?

Well, you know, like going shopping, dating, hanging out, watching MTV, or

renting videos.

Oh, videos. I watch videos.

Ah, you do? Yeah.

I sit with coach about videos of me skating.

Okay, obviously skating is very important to you, but I'm sure it's

world of new experiences, travel.

I'll bet you've done a lot of that.

Oh, yeah.

What have you seen? Where have you been? Any thoughts on a favorite place?

Paris. I loved Paris.

Oh, the City of Light, Notre Dame, the cafes.

What made it your favorite spot?

The locker room at the skating rink had carpeting.

I'm telling you, the girl was a stiff. Maybe it's a cultural thing. They're

not a chatty people.

I can understand why there aren't more Norwegian talk shows.

Well, what am I doing? Let's go soak up some snow.

We'll just zip up this parka, and then we're off to downhill skiing.

Yeah, all right.

You know, Eldon, I am not detecting the appropriate amount of enthusiasm.

I'm sorry, but I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not a

of guy.

I don't like the furniture.

I've never understood the appeal of smorgasbords.

And yesterday at a local museum, I discovered that...

I bear a terrifying resemblance to an evil troll from Norse mythology.

Come on, Alan. I'm sure you're exaggerating. Well, you wouldn't say

saw those schoolchildren run screaming for the exits.

Just hang on. We've only got one more day. Now, why don't you run across the

street and see if you can scare us up a table for breakfast?

I'll meet you there.

All right.

They want me to look up how much a crone is. I don't think I tipped him enough.

Let's say that's a safe assumption.

Oh, hi, guys.

Nice outfit, Corky. Where is everybody?

Miles is trying to sleep so he can get back on Washington time, and Jim's

up on Eichel.

Frank gave it to him.

Hey, how was I supposed to know he'd never taken it before?

He took half the bottle, and when I left, he was talking to Eric Severide in

mirror.

Do you think he's not going to sleep?

Do you think he's not going to sleep?

Did you guys catch any of that?

Sorry. The only Norwegian I know is from watching I Am Curious Yellow 12 times

when I was a freshman in college.

Frank, that film was in Swedish.

Oh, like I was listening to the words.

Look at these four suckers hard at work while we go off the front. Murphy, look.

Your picture's on TV.

It is? Murphy Brown.

I'm sorry, what?

Do you have some comment in response to Inga Thornton's announcement?

What announcement?

Well, that she's retiring from skating.

What? She's withdrawn from tonight's competition and credits you with helping

her reach her decision.

What? Wait a minute, I didn't tell her to quit.

Is this part of a bigger plan to guarantee a U .S. win?

It was just a harmless routine interview. It was a fluff piece, for

Fluff piece.

Come on, guys. You were there. Tell them.

Excuse me. Ms. Brown has no further comment at this time.

Do you believe those people?

Poor Inga.

All those years of training wasted.

Well, that's what happens when an amateur tries to do a fluff piece.

There's not to it, you know.

I don't think you should talk to any more reporters until you've organized a

statement. Frank, I'm not going to organize a statement. It's not my fault.

Look, I'm sorry she decided to quit this far into it, but I can only assume she

knows what she wants. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go watch

skiing with my kid.

And just where do you think you're going?

I take of the joy and harmony that is the Olympics.

Really? Which event, Murphy?

The one where they string up an American reporter and hurl obscenities at her

lifeless corpse?

You heard.

Yes, I heard. I just got a little wake -up call from the network. Thank God we

have technology that allows you to hear a pin drop because the screaming comes

in even clearer.

They're buying into this story, too. This is nuts. The girl was fine last

You were there. Did the word quit ever pass my lips? I don't think so. All I

know is this is big, Murphy.

Very big.

Norway is mad.

There's talk they may cut off salmon exports to the U .S., and I don't think

want to be held responsible when America wakes up on Sunday to bagels with no

locks.

Believe this. A country that's covered in ice 12 months of the year doesn't get

a gold medal in skating since 1936, and that's supposed to be my fault?

Porgy and Bess?

Where the hell are your parents?

Great, Murphy.

Maybe get them to quit, too. All right.

Here's the plan.

We'll arrange a meeting with the skater. With what the network paid for these

Olympics, you had better hope that girl gets back on the ice. Not to mention an

apology to King Harold might get the salmon moving again.

What? Wait a minute. When I interviewed Brezhnev and he invaded Afghanistan the

next day, was that my fault?

After I talked to Donna, Karen, and Bell Bottoms came back into style, did I beg

for the nation's forgiveness?

No, and I'm not going to make an apology this time.

Well, maybe it wouldn't hurt to talk to the girl.

Very nice Olympic spirit. Don't think I will report you to your respective

countries.

I'll just bet you're Inga's parents.

Look, I can understand that you're upset, but it wasn't my fault. It was

fault. What?

He should never have assigned me that fluff piece. I don't do those.

Corky does the fluff piece.

Corky do the floofing.

Do the floofing? Do the floofing? Do the floofing? Do the floofing? Do the

floofing? Do the floofing? Do the floofing? Do the floofing? Do the

the floofing?

Do the

floofing?

I guess I should leave you two gals alone to chat.

Inga, big fan of yours.

Big, big fan.

I bought a beer spine with your face on it.

You're even more lovely without that large foamy head.

I'm so glad you came to see me.

You are the only one who understands me, Murphy Brown.

No, no, no, I don't. I don't understand you at all. I don't even know you.

But you asked me questions. You wanted me to see my life was empty.

No, I didn't. I wanted to get to a hockey game.

So now that that's straightened out, don't you feel like strapping on a pair

the old skates and hitting the ice right now?

No.

I'm free.

I never want to put those things on my feet again.

Oh, no, no. Inga, you don't mean that. Think about your country. Take it from

me. Your skating means a lot to them.

I don't care about the country.

I want to watch MTV.

Okay, okay. Let's forget about your country. Let's talk about your future.

What you do tonight could decide whether you get to play Princess Jasmine or the

carpet in Aladdin on Ice.

But I am confused.

When you asked me questions last night, I thought about the answers for the

first time.

And I was angry for all that I have given up.

My whole life has been to make my parents happy, my coach happy, my

happy.

Then do I get the chance to be happy?

Look, Inga, I came here today to try to get you to skate again, but if you

really hate it that much, then...

Maybe you're right to quit.

And you shouldn't change your mind, not for your country or your parents or even

for me.

Thank you.

Thank you.

But let me ask you just one more question.

You said that skating's not fun anymore, but there must have been a time when it

was, when you still enjoyed it, when you put your skates on for the first time

or when you felt the ice for the first time underneath your feet or the wind in

your hair.

Before you throw it all away, Don't you think you owe yourself one more chance

to feel that joy again?

In what has been a thrilling performance by the young American, a definite...

This is so much fun! We had beefies

and everything.

You're enjoying this? The woman who called the Olympics an overcrowded, cash

-sucking snowbank?

Did I miss something?

Oh, give it up, Miles. Go back to the hotel and sleep.

I can't. It's three in the afternoon in Washington.

Besides, you're the one who should go back to the hotel. You look terrible.

Of course I do. I'm sick, you bleary -eyed boomsick.

I don't want to see one of that before we go home. It kills me.

Oh, tell my mother we'll see you guys soon.

Look at Letterman with those two blondes.

You know, he thinks just because he's on TV, he can have whoever he wants.

They should have been minor reasons.

Scheduled to skate next was Norway's darling Inga Sorensen, who, as you

shocked the world yesterday by withdrawing from competition after an

with Murphy Brown of FYI.

We know that Ms. Brown talked with her earlier today, but the question on

everybody's mind is, will Inga show up? Wait, damn it, skate.

Wait,

she's here. Inga Sorensen is on the ice.

I'm telling you, I could talk now.

She's on to a wonderful start. It is practically glowing this evening, and

skating with a joy and a man that I've never seen before.

Look at how fast she's... Like a nasty fall.

But she's getting up, she's back on track, and it looks like she's going for

double lutz.

Well,

you gotta hand it to Inga. She isn't letting this get her down. She's back up

again, and she's smiling.

Amazing. All right, there's the double axle.

a triple it's a quadruple he's going to feel that one tomorrow but

she's laughing what an incredible spirit in the face of what is no doubt going

to be the lowest score of this or any olympics little inga whose dreams of

have certainly been shattered this evening seems to be having the time of

life oh it doesn't look like it's to look

I can't. No, really.

Really, she's having fun.

No.

You know why?

Because she's skating for herself, that's why.

And isn't that so much more important than winning? Isn't that, after all,

the Olympics are really all about?

Murphy Brown?

To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we're going to party like it's 1985 with a

lineup of hit shows from the year Nick at Night began.

It's Nick at Night's 20th anniversary celebration.

Three nights beginning this Tuesday at 10 p .m.