Original subtitles

Good morning, people, and kudos all.

Tomorrow's broadcast is shaping up to be one of our finest ever. Oh, Miles, you

said that last week. And even I know my Mickey Rooney interview was

disappointing. If I'd known all the stories we're going to end with, and

how Hollywood screwed me over, it never would have been.

It's all in the past. Let's look to the future. So, people, what's hip? What's

hot? What's happening? Hey, here's something.

It seems as though a truck carrying peanut butter collided with a boxcar

strawberry jelly jars eight miles south of Sandwich, Idaho.

I was thinking more along the lines of something we could use. Here you go,

Miles. Much to the surprise of his audience, a sword swallower

removed his own gallbladder.

Good thing he didn't have to wait for Congress to pass a health care plan.

Thanks, Murphy.

Take help. Oh, here's something.

What have you got for us, Jim? Larry Robinson, brother of astronaut Duke

Robinson, died yesterday.

Wait a minute. That's not funny at all.

Oh, geez. Duke's brother died? That's terrible. They were really close.

You know, when I was growing up, I wanted to be an astronaut just like

Of course, I kissed that dream goodbye when I threw up all over the rocket ride

at Disneyland.

My dad had to pay 80 bucks to get Goofy dry cleaned.

Danger, Duke Robinson.

And there was a man, that unflappable Missouri accent, chiseled good looks,

strong hands.

What? A man can't find another man appealing without you people reading

something scandalous into it?

I'll tell you something, it must have been tough growing up under the shadow

a brother like that, huh? No kidding. I think Larry's biggest claim to fame was

the time he tumbled over the balcony of the Kennedy Center, honors.

Good thing Trisha Nixon's beehive was there to break his fall.

It was that week during the mid -70s when he appeared on the Hollywood

Well, I blame the parents.

I mean, when you name one boy Duke and the other one Larry, you don't have to

a genius to guess which one's going to end up on the moon, which one's going to

end up sitting under Paul Land of Law.

Maybe there's a story here.

Examining the highs and lows in the life of a true American hero.

I bet I could get to Duke, too.

I sat next to him at a dinner party once. He even gave me a shrimp cocktail.

I'm going to make that call.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Did I miss a memo?

Or do the credits at the end of the show now read executive producer Murphy

Brown?

Jim Miles, you missed a memo. The same one that warned you to pull rank at the

risk of having your underwear yanked up over your ears. What is your problem?

Nothing really, except it sounds about as exciting as C -SPAN covering Ruth

Bader Ginsburg's step class.

The man went to the moon, Miles. How much more excitement do you want? Me

the interview on a bus that explodes if it goes under 50 miles an hour?

Astronauts are yesterday's news. All Duke Robinson's known for today are

lame Comet Cola ads.

Take it from me, Danger Duke, the out -of -this -world taste will put you into

orbit.

Four, and I might add rain.

These men were heroes, Miles. But tell me, who was your idea of a hero? And

of the Power Rangers count.

Okay, okay. You want one of my heroes? I'll give you one.

Murphy Brown.

Top -notch reporter, exposer of corruption, champion of the people.

There's a hero.

You are a shrewd and crafty opponent, Silverberg.

But I'll be back.

Well, Murphy, if you still want to interview Duke Robinson, I think I've

angle. Murder suspect.

Police are bringing him in for questioning. We're opening our broadcast

Frank, Frank, get down to police headquarters.

Duke's due to arrive at 9, and I want this live. You got it. Whoa, can we just

hit the pause button here for a second?

What are we doing?

So they're questioning the victim's brother. That doesn't make him a

This isn't a story.

I don't know, Slugger. Duke's a national figure. Everyone's talking about the

murder. If he's being questioned, that's news. Oh, come on. It's sensationalism,

pure and simple. I mean, just because we can cover something live doesn't mean

we should report it. What's the point?

Well...

I want to know what happened. Exactly.

You want to know what happens? I want to know what happens. America wants to

know what happens. Yesterday, you didn't give a rat's ass about Duke Robinson.

I'm done for.

Yesterday, he wasn't a potential murder suspect.

What are you doing? I've got a heartbreaking story that all America's

about, and you're trying to kill it? I'm just challenging the news judgment,

Frank. So what if he's not guilty? He's famous. He's being questioned. Those are

facts. I've been reporting them. Not to mention, I've always dreamed about

meeting this guy.

And, well, you should.

He's all you'd imagine.

And more.

I believe I've already addressed this issue.

Well, you can forget the five minutes at the top of the show. Oh, thank you,

Murphy Brown. We're doing our whole hour on it. Oh, look. Everyone else is

jumping on this, and the network wants us to spearhead its coverage. Frank,

Frank, what are you still doing here? Go, go. I'm done.

Corky, Corky, get over to Larry Robinson's house. Police are still

clues. Okay. Dance on the newsstand, Frank. Murphy, Jim, you're anchoring in

studio. Oh, God, this is so great.

We've got ABC beat by at least half an hour. They wouldn't preempt home

improvement to cover World War III.

Good evening and welcome to FYI.

For your information tonight, new developments in a crime that has

nation's attention.

Larry Robinson, brother of Duke Robinson, was found murdered two nights

suspects have yet been named, but police just announced that the famed astronaut

will be arriving shortly for questioning. We take you live to D .C.

headquarters where Frank Fontana is standing by.

It's a cool, still evening in our nation's capital.

Where danger, Duke Robinson is due to appear to answer questions about the

of his brother.

Any sign of him yet, Frank?

Not yet, Jim.

I see. Any estimated time of arrival?

There's really no way of knowing.

Could be soon.

Could be a while.

Tell me, what's the mood like there?

Expected.

Just waiting for Duke to show.

Waiting and watching.

Watching and... Keep at it, Frank. We'll get back to you as soon as Duke

arrives.

If memory serves, Duke was a couple of minutes late touching down back in 71,

too.

Yes.

You know, Irby, people are really talking about this case, aren't they?

Yes, they are, Jim.

Oh, what is it you've noticed they're saying?

Nothing particularly interesting.

Okay.

I understand we have some unedited footage taken earlier this evening of

Robinson leaving his historic townhouse. Now, remember, we will be viewing this

raw footage for the first time along with you.

All right, let's see. There's a fire hydrant, a yellow one, a couple of trash

cans. Oh, there's a tree.

I don't believe we've seen Duke yet.

Oh, a dog.

A golden retriever, wouldn't you say, Ruby?

I really don't know much about dogs.

Oh, here we go. Duke Robinson, or our man who appears to be Duke Robinson,

a little hard to tell, exiting his historic townhouse and getting into a

Uh, let's return to Frank Fontana at police headquarters where I understand

Robinson is arriving now.

That information, Murphy, is unfortunately incorrect.

There is no sign of Duke yet.

Absolutely no sign.

No Duke whatsoever.

Murphy!

Thank you, Frank.

Corky Sherwood is outside Larry Robinson's apartment where detectives

scouring for clues.

Corky, how about an update?

Corky?

Corky, we can't hear. We're having a little technical difficulty.

She does seem to be excited about something.

It appears that a policeman has just emerged with something in a bag. Perhaps

it... some vital piece of evidence, or perhaps even the murder weapon itself.

Unless the murder weapon was a cup of decaf and a Danish, I think all we've

witnessed is a late -night snack. Looks like it was nothing but a late -night

snack. Thank you.

Thank you, Courtney.

So then, to review what we know so far, Duke Robinson has not arrived at police

headquarters yet, but he has left his historic townhouse.

And, well, there you are.

Say, Jim, how about rolling that footage of Duke exiting his historic townhouse?

An excellent idea.

There it is, the historic townhouse, and Duke Robinson.

Frank, has Duke arrived?

No, he hasn't, and he's not going to. In a stunning announcement, police have

just charged astronaut Duke Robinson with murder and declared him a fugitive

from justice.

Uh -huh.

I see. You know, we saw him leaving his historic townhouse earlier.

Maybe he just got caught in traffic. You know, the Beltway can be murder at this

time. Well, not murder exactly, but... No, Duke's gone. They're searching for

him now. To summarize, then, Duke Robinson is now a fugitive from justice

for murder?

That is correct.

and no one knows where he is? Right.

Well, then.

It appears FYI has the exclusive footage of the last known appearance of

astronaut Duke Robinson, fugitive from justice.

Let's roll that exclusive tape again.

Now into our second hour of the Robinson murder coverage, we'd like to alert

stations we'll be staying on the air as this amazing story continues to unfold.

Murphy? Thank you, Jim. With me is David Wofford, head of media relations for

Comet Cola.

Mr. Wofford, how long has Duke Robinson been a spokesman for your company?

Fourteen years, and I'd just like to say that all of us at Comet Cola considered

you a friend and are deeply shaken by this tragedy.

Given the current speculation, your speaking out on Duke's behalf might be

viewed by some as an act of courage. Thank you.

It does, of course, make it all the harder to announce that after a long and

fruitful partnership, Comicola and Duke Robinson have decided to part ways.

Isn't this a little premature? I mean, just because Duke's been charged doesn't

mean he's guilty.

Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh.

Oh, you thought this had something to do with the... No, no, no.

Now, this decision was reached weeks ago, long, long before this tragedy ever

occurred. I'm sure that you, Duke, and the American people understand.

Oh, I'm sure they will.

Just the way they understood that there was no truth to that rumor about mouse

droppings being found in cans of common cola. What?

Back to you, Jim.

Yes, well, we now go to Corky Sherwood, who's standing outside the fateful

apartment.

There appears to be quite a crowd out there, Corky. Oh, yes, there is, Jim.

Some are just curious, but most are drawn here for personal reasons.

Reasons best expressed in their own words.

Why are you here, ma 'am?

Duke's like family to me, and not like my real family, which I hate.

Doesn't like the family I really care about.

and never met.

And, sir, why are you here?

To tell the police they're looking for the wrong Duke.

I'm sorry, I don't think I understand.

I forgot, you're the media.

When we sent him to the moon, one Duke went up in that spacecraft, but two came

down.

Because he didn't do it.

What makes you so sure? Because he didn't do it.

Oh, so, uh, Duke Robinson's a hero of yours?

It's Duke Robinson.

Jim?

All these people are in my neighborhood, delightfully.

We go now to Frank Fontana, who was outside Duke Robinson's historic

where police are searching for a murder weapon. Frank?

With me, Murphy, is Detective Tom Boesberg. Detective, what do you hope to

That would be a blunt object. What kind of blunt object?

I'm out of liberty to say.

Detective, between you, me, and the man, is there any truth to the rumor that

this object is... a mean rock?

Well, it wasn't a yes and it wasn't a no, but I think we can all agree it was

very... Telling silence.

Frank, where did you hear that the murder weapon might be a moon rock? From

high -ranking unnamed source.

See, I think no one was willing to go on record with that.

Well, sure they did. See, if the weapon was in fact a moon rock, that could

prove pretty incriminating against Duke.

That's right, Jim. And if we weren't conjecturing on pure speculation, I

hypothetically agree with you.

Excellent point.

We now go to Corky Sherwood, who spoke earlier with an attendant from the gas

station where Duke usually fills up his car.

The beer's rolling, and we're clear on the floor.

Well, I think some doubting Debbie owes her producer an apology. Not only has a

national hero been charged with murder, but he has fled the police live on our

broadcast. Ooh, it doesn't get any better than this. Oh, jeez, Miles, smoke

cigarette and towel off. A man's life is being destroyed for a crime we don't

even know he committed. Hey, we do this all the time. the time you think that

businessman whose life you destroyed on last week's show thought he was treated

fairly i didn't destroy his life he can always move to another country under an

assumed name and herd goats to a ripe old age before the broadcast you were

convinced stoop was innocent are you still so sure innocent people don't

run Maybe you're forgetting a little movie from last year, Miles. A little

about someone innocent who also ran.

A little movie about a one -armed man. A little movie starring Harrison Ford.

The Fugitive!

I got it.

We have two of Duke's fellow astronauts lined up next.

You feel we're not giving a balanced enough picture? Maybe you can get it

them.

Now that you mention it, Duke did seem kind of like a bit of a loner. I mean,

was always using self -serve.

Back to you, Jim.

Thank you, of course.

Here now with Murphy Brown are Steve Ferguson and Troy Marshall, two

who served in the space program with Duke Robinson.

Murphy? Thank you, Jim, and thank you both for joining us tonight.

Murderer, cold -blooded killer, are these words that you associate with Duke

Robinson? I'd sooner believe a tarantula was tasted.

Steve here's an Arabian princess.

If he is innocent, why do you suppose he fled?

Innocent people don't usually run, do they? Oh, Duke's always marched to his

drummer. Like when he borrowed that F -14 to give a friend's son a ride who

cancer. I'm sure he has his reasons now, too.

It's amazing what a different image you can get of someone when you talk to the

people who really know him.

So tell me, was Duke ever a violent man?

No, ma 'am, not at all. Interesting.

Well, unless you count the time that loudmouth at Pensacola was blabbing

how the Russians were going to beat us to the moon.

Duke decided he was going to personally send that sucker up there to greet us.

That's worse than someone trying to take my parking space.

Let me ask you about it. Troy, were you down there at the Cape that time with

the soda guy?

Oh, classic Duke story.

In a bar one night, this clown comes in and orders soda. You know, straight,

nothing in it.

Duke hated that.

He figured if you'll go to drink in a bar, then you better drink in a bar,

right? Which, naturally, Duke had been doing.

So he picks this guy up by the neck and just knocks him around like a freaking

piñata on a Cinco de Mayo.

Let's get back to that F -14 story. And this is what makes it a Duke story.

He pours the soda on the guy's head and says, You drink that 50 juice out.

Side, son.

He always had that sense, didn't he?

It has now been six hours since Duke Robinson was declared a fugitive.

Duke, I don't know if you're watching.

If you are, please, turn yourself in.

If you're innocent, have faith in the system.

And if not, well, look at all the other guilty people who've gotten off scot

-free.

We're joined now by our own Corky Sherwood, just back from a long night in

field. Corky, what's it like out there?

It's a madhouse, Murphy.

Looky -loos just keep dropping by all night.

But they behaved in an orderly fashion, I suppose, taking pains not to disturb

the surrounding homes.

Are you ready?

The whole neighborhood's trashed. But you can't buy one of these.

Just ask for Carla.

With us now to discuss the legal ramifications of today's events is

defense attorney Victoria Scott.

So tell me, Miss Scott, if Duke is eventually apprehended, how will his

affect any potential legal strategy?

All these fighting miles, you nail down an exclusive with the dry cleaner?

Duke Robinson is on the phone and he wants to talk to you.

Don't these Howard Stern fans have a party line they can call?

This is legit. I checked it out myself. He says you're the only one giving him a

fair shake. Firstly, the defense would use the same aberration to their

advantage. If they employed the insanity defense, in which case anything could

go to state of mind.

So if they find him running naked around the Washington Monument with a box of

ding -dongs on his head... Excuse me, Storky, but I have Duke Robinson on the

phone.

Hello, Duke. This is Murphy Brown. You're on the air.

Hi there, Murphy.

I'm fine, Duke. Where are you? In my car.

You know, a lot of people are out there looking for you.

That's why I'm calling.

I want you to let everyone know I'm innocent.

I will, but if you are innocent, why didn't you report to the police earlier

this evening?

I figured anyone who can put away a fellow's shrimp cocktail the way you can

wouldn't be shy about asking me that question. And the God's honest truth is,

it's because I'm innocent.

Duke, is it true you closed out a bank account earlier?

Oh.

with a smile before, Murphy, but for some reason people just keep insisting

.S. currency.

You know, Duke, I'm afraid this is another one of those shrimp cocktail

questions, but if you are innocent, why not just go to the police and demand

that the real killer be brought to justice?

Now, whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Why isn't anyone willing to believe old danger, Duke?

I'm willing, Duke.

Just explain why you won't turn yourself in.

Let me tell you something, Murphy.

A test pilot never ejects until the absolute last possible second, and

not even then.

And you know why?

Because he knows he can fly his jet better than any other son of a bitch on

planet. The best never admit defeat, not while they're still airborne.

Duke, did you kill your brother?

You know, I'm beginning to feel like the real victim here.

I told you, I'm innocent.

Look, there's some traffic up ahead, Murphy. Nice talking to you.

Easy on those shrimp, huh?

My doctor tells me they're real high in cholesterol.

When astronaut Duke Robinson fell to Earth the first time, he was given a

tape parade and a hero's welcome.

And now, having fallen to Earth again, the parade he leads is one of a dozen

police cars and a nation of crushed admirers.

Danger Duke Robinson was a hero in a country with few heroes left.

He never saw himself that way, of course.

But we knew better, or at least we thought we did.

Guilty or not, we can never look at Duke Robinson the same way again.

A man without fear ran away on national television and made the fatal mistake of

revealing himself to be all too painfully human.

It's been said we build our heroes up only to tear them down, but I think deep

in all of us is a part that wants desperately to believe there are giants

us. Men and women whose achievements inspire us all to be more than we ever

imagined. Two years before the moon landing, someone from my generation

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?

The nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

Today, we find those same eyes longingly, foolishly, hopefully still

turning.

We will be staying with our coverage of the Robinson murder.

As long as the story continues.