Original subtitles

Previously on Murphy Brown.

Murphy, I know making amends is hard, but if you're going to progress in the

-step program, it's something we all have to do.

They're talking major cutbacks at the network.

Frank and Courtney are gone.

You don't respect me! From the day we met, it's business, constant struggle!

I've decided to leave FYI.

My decision is final, effective immediately.

Miles is right.

We are a team. Absolutely.

So we should quit as a team. Guys, don't do this.

Okay, Mr. Dial, I've got everything under control. The prison overcrowding

will be ready for our 6 o 'clock broadcast tonight.

Splendid work, Matthew. Now, you'll make sure to get the tape to editing before

we... Already taken care of. Good, good. In fact, when I pulled up in front of

the building, I personally handed the camera with the tape in it to Spider.

Spider? Yeah, Spider, our production assistant?

Our production assistant is named Jed. We don't have a production assistant

named Spider.

So the five guys with him weren't really taking the news van to get it watched

in detail?

Oh, man, Todd's going to kill me.

And why is that? He was in the back of the news van.

Hey, who do you have to know to get a job around here? Well, what a pleasant

surprise. And to what do I owe this visit?

Oh, I don't know.

We were just in the neighborhood, and it seemed like the natural place for us to

be after we quit.

I'm telling you, Jim, it's a bloodbath over there. They're slashing budgets,

cutting departments.

They were even going to fire Frank and Corky. Mr. Dial, Mr. Dial, Tom's calling

from a chop shop.

He wants you to know he's okay and that he still has the tape with the prison

stuff on it. What should we do?

Tell him we'll pick him up as soon as we can. Okay, but he's sort of a hostage.

Oh, God,

Mr. Dial, the computer ate my story in the State Department, and we go on the

air.

first rule of journalism.

You're testing me now?

You know,

I realized you were joking earlier about the job application and all, but well,

as you can see, we could use a few experienced hands around here.

You know, it could be fun.

And it would let us stay together for a little while longer anyway.

Although it would probably tick Stan off if he found out we were helping Jim.

You're the man!

Internal bleeding.

Hey there, Miles.

Sorry I'm late for the story meeting.

What? Story meeting? It is that time, isn't it? Yes. We still have a show to

Shows require stories.

Stories require meetings. Story meeting. Yes. Good.

Sit, sit, sit.

Great.

Okay.

Item one.

What is it, Miller?

Where is everybody?

They're gone.

Moving on. Item one.

Yes, ma 'am?

Gone where?

They quit.

Now, as you can see, we're a little short -handed right now.

So, you will be opening the broadcast, after which you will throw the show over

to you.

Then you will introduce this week's commentary by you, winding up with some

insightful banter between you...

And you. Oh, yeah, this is really going to work.

Wow. I can't believe it.

They're really gone.

I need a minute, Miles.

I think I know what you're going through, Miller.

Your heart is saying go, be with your friends. But your head is saying no,

desert the ship.

You know, maybe the best thing for both of us is to just let

these feelings out.

Okay.

I'm looking around this empty office, and I'm really confused.

I mean, my head says, paint it Navajo white, but my heart says cerulean blue.

What? You're right. I hadn't even considered sunflower yellow.

Oh, God, I hate this.

Miller, FYI is crumbling all around us. Doesn't that mean a little bit more to

you than grabbing some office?

Yeah, sure. I mean, look, I know I didn't get along with those guys when I

started, but lately I feel like we've really been connecting.

And now that they're gone, all my feelings are hard to measure.

Really hard to measure.

It's nine by twelve. Oh, cool. Thanks, man.

Miles, Mr. Lansing called. He wants to see you. Now.

Oh, God.

Lansing. You mean you haven't told him? No.

My head said not to tell him, and my heart said not to tell him, so I didn't

tell him.

I'm a dead man.

And now I'm walking.

I'm a dead man walking.

Relax,

Paul. Yeah, they may be some cutbacks. but we wouldn't think of doing the

Letterman show without you.

Oh, Dad, I was misquoted. I did not say that you could be replaced by

a monkey blowing into a jug.

I've got to go, Paul.

I can see you're busy, sir. I'll come back later.

Silverberg, get back here. We have to talk about things at FYI. Oh, so you

Of course I know. Did you actually think I wouldn't know? How do you know? Well,

I was there when it all went down. Get about it. This place leaks like a bad

diaper. The lights of Fontana and Sherwood are gone. It's not the end of

world. Matter of fact, it might be better that you're not working with your

wife. Keep a little mystery for the weekend.

Yes, sir. But now that Murphy's gone, I don't see... Wait a minute.

Murphy's gone? What do you mean Murphy's gone?

She quit.

I thought you knew. I didn't know.

How would I know?

Murphy quit? My God, that's terrible.

FYI is doomed.

On the other hand, with Murphy gone, then Fontana and Sherwood could come

FYI is saved.

And you know what's better?

You work with your wife every day because I'm telling you, nothing keeps a

marriage fresher than a little midday nookie in the Xerox room.

That's very romantic, sir. But after Frank and Corky quit, I don't... Wait a

minute! You're telling me we don't have any of them? They're all gone? They all

quit?

Anything else you feel like telling me?

Well... Corky and I were planning on taking some vacation days, but this

really seem like the right time.

Silverberg, get back here.

Okay, fine.

No need to panic.

You think I remain head of this network all these years by panicking?

Absolutely not, sir. Not you.

So, what's your solution?

My solution is that you're gonna panic.

Fix it, Silverberg.

Get anchors, get anybody.

Forget him by next week's show. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to call

Letterman and tell him that we're replacing Paul Schaefer with a jug

monkey.

No. What? No, I can't make it work. I won't.

FYI is not some toy with replaceable parts.

They're people who pour their heart and soul into their work every week. They

are the show, sir.

Without them, there is no FYI. What exactly are you telling me here? I am

telling you, either you bring them back, every single one of them, or... Or

what?

Are you threatening me? I do not respond nicely to being threatened.

Adrenaline makes me crazy.

So I'm going to say it one more time, slowly.

Are you threatening me?

Well, that's our report.

Thank you for watching the ICN Evening News. For myself and the entire ICN News

staff, good night.

And we're clear. Yeah!

Oh, God, wait! No, we're not!

Okay, now we're clear.

Well, we are.

Oh, that goes better than usual.

Wow, I am really tired.

I don't remember being this tired after FYI.

Oh, tell me about it. I'm actually sore.

You're sore? You didn't have to wrestle that Matthew guy to the ground until he

stopped flailing and screaming about losing his State Department story.

I actually had to use my Leslie Stahl sleeper hold on it.

All the same, thank you for making this the best ICN broadcast ever. The best

broadcast ever? Jim, there was a fire.

Yes, but only one this time, and it was quickly contained.

We're a damn good team, aren't we?

The best.

Well, I guess it couldn't last forever.

It doesn't have to end.

Well, face it, Corky. Jim's already at ICN. Miles is staying at FYI.

Pretty soon, we're going to have to figure out what to do next.

It's over.

But it doesn't have to be. I mean, we could... I don't know. We could... We

could what?

I don't know.

It's weird, isn't it?

You show up one day at a new job, and before you know it, it's been the

19 years with a bunch of people who've become the best friends you ever had.

Can't even really imagine what your life would have been like if you hadn't met

them.

You know, I regret a lot of things in my life, but not a second of the time I've

spent with all of you.

You're here.

Well, that's not entirely true. You know, that time you... Hey,

everybody.

Oh, my God, it's Miles.

Hi, honey.

I mean...

Oh, it's you, Mr. Kiss -Up Company.

So, what are you doing here, Miles?

Well, I just came by to see if there was any way to convince you to come back to

FYI.

Forget it, Miles. I can't believe I married you.

Look, I understand how you feel, but what would you say if I told you that

and Corky's jobs were safe?

We're not going anywhere without Murphy.

Okay.

But...

What would you say if I told you that Murphy's job was safe, too?

I'd say I'm not going back without Jim.

Well, thank you, slugger.

But you know my feelings. I cannot and will not return until the network runs

that Stewart Best tobacco story.

Good enough.

Oh, what would you say if I told you... Oh, come on, Miles. They're not going to

run the tobacco... They're going to run the tobacco story? No way. Oh, my God.

What do you think, Jim?

I can't leave ICN.

These young people need a mentor, and I can't just... What would you say if I

told you I talked to Charlie Kuralt, and he said he would be thrilled at the

prospect of taking over your duties at ICN?

Well, then I'd say... I'd say we're a team again.

How did you pull this off? Well, it's pretty simple, really. I just told

that the four of you are the heart and soul of FYI, and without you, there was

no FYI.

And he agreed.

Unbelievable. Did he happen to mention anything about a pay raise for us?

So this is great.

We got everything we wanted.

Yep, you're all back together again. You mean we're all back together again.

Yep. Well?

Well, what? What's going on?

Uh, well, after, um...

Lansing got through screaming and shouting and throwing pieces of his

programming board at me.

He sort of... He fired you? No, no, he didn't fire me.

He promoted me.

Oh. Actually, I was hoping we could talk about this at home tonight.

Lansing was so impressed with the way I stood up to him that he wants me to go

to New York and oversee the entire network's news operation.

I'll create a 24 -hour news service.

In New York?

Are you taking it?

I don't know.

We have to talk.

He wants an answer by tomorrow.

We really have to talk. Look, I should go. I should go, and I can't think.

We should talk.

I'll see you guys tomorrow, okay?

Nick at Night presents Ooh and You.

I must say, I'm delighted I could persuade you two to return with me, FYI.

know you're used to the chaotic frenzy at ICN, but I think you'll find the

hum and buzz of a seasoned newsroom to be a revelation.

Hello, everyone. I'm back.

Would you be so kind as to unpack the boxes in my office? Turn right. It's

down the hall.

Matthew, your other right.

Sorry, I'm left -handed.

I'm telling you, Murph, if you think Miles is going to pass up this job,

just deluding yourself.

And I say he's not leaving.

I'd ask you to put money on it, but I know you just mumble something about a

point spread and refuse to pay up when you lose.

Oh, there you are.

Where is everyone?

Uh, well, Jim, at first we thought they were planning a big surprise party for

us to welcome us back, but it turns out the network suspended production until

the situation gets resolved.

Unless they just didn't hear us come in!

It's great to have you back. The place hasn't been the same without you. Thank

you, Slugger.

Although I wish I were returning under more joyous circumstances. Ah, you see

that? Jim agrees. Murphy doesn't think Miles is really leaving.

Oh, well, excuse me for doubting the resolve of a man who pulls the office

before deciding whether he wants a piece of cheese on his turkey sandwich.

He's out of here.

Hey, guys.

Hey, Miles.

So?

So.

So. So?

So. So. So what the hell are you doing? Are you going or staying?

Decided to take the job in New York. What?

How can you do that?

How can you just leave us here like this?

talking about frank you said he was leaving i was just trying to protect

so i wouldn't get all emotional when he really told us but you know so you're

really going what about the two of you well we stayed up

late last night talking and crying she was talking i was crying

but we both agreed that this was too good an opportunity for me to pass up

And if our relationship has been able to withstand all it has so far, a little

distance won't kill it.

Won't help it.

But it won't kill it.

You're not really going.

Yes, Murphy, I really am.

No, no, no. I see what this is about.

We all got the chance to quit, so you want the chance to quit.

Okay, Miles, you've done it. You've quit. Oh, please. Don't go. We're going

miss you so much.

Are you happy now? Come on, let's get to work. Murphy, I really am going.

I've got to be at the airport in an hour.

It's true, Murphy.

You do.

See?

Plane ticket.

Well, I guess this is goodbye then.

I guess it is.

This is all happening way too fast.

First Jim's gone, then we're gone. Then everyone's back, now you're gone. Look,

I get this kind of upheaval in my social life. Really, I don't need to hear it

anymore.

Listen, Miles, you might want to just think about this a little bit. It's hard

enough, Frank. I think I've just got to go with my gut here.

I'm sure it's the right thing to do.

You know, Miles, when Doris and I first got married, we made a decision not to

have children.

We thought it would be too many headaches, too much work, and you never

they'll grow up to be.

But I'd like to think if I had a son, he'd turn out to be a lot like you.

Good luck, my boy.

And thank you for allowing me to come back to this place.

It means more to me than I could ever tell you.

Thanks, Jim.

And, uh, if rather acts up, you're my new evening anchor.

Oh, no.

Boy, it's not gonna be easy letting you just walk out of here. Ah, come on,

Frank. We'll still be friends.

You can still...

Call me in the middle of the night when you wake up convinced that everybody's

going to come into work the next day and realize you're a fraud?

I know, but now it's a toll call.

Oh, gee, this place. It's not going to be the same without you, but you're

to do great.

You better get to the airport if you're going to make your flight on time.

Okay, I'll be there in a second.

And listen, if, you know, if Rather acts up and Jim doesn't want the job, you

know...

You

know, Murphy, for what it's worth, this was not an easy decision.

In fact, I... Well, I want to tell you I'm sorry.

You don't have to apologize, Sophie. I want to tell you I'm sorry.

I want to make amends.

And not just for the last couple of days.

For everything.

I'm not sure I understand.

From the second you arrived here, I did my best to make your life a living hell.

I questioned you. I threatened you. I ridiculed you. I challenged your

every step of the way.

And you put up with it.

You put up with it, and you thrived in spite of it.

And you got the best work out of me any producer ever has.

And I never thanked you for anything.

Or apologized for anything.

And I never told you how much your friendship was.

You don't have to.

You don't think I've known?

You know, when I first got here, I really didn't know what I was doing. I

And you let me know. You knew.

And you could have had me fired, but you didn't.

Instead, you subjected me to your endless reign of terror.

But you were also teaching me.

And even though your lessons were sometimes difficult and occasionally

gratuitously painful, I've never had a better teacher, Murphy.

So you can make your amends, but you've got nothing to be sorry for.

You made me what I am today.

A nervous wreck, getting it way, way, way over his head.

You're gonna be fine.

And, uh, if Frather acts up, I'm just a phone call away.

And I got dirt on him.

Okay, Miles. If I'm such a good teacher, name three songs by Diana Roth and the

Supremes.

Baby Love.

You can't hurry love and love child.

Four tops.

Bernadette, standing in the shadows of love, and reach out and I'll be there. I

really gotta go. Miles, Junior Walker's real name.

I'll treat you to Walt.

Yes. Damn, I'm good.

Oh, well, I guess this is it.

I'm really gonna miss this place.

It's given me a wife, three great friends.

And a lifetime of memories.

I love you guys.

Bye.

Wow.

That pit.

That piece.

He's gone.

Eight years since he arrived and it seems like yesterday.

He'll be back.

Oh, give it up already, Murph. What makes you so sure, Slugger?

The elevator was going up.

What I said before, you know, again.

Roll the door, Miles. We'll ride down with you.