Original subtitles

Ladies and gentlemen, thanks to a killer story by our own Murphy Brown, last

night's broadcast of FYI received the highest ratings of the season.

Yes, a few of the boys in the Senate were running up the parking tickets,

too many of those fact -finding trips to tropical locales, but that was before

they met the Murfinator.

Saw it. And look at her, the star of the hour, already at work on another

blockbuster story. Ah, here it is.

Breastfeeding classes.

Oh, dear Lord.

All I have to do is pick one. So you're taking a breastfeeding class, Murph. Is

that like Lamar? Do you need a partner?

Morning, everyone.

Murphy. Hey, Stan.

everything in the legal department.

Same as usual, I suppose.

Contracts, depositions, running through the maze trying to find that piece of

cheese. Ah, and that would be a rodent lawyer reference.

How refreshingly original.

We need to talk. Murphy Miles, you want to join us?

You know, Stan, I thought about you the other day.

They were running the movie Willard on television.

Newswoman, comedian, is there no limit to your talent? Good morning, Stan.

get your tail in the door.

I'll get right to the point. It seems your big story has raised quite a few

hackles on Capitol Hill. Congratulations, Murphy.

You've been subpoenaed by the Senate.

What? You're kidding.

I'm afraid not.

Tell me, Murphy, your story last night was based on... Four months of research,

and it was confirmed by an internal Senate Ethics Committee report. A report

that was supposed to be for the Ethics Committee's eyes only, and you got that

report from... A confidential and reliable source with Senate contacts.

And thereby hangs the subpoena. Somebody leaked that report to you. The

committee wants a name.

Can life get any better?

First the ratings, then the reviews, and now the publicity of Senate testimony?

It's an embarrassment of riches. It's a pain in the neck. Now I have to take

time out from my schedule to spend 30 seconds in a hearing reminding them of

First Amendment rights.

You think it's going to be that easy, Murphy?

The Senate's dead serious about stopping leaks. They want a name, and if they

don't get one, they could find you in contempt of Congress, which in turn

you could go to prison. And as much as that idea secretly thrills me, the

network begs me to see that it doesn't happen.

I knew it. I got too cocky.

For a split second, I allowed myself to enjoy life.

God asked me to sit down and then he yanked the chair away.

We've got a few days to prepare, Murphy. Now, there are ways to present your

testimony that might appease the committee and won't alienate anyone.

whoa, whoa, hold it. I don't need handlers or strategy sessions. I'm in

right.

Oh, look.

Stan, it's a child.

How do you put up with this every day?

Don't ask me, Stan. Ask my colon.

and I can handle this about you. So if you hear an ambulance, you have my full

permission to go chase it.

You don't listen, do you?

What did I tell you yesterday? I said wear something maternal. You're

We should use it. Oh, right. I'm going to get up in front of all these people

and emphasize my bulk. Why don't I just wear a name tag? Hello, my name is

Greenland. This isn't funny, Murphy. It's bad enough that you stopped in the

lobby and asked if they sold Anita Hill activewear.

So, gentlemen, if you're ready, I'd like to begin the proceedings. Say, John, I

may not be asking many questions today.

My advice is... It's all right, Ned. We know about your problem with the unpaid

parking.

So, if you gentlemen excuse me, I'm going to greet our witness.

Oh, Miss Brown.

John Hyden. I'm the committee chairman.

I realize this is a little uncomfortable for you, but it's just a necessary part

of the democratic process.

As I once said, a government of the people, by the people, and for the

shall not perish on this earth. Miss Brown, Adam Sampson, nice to see you

Remember you once did a story unfairly accusing me of not hiring women and

minorities.

Lowell Laughlin, we met when y 'all concocted those unseemly allegations

my last campaign.

Warren Thatcher, you called me pompous and arrogant during a live interview.

Small world, isn't it?

Well, shall we get started?

Gentlemen?

Murphy, look. The senator on the end, Hargate.

Didn't you send him a live pig after he voted against the ERA?

Stan! Stan, why so shy? Come over here and sit beside me.

Okay, ladies and gentlemen, the hearing is now called to order.

Ms. Brown, will you please stand up?

Raise your right hand.

Do you swear that the testimony that you're about to give in this proceeding

will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? I do. Please,

proceed.

Ms. Brown, now, several days ago, a classified Senate report was made

public by you.

Now, this committee was formed to determine how you came into possession

report.

So, Ms. Brown, who made the report available to you?

Senator... The First Amendment guarantees my right to present

public without being subjected to governmental restraint.

Therefore, I wish to invoke my privilege as a journalist. I will not name my

source.

No,

I guess that about does it.

Ms. Brown, disclosing a classified Senate report is a very serious charge.

Has your attorney explained to you that if you are found in contempt of

Congress, you could go to prison?

Yes, Senator, but I believe I'm protected by the First Amendment.

Mr. Chairman, may I have the floor?

The chair yields to my esteemed colleague.

Uh, Ms. Brown.

Why would you take a classified report and read it on the television?

Senator, journalists release information to the public for one reason only, the

public's right to know.

But the public didn't vote for you, Miss Brown. They voted for us.

And if we want to keep a secret, you shouldn't be running around like a

dog flapping your jaw like a loose -shutting hurricane.

respectfully remind you of the importance of the press in a democratic

Without the press, Watergate, the savings and loan debacle, and Iran

never have come to light.

So?

Mr. Chairman? Mr. Chairman? Senator Sampson!

Ms. Brown, you talk about the rights of journalists.

Well, I'm here to tell you that the hard -working taxpayers of my state...

are sick and tired of the press prying into every little detail to make it

impossible for us to run the government.

I have letters from these Americans.

Where are those letters?

Letters which say, you liberal reporters are distorting the truth.

Letters which say, watch out for this woman. Watch out for this Murphy Brown.

you have those letters?

Well, anyway, it's clear.

The American people want to feel good about their country, and they should.

There isn't a better place to live on the face of this earth.

Is there a question in there somewhere, Senator?

Well, maybe it's just me.

Maybe I don't get it.

But how can you claim to serve the public interest when the public is fed

with you?

Senator, I think what the public is fed up with is seeing their tax dollars

spent on tropical vacations, health club memberships, and parking privileges for

their elected representatives.

A yield to Senator Dennehy.

Well, I would just like to take this opportunity to say that

it is wrong not to pay a parking ticket.

I know it's wrong, but I'm sure.

that the fine people of my home state will forgive any bookkeeping errors by

staff, which may have occurred for whatever reason. Senator, may I have the

floor? Yes, I yield.

Am I alone in being outraged by this?

Because I'm outraged.

A body of our government has been violated.

And leaks are becoming commonplace. Leaks are very dangerous things.

So are secrets, Senator.

Do you have no regard for national security?

Am I to take it if you were to receive, say, a secret copy of our nation's

battle plan for Operation Desert Storm, you'd just, you'd make it public? No, of

course not.

Well, how do you determine whether or not to release classified information? I

use my personal judgment as a journalist.

Your personal judgment?

I see.

Would that be the same personal judgment that led you to become an unwed mother?

Objection!

Excuse me, Senator, but I don't see how that relates to the matter at hand. Oh,

well, perhaps I can clear up any confusion you're having. I've put

report detailing some of the judgments you've made.

Volume 1, The Early Years.

On June 26, 1973, at the height of Watergate, Miss Brown was arrested

for hiring a skywriter to fly over the White House and spell out the words,

Surrender, Dick.

On October 2, 1973... Eight straight hours of half -truths,

innuendo, and character besmirchment. And we haven't even gotten to the Reagan

years yet.

I tell you, I'm torn about this.

I mean, I hate to see Murphy suffer, but when those hearings are on TV, this

place is packed and I make out like a bandit.

It was the same during the Thomas Hill hearings.

Although during that one, I couldn't move a can of Coke to save my life.

I wasn't the only one doing it, Miles. It was Woodstock, for God's sake.

I know, Murphy, and I'm sure they exaggerated it.

There's no way that you, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Janice Joplin could fit in

the same porta -potty.

Murphy, we were so proud of you. You were the perfect example of grace under

pressure. But for tomorrow, a tiny suggestion.

Just two little words.

Dress shield.

Enough kids.

You know what really bugs me?

I mean, besides the sweating thing?

Why do they keep digging up the past? I mean, what does the past have to do with

anything? Oh, I know what they're doing. It's so obvious. They don't care about

the leaks. It's a personal vendetta.

They're just getting back at me for all the times I made them look bad.

You're a very good reporter, Murphy. I'm surprised you're missing the bigger

picture. It's not just you.

They're using you as an example to the press. The warning is, if you push us,

this is what you can expect.

You know, I think you might have something there.

Hang on a sec.

That's me.

Wouldn't I love to give that committee a piece of my mind? I'd read them the

riot act.

Our inner cities lie in ruin and decay.

Our middle class is adrift and disillusioned, and there they sit, those

weenies playing their little weenie game.

Feel free to use that, Murphy. Little weenies, little weenie game.

Okay, Murph.

This is what you do tomorrow.

Two answers.

Yes, Senator.

No, Senator.

That's it. They want to make it tough on you. You make it tough on them. That's

what I would do.

It looks like you'll get your chance, Frank. The office tells me the committee

is issuing subpoenas for Dial, Fontana, Sherwood, and Silverberg. What? You're

kidding.

I suppose they plan to question you as colleagues of Murphy's. But we don't

her source.

Guys, I'm really sorry about this. No, this is great.

You are not alone, Murph.

Tomorrow we present a united front. I say we give them hell.

I'm with Frank. You don't fool with FYI. Our inner cities lie in ruin and decay,

damn it. And tomorrow they're going to hear about it from me. They're going to

hear about it from all of us. I wish I could be there with you.

But since I can't, would you mind wearing one of these on camera?

You say you've been a friend and colleague of Miss Brown since 1977.

Yes, Senator.

In that time, has she ever been motivated by the personal glory the

bring her?

No, Senator.

So then the awards and accolades she receives are not the driving force in

career? Yes, Senator.

I mean, no, Senator.

I mean, do you mean yes, they are the driving force, or no, they're not the

driving force? I mean, does she pursue story simply to satisfy her ego? Mr.

Fontana... Do you feel Miss Brown is a responsible journalist?

No. What?

To the one before.

Yes to the last one.

So that's yes, no, yes, yes.

I think.

Check, please.

My name is Corky Sherwood Forrest, and I have been a professional journalist

since 1988.

And if I may add a personal observation, I

have seen you on FYI, and I commend you for your

incredible body of work.

Your ability to stimulate me as a member of the viewing public

with your sensitive probing style.

My name is Miles Silverberg.

I'm the executive producer of FYI.

Now, Mr.

Silverberg, was it?

Yes, Senator.

Silverberg. Mr.

Silverberg, were you born in this country?

Yes, sir, I was.

I see. Well, to continue, Mr.

Silverberg, with regards to...

Miss Brown's story, would you say that piece was politically motivated?

No, Senator, absolutely not. Miss Brown has always kept her political beliefs

well clear of her work. I see.

Uh, Mr.

Silverberg, were you raised in New York?

Yes, I was, but I don't see how... Uh -huh.

Uh -huh.

Mr.

Silverberg, to continue.

Was Miss Brown pleased when that story became big news, Mr.

Silverberg?

Well, as a journalist, she felt she had presented a well -balanced, even

-handed, carefully researched story, and she said those clowns in the Senate

deserved to be exposed.

Not that being a clown is a bad thing.

Clowns are good.

They make people laugh and forget their troubles.

Emmett Kelly was a clown.

I think he was even on a stamp.

My

name

is Jim Dial, and I'm the senior anchor on the news program, FYI.

Mr. Dial, did Ms. Brown ever mention the name of her source to you?

No, sir, she did not. And now... Thank you, Mr. Dial.

You can go now.

But... I have a prepared statement to read. Please, Mr. Dial, we have a long

ahead of us.

Very well.

But our city's lying ruined and decayed.

Miss Brown, you've spent some time at the Betty Ford Clinic, have you not? I

believe we covered that yesterday, Senator.

And you have experienced alcohol -related blackouts.

That was over four years ago and only once. And alcohol does terrible things

the judgment, doesn't it?

Now, at this point, I'd like to read a passage from the novel Valley of the

Dolls.

Chapter one.

I saw you. I saw you on television.

They're having a sale on overalls over at Sears.

There you were on a whole wall of TVs.

I became so enraged watching our elected officials at work, I marched down to

the lawn and garden department, got a 50 -pound bag of manure.

Came back up, and I laid it in front of the biggest TV I could find.

I myself thought it was an extremely apt political statement.

However, Sears disagreed.

I'm no longer welcome where America shops.

You know, I don't want to scare you, Murph, but after seeing those guys

firsthand today...

I think they could really vote to send you up the river. No.

No, we can't have that. The baby can't be born in a joint.

Then she should reveal her source.

This is terrible. This is terrible. Just when the rest of the world is starting

to move towards democracy, we're taking a giant step backwards.

Next thing you know, we're going to be standing in line to buy blue jeans, and

our women are going to start winning all the Olympic medals in swimming.

I'll... go get you some dinner and i gotta go start hoarding salami and

paper murph i've never run

away from a fight frank but now any fights i take on i'm going to be

this little guy in with me i'm not sure if i have the right to do that

murph you're in it tough situation, and you need to...

Well, nobody's gonna think any less of you if you review your source.

Thanks, Frank.

I guess I wanted to hear that.

I should go. You must be beat.

You know, I gotta tell you, after seeing what these guys put you through

today...

Next time something good gets leaked my way, I'm going to have to think twice

before I use it.

Good night, Mom.

Good night.

If you're going to write a book about this, a go -on talk show, otherwise

benefit personally, what motivates a person to come forth?

Is this thing on?

And thank you, Senator.

And now, Ms. Brown, it's our job to vote whether to recommend to the full Senate

that you be charged with contempt.

And in deliberating that... Excuse me, Senator, I have something to say.

Senators, last night I decided that I would come here today and reveal to you

the name of my source.

I had one very good reason for doing that.

It's a reason that's very close to my heart.

Well, actually, it's closer to my stomach at the moment.

But then a colleague of mine said the next time he was leaked information,

have to think before using it.

And then I realized that's exactly what you want, to keep us at heel.

Well, gentlemen, I don't know if you realize this, but we recently marked the

200th birthday of the First Amendment.

Some birthday.

Federal employees are being pressured to sign secrecy agreements so that they

can't speak or write about their job without government approval.

Doctors at federally funded clinics can no longer discuss the option of abortion

with their patients.

Well, as far as I'm concerned, the party's not over yet.

If I think Senator Sampson is a narrow -minded misogynist, I can say that.

If I think Senator Lawson... is a provincial gas bag, well, I can say

And if I think this whole proceeding does nothing more than give you boys a

chance to do some grandstanding and flagrant self -promotion, well, I won't

that.

I'll just say, happy birthday, First Amendment.

The hearing is now adjourned.

Hey, just please clear the room.

Murphy, are you sure about this?

Yes, Miles.

Hey, Stan, did you hear the one about the leopard walking through the jungle

eating elephant droppings? No.

Yeah, he just ate a lawyer. He was trying to get the taste out of his

Well,

I can't believe it. Why do we keep having these hearings? They never work

This is great.

We look like bungling idiots. If we vote to hold her in contempt, we risk

sending a pregnant woman to jail. We look like heartless idiots.

Well, it's bungling or heartless. Take your choice, fellas.

Either way, we're picking buckshot out in our rumps.

Damn. Now I gotta get another spread in People magazine to show my warm personal

side.

Great. Another picture of me and the wife singing hymns at the Wurlitzer.

Okay, okay, so here's the plan. We almost recommend finding her in

okay? We'll make the vote close. We'll make it five to four again so we don't

look weak.

All right, now, Lowell, Ned, Warren, and Richard, you vote for contempt. The

rest of us will go the other way.

Ah, well, let's make the announcement.

No, no, no, no, hold on. Let's just sit on for a while.

I mean, we want to make it look like we sweated it out.

It's not too long. We want to make the evening news.

You know, I heard a pretty good joke yesterday. Come on. I need a joke.

These two gay guys go into a bar.

The bartender says.