Murphy Brown Season 7 Episode 15 Requiem For A Crew Guy
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00:00I was watching C-SPAN and Newt King, which gave an entire speech with a clump of oatmeal on the corner of his mouth.
00:07Either that or his maple people forgot to wipe off the foam again.
00:13Hey, guys.
00:15What brings our stage manager up to this neck of the woods?
00:18Yeah, I didn't think your headset cord breached me on the stage.
00:21I just want to stop by and tell everybody, I've got some sad news.
00:26Jack Saunders passed away yesterday.
00:28Jack is a legend around here.
00:32He's been with the show since day one.
00:34That is so sad, isn't it sad?
00:37Jack? Jack who?
00:40Jack Saunders.
00:42From the crew.
00:44Oh, that Jack.
00:46Jack Saunders from the crew.
00:48Oh, that's awful.
00:51Wow.
00:52I mean, for him to just go suddenly like that, what a shock.
00:55Actually, they expected him to die years ago.
01:00Exactly.
01:01Expected to die years ago and then gone like that.
01:06And he had so much life left to leave.
01:08Well, not really.
01:09He was almost 80.
01:12Right.
01:12Well, it just shows you can't take your loved ones for granted.
01:20Anyway, Miles, that is a story that I want me to tell you, okay?
01:24Back home, when my family suffers a loss, and when you live in gator country, that happens more often than you think.
01:30We all gather around a room and share our personal memories about the departed.
01:36Helps to get out the grief we're all feeling.
01:38Let's do it.
01:39Actually, I kind of prefer to keep my grief bottled up.
01:43But I'll always remember about Jack.
01:47It was my first night at FYI.
01:49Murphy conveniently borrowed my lucky Mont Blanc pen.
01:53I was in a panic until Jack was generous enough to give me his naked lady pen with his spirit bathing suit.
02:01I love those pens.
02:03I remember how Jack used to always give me back rubs to loosen me up before the show.
02:09And not the creepy, icky kind full of unspoken requests, but real nice.
02:15Kind of like a grandpa.
02:16You know, last winter, I had tickets to the Kennedy Center Honors, and my car wouldn't start.
02:23So Jack gets into his Chevy and bumps me all the way there.
02:28Then he waits outside for three and a half hours and bumps me all the way there.
02:37Oh, boy.
02:38One night after a commentary, when I inexplicably mispronounced the name Sheppard Nodzik,
02:46I was feeling rather blue.
02:48Well, Jack, sensing my mood, sat me down.
02:52And we ended up sharing a box of milk duds and talking until the wee hours of the morning.
02:57Oh, so good.
02:58Oh, gosh.
02:59Oh, gosh.
03:07I remember so many things about Jack.
03:10It's hard to pick just one.
03:15But I guess if I had to, it would be the way he always carried that table.
03:25My camera?
03:26My camera?
03:29Hey, Murphy.
03:30From the way you're talking, it almost seems like you don't remember Jack at all.
03:33Of course I remember Jack.
03:35I'd be a pretty terrible person if I didn't remember Jack.
03:38Come on, Murphy.
03:39It's not that big a stretch.
03:41I mean, you've got to admit, you're not exactly buddy-buddy with the crew.
03:44No, because I don't go out with them for beers or bake them cookies at Christmas time?
03:48No, because you don't speak to them or address them by name.
03:53Hey, I have a fine relationship with the crew.
03:56In the land of opposites, maybe.
03:59Oh, come on, Slimey.
04:00You can't be oblivious to your reputation.
04:03Surely you're aware of the proliferation of Murphy Brown jokes they have on the stage?
04:08Of course.
04:08I'm aware of the jokes.
04:10I love the jokes.
04:11What are they doing?
04:12John, you told me the funniest one the other day.
04:16Tell that one.
04:17Oh, I'd really rather not.
04:19Oh, it's okay, John.
04:21I can laugh at myself.
04:22Come on, let's hear it.
04:24How many Murphy Browns does it take to screw in a light bulb?
04:28How many?
04:29Shut up and just do it.
04:30It's really, it's not that funny.
04:41No, it's not.
04:45My point is, I know the crew.
04:50Each and every one of them.
04:52And a guy as kind and caring as this guy we've lost, well, of course I remember him.
05:01Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm just going to send some flowers.
05:07Jack.
05:07Jack Saunders.
05:08May I have your attention, please?
05:20FYI, has suffered a loss.
05:23But as we all know, Jack knew he wouldn't be around forever.
05:27So, he wrote down a few words before his death, and John would like to share them with you now.
05:33John?
05:34Dear people I work with.
05:39Oh, he always calls that.
05:43If you're reading this letter, I guess I'm dead.
05:48I just wanted to thank all of you who've meant so much to me over these past years.
05:53My fellow crew members, the producers, the anchors, and most importantly, I'd like to thank the person who meant the most to me here, and she'll certainly know why.
06:06Murphy Brown.
06:09What?
06:10He signs it.
06:12Love, Jack.
06:13And that's it, folks.
06:16Let's get ready for showtime.
06:17I feel so awful.
06:24I had no idea you and Jack were so close.
06:27Oh, Murph, all the things we said about you and the crew.
06:30Yes, we were insensitive.
06:31This news must have hit you harder than anyone.
06:33And just kept it all bottled in.
06:36You brave little soldier.
06:38All right.
06:42Heads up, everybody.
06:44Here we go.
06:45In five, four, three, two.
06:52Some network.
06:53Guys.
06:54Guys, look what I just stumbled across.
06:57Oh, last year's staff and crew photo.
07:02How can you tell it's last years?
07:04Every year's the same.
07:05Yep, Murphy's sitting front and center with her big old head blocking three people behind her.
07:10Hey, at least she's not making bunny ears behind you like she does me every year.
07:14In seven years, not one photo I can hang on my wall.
07:18You know the funny thing about this photo is I just can't find Jack in this.
07:22Really?
07:22He's right there, Murphy, right behind Bill the Boon Guy.
07:25Oh, sure, Bill the Boon Guy.
07:29Oh, Bill.
07:31Morning, Bill.
07:32What's everyone appearing at?
07:33Oh, our crew photo.
07:36My, doesn't Jack look debonair?
07:40Doesn't he smile?
07:42Just ride him.
07:45Oh, Lord Slugger, you made bunny ears behind Miles again?
07:49In seven years, not one photo I can hang on my wall.
07:51Mrs. Saunders!
07:55Oh.
07:56What are you doing here?
07:58Oh, please, Corky, you know better than that.
08:01Call me Louise.
08:02We are so sorry about your husband.
08:05Jack was a man among men.
08:07If there's anything all that we can do for you...
08:09Well, actually, I'm here to see Murphy.
08:13Louise!
08:16It's so nice to see you again, Louise.
08:22When was the last time you let me bake up the wrap party?
08:27That was it.
08:28We stood next to each other in the buffet line, am I right?
08:32We've never met.
08:35That's it.
08:36Now I remember.
08:37You know, Louise, I wanted to talk to you, too.
08:40Why don't we go into my office?
08:42All right.
08:46Louise, I'm not sure if you know this,
08:49but, um, your husband mentioned me in his letter, and...
08:55Well, of course he did.
08:57Do you know not one day went by that he didn't speak of you?
09:03That's why I thought you should have this.
09:10A Phillips head screwdriver?
09:12The Phillips head screwdriver.
09:15I know it meant something special to the two of you.
09:19Oh, boy.
09:21Did it ever.
09:23Let me tell you, this screwdriver is just full of meaning.
09:31Well, yes.
09:32Jack often said he considered you the daughter we never had.
09:38Sorry for interrupting, but, Louise,
09:40I was just wondering if there was going to be any sort of memorial,
09:43because we'd all like to pay our respects.
09:45Well, Jack wasn't real big on churches.
09:49I remember he always used to say,
09:53Louise, I'm not real big on churches.
09:57But I suppose we could have a memorial in someone's home.
10:03But who has a house big enough
10:06to accommodate all those people whose lives he touched?
10:10Miles, what do you mean you're going to be late?
10:20You're in charge of the napkins.
10:22The only ones I have in the house say bon voyage.
10:25And while I appreciate the irony,
10:26it's possible other people may find it in bad taste.
10:31Oh, God, there's the deli platter.
10:32I gotta go.
10:34Now, find some deepest sympathy napkins
10:37and get your butt over here.
10:40Murphy Brown?
10:41Hi.
10:42Oh, uh, just put it over there
10:44between the cheese and the crackers.
10:48Okay.
10:56Whoa!
10:57What is that?
10:59That?
11:00That's your beloved departed.
11:01I-I think there's been some mistake.
11:05You see, I wasn't exactly expecting this.
11:08Uh, nobody ever does.
11:11That's the true tragedy of it.
11:14You sure you want him so close to the dip?
11:15No, no, no.
11:17That would probably be some sort of health code violation.
11:21I guess, uh...
11:23You know,
11:24I have a feeling the beloved departed
11:27would be comfortable right here.
11:29You have a nice day now.
11:30Oh, jeez.
11:48Would you stop staring at me like that?
11:55Okay.
11:56You want me to say it?
11:58Fine.
11:58I don't have the vaguest idea who you are.
12:05There.
12:05Are you happy now?
12:09You know,
12:10it's not exactly my fault.
12:12I mean, you're the one who died
12:14and-and then named me
12:16as being this kind and wonderful person,
12:18which obviously shows
12:19you didn't know me very well.
12:21Can you help me out here?
12:28When did we meet?
12:32When did we talk?
12:33And then what is the story behind that stupid screwdriver?
12:41Why?
12:43Who the hell are you?
12:45I'm sorry.
12:50Murphy!
12:51Are we the first ones here?
12:53Oh, this looks really nice.
12:57Oh, man.
12:58I hate funerals.
12:59They always remind me of death.
13:02We'd assume it's a funeral.
13:04If it were a funeral,
13:05the deceased would be present.
13:07Oh.
13:07This is such a sweet thing
13:11for you to do, Murphy.
13:12Well,
13:13it's the least I could do,
13:15considering how close
13:16Jack and I were.
13:17Did you put out a Bible,
13:19you know,
13:19in case anyone wants to pray?
13:21No.
13:22I-I don't think I'll have one.
13:24Um,
13:25there may be some religious pamphlets
13:27that were left at the door.
13:28I'll be right there.
13:34Well,
13:35looks like old Jack's
13:37getting one hell of a send-off.
13:41If there were a Jack.
13:43Oh, man,
13:43we got her.
13:44Oh, my God.
13:51You-you filled it with popcorn?
13:53Dear Lord,
13:54what if she peeked inside you
13:55to blow the whole thing?
13:56It was Larry the Pop Guy's.
13:58We couldn't resist it.
14:00Has anybody else
14:02had the thought
14:02that this might be
14:03a really mean trick
14:04to be playing on Murphy?
14:05Yes, Corky,
14:06I have.
14:07It was shouted down
14:08by that other thought
14:09that says,
14:09ooh, baby,
14:10she deserves this.
14:12She's been asking
14:12for this for 18 years,
14:14but the crew
14:15just wanted her to realize
14:16she doesn't know him.
14:17Nobody thought
14:18it would go this far.
14:19Yeah,
14:19all she had to do
14:20was admit
14:21she didn't remember
14:22Jack it would have
14:23all been over,
14:23but she is so stubborn.
14:25She's also blonde,
14:26loud,
14:26and cranky
14:27in the morning.
14:27Duff ring.
14:30Jim,
14:30I gotta hand it to you.
14:31Your take
14:32when you looked
14:33at the urn
14:33was classic.
14:34Really,
14:35I thought it was
14:35a little big.
14:38You guys,
14:39I tell you,
14:40she is putty
14:41in her hands.
14:42I think we should
14:43go all the way
14:44and tell her
14:44that Jack's last wish
14:45was to be buried
14:46in her backyard.
14:47I think it's time
14:55to begin.
14:56Places,
14:56people.
14:57Sorry,
14:57it's a habit.
15:01Murphy,
15:02sit here.
15:03I feel closer
15:04to Jack
15:05with you near me.
15:06Well,
15:07I think we all
15:10know why
15:11we're here.
15:13To give somebody
15:14we work with
15:15exactly what
15:16they deserve.
15:20I'd like to say
15:21a few words
15:21about Jack,
15:22but there's
15:23someone here
15:24I feel
15:24who can
15:25express what
15:26we're all feeling
15:27better than anyone.
15:30Murphy?
15:31Oh, no,
15:34thank you.
15:35Oh, please,
15:36Murphy.
15:37For me.
15:40Murphy, yeah.
15:42Well, gee,
15:43I really wanted
15:44Miles to be here.
15:45Come on,
15:45Miles.
15:46Come on.
15:48Boy.
15:52Well,
15:53well,
15:55what can you say
15:56about
15:57a man like Jack?
16:01A man who
16:02touched
16:02all our lives.
16:05Yep.
16:07I know
16:07this week
16:08has been
16:08pretty rough
16:09on me
16:10because,
16:11as you know,
16:14Jack
16:15touched
16:16all our lives.
16:18You said that
16:19already,
16:20Murphy?
16:20I know.
16:21I just don't think
16:22it can be said enough
16:23because,
16:25you know,
16:26Jack touched
16:27all our lives.
16:29I think
16:30everyone here
16:31loved Jack's
16:33smile.
16:34Why don't you
16:34say something
16:34about his smile?
16:38Oh,
16:39his smile.
16:41Well,
16:42what can you say
16:43about a smile
16:44like that?
16:45It just
16:46lit up
16:47a room.
16:48Even without
16:49the teeth?
16:54Yeah,
16:54well,
16:55that's why
16:56it lit up
16:56a room
16:57because it
16:58was just
16:58so darn
16:59goofy.
17:02Murphy,
17:02it'd be great
17:03if you could
17:03talk about
17:04that lunch
17:04he always ate.
17:09Oh,
17:09well,
17:09I feel like
17:10I've been
17:10hogging the floor
17:11and I know
17:12a lot of you
17:12have memories
17:13you'd like to share,
17:14so...
17:15Well,
17:15actually,
17:16I'd love
17:17to tell the story
17:19of you and Jack
17:20and the Phillips
17:21head screwdriver.
17:22it is such
17:27a terrific
17:28story.
17:30You see,
17:31Jack
17:32and Murphy
17:33were...
17:34Oh,
17:35but I won't
17:36do it justice.
17:38You,
17:38Jack,
17:39I feel like
17:40everybody
17:42has a
17:42screwdriver story.
17:43Oh,
17:44Jack.
17:44Jack.
17:45Well,
17:52it all
17:54goes back
17:55to a day
17:57when Jack
17:58was screwing
17:59something.
18:02Screwing
18:03something
18:03in
18:04right there.
18:06And,
18:06um,
18:07I asked
18:08him if I
18:09could
18:09borrow
18:10his screwdriver,
18:11and he
18:14said yes.
18:16And so
18:18he gave
18:19it to me
18:19and then
18:22I took
18:22it
18:23and
18:26I'm
18:30sorry.
18:32I,
18:32I don't
18:33remember
18:33the screwdriver.
18:37I don't
18:38remember
18:38the story.
18:41And the
18:43truth is,
18:44um,
18:46I don't
18:46remember
18:47Jack.
18:48Murphy,
18:49uh,
18:49it's funny
18:50you should
18:51say that
18:51because,
18:52well,
18:53we all
18:53have something
18:54to tell you.
18:54No,
18:54no,
18:55no,
18:55just,
18:55just let
18:55me finish.
18:59I'm ashamed
19:00to say
19:00this,
19:01but
19:01this man
19:03who touched
19:04all your
19:05lives
19:06didn't touch
19:07mine at
19:08all.
19:09And I
19:10really feel
19:11a sense
19:11of loss
19:12because
19:12you've
19:13painted a
19:14picture of
19:15a person
19:15I really
19:16wish I'd
19:16gotten to
19:17know.
19:19But
19:19he's gone
19:21now,
19:22and I
19:23blew it.
19:26But
19:26the only
19:27thing that
19:28makes me feel
19:29a little
19:29better
19:30is knowing
19:31is knowing
19:31that there
19:32was this
19:33man who
19:34existed,
19:35who was
19:36simple,
19:38and kind,
19:39and good,
19:41and with
19:42whom,
19:43though I
19:44don't remember
19:44it,
19:45I shared a
19:46moment.
19:48Gee,
19:49I thought
19:50this part
19:50would be a
19:51whole lot
19:51funny.
19:55Well,
19:57Murphy's speech
19:59was very
20:00touching.
20:02Don't you
20:02think we
20:03should all
20:03go now?
20:04Yeah,
20:04we should.
20:09Oh,
20:09no!
20:11It's all
20:12over!
20:13You didn't
20:13wait for me!
20:15How did she
20:16react?
20:16Did I do
20:17that switching
20:17thing?
20:19Tell me,
20:20what happened
20:20when she
20:20found out?
20:21Found out
20:22what?
20:24Hold it!
20:28Next person
20:29who moves
20:30a foot
20:30leaves it
20:31here.
20:31Now,
20:31what the
20:32hell is
20:32going on?
20:34Silverbird
20:34talk!
20:42Uh,
20:43well,
20:44uh,
20:44I thought
20:47they told
20:47you,
20:48uh,
20:48this
20:50whole
20:50thing,
20:51the,
20:51uh,
20:52service,
20:53and the
20:53letter,
20:54and everything,
20:55um,
20:56it was,
20:56like,
20:57sort of a
20:57set-up.
20:58Um,
20:59I brought
21:01mafkins.
21:06What?
21:08What are
21:08you talking
21:09about?
21:11Frank,
21:11would you
21:12like to
21:12help Miles
21:13elaborate?
21:14Not really.
21:14me?
21:22Technically,
21:23Jack
21:24isn't
21:26exactly
21:27dead.
21:29And who's
21:29in the
21:30urn?
21:31Jiffy Pop.
21:36I rented
21:3940 chairs
21:41for a
21:41tub of
21:42popcorn?
21:45What a
21:45pathetic,
21:47twisted
21:47excuse for
21:48a joke
21:49is this.
21:50Murphy,
21:50Murphy,
21:51the crew
21:52wanted to
21:53teach you
21:53a lesson.
21:54You've never
21:55taken the time
21:56to know
21:56any of them,
21:57even though
21:58these decent,
21:59loyal people
21:59have been
22:00working with
22:00you for the
22:01past 18
22:01years.
22:03And I
22:03believe they've
22:04proven their
22:05point.
22:05What point?
22:07I know the
22:08crew,
22:08and personally,
22:09I find it
22:10an extremely
22:11poor taste
22:11to pretend
22:12that a
22:12great guy
22:13like Jack
22:14is dead.
22:15Murph,
22:15there is
22:16no Jack.
22:19No Jack?
22:21We made
22:21him up.
22:23Well,
22:24that really
22:25stinks.
22:27He was
22:28the only
22:28member of
22:29the crew
22:29who liked
22:30me.
22:33We had
22:33no idea
22:34it was
22:34going to
22:34go this
22:35far.
22:36Yeah.
22:37And you
22:37really have
22:37egg on
22:38your faces,
22:38don't you?
22:39Because you
22:40spent all
22:40this time
22:41and effort
22:41trying to
22:42prove a
22:43point that
22:43didn't need
22:43to be
22:44proven.
22:44Because I
22:45know
22:45everybody,
22:46and frankly,
22:47I...
22:48What's
22:49my name?
22:51Are we
22:52really
22:52going to
22:53do this?
22:55Okay.
22:56You're
22:56Joe the
22:57video guy.
22:58Close.
22:59Steve the
23:00cameraman.
23:01Well,
23:02you've
23:02got to
23:02admit,
23:02when you're
23:03not standing
23:03behind a
23:04camera,
23:04you look
23:04a lot
23:05like
23:05Joe the
23:05video guy.
23:07I'm the
23:08video guy.
23:09My name's
23:10Tom.
23:12Oh,
23:13what happened
23:13to Joe?
23:14There is
23:14no Joe.
23:17Okay,
23:18maybe there's
23:18a couple of
23:19people I don't
23:20know.
23:20I'm
23:20Jeannie,
23:21and travel,
23:23we've talked
23:24a million
23:24times,
23:25but you
23:26didn't know
23:26me.
23:27And the
23:27guy who
23:28brought you
23:28the urn,
23:29that was
23:30Dave the
23:30construction
23:30foreman.
23:31he's
23:32done
23:32community
23:33theater.
23:36I know
23:37the
23:37construction
23:37foreman
23:38has a
23:38beard,
23:39and his
23:39name is
23:40Dale.
23:40I'm
23:41Dale.
23:43But
23:44you're
23:44Sam.
23:46Are you
23:47Sam?
23:48Is
23:49there
23:49a
23:49Sam?
23:51How about
23:52Mike?
23:52Where's
23:53Mike?
23:54Oh,
23:55come on,
23:56there's
23:56got to be
23:56a Mike.
23:57There's
23:58always
23:58a Mike.
24:03Hi,
24:03Marge.
24:04Jesse,
24:05have you
24:05got my
24:05Mike?
24:06Gil,
24:07how are
24:07those
24:07four kids?
24:09Enjoying
24:09your golf
24:10game,
24:10Kenny?
24:15Okay,
24:16one more
24:17week and
24:18I'll have
24:19it,
24:19I swear.
24:28Good
24:49Good
24:51Good
24:52Good
24:53Good