Shark Bytes

I just read that someone did a review / analysis of the murders occuring in Cabot Cove, Maine.
There were, according to the study, 286 people murdered in Cabot Cove during the shows 10-11 year run. That's the Cabot Cove total, never mind the ones murdered at other locations she was at. To put it into perspective, that equated to a per capita murder rate of 95 per 1000 population.
In recent times, the highest per capita murder rate in the world has been Curacas, Venezuela. Do you know what it is? It's 1 per 1000 population. Can you imagine the fame that Cabot Cove would have? It has a murder rate 95 times higher than anywhere else on the planet.
Newspapers world wide would print whether anyone (or how many) were murdered the day before.
Las Vegas would offer over / under bets on the monthly totals.
You would think that eventually someone in CC would notice that murders only occured when Jessica was around. They would then, 1) kick her out of town, or 2) make here the next victim.

This is one of the crappiest shows of all time.

Here's what you do:

1) Test the drinking water to figure out what causes a small town in Maine to have a higher homicide rate than Compton
2) Fire the totally incompetent police force & higher Mrs. Snoopy-Blabby to run the show
3) Have the person who mentioned "romantic interest" consider psychological counseling. That's just sick

“Murder, She Wrote” was the classiest! In my opinion, it was just the most perfect little mystery show, fit for any age group, and, depending on their tastes, I would imagine a majority of people (young, middle-aged, or older) are able to appreciate and value the warm, endearing appeal of this series. Actress Angela Lansbury is a lovely lady, and her character of Jessica Fletcher, famed mystery maven, has always been my favorite of her portrayals. Angela shines as J.B., has brought so much to her character. I believe Angela herself was responsible for the shaping of the character of Jessica. She wanted her to be, to quote her, “a bit of an everywoman.” Jessica Fletcher is certainly that. I’ve always felt she lived an ideal life: surrounded by friends and acquaintances of all ages, able to travel to beautiful and exotic places, and, of course, upholds a successful career as an authoress of mystery. Since my own dream is to become an author, I suppose the character of Jessica is extra special to me, being I can relate to her so much. I especially enjoyed the moments when Jessica’s more emotional, deeper side was shown, such as in the episode “Thursday’s Child,” and “Stage Struck,” which took us back in time for a glimpse and we heard Jessica’s thoughts as she reminisced about meeting Frank: him telling her how to hold the paintbrush and make a nice stroke. I often wish we had been allowed a special flashback scene showing Jessica and Frank together. But Jessica also did have her rare glimmers of romance, such as in the pilot with Preston Giles, and in a later episode titled “The Return of Preston Giles,” where she reminisces. It’s touching to see Jessica engage in a kiss with a man, because we never see it again, and it just makes it a little more special and memorable. Jessica was never given a steady romantic relationship, I assumed, because, deep down, she never felt she could quite replace the love she’d once shared with her husband Frank, her one true love. Then again, it’s refreshing to see Jessica every now and then paired up with a distinguished older gentleman (always wealthy and white-haired), showing up at a cocktail party or some such a sophisticated event. Though the relationships never extend beyond deeply-felt friendship, the touch of romance still shines, and a hint of some special feeling never fails to be felt.

Also, I believe the lack of a steady romantic relationship or concept of having Jessica remarry was due to the fact that Angela herself didn’t feel Jessica should have attachments; that she should just be left an older, single lady, attractive enough to enjoy an occasional moment with an interested gentleman, but for the most part, a widow who still holds a special place in her heart for her husband.

I especially enjoy the mid to later seasons when Jessica moved to New York, started tapping out her best-selling novels on her word processor, taught writing classes at the University…And her wardrobe was beautiful! Every article and designer suit complimented her, be it for the color or the style. Angela, being the beautiful lady that she has always been and still is, couldn’t have, in my true opinion, brought more life and color to Jessica. Jessica is everything a woman would hope to be: caring, open-minded, generous, out-going, able to look at life and even the worst of situations in a positive way. In my personal opinion, “Murder, She Wrote” will always be that little mystery show of which I will never tire, and continue to enjoy, and treasure, and find inspiration! Thank you, Miss Lansbury, for giving us the warmth and class and elegance of Jessica Fletcher!

It never jumped. I loved the show, the writing, and especially Angela Lansbury. She's the consummate professional, an incredibly talented actor, and someone who took her responsibility as the star very seriously.
I especially loved the guest stars, both for their nostalgic appeal and, today, to see where they got their beginnings.
Does anyone remember George Clooney doing a guest turn in Season 3? Way before he became the powerhouse megastar.
This show is a gem, to be appreciated again and again. It's certainly of more value than the absolute garbage, poor writing, lousy acting that passes for TV today.

I recall one episode where Dean Stockwell did a dead-on take of spiteful film/theatre critic John Simon. Too bad his character was the murder victim, he did one of the better guest turns on the series. But I can certainly understand anyone wanting John Simon (or even his analog) dead.

This show was The Love Boat if Gopher went berserk and started offing the guest cast. It was always fun to see the roster of has-beens in the opening credits. One particularly memorable episode featured Erin Moran in a scene with her former Dad, Mr. C. (Amos)! Strangely, they didn't recognize each other.

Wondering what the Brady kids grew up to look like? What Hayley Mills has been up to since The Trouble With Angels? How much weight Laraine Day has gained? Murder, She Wrote was the place to discover the answers to all those riveting questions, and more besides. Never jumped.

I think that Murder She Wrote had a jump the shark event when Jessica was called in to help Magnum clear his murder wrap toward the end of Magnum P.I.'s series run...in fact this was start of a mutual shark event when I think about it. Just like when Boss Hogg from the Dukes of Hazard appeared on Alice and offered to buy Mel's Diner.
Characters from other unrelated series making guest stop on other shows should be listed as another sign of jumping the shark.

Never jumped! I loved that Cabot Cove had all those crimes cause it was like Peyton Place, where it looked like the perfect picturesque small town with puritanical people and then you see the dark underbelly of all those scandals! The sheriff was the only one who had a natural death!

I have always enjoyed thsi show and watched it with my grandmother as well. I am big fan of Angela Lansbury. If you want to see a really creepy movie watch "The Portrait of Dorian Gray" which stars Lansbury and Hurd Hatfield as Dorian. He makes a pact with devil that he will stay young forever and his portrait will grow old. It was released in 1945 but it was on Turner Classic Movies a few days ago.

I love this show! Sure it's a little repetitive, and maybe even a little corny at times, but it sure as heck beats the trash shown on tv these days! Most everything on tv now are sex, drugs, and fowl language! Even CSI and Cold Case (which I love) can't go without showing some strip club or such, it's pathetic!! People are so perverted! I miss the good ole days! And I wish I was born in the 30's so I could have grown up when people still had MORALS!!!

Dear Richard Durkan,

The character was loosely based on an Agatha Christie character-Miss Marple. The story was "Murder, She Said"

She moved to New York, NOT L.A.

I never watched this show, but this....


This many murders in this small town is implausible

...is hilarious.

In the best form of Perry Mason comes Jessica Fletcher. A fine show with a tight format and consistent entertainment. Angela Lansbury is great in the lead role and the supporting cast hits a nice balance of straight acting and hamming it up.
But why leave Cabot Cove for L.A.? That was the "jump" for me. Sure the body count was unreal, but we're not trying to explain warp drive ala Star Trek here. Did they think it would gain appeal being in the big city? Cabot Cove forever! (Actually Mendocino County).

It never jumped. My favorites were the ones set in Cabot Cove too.