Mr. Fontana, how do you feel
about accusations
That american television news
Has become addicted
to sensationalism
In a desperate scramble
for ratings?
That's a very good question.
I know that I speak for
the majority of my colleagues
In saying that I find
that style of journalism
To be totally repugnant.
How then do you justify
your own use
Of what has come to be called
the "ambush sh*t"?
Excuse me?
Last week you burst into
a union official's office.
Even though he locked himself
in his bathroom
Without speaking to you
You kept that footage
in your report. Why?
Well, i...
Wasn't it because a man running
from a camera looks guilty
Thereby giving you something
hot to pull in an audience?
No, no, you see, the actual
purpose of that footage...
The reason I used it was...
Jim, what?
Did you say something?
Me?
No.
Yes, you did.
You said something
very astute.
I think he should
repeat that.
Go ahead.
Thank you, frank.
I suppose what frank
heard me muttering... Softly
Was that audiences
have become accustomed
To a faster pace
And you have to grab
their attention.
What you're saying is americans
have a short attention span.
No, not at all.
It's just that with cable,
we have so many more choices
Than you have in england.
I believe you have
about four channels.
While we have,
what is it now? , .
Not that
This makes us superior,
or you inferior
For that matter.
Where's murphy?
You don't drop a bombshell
about changes at work
Then hang up the phone.
What kind of woman lets
her machine pick up
At : in the morning?
It's about time
someone realized...
Today's the day the bbc is here.
Roger kenilworth, bbc.
You said something
about a bombshell and changes.
Would you care
to elaborate on that?
That.
That was a total exaggeration.
I do that sometimes
just for the effect.
It creates an air of excitement
in the newsroom
That increases productivity.
The japanese are doing it.
I think it started at sony.
Would anyone like some coffee?
Miles, what the hell
was that last message?
My kid hears that machine.
I'm holding you responsible
if his first words are...
Today's the day
the bbc is here.
Roger kenilworth, bbc.
About these changes
at work
You wanted to discuss
with miles.
Changes?
Miles, have you been
exaggerating again?
You know me.
Murphy, can I see you
in your office?
Of course.
We'll be out
in a minute.
Why don't you have some tea.
We have seven kinds.
We'd rather stay with you.
You agreed to give us
total access.
Of course.
We gave them total access.
Why shouldn't we?
We have nothing to hide.
Let's proceed then.
And so we shall.
Now, murphy,
about these things
That are not
really changes but...
Adjustments.
Minor adjustments.
I see.
And what form might
these minor adjustments take?
I might come into the office
a little later occasionally.
I might leave a tiny bit earlier
once in a while
And I won't take assignments out
of the country quite so often
Maybe take a day off now and then.
But that's it.
Minor adjustments.
Minor?
Tiny.
Roger, there's something wrong
with the battery.
We'll just wait
until you're ready.
You're trying to k*ll me
on camera.
One more shock to my system
It will be the first snuff film
in the history of the bbc.
I just want to spend
more time with my kid
Not get invited
to phyllis schlafly's
For bundt cake.
We're not done
talking about this.
Well, when are we going to be able to?
The bbc's going to be here all week.
I hate this.
You hate it?
I'm the one who just insulted
the entire population of great britain.
First my unfortunate
"girly-hair" comment
About ringo starr
in , and now this.
I hope I didn't come off
too brainy.
That can alienate people,
you know.
I am ashamed of you guys.
We stick microphones
in peoples' faces every day
Searching for the truth.
They want
the truth from us.
What does it say
about us as journalists
If we're not smart enough
To hide it from them?
I'd like to get back to these
adjustments, if I could.
I'd love to talk about them, roger,
but right now this reporter has to call al gore
To get an analysis of the latest
clinton opinion poll.
They say he can't dance
But watch this.
How should I know?
I just got here.
Can I help you?
I'll have to call you back.
I just got busted
on national tv
For using an office phone
for a personal call.
Hi, murphy, peter hunt.
I know.
Saw your report on bosnia
two nights ago.
Absolutely spectacular
piece of reporting.
Roger kenilworth, bbc.
I'm a big fan.
I'm sorry about the phone.
I had a meeting upstairs.
I needed
to make some calls
Without the suits
hanging all over me.
We work for
the same network, don't we?
It's not a problem.
Peter,
I must ask you
About that riveting footage
at the serbian checkpoint.
How did you manage
to stay so totally in control
When that guard
held his g*n
To your head?
That's an
interesting story...
And we'd love
to hear it
But now roger's
going to be sh**ting
Some riveting footage
Of me calling
vice president gore.
Private number.
Very hard to come by
But then, that's why
I get the stories I do.
Hi.
This is murphy brown
for vice president gore.
I'd like to speak
to the vice president.
(Softly:)
is your daddy home?
Is there someone there
who knows where he is?
I'll call back.
I think
it's about time
For one of our story meetings.
Can I use
the phone again?
I promise I'll be done by the time
the big hand's on the six.
I can see
why those serbian border guards
Were charmed by you.
Okay, people, let's get
that story meeting started.
What story meeting?
What story meeting?
Every week
it's the same joke.
Come on, we don't want
to look unprofessional
In front of our bbc colleagues,
do we?
Now, who wants
to go first?
Okay, I will.
v*olence on television.
After years of criticism
The networks have finally agreed
to a warning label.
Okay if I steal
a cup of coffee?
Just waiting
for a call-back.
Sure. Be our guest.
You all know
peter hunt.
Nice job on
that bosnia piece.
When that serbian guard
held that g*n...
You can't hear the phone
from out here.
You might want
to grab that coffee
And scoot back in there.
Very thoughtful.
My pleasure.
Now, will these warning labels
do anything
To stop v*olence
in our society?
No.
I'm sorry, but I feel
pretty strongly about this.
So do i.
Obviously,
these warning labels are...
Totally useless.
Excuse me?
All this bull about television
creating v*olence--
I've been in places that rarely
have electricity
Let alone tv sets,
and the people manage
To k*ll each other
very successfully anyway.
If I could just finish my thought.
The trouble with the labeling system
Is that it borders
on censorship
While offering
a band-aid to the problem.
People are going to be violent
even if tv is nothing
But reruns
of the waltons.
That's one point of view, but
there's a sizable contingent
That argues that television
exacerbates the v*olence.
I don't believe it does.
I don't care.
Just an example of
the cross-pollination of ideas
That occurs among journalists
in our business.
The give and take,
the ebb and flow
The cease and desist.
Look, you cannot ignore
the body of research that says
The amount of gratuitous
v*olence on television...
v*olence is everywhere.
Television is just
reflecting it.
That should be your angle.
Thanks for your suggestion
But since this
really isn't your story...
It should be.
We'll talk about that
When you're a member of fyi.
Great. Let's start talking.
What?
Check with the network.
As of today,
I'm part of the team.
I just need a bottle of
white-out, roger.
I'll catch up with you
in a minute.
This is the worst day
of my life.
Where did you
disappear to?
Mitchell baldwin's office
to find out why the network
Hadn't told me we were
getting a new reporter.
The only way I could talk
without the film crew
Was to ask him to go
to the bathroom with me.
That will look just great on film--
me coaxing a ' " black man
Into the men's room
without anyone noticing.
This is wonderful--
we're talking in closets
And you're doing scenes
from the crying game.
Oh yeah. The bbc isn't going
to suspect a thing.
What did baldwin say?
Peter's contract
was up for renewal.
Everybody in town was bidding
on him.
They had to move fast...
So fast they couldn't tell
the executive producer.
Forget about your
petty insecurities.
There is something much
bigger at stake here.
Relax, frank.
You're not out.
Oh, thank god!
We don't need
this new guy, miles.
He does live reports
standing on tanks
Wearing ripped t-shirts.
That's not the way
we do things at fyi.
I am not thrilled with the way
this was handled either,
but hunt's a good reporter
And he's strong
on international.
You said you wanted to cut back
on overseas assignments.
Don't pin this on me.
I had a hard enough time
making this decision.
Frank can pick up the slack.
I have torn t-shirts
in hot spots all over the world
But I change my clothes
before I go on the air
Because I'm a pro.
It is just so easy
for all of you to complain.
Who's the one
Who has to carefully mix
all the anchors together
Blend and stir
their talents
Make sure no one's
ego boils over
So we can enjoy
a bowl of fyi soup?
That's right...
All:
chef miles.
Well, I'm not going
to tolerate an instant replay
Of the grief you put me through
When I brought corky
on to the show. Understood?
You put him
through grief?
Corky, it was
such a long time ago.
Who even remembers?
Listen here, murphy.
I'm not the same hayseed
Who walked in here
five years ago.
This dog can hunt.
So I want to know
who said what
And I want to know now.
Oh, look. Red pens.
Oh, let's go try them.
Can I get
a menu over here?
Here you go.
And for fyi's
newest correspondent
Lunch is on the house.
Let's see... The announcement
hasn't been made.
Nobody in town's
supposed to know.
I'm guessing you're phil.
Score one for the new guy.
Wasn't that tough.
Wolf blitzer told me
you had a voice like snow chains
On asphalt.
He's a fine one to talk.
With a name like blitzer
He should be flying
over my house at christmas
With rudolph's tail
in his face.
I'm surprised you
wound up in washington.
I always figured you for
a guy who liked to be
In the middle of the action.
Last six months in bosnia,
before that, somalia
Baghdad in ' .
You could have gotten that
from my travel agent.
I expected more from a man
who's supposed to know
Deep throat's home number.
You were born
in saint louis in ' .
You were born in new jersey.
And I'll spare you the year.
Your first assignment
was city b*at in buffalo.
You were stationed in france
during world w*r ii.
Three weeks ago,
last tuesday
You walked into a makeshift
hospital in bosnia
With a wounded kid in your arms
and started wondering
If maybe it wasn't time
To get out.
You're good.
Just a moment of weakness,
that's all.
I've always lived life
on the edge
And I'm always going to.
To prove it to you,
give me a double order
Of your infamous chili
Extra hot.
Son, you're even crazier
than I heard.
It must have been
quite a shock to hear
That fyi was undergoing
such a radical personnel change.
The network makes those kind
of changes all the time.
I'll explain how that works
After I introduce you
to this man.
Phil, this is
roger kenilworth of the bbc.
No story on fyi
would be complete without him.
How about one of your
colorful, longer stories?
Yes, maybe...
Let me tell you
a little story
That involved margaret thatcher,
the joint chiefs of staff
And why we don't serve pretzels
in here anymore.
Hello, colleagues.
Oh, peter!
Hi, peter.
I hate that guy.
I hesitate to say this,
but miles could be right.
Perhaps
we're resisting peter
Solely on the basis
of our own egos.
I think it's time
we invite him to join us.
Why?
Traitor.
Say, peter?
We can't let
the newest member of fyi
Eat lunch by himself.
Come join us.
I'm taking something
back to the office.
I've found there's too much work
to waste an hour socializing
But if you can spare the time
Bon appetit.
I need to make
a phone call.
I'm getting gum.
I have to go
to the restroom.
I'm out of condoms.
Uh...
Have I shocked you?
W-well, then
I've done my job.
Because it's the s
And it's time
that we all woke up
And took responsibility
for our own actions.
And to all you young people
in england, abstain if you can
But if you can't, be smart,
be safe. Good luck.
"I'm out of condoms"?
What in sam hill
was that?
It wasn't my fault. You guys
took all the easy ones.
Wash your hands,
buy lifesavers
Check your weight,
and get a free horoscope.
Jim, if you
And the love glove
are finished
Our new teammate
humiliated us on camera.
If you'd invited me to lunch
my first day
I'd have been thrilled.
I've tried noble,
I've tried dignified
Now it's up to murphy.
What's
your suggestion, slugger?
Once those nosey brits
are gone
We explain
to that hotshot
How things work
around here.
A few more days
And it's the opening
of hunt season. Agreed?
All:
agreed.
I thought you might like
your menus in here.
Oh, and the soup of the day
is clam chowder.
Successful years.
Now look at me.
Dangling over the edge
like a flying wallenda.
I'm not even in
the same time zone
As the rest of you.
At least you're not wedged
in the middle.
I can barely breathe.
You know
what happens to mice
When you pack them
in too tightly?
They go insane,
that's what.
Move over.
I'm never going
to be able
To do anything
for this show
Until you people get past this
thing of being threatened by me.
Now see here--
None of us
are threatened by you.
So I guess
it was luca brazzi
Who left the dead fish
on my hood.
We've been doing fine
for the past years
Without you, bub.
I'm not interested
in "just fine."
I'm interested in doing the
best news program on television
If you people are willing
to settle for less
Then maybe you should all just
follow murphy's example.
All right, seconds people.
And what exactly might that be?
Obviously, having a baby
slowed you down.
But at least you
were smart enough
To cut back on your schedule
when you realized
You couldn't
cut it anymore.
I'm spending time with my kid
because I want to
Not because I can't cut it
anymore.
Call it whatever you want.
The point is, you got
a little soft.
While that is lovely
in a mommy
It's not worth squat
In a journalist.
I'm going to do you a big favor
and forget I just heard that.
I'm just telling
you the truth
But if you can't deal with it
Maybe you should pull back
a little bit farther.
In fact, maybe you
should go home to your kid
And leave the reporting
to those of us
Who can deal with it.
In five, four, three
Good evening, and welcome to fyi
For your information tonight
frank fontana
Explores the hidden world
under new york city subways
Corky sherwood visits
a scottish wool factory
And our new
correspondent
Peter hunt reports on
the continuing crisis in bosnia.
But fit, murphy brown
confronts the issue
Of television v*olence
Head on.
And thank you, peter,
for that compelling--
If initially sporadic--
report on bosnia.
This has been another edition
of fyi.
Good night
And we're clear.
Be sure to catch highlights
of tonight's show later on espn.
Roger, roger, rog...
I'm not giving you
the tape.
You can't put
that on the air.
It's sensationalistic.
Showing that would pander
To the worst
in your audience.
The bbc doesn't do that
kind of thing.
Of course we do, miles.
We just do it
with an accent
So it sounds classier.
You pasty-faced scone-sucking
hack!
I want that tape!
Come on, murphy.
Let's go to phil's
and get some ice for that hand.
In a minute.
I think peter and I
Have something
to talk about first.
Maybe we should hang around
in case something happens.
Relax, frank.
She's in no danger.
Actually, I was worried
about you.
Don't worry, you guys.
I'll catch up.
We'll save you a seat,
slugger.
I almost forgot why I gave her
that nickname.
So?
So?
I'm waiting.
For what?
An apology.
I'm the one standing here
With $ worth of bridgework
I'm in my pocket.
If anybody should apologize,
it's you.
All right.
I'm sorry I hit you
in the jaw
But I didn't have clear sh*t
at your stomach.
Okay. That's better.
By the way,
you have convinced me.
There is too much v*olence
on television.
Thank you.
Although, your story
would have been better
If you'd used some of my ideas.
Oh, you just don't learn,
do you?
Sure I do.
I'm standing farther away
This time.
You may be good
But there are four
other reporters on this show
Just as good or better.
And if you don't learn to
bend a little
Your dentist is going to be
a very rich man.
Am I supposed
to be scared by that?
I've been through beirut,
mogadishu
And the baggage claim area
at kennedy airport.
I think I can survive
this neighborhood.
I just got it.
How could I have been so stupid
When it was staring me
straight in the face?
Well, good night.
Oh, right.
And this is where I'm
supposed to ask
"What's staring you
right in the face?"
Only since I don't care, I'm
not going to ask. Good night.
Nice try, petey.
You think you
don't have to ask
Because I won't be able
to resist telling you.
But I can resist, easily.
So long.
There could be few things staring
me right in the face about you too, you know.
You're bluffing.
You asking?
Okay. Count of three.
One, two, three.
The giants need a quarterback.
This macho thing's a cover.
What did you say?
This macho thing is
just a cover.
What did you say?
The giants need a quarterback.
I didn't think
You had anything.
What do you mean,
"this macho thing"?
The bravado, the w*r stories
The flak jacket with the subtle,
but prominent, bullethole.
It's a great image.
Even if the guy
behind it
Is starting
to feel a little shaky.
That is such a load of crap.
Yeah?
Then why take a job
Where you're going to be spending
more time behind an anchor desk
And less time in the field?
Sounds to me like you're the one
Pulling back around here
because you can't cut it.
I took this job
because I wanted to
Not because i...
Nicely done.
Makes you want to deck
someone, doesn't it?
All right, I had no business
saying what I said to you.
I probably
would have decked me too.
Maybe, uh, maybe
you did strike a nerve.
Not because it's the truth
But because I know
some people are wondering
Am I pulling back
because I've lost my edge
Because I'm not as hungry
as I used to be.
Tell me about it.
Some people probably
are thinking
That I took this job
Because that last b*llet
was a little too close
Or that last border guard
a little too crazy.
It's ridiculous what
some people lie awake
Worrying about till :
in the morning.
: ? Try : .
You were up till : ?
I wasn't talking about me.
I wasn't talking about me, either.
I was talking about jane pauley.
I was talking
about stone phillips.
Murphy:
those people have problems.