The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane

"Murder, She Wrote" co-creator (with Richard Levinson and William Link) Peter S. Fischer would also serve as series' executive producer for 154 episodes from the pilot through Season Seven, and we're up to the last of these episodes now.

Back in Season Five, when Peter S. Fischer and company were facing a decision by the CBS network to renew this show, they continuously reworked a "sign-off" episode, facing extensive rewrites upon learning of renewal of an additional two-year run at that time. Similar negotiation are continuing with the network during the production of this episode, and so Executive Director and Writer Fischer decide to conclude it with a wink, after the final line, "That's all she wrote," which could easily be edited without much ado.

Throughout the course of these first seven seasons, series star Angela Lansbury embraced a minor difference of opinion with Executive Director Fischer over the direction of her character, Jessica B. Fletcher. While Mr. Fischer would maintain that Jessica ought to preserve a homespun quality, Miss Lansbury would express notions that Mrs. Fletcher ought to venture onto the international stage with authority, independence and fashion.

Angela does have input early on, suggesting that Jessica jog, bicycle and set aside her frumpy wardrobe for chic designs. But during the course of the series, we see Jessica's development away from the comic touches of meddlesome busybody and more toward an established authoritarian figure. After Peter S. Fischer exits his position voluntarily, David Moessinger serves in the capacity of Executive Director during Season Eight, although Angela Lansbury handles the reigns and becomes "MSW" Executive Director for the program's remaining four seasons.

"The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane" begins in Boston, Massachusetts, at the headquarters of Schmesser Brewery, which has been in the family for generations and is now left in the charge of the irresponsible Ogden Schmesser (Alex Hyde-White), who flings paper airplanes and other objects across the office when meeting with his associates, Phil Mannix (Tony Lo Bianco) and Gordon Forbes (Jameson Parker), who also serve as his brains and his henchmen if there is any way to combine these talents.

Nick Cullhane (Pat Harrington Jr.), a former sports writer, who dresses the part in loud plaid jackets and attire, has also served as spokesperson for Schmesser Brewery, his image appearing in ads and on display signs, until Odgen and company decide to drop him from the promotional campaign. Nick has been strapping financially and initially pleads for his job, but then decides to resort to publishing a "tell all" expose centering around Schmesser Brewery management's involvement in a kidnapping plot, which, if released could force the trio into legal hassles.

Vikki Palumbo (Leslie Easterbrook), an entrepreneur and personal manager for boxer Richard (Michael McGrady), he also serving as her bodyguard and love interest, wants "The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane," confidential information which could implement her in the plot.

Private Investigator Harry McGraw (Jerry Orbach) also hits the trail in search of the one copy of Nick Culhane's manuscript known to exist, which, in fact, he has previously mailed to an author whom he had met in convention, in the hopes of proofreading and preserving his research, one Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), of Cabot Cove, Maine.

Nick Cullhane, sensing danger, sneaks from Boston into Cabot Cove, although trailed by Harry McGraw, Vikki Palumbo and Richard, Ogden Schmesser, Phil Mannix and Gordon Forbes, each after the goods, while Florence (Tricia Long) remains in danger.

Jessica spots Nick's snooping around her residence, as she startles him upon her return from marketing. He asks for his manuscript, which she prepares to retrieve, when he suddenly disappears, and Harry McGraw appears to ask to hold the envelope containing the expose "for safekeeping." Although Jessica is surprised to see her old friend Harry and trusts his honesty if not his better judgment, Deputy Floyd McCallum (Will Nye) and, especially, Sheriff Mort Metzger (Ron Masak) reach completely different perceptions about this "sleezeball" and all of these other shady characters looming around the community.

This time, it's Leslie Easterbrook's turn to refer to Jessica as "That Fletcher woman," a recurring appositive of these first seven seasons, which quickly vanishes during the remaining ones.

Vikki Palumbo, Richard and Harry McGraw also have an altercation, after they consider joining forces against the Schmesser heavies, but when Richard orders Harry not to try anything fresh with Vikki, Harry quickly responds, "Everything I do should be that easy," to Vikki's feigned laughter with a "Ha!" Indeed, this "sign-off" episode purports to lace itself with plenty of comic relief, employing performers proficient in comedy, but....

When Harry breaks into a hotel room that night to search for that concealed manuscript on a hunch that he figures that he knows who possesses it, Sheriff Metzgar and Deputy Floyd arrive behind him, to turn on the lights and ask him to explain the body on the floor beside him. "What body?" Jessica must sort through the clues, to prove her old friend innocent, while continuing to search for "The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane."

The cast is rounded out by Mailman (Anthony M. Frank) (as Postmaster General Anthony Frank), Postmaster General under the U.S. Postal Service, yes, its actual Chief Executive Officer 1988-92, in his one acting role other than portraying himself in a different television production.

This episode marks the first of two "MSW" guest starring roles each for Tony Lo Bianco, Alex Hyde-White, and Jameson Parker, the third of four appearances each by Leslie Easterbrook and Michael McGrady, the fourth of four for Pat Harrington Jr., the sixth and final appearance of Jerry Orbach in his role as Boston Private Investigator Harry McGraw, and the fourteenth and final appearance of Will Nye in his role of Cabot Cove Deputy Floyd McCallum. Jerry Orbach, who began his film and acting career in 1955, has unfortunately since passed.

"The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane" was an episode that MIGHT have been the last episode of "Murder, She Wrote". It seems the producers weren't sure if the show would be renewed or if Angela Lansbury would want to do additional seasons...and the final screen shot really shows this. But, relax fans, the show was renewed and continued for several more seasons.

Nick Cullhane (Pat Harrington) is a writer fallen on hard times. Over the years, his stories have gotten worse and worse and they just don't sell any more. But his latest book is something different...and Jessica loved the manuscript. But what Jessica doesn't know is that Nick is in a lot of trouble. A bookie wants to find him and break his legs and someone also wants him dead. But why? And why are they all scrambling to find the manuscript?

On the positive side, this film features Jerry Orbach as Jessica's low-life friend, Harry McGraw. But the ending was weak, as the killer sits down with cops and explains AT LENGTH why he committed the killing...which is not especially convincing.

Everyone wants to get their hand on Nick Cullhane. More importantly his manuscript.

Cullhane is a down on his luck writer and the [promotional face for Schmesser Brewery.

After getting fired from the brewery job, he writes a manuscript based on gossip he heard about a kidnapping plot involving the brewery heir.

The family does not want this story out in the open. Cullhane has sent a manuscript to his friend Jessica Fletcher.

Loan shark Vikki Palumbo also wants to get hold of the manuscript. She sends Private Investigator Harry McGraw on what looks like a wild goose chase. Trace the voice of a woman in a phone message. Only Harry knows it is Jessica's voice.

It all ends with Cullhane getting murdered and Harry getting the arrested by the sheriff.

This was an enjoyable episode. A few red herrings, a couple of likely suspects. Some good comedy from Harry.

A satisfactory way to end the seventh series. The sign off at the end indicated that the show might not get renewed.

Have always been quite fond of 'Murder She Wrote'. It is a fun and relaxing watch that makes you think as you try to unwind in the evening. If one wants more complex, twisty mysteries with lots of tension and suspense 'Murder She Wrote' may not be for you, but if you want something light-hearted and entertaining but still provide good mysteries 'Murder She Wrote' fits the bill just fine.

"The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane" was nearly the end of 'Murder She Wrote', with Angela Lansbury not being sure whether she wanted to continue with the show. It turned out it didn't, although it is the final episode of the Peter Fischer era, and carried on for another five seasons. While the quality became increasingly inconsistent (Seasons 9 and 12 especially) there were still some great episodes (as well as some stinkers) and Lansbury proved she still had it in her and not lost her mojo. Considering the uncertain circumstances behind the scenes, "The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane" was pretty good if not the going out with a bang one expects from a season finale.

Some of the story is a little disorganised and pacing isn't always tight, will admit too to not being surprised all that much by the reveal of the murderer and motive having suspected them early on. How they're caught and what incriminated them are more believable though than those of some previous episodes and a lot later on. None of the guest supporting cast that are not any of the recurring characters/actors are bad, especially when compared to some guest stars from the previous episodes and the casting of many of the younger cast members in the later seasons, but only three properly stand out.

Otherwise there is a lot to like. Angela Lansbury can't be faulted, that Jessica Fletcher as has been said by me many times is one of her most famous roles is hardly an enigma. Nor can the very charming Jerry Orbach (in sadly his final appearance as Harry McGraw, one of the better recurring characters and deserving of more episodes) and the easy presence of Ron Masak.

Pat Harrington is excellent in the role of Nick Cullhane. Leslie Easterbrook and Tony Lo Bianco are the other standouts.

Most of the mystery is very intriguing and is easy to follow, let down a little by moments of less than tight pacing, some disorganisation and the obvious ending.

As for the production values, they are slick and stylish as ever and the picturesque Cabot Cove and its close knit community is always a pleasure. The music has energy and has presence but also not making the mistake of over-scoring, while it is hard to forget or resist the theme tune. The writing is thoughtful, cosy and light-hearted while taking itself seriously as well.

In summary, pretty good ending for Season 7. Not one of its best episodes like "Who Killed J.B. Fletcher?", "The Return of Preston Giles", "Murder Plain and Simple", "A Body to Die For", "The Family Jewels" and "Thursday's Child", but much better than "Where Have You Gone, Billy Boy", "Trials and Tribulations", "The Great Twain Robbery", "Suspicion of Murder", "From the Horse's Mouth" and "Family Doctor". 7/10 Bethany Cox

A friend of Jessica's sends her the manuscript for his latest book, and soon several interested parties descend on Cabot Cove, with one mission, to get hold of it.

Series seven has been excellent in general, one of the most consistent runs in the show's history, and this is a fitting, quality end to it. It has an end of show feel about it, and if things had been different, this could have been the end for Lansbury.

What starts off as an almost light hearted caper, becomes something a lot deeper, a little serious, definitely an episode where it's not clear 'whodunnit,' or why, until the end.

This is a very well acted episode, with a very good cast, Leslie Easterbrook and Tony Lo Bianco were both terrific in their respective roles.

Hopefully series eight is as good, 8/10.