Well, it all began about two years ago. I had been a fan of "Murphy Brown" for as long as the series was on the air, and since it was the final season of "Murphy Brown," I decided to do something specials for all the other fans out there. Thus, the "Murphy Brown" Newsletter was born.
The Newsletter consisted of the next week's episode synopsis, "Murphy" News, cast biographies, trivia, episode guides, etc.
I had met a very sweet woman online one day a few years back named Suzi. She was doing publicity for a few different television shows and stars, and she said she'd help me get into contact with the "Murphy Brown" production studios, to ask them, weekly, if they had any news.
So, I called, and spoke to a VERY nice man named Ernest, who was one of the assistants on the show. He gave me some news, some guest stars who were going to be on episodes, etc. And he said he was going to check out my Newsletter, as he was online also!
So, March of 1998 was here, and the final episode was to be filmed in a few weeks. Suzi called up Ernest and asked him if there was any more news. The usual: guest stars on the final episode, etc. Then Suzi asked him something that blew ME away: "Do you think Nick could get a few tickets to see the final episode taping?" Ernest's response: "Oh, sure! I'll see what I can do."
So, I was making plans, almost buying my plane ticket, and then Ernest called Suzi, with a call I didn't like...LOL. He said he was very sorry, but all the tickets were gone, to former cast members, writers, directors, producers, network brass, family members, etc. Que sera, sera, right?
But, Ernest did something for me that I will never forget. He offered to send me an autographed script from the final episode: "Never Can Say Goodbye, Part 2." He sent it priority to me, as well as a few other scripts from the final episode. If I couldn't see the taping, I thought, this is the best!
But, the best was yet to come!
Suzi knew how disappointed I was that I couldn't see the taping, so she did be one better. I found out that the cast of "Murphy Brown" would come together one last time, on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" in Chicago. So, Suzi worked her magic and called up the Warner Brother's Publicity Department, explained who I was, etc, and he got me three tickets for the taping! And there's more! One of the producers wanted me to *speak* on the show! I thought I died and went to heaven!
So, she told me to bring my memorabilia: scripts, pictures, shirts, hats, newsletters, etc. As I would be classified as "Murphy's #1 Fan." I've arrived! LOL. So, I said sure, and I got all of my stuff together.
So, the day arrived, I took the day off, and took the hour long trek downtown. I took my mother with me, as she is also a fan, and we were among the first ten "special audience guests" to be let in the studio. Front row center! The rest of the audience got seated, and the producer I spoke to on the phone put a microphone on me. She whispered, "Don't be upset if Oprah doesn't talk to you. You are scheduled to be in one of the segments, but Oprah takes the show where Oprah wants to take it." I looked her in the eyes, and said "Oh, believe me, I don't care! This is just an honor just to be here." Good thing I said that, because I didn't get to talk...LOL.
Audience warm-up came out, asked some "Murphy" trivia, and piped in some of Candice's favorite "soul" music. And then, the moment arrived, Oprah came out! Thunderous applause!
She introduced Candice, spoke to her about the show, about her husband, Louis. Her eyes were welling up with tears, as were Oprah's. Then, after a break, they introduced Faith Ford, Joe Regalbuto, and Charles Kimbrough. It was fun watching all of them sit together, reminiscing, crying. They took another break, and on came Lily Tomlin! This was an honor in itself, as I have been a fan of Lily's long before she was on "Murphy Brown." It was hilarious when the camera wasn't on Faith and Joe, as Faith kept kicking Joe in the shoe.
Lily, Charles, and Faith waved at me, and Faith blew me kisses. Well, not really...I was kinda sitting next to her fiance...LOL
It was a great honor, and as Oprah thanked them all for being on the show, I knew this would be an experience I would not soon forget.
As for Suzi, she's now doing her work from Illinois-she moved in with me, and we got married. :-) Love you Suzi!