Murder, She Wrote: Season 1

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Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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Universal acclaim based on 6 Ratings

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Murder, She Wrote: Season 1

Now Playing: Murder, She Wrote: Season 1

Season Details & Credits

CBS | Season Premiere Date: September 30, 1984

Starring: Angela Lansbury

Summary: Murder seems to follow Jessica Fletcher, a former English teacher and a mystery writer full of charm, zest-for-life, and personality; who happens to become "the investigator" when traveling around the country to promote a series of novels. Murder always occurs when she is present. Even in Cabot Cove!

Although Angela Lansbury was the onlyMurder seems to follow Jessica Fletcher, a former English teacher and a mystery writer full of charm, zest-for-life, and personality; who happens to become "the investigator" when traveling around the country to promote a series of novels. Murder always occurs when she is present. Even in Cabot Cove!

Although Angela Lansbury was the only regular character throughout the series entire run, she was frequently joined by a number of recurring and special guest stars, including Tom Bosley as Sheriff Amos Tupper in the early seasons and Ron Masak as Sheriff Mort Metzger in the later seasons, William Windom as Dr. Seth Hazlitt, Michael Horton as her nephew Grady Fletcher (one of her many, many relatives), and from time to time Jerry Orbach would appear as private eye Harry McGraw. Orbach's role later led into a short-lived spin-off, The Law & Harry McGraw.

The series aired a total of 263 color episodes from 7 October 1984 through 19 May 1996 and five telemovies (including the pilot movie, which aired in September of 1984).

As of the fall of 2009, 10 seasons have been released on DVD, with the 11th season due to be released in early 2010.… Expand

Creator: William Link and Richard Levinson and Peter S. Fischer

Genre(s): Drama, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

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S1:E22. Funeral at Fifty-mile
Air Date: April 21, 1985
tbd
S1:E21. Murder at the Oasis
Air Date: April 7, 1985
tbd
S1:E20. Armed Response
Air Date: March 31, 1985

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Critic Reviews

100

Kay Gardella

Feb 1, 2022

The star of the show, Angela Lansbury, keeps you tuned in no matter what happens to the plot. It's a joy to watch an intelligent actress go through her paces. [28 Sep 1984, p.C26]

Jack Thomas

Feb 1, 2022

Like any good mystery, though, Murder She Wrote has the ups and downs and twists and turns of a roller-coaster, and it's a ride you'd probably enjoy. [22 Sep 1984, p.7]

Eric Mink

Feb 1, 2022

Murder, She Wrote looks like the most intriguing, if lighthearted, adult show of the new CBS entries. [17 Sep 1984, p.3E]

Mike Duffy

Feb 1, 2022

Murder, She Wrote isn't up to Columbo class yet. But the show does display enough wit and style to make it a top-notch entertainment alternative to the noisy head-banging and mayhem on Knight Rider and Hardcastle & McCormick. [30 Sep 1984]

Noel Holston

Feb 1, 2022

Although it could have been wrapped up in 90 minutes without hurting the plot, and despite Lansbury's characterization getting a mite precious at times, the premiere is colorful, stylish entertainment, pleasantly free of acrobatic automobiles and chock full of semi-campy cameos by the likes of Keith, Ned Beatty, Arthur Hill and Anne Francis. [28 Sep 1984, p.E]

Lee Winfrey

Feb 1, 2022

Lansbury does her best with her characterization of Jessica and it is conceivable that her series, which should inherit a substantial audience from 60 Minutes, which precedes it on CBS, may emerge as one of the new hits of the fall season. [30 Sep 1984, p.62]

Steve Sonsky

Feb 1, 2022

A stylish fraud, but a fraud nonetheless. [29 Sep 1984, p.7D]

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Seasons & Episodes

71

Series Overview
Season 16

tbd
- Season 16 Overview
  Air Date: September 30, 1984
Season 15

tbd
- Season 15 Overview
  Air Date: September 30, 1984
Season 14

tbd
- Season 14 Overview
  Air Date: September 30, 1984
Season 13

tbd
- Season 13 Overview
  Air Date: September 30, 1984
Season 12

tbd
- Season 12 Overview
  Air Date: September 21, 1995
Season 11

tbd
- Season 11 Overview
  Air Date: September 25, 1994
Season 10

tbd
- Season 10 Overview
  Air Date: September 12, 1993
Season 9

tbd
- Season 9 Overview
  Air Date: September 20, 1992
Season 8

tbd
- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: September 15, 1991
Season 7

tbd
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: September 16, 1990
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: September 24, 1989
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: October 23, 1988
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 20, 1987
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 28, 1986
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 29, 1985
Season 1

71
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 30, 1984
- tbd
  S1:E22. Funeral at Fifty-mile
  Air Date: April 21, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E21. Murder at the Oasis
  Air Date: April 7, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E20. Armed Response
  Air Date: March 31, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E19. Murder Takes the Bus
  Air Date: March 17, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E18. Footnote to Murder
  Air Date: March 10, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E17. Sudden Death
  Air Date: March 3, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E16. Tough Guys Don't Die
  Air Date: February 24, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E16. Tough Guys Don't Die
  Air Date: February 24, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E15. Paint Me A Murder
  Air Date: February 17, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E14. My Johnny Lies Over The Ocean
  Air Date: February 10, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E13. Murder to a Jazz Beat
  Air Date: February 3, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E12. Broadway Malady
  Air Date: January 13, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E11. Capitol Offense
  Air Date: January 6, 1985
- tbd
  S1:E10. Death Casts A Spell
  Air Date: December 30, 1984
- tbd
  S1:E9. Death Takes A Curtain Call
  Air Date: December 16, 1984
- tbd
  S1:E8. We're Off To Kill The Wizard
  Air Date: December 9, 1984
- tbd
  S1:E7. Hit, Run and Homicide
  Air Date: November 25, 1984
- tbd
  S1:E6. Lovers and Other Killers
  Air Date: November 18, 1984
- tbd
  S1:E5. It's A Dog's Life
  Air Date: November 4, 1984
- tbd
  S1:E4. Hooray for Homicide
  Air Date: October 28, 1984
- tbd
  S1:E3. Birds of a Feather
  Air Date: October 14, 1984
- tbd
  S1:E3. Birds of a Feather
  Air Date: October 14, 1984
- tbd
  S1:E2. Deadly Lady
  Air Date: October 7, 1984
- 6.5
  S1:E1. The Murder Of Sherlock Holmes
  Air Date: September 30, 1984