All language subtitles for murphy_brown_s05e09_me_thinks_my_parents_doth_protest_too_much

Rita, we've got a big change of
schedule. Call editing and cancel my

then call research and tell them I need
an assistant in 20 minutes. Then see if

you can reschedule my lunch with Cokie
Roberts for next Tuesday. You got that?

Absolutely. Let me get a pencil so I can
write that down.

Just add one.

Rita!

I want you to hear this, guys. You too.

I'm dumping my story on hospital
negligence. Something great just came

do you mean you're dumping it? You're
flying to San Diego in two days to shoot

it. What's going on?

Nobody told me we were having a meeting.
I'm senior anchor. I should be told

these things. It's not a meeting, Jim.

That's what they told Arthur Kent when
he stumbled under their little lie.

He knew what did him. His pachinko
machine was out in the hall and everyone

welcoming a new guy named Bob.

You know we don't drop stories this late
in the game unless it's something

really big.

Okay, Miles, you tell me if it's big or
not. 20 ,000 people descending on

Washington to protest an oil company
that's been abusing the environment for

over two decades.

A protest against Noram Petroleum?

No doubt a reaction to their recent
tanker spill. How many people here knew

that? You see, lucky I happened by.

We're all lucky, Jim.

Lucky to be living in a country where
ordinary citizens can stand up to a

callous corporate giant and demand to be
heard. I love this story. Who's

organizing the demonstration, Murphy?

Coalition for Tomorrow. I just got this
fax from their New York office.

Coalition for Tomorrow.

No,

no, no, no. I have never heard of these
guys. That's too bad. That would have

been a nice story. What's everybody
doing this weekend?

Miles, what are you talking about?

Everybody's heard of the Coalition for
Tomorrow. They've been around for years.

And look at the board of directors.

Two former senators, a retired admiral.

Oh, and look, here's something funny.

They're two people by the name of
Silverberg.

Nathan and Connie.

Are they in relation?

You killed me. Come here, you crazy pig.
No, no, no, no.

Silverberg is a very common name in New
York. It's like Wong in China or O

'Brien in Ireland.

Or a little liar in the newsroom. Come
on, Miles, what are you hiding? You're

sweating so much we could open a water
slide on your forehead.

You killed me. Come here, you crazy pig.

Miles, we're not buying it. Now, come
on. These people are relatives of yours,

aren't they? Admit it.

They're not relatives.

They're my parents. What?

They're founding members of the
coalition.

In fact, they're founding members of
just about every coalition.

If there was a coalition of the month
club, they'd be founding members of

That's wonderful.

Does it mean they're coming to town?
Well, I wouldn't be surprised.

If it fits in, pickets or marches,
they'll be there.

Well, what do you know?

Miles, I need a tax shelter, Silverberg,
son of radical activists.

It isn't funny, Murphy.

You try growing up with parents like
mine. When I was nine, I was drummed out

the Cub Scouts because my mother
declared it a fascist organization.

four college teaching jobs in five years
because he kept encouraging his

students to overtake the dean's office.
Two of those times he was the dean.

I'm confused.

Didn't you once say your parents had a
one -hour martinizing franchise?

Yes, I made it all up. I was
embarrassed, all right? I mean, they're

and I love them, but everything is a
cause to them, the fanatics.

Oh, Miles, you're exaggerating.

Everybody paints a worse picture of
their parents than they actually are.

Except for Frank.

She's right. My parents are the worst.
My mother made me practice the mamba

her in the living room in front of the
big picture window where all my friends

could see.

Big deal.

My parents picketed my senior prom
dressed as dolphins because tuna was

served as an appetizer.

Oh, yeah?

My mom once made me get a crew cut
because she caught me in the attic with

Pat Savarese playing St. Francis and the
Cigarette Girl.

That's nothing.

What is it?

Yes,

yes, a story on hospital negligence. I'm
sure you will do a wonderful job. Now,

if you'll excuse me. Miles, are you
saying you won't let me cover one of the

most important protests of the decade
because you're afraid your parents will

show up dressed as Flipper?

Might I remind you we have a
responsibility to our viewers? No, not

viewers, but to all of humanity for
generations to come.

Forget humanity.

I've got bigger problems.

Nathan and Connie Silverberg are coming
to town.

We're not discussing that, Corky.

But don't your parents want to meet us?

Parents always want to meet your friend.

And so far, you're the only ones we
haven't met.

Except for Jams.

That's only because they're dead.

Right, kid?

Yes, Corky, but why should we let that
stop us?

Matter of fact, the next time Doris and
I drive up to the Dial family mausoleum,

why don't we all go?

Hell, let's bring a cake and party down.

Corky, they're not going to have time
for that.

only here to protest. Believe me, this
is strictly a chance and run kind of

thing. Is this table just for the
cultural elite, or can anybody sit here?

Nathan! Connie!

Look, everybody.

It's Nathan and Connie.

Hello, Miles. You're looking good. How's
your colon holding up?

Fine. And yours?

It's good, because I eat whole grains
and practice yoga, unlike you, Mr. Fast

Food, Mr. Red Meat.

Here, I made a list of organic food
stores in the area.

Please. For me.

I'm coming out of editing, and who
should be in the corridor looking for

your parents? We would have gotten here
a lot sooner, but, well, we ran into the

president of the network, and God, we're
talking about things.

Things? Yeah, like how he can sleep at
night when his creatively corrupt

is pouring out hour after hour of his
deepest garbage while ignoring its

obligation to educate the public. Things
like that.

He wants to talk to you later.

Hello.

Horky Sherwood, of course.

I haven't met many radical activists, so
if I say anything to offend you, please

let me know.

So have you blown up many buildings?

Murphy Brown.

You know, Miles has told us so much
about you, haven't you, Miles?

Really, did he say we were dry cleaners
or the king and queen of SofaBed City?

When he was nine, he told his friends we
were in the circus.

Nate was the guy who got shot out of the
cannon, and I hung from a rope by my

teeth.

I bet you get some great stories about
Miles. What was he like as a kid?

He was very shy, weren't you, Miles?
When he was in Little League, Nate and I

used to hide behind trees in the park to
watch him play because he didn't want

it there. Well, that was only after you
staged a sit -in in second base to

protest to call an umpire, Nate. You
were clearly safe.

Right. My refer is murder.

Connie, please.

It's not like I threw ketchup on her.

This is turning out to be a fascinating
lunch.

Tell me, How was puberty for a young
Miles? Well, so much for chatting. Don't

you all have editing notes due on my
desk by 2 o 'clock?

Uh -oh, somebody's cracking the whip.

It was wonderful meeting you. Oh, and I
love your peace tattoo.

Thank you. I got it in Berkeley. The
colors are fading a little now.

But the butterfly in her thigh is still
vibrant and alive.

Nature lover.

Oh, my.

Well, perhaps we'll see you again during
your visit. Until then, power to the

people.

By the way, Miles, about that little
competition we were having yesterday,

win.

Oh.

Don't you have to be going too, Murphy?
Uh -uh.

Hey, there.

Let me clear some of these things out of
the way.

You shouldn't sit like that, Miles.
You'll develop a hump.

Friend, are you protected by the Union?

Me?

No. Unbelievable.

You can talk to us. Your boss taking
advantage of you. It happens all the

in joints like this, you know.

Does it now?

Unpaid wages, long hours, no benefit.
Say the word and we can throw off a

against the management scum in no time.

Who the hell are these people?

These are Miles' parents, Connie and
Nathan Silverberg.

And this is Phil.

As in Phil's on the napkin, on the menu,
on the window. Phil! Phil!

Not just a coincidence.

How about that, Carter? We did it again,
huh?

Oh, that's okay. First of all, I do run
a union crew.

Second, I like your kid.

And third, there's a fancy -schmancy
steakhouse down the street called Chad's

that's non -union.

Chad's? That's right.

Green awning out front, valet parking by
the curb. You can't miss it.

That'll teach Chad to spread rumors that
I get my meat from the National Harness

Racing Association.

You know, it's funny. Miles and I were
just talking about the possibility of my

doing a story on the Noram protest.

But we decided against it. Why? They
deserve the attention.

You know, we've been working to keep
Noram honest since the Point Lobo

protest. Really? Since 1971?

We've organized boycotts against them,
letter -writing campaigns.

Remember when you and your friends
stuffed envelopes at your 14th birthday

party? Oh, I remember.

We tried to play spin the bottle later,
but everybody had paper cups on their

tongue.

And you served lemonade.

I can still hear the screams.

Fighting the same corporate giant for
over 20 years. What commitment.

You know, an interview with you two
would make a terrific background piece

the story. No, it wouldn't.

Yes, it would. Thanks, but we don't want
to do anything that would take focus

off the protest.

You see, they don't want to do it
anyway, even if you were doing the

which you're not. It wouldn't attract.
It would strengthen it. It wouldn't. It

would. You think?

Trust me. Well, let's do it. I said no.

No. But it's my show.

Miles, your eye is twitching.

This settles it.

Nathan and I are treating you to ten
sessions at the Kundalini Yoga Center,

we won't take no for an answer.

Of course you won't.

Nobody in this team thinks no for an
answer, do they? Fine, you do your

you do what you want, so what if it goes
against my wishes?

So what if it kills me?

It must have been a joy to toilet train.

We're here... Miles, where are your
parents?

You were supposed to have them here for
the pre -interview.

They refused to ride in my BMW as part
of their ongoing boycott of the internal

combustion engine.

They said they prefer walking. It's good
exercise and it gives them the chance

to continue their search for the
ultimate bran muffin.

Jeez, Miles. If your eyes were any
pinker, I'd have to buy you gerbil food

an exercise wheel.

Last night was a nightmare.

I forgot how excited my parents get
before a protest.

And when I say excited, I mean excited.

Wow. Really?

After 30 years of marriage, they still
have that kind of passion for one

another? That's great.

So do I, in theory.

In the next room, it's another story.

I got up three times to answer the door
before I realized what was going on.

How on God's earth am I supposed to look
them in the eye when they get here? Do

what I do. Look them right in the
forehead.

They think you're making eye contact,
but you're really not. Oh, I'm not going

to do that. It's absurd. Jubilant.

I'm getting the hell out before they get
here.

Connie, how nice to see you again. Miles
tells me you're enjoying your visit.

Bye now.

Is there something on my forehead?

Hi, glad you could make it.

I mean, make it here to the office, as
opposed to making it somewhere else.

Here's the coffee. I'll get here.

I told you, Nate, we were too loud.

Hello again.

I didn't know how long you'd be in town,
but I wrote down... A few places I

thought you might enjoy.

The Arboretum is always a treat.

DuPont Circle has excellent shopping.
And you absolutely should miss the First

Lady's Dress Collection at the
Smithsonian.

Thank you. But the only free time we
have is this afternoon before the

And we volunteer to serve lunch at a
homeless shelter.

Oh. Well, that's fun, too.

If I don't see you before you go, enjoy
the protest.

Thanks. Although today's demonstrations
aren't what they used to be.

In the old days, we'd prepare for tear
gas, fire hoses, police dogs.

Gosh, those were fun times.

They're so cute.

Murphy, before you go down to the
demonstration, I just wanted you to know

been doing a lot of thinking about it,
and you were right. It is a good story,

and I'm glad you talked me into covering
it.

What do you want, Miles?

Please, please, please.

Don't shoot a lot of footage of my
parents shouting and waving their fists

the air, okay? They're very enthusiastic
people, and with all the television

cameras around, I'm afraid they might
get carried away and do something

Miles, the work your parents are doing
is very important.

If you could just get past the personal
embarrassment and look at the bigger

picture, you would see that.

It's not just the embarrassment, Murphy.

Believe me, I've learned how to deal
with that.

Well, almost.

What I haven't learned how to deal with
is the fear. My whole life, I've been

watching these people go off to these
demonstrations, terrified of what might

happen to them. I've seen them come home
with black eyes and bruises. I just

don't want to go through it anymore.
Hey, Murph. Murph, I just heard that

Noram's beefing up security. They're
going to try to clear out the building

before the press shows up.

Oh, boy. I better get down there. Miles,
you want to come along? I can't.

Miles, this demonstration could get
pretty rough. You sure your parents are

going to be all right? I can't spend my
whole life worrying about them, Frank.

They should be down in Florida playing
Marzong and complaining that I don't

them enough like other people's parents.
My parents once complained I called

them too much. Stop it, Frank! We're not
playing that game anymore!

I got a crew waiting. I gotta go. Miles,
I'll try to keep an eye on them for

you.

Oh, man.

I wish I could separate myself from my
parents like that.

I remember the time my father crashed
his golf cart into the snack bar. He

me that the hot dog bun was pushing his
ball, but I still had to fly down there

right away and make sure he was okay.
And here you are. Your parents are going

off to face God knows what.

Man, I admire you. You are one tough.

Where are you going? Where do you think,
Frank? They're my parents.

Golf cart.

Hot dog bun.

Talk to me when you have something.

What's most inspiring is the dedication
you've shown over the decades.

What I wonder is, does it ever get a
little discouraging, the lack of shots?

Miles, you're in the shot. Why are you
here anyway?

Security is starting to clear the lobby.
I think we should go. What are you

talking about, Joe? We're in the middle
of taping. I was just going to tell that

story about me and Connie at the
Seabrook power plant protest.

You were at Seabrook? I was at Seabrook.
No kidding.

Where were you? I was chained to the
fence on the north side of the reactor.

were playing dead at the main entrance.

Later? Come on, I want to leave before
somebody gets hurt. Miles, we're fine.

Now just get out of the shot and let me
finish up. No, I will not just get out

of the shot.

No, if you're not going to come with me,
then I'll just stay in here and ruin

your interview. I'll just have a little
protest of my own. I hate when he gets

like this.

He probably grew up with that
alternative lifestyle commune. He lost

the car and refused to come out.

Families were playing softball in the
nude. I wasn't going to do that,

especially with all those straight dogs
running around.

I want to see if I can get a quote. Come
on, guys. Be right back. Mr. Scofield!

Do you know how hard it is to get
airtime on a show like FYI? Of course I

I'm the executive producer!

Come on, here we go. Let's go, folks. I
have orders to vacate the building.

I'm trying to get them to leave soon.
Just give me a minute. I don't have a

minute. Come on. You too, Johnny. No,
you don't understand how you're hurting

arm! Hey, you can't do this! I'm a U .S.
citizen!

Back off, boys!

Buzz?

We don't call them that anymore.

Besides, he's not even a real cop. He's
one of those rent -a -cops. What's the

matter? Quick, dear pastor, which end do
I hold the Billy Club test?

Hey, Mike, come over here. Here we go.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, we're going to. Hey,
hear me?

Take your hands off of me.

Why don't you give it another try?

Miles.

Come on, boy. You're going to have to
talk to her later.

You want to talk?

How's this?

Look at me.

I was arrested today.

My fingers are stained with ink.

The ink that's touched the heads of
robbers and murderers.

rags of society.

Present company excluded.

Miles, please, try to keep this in
perspective.

It's only a misdemeanor.

And being that it's your first offense,
you can probably cop a plea and get off

with probation.

Cop a plea?

My mother wants me to cop a plea.

You should be making a three -bean salad
or sitting under a hair dryer bragging

to your friends about my salary. What is
wrong with you people?

Why can't you be normal parents?

What's that supposed to mean?

We are having this conversation in a
jail.

Doesn't that say anything to you?

My whole life has been about you and
your causes.

Even our summer vacation.

We never went to Disney World or the
Jersey Shore or the Grand Canyon like I

wanted. No, the Silverbergs drove to
California and picked grapes with Cesar

Chavez.

That's right.

You learned Spanish and met some very
nice people.

Yeah. And you stepped on barbed wire and
we had to drive 50 miles to get you a

tetanus shot.

Every time you stopped talking, I
thought you had lockjaw.

The year we marched in Boston, Nathan
got knocked over by a police horse and

dislocated his shoulder.

For years, I had nightmares whenever I
watched Mr. Ed. What kind of a childhood

is that?

Miles, we had no idea you felt this way.

Why haven't you said something before
now?

What was I supposed to say?

Don't save Bolivia this weekend. I want
to go get a new bike.

Bolivia? When did we save Bolivia?

I don't know. Maybe it was Brazil. I
don't know. I don't think well of this.

realize that we haven't been the most
conventional parents, but we were trying

to give you something better than a new
bike. We were trying to give you a

better world.

And even though you may feel you didn't
get everything you need, in our eyes,

you turned out pretty great.

Your father's always bragging about you
on the picket line.

You are?

Well, yes.

What do you say?

Well, I say that within the confines of
the mainstream capitalist corporate

structure, Miles Silverberg is making a
difference.

And I tell him I'm proud of you.

You want to see my weekly pay stub?

It's all right. You left it on the
bedroom bureau.

Not bad, huh?

Yeah. Miles, you know, we don't care
anything about money, but your Uncle

is going to plot.

Miles, I know we can't do anything to
change the past, but maybe we can all do

something to change the present.

Well, you could stop protesting, but I
know that's not going to happen.

And I could stop worrying, but I know
that's not going to happen either.

But there is just...

One other thing. It's just a small
thing.

What would you think if I called you
both Mom and Dad?

Miles, Mom and Dad are figurehead
titles. It's a power trip. We had this

discussion when you were three.

We wanted you to think of us as equals.

Okay. We're equals.

Now can I call you Mom and Dad?

If it'll make you happy, it's okay with
me.

Nathan. Okay.

Which one do you want me to be, mom or
dad?

I'll be dad. How's that?

I like you.

There he is, officer.

There's the anarchist. Little Prutsky
Silverberg.

What are you doing here?

I thought I'd just come down and check
up on America's most wanted family.

How are you doing, Miles? Are you okay?

We're fine, Murphy.

I mean, we all are. Great.

In that case, I thought you might want
to see a copy of your mugshot. The

profile is especially impressive, don't
you think? I ordered one 8x10 print and

a dozen wall ties.

No, no, no, you'll get yours at
Christmas along with everyone else.

Hey, uh, what's going on here?

Noram dropped the charges. They did?
They dropped the charges? You mean I'm

arrested? No, you'll always be arrested,
dear. Just not convicted.

Oh, officer, officer, listen, do you
know where I can get the negatives of

these? I'm a little worried about the
quality if I blow it up to poster size.

How can all them drop the charges?
What's happened to them? They never

have done this in the old days.

You know, we ought to go back and
protest this. The building's probably

up by now. I suppose we could jimmy a
back door and break a window.

They do love the kid.

No, no, no, no.

Tomorrow, you can do what you want.

Tonight, we are going back to my place,
and we are doing what a normal American

family does. What, we're going to watch
TV and not talk to each other?

If that's what it takes, yes.

Okay? Mom?

Dad?

Sure. Son.

Feels like a foreign language.

I'm glad we're staying in tonight.

You know what getting arrested always
does to me?

Oh, God.

Can I just stay here?