Who exactly was "The Network?" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JulieSomoski · 12-04-2007, 08:56 PM

In many episodes, we always hear about "The Network", but they never tell us exactly what network they're referring to. It could be made up, but I thought it would be fun to try and guess which one it was.

I know it can't be FOX, because in one episode, Murphy meets with an executive from the "Wolf" network, and that of course was supposed to resemble FOX. Were there any other references to any of the other networks?

Kristen · 12-04-2007, 10:23 PM

I think FYI was supposed to be on CBS. Because in one of the Season 9 episodes, Stan Lansing threw a party and invited Hector Elizondo of Chicago Hope, and he says to Hector, "Sure, you can leave. Go back to Chicago, and hope I don't cancel your show." I think there were other references to the show being on CBS, too.

- Kristen

JulieSomoski · 12-05-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristen

I think FYI was supposed to be on CBS. Because in one of the Season 9 episodes, Stan Lansing threw a party and invited Hector Elizondo of Chicago Hope, and he says to Hector, "Sure, you can leave. Go back to Chicago, and hope I don't cancel your show." I think there were other references to the show being on CBS, too.

- Kristen

Yeah, and the show was pretty much supposed to be a 60-Minutes type show. I was thinking either CBS or ABC, because I believe in another episode they talk about one of the NBC executives wanting Murphy for their network. I just always laughed at how they would never say the name of the network, just "The Network".

factsoflife · 06-26-2009, 08:40 PM

I am 100% certain that FYI was supposed to have aired on CBS because they often mentioned other CBS programming on the show. One time Murphy mentioned shopping at the CBS gift shop and getting "dr. quinn tote bags" or something like that. and in another episode while Murphy is talking to the head of the network he wonders where on the schedule he has put "Dave's World" another CBS show that was airing at the time.

They just couldn't say outright it was CBS because of potential legal issues or perhaps it was just how people in TV talk about their network.

visaman666 · 04-10-2012, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factsoflife

I
They just couldn't say outright it was CBS because of potential legal issues or perhaps it was just how people in TV talk about their network.

In the last season they dropped "The Network, and plainly said CBS.

factsoflife · 04-10-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visaman666

In the last season they dropped "The Network, and plainly said CBS.

okay and there you have it.

Jamey Greek · 02-19-2014, 04:57 AM

Tonight I watched Murphy Brown on encore classic. It was the episode where Jim cracks up on the air and takes some time off as a result. And Connie Chung was mentioned resulting in Jim doing gte news break and Murphy mentioned channel 9 so I put two and two together.

Jamey Greek · 03-12-2014, 07:17 PM

And right now I am watching the episode of MB where Murphy's comment about short people gets her into trouble and a clip of Muephy on CBS This Morning and Psula Zahn referred to Murphy as "our colleague"

Jamey Greek · 05-06-2014, 07:17 PM

Confusing I am watching the episode of Murphy where FYI is honored with an award and the man in charge of the dinner pointed out that FYI premiered in September 1977 at 9:00/8 central after the short-lived but underrated show Mulligan's Stew. Which was an NBC show apparently, FYI either started on NBC but moved to CBS or in the MB universe, Mulligan's stew was on CBS instead of NBC.

Jamey Greek · 06-05-2014, 07:10 PM

There was also reference to the cast of FYI making a cameo appearance on Dr. Quinn.

Jamey Greek · 06-09-2014, 07:12 PM

Also when Frank was panicking about cutbacks he said "Between Letterman and that Murder She Wrote lady, they can't afford white-out!"

Jamey Greek · 06-09-2014, 07:26 PM

Also Murphy mentioned Bill Paley so sure enough the network was CBS.

Jamey Greek · 06-20-2014, 07:09 PM

Watching MB and the episode where FYI goes on location at the Olympics in Norway. And CBS had the rights to the Winter Olympics then.

TMC · 06-21-2014, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamey Greek

Watching MB and the episode where FYI goes on location at the Olympics in Norway. And CBS had the rights to the Winter Olympics then.

Murphy even says "No wonder we lost football!" This episode originally aired in early 1994, which was around the same time that Fox outbid CBS (in December '93) for the broadcasting rights to the National Football Conference.

Jamey Greek · 07-04-2014, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

Murphy even says "No wonder we lost football!" This episode originally aired in early 1994, which was around the same time that Fox outbid CBS (in December '93) for the broadcasting rights to the National Football Conference.

Yup and in tonight's episode they talk about losing football and eight affiliates with it.

12-04-2007, 08:56 PM	#1
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	Who exactly was "The Network?" In many episodes, we always hear about "The Network", but they never tell us exactly what network they're referring to. It could be made up, but I thought it would be fun to try and guess which one it was. I know it can't be FOX, because in one episode, Murphy meets with an executive from the "Wolf" network, and that of course was supposed to resemble FOX. Were there any other references to any of the other networks?
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12-04-2007, 10:23 PM	#2
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	I think FYI was supposed to be on CBS. Because in one of the Season 9 episodes, Stan Lansing threw a party and invited Hector Elizondo of Chicago Hope, and he says to Hector, "Sure, you can leave. Go back to Chicago, and hope I don't cancel your show." I think there were other references to the show being on CBS, too. - Kristen
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06-26-2009, 08:40 PM	#4
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,747	I am 100% certain that FYI was supposed to have aired on CBS because they often mentioned other CBS programming on the show. One time Murphy mentioned shopping at the CBS gift shop and getting "dr. quinn tote bags" or something like that. and in another episode while Murphy is talking to the head of the network he wonders where on the schedule he has put "Dave's World" another CBS show that was airing at the time. They just couldn't say outright it was CBS because of potential legal issues or perhaps it was just how people in TV talk about their network.
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02-19-2014, 04:57 AM	#7
Jamey Greek Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Elba Alabama USA Posts: 877	Tonight I watched Murphy Brown on encore classic. It was the episode where Jim cracks up on the air and takes some time off as a result. And Connie Chung was mentioned resulting in Jim doing gte news break and Murphy mentioned channel 9 so I put two and two together.
	__________________ Jamey Greek

03-12-2014, 07:17 PM	#8
Jamey Greek Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Elba Alabama USA Posts: 877	And right now I am watching the episode of MB where Murphy's comment about short people gets her into trouble and a clip of Muephy on CBS This Morning and Psula Zahn referred to Murphy as "our colleague"

05-06-2014, 07:17 PM	#9
Jamey Greek Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Elba Alabama USA Posts: 877	Confusing I am watching the episode of Murphy where FYI is honored with an award and the man in charge of the dinner pointed out that FYI premiered in September 1977 at 9:00/8 central after the short-lived but underrated show Mulligan's Stew. Which was an NBC show apparently, FYI either started on NBC but moved to CBS or in the MB universe, Mulligan's stew was on CBS instead of NBC.

06-05-2014, 07:10 PM	#10
Jamey Greek Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Elba Alabama USA Posts: 877	There was also reference to the cast of FYI making a cameo appearance on Dr. Quinn.

06-09-2014, 07:12 PM	#11
Jamey Greek Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Elba Alabama USA Posts: 877	Also when Frank was panicking about cutbacks he said "Between Letterman and that Murder She Wrote lady, they can't afford white-out!"

06-09-2014, 07:26 PM	#12
Jamey Greek Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Elba Alabama USA Posts: 877	Also Murphy mentioned Bill Paley so sure enough the network was CBS.

06-20-2014, 07:09 PM	#13
Jamey Greek Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Elba Alabama USA Posts: 877	Watching MB and the episode where FYI goes on location at the Olympics in Norway. And CBS had the rights to the Winter Olympics then.