This is one of the funniest episodes ever of Murder she Wrote. I mean there is humor in all of them to varying degrees and you have suspend belief in most, but this one really acts like a sitcom mixed with murder mystery. It does this by having a cast of fantastic comic actors in it. Seriously a fun episode you should watch.
Murder, She Wrote (TV Series)
Who Threw the Barbitals in Mrs. Fletcher's Chowder? (1988)
User Reviews
Review this title12 Reviews
Police Academy meets The Adams Family.
Sleepin_Dragon11 March 2021
Amos's Sister arrives in Cabot Cove, and soon after the rest of the family turn up.
I have always classed this as one of my favourite episodes, it's a perfect mix of comedy, mystery and intrigue.
It is funny, Colleen Camp's glorious character is straight out of Police Academy 4, she's ballsy, tough, and over the top, but she fits in well here. Elmo and co are all big characters, each has a part to play. One dies wonder though how on Earth she ended up with Elmo.
It's striking from the point of view that Jessica has a murder actually committed in her home, and she's finally committed to working on her book, you do often wonder how she finds the time to write.
The ending comes as a neat twist, it's just another layer in this smart, clever story. 9/10.
I have always classed this as one of my favourite episodes, it's a perfect mix of comedy, mystery and intrigue.
It is funny, Colleen Camp's glorious character is straight out of Police Academy 4, she's ballsy, tough, and over the top, but she fits in well here. Elmo and co are all big characters, each has a part to play. One dies wonder though how on Earth she ended up with Elmo.
It's striking from the point of view that Jessica has a murder actually committed in her home, and she's finally committed to working on her book, you do often wonder how she finds the time to write.
The ending comes as a neat twist, it's just another layer in this smart, clever story. 9/10.
Amos Tupper's relations
bkoganbing5 March 2018
This episode of Murder She Wrote has Amos Tupper's relations descending upon Cabot Cove. His sister Anne Meara and her husband and in-laws that is.
Not being a really good host Tom Bosley has Angela Lansbury host a dinner party. But her clam chowder gets spiked and her husband Guy Stockwell is killed from a lovely overdose of phenobarbital. The others pass out like the passengers and crew from Airport 77.
Now in any other town on the planet Jessica Fletcher would be at the top of the suspect list. But that's unthinkable for Cabot Cove. Especially when the sheriff is a best friend. Come to think of it given Tom Bosley who was one of the snoozers would probably not handle the case and the State Police would come in.
Anne Meara plays one of her patented sad sack roles and truth be told Stockwell isn't much of a loss. But murder is murder.
I have to mention Colleen Camp as Bosley's new eager beaver deputy. She stumbles right into the big arrest.
Henry Gibson and Geoffrey Lewis are also in the cast. This is a good one.
Not being a really good host Tom Bosley has Angela Lansbury host a dinner party. But her clam chowder gets spiked and her husband Guy Stockwell is killed from a lovely overdose of phenobarbital. The others pass out like the passengers and crew from Airport 77.
Now in any other town on the planet Jessica Fletcher would be at the top of the suspect list. But that's unthinkable for Cabot Cove. Especially when the sheriff is a best friend. Come to think of it given Tom Bosley who was one of the snoozers would probably not handle the case and the State Police would come in.
Anne Meara plays one of her patented sad sack roles and truth be told Stockwell isn't much of a loss. But murder is murder.
I have to mention Colleen Camp as Bosley's new eager beaver deputy. She stumbles right into the big arrest.
Henry Gibson and Geoffrey Lewis are also in the cast. This is a good one.
Homicidal dinner
TheLittleSongbird24 August 2017
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.
"Who Threw the Barbitals in Mrs Fletcher's Chowder?" stands out among the rest, in that it has the longest title of all the 'Murder She Wrote' episodes put together and it is certainly an unforgettable one, no matter how slightly generic it is. Is it one of my favourites of Season 4? No. Is it one of my favourites of the show in general? Again no. Is it a good episode? Yes, a very good one in fact.
Colleen Camp's character doesn't really go anywhere in terms of character direction, Camp does play her quite well but the character isn't particularly interesting. Also the writers maybe could have done better in knowing what to do and what direction to take with Winnie and kept it consistent. Then again that may be just me.
On the other hand, the production values are slick and stylish as ever with 'Murder She Wrote'. Loved the rustic Cabot Cove setting and the strong sense of close knit community, a huge part of the charm of the Cabot Cove episodes. 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.
Writing is thought-provoking, light-hearted and amiable and the story doesn't have a dull moment and entertains and shocks with a clever solution, even though one is amazed at Jessica's life not being jeopardised considering what she does at the end.
Angela Lansbury delights as usual in one of her justifiably best-remembered roles. Tom Bosley and William Windom are reliably solid as more-than-just-bumbling-sheriff-cliché Amos and curmudgeonly Seth, and the supporting cast, particularly a very likable Anne Meara, a love-to-hate Donnelly Rhodes and Henry Gibson likewise.
In summation, very good episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
"Who Threw the Barbitals in Mrs Fletcher's Chowder?" stands out among the rest, in that it has the longest title of all the 'Murder She Wrote' episodes put together and it is certainly an unforgettable one, no matter how slightly generic it is. Is it one of my favourites of Season 4? No. Is it one of my favourites of the show in general? Again no. Is it a good episode? Yes, a very good one in fact.
Colleen Camp's character doesn't really go anywhere in terms of character direction, Camp does play her quite well but the character isn't particularly interesting. Also the writers maybe could have done better in knowing what to do and what direction to take with Winnie and kept it consistent. Then again that may be just me.
On the other hand, the production values are slick and stylish as ever with 'Murder She Wrote'. Loved the rustic Cabot Cove setting and the strong sense of close knit community, a huge part of the charm of the Cabot Cove episodes. 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.
Writing is thought-provoking, light-hearted and amiable and the story doesn't have a dull moment and entertains and shocks with a clever solution, even though one is amazed at Jessica's life not being jeopardised considering what she does at the end.
Angela Lansbury delights as usual in one of her justifiably best-remembered roles. Tom Bosley and William Windom are reliably solid as more-than-just-bumbling-sheriff-cliché Amos and curmudgeonly Seth, and the supporting cast, particularly a very likable Anne Meara, a love-to-hate Donnelly Rhodes and Henry Gibson likewise.
In summation, very good episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
This was a fun episode, we meet sherif Amos' sweet sister Winnie and the crazy new deputy Marigold.
cgvsluis18 January 2023
This episode finds Jessica hard at work on her book trying to meet a deadline...when good friend and local Cabot Cove sheriff Amos' sweet sister Winnie shows up having left her husband. Jessica palms Winnie off on our good doctor and then Winnie's husband and crazy in-laws show up.
Meanwhile at the sheriff's office a new female deputy is hired named Marigold. She won't type or make coffee...but she really likes to brandish a gun.
When Jessica finishes her book she hosts a big New England dinner with chowder and lobster to make up for her lack of hospitality. Unfortunately her chowder ends up dosed with a Barbital and several guests end up asleep...and one dead.
Lots of comedy in this episode and it was fun to meet Amos' extended family...but Marigold really steals the show.
Meanwhile at the sheriff's office a new female deputy is hired named Marigold. She won't type or make coffee...but she really likes to brandish a gun.
When Jessica finishes her book she hosts a big New England dinner with chowder and lobster to make up for her lack of hospitality. Unfortunately her chowder ends up dosed with a Barbital and several guests end up asleep...and one dead.
Lots of comedy in this episode and it was fun to meet Amos' extended family...but Marigold really steals the show.
If nothing else, watch it for the comedy and one-liners
cjf-7578017 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Seth and Amos have some of the best lines and reactions of any murder she wrote episode. The other characters are annoying to me so I just fast forward and watch Seth (when Winnie shows up at his house), Jessica(pretending to be an answering machine), Amos (when someone calls for Elmo) and the new deputy (and her motorcycle) - literally burst out laughing several times.
Police Acadamy Spinoff
aaron_thrash21 September 2020
Amos Tupper Really Has His Hands Full This Time
WeatherViolet21 January 2010
Occasionally, the question arises, "Which 'Murder, She Wrote' episode captures the longest title?" Well, quite a few "MSW" episode titles contain at least twenty characters and symbols (excluding spaces), and six of these consist of at least thirty: (#4.07) "If It's Thursday, It Must Be Beverly" = 30; (#8.17) "To the Last Will I Grapple With Thee" = 31; (#2.02) "Joshua Peabody Died Here...Possibly" = 32; (#7.22) "The Skinny According to Nick Cullhane" = 32; (#6.14) "How to Make a Killing Without Really Trying" = 36; (#4.12) "Who Threw the Barbitals in Mrs. Fletcher's Chowder?" = 43 characters. And so, the answer appears to become this episode's setting the record for having the longest title.
Well, this episode represents the eighteenth and penultimate Sheriff Amos Tupper turn, with one final appearance to follow, later during Season Four. With his nineteen, Tom Bosley holds fifth place in the category of acting in the greatest number of "MSW" episodes, after Angela Lansbury, William Windom, Ron Masak and Louis Herthum.
Unlike his successor, Amos rarely has a steady deputy. Last time around (two Cabot Cove episodes prior), his night deputy was suspected of murder. This time around, as he prepares to publish a classified newspaper item to interview candidates for a deputy position, an applicant arrives the day before the advertisement reaches the Cabot Cove Gazette.
Sheriff Amos Tupper (Tom Bosley) has the capable and mild-mannered Deputy Grover (Dennis Bailey) on hand, but when Marigold Feeney (Colleen Camp) shows up to apply for the open position, she informs Amos that she would feel "very disappointed" if he would overlook her because of her gender. He, of course, hires the ambitious Deputy Marigold Feeney, who immediately orders Amos and Deputy Grover to handle the small tasks, while she sets out to nab criminals.
But Amos' troubles are merely beginning, for his sister from Kentucky, Winnie Tupper Banner (Anne Meara), disembarks the Cabot Cove bus, announcing that she has left her husband. Ed Bellamy (Donnelly Rhodes) also appears in Cabot Cove, snooping around without explaining his purposes for visiting the otherwise peaceful community.
Amos requests a favor of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who rushes through her latest manuscript to meet a publisher's deadline, for Jessica to entertain Winnie, while he trains his new deputy, causing Jessica to plead the need for solitude, and so Winnie turns to the reluctant Doctor Seth Hazlitt (William Windom) for company throughout the remainder of the day and night, even though he pleads with Jessica to conduct Winnie's hospitality, but to no avail, the problem compounding by the disturbance of an outdoors "prowler."
Winnie's husband, Elmo Banner (Guy Stockwell), Elmo's sister, Flo Oakes (Barbara Rhoades), Flo's husband, Kenny Oats (Geoffrey Lewis), and Elmo and Flo's half-brother, Harold Banner (Henry Gibson)--who together somehow manage a chain of ten pharmacies inherited from the mother of Elmo, Flo and Harold--follow Winnie's trail from Kentucky to Cabot Cove, and arrive on the doorstep of Amos, who believes Winnie to have found sanctuary at Jessica's.
After an uneasy night, which includes an altercation with Ralph (Joseph V. Perry), and the relatives' usurping the Tupper living quarters, Amos again pleads with Jessica, who announces that she has finished her manuscript by morning, and, as a special favor for her lack of welcoming Amos' family, shall host the gathering for a special Cabot Cove fishing village flavored dinner.
Amos' kin and kith seems to reject the delicacies of the sea, while the potent potables go over well enough, but after Flo refuses to sample the first course, she screams very audibly at the sight of other dinner guests' dropping into a trance-like state.
While Marigold is busy tackling Ed outdoors, Seth loses a patient at the hospital, both facts compounding Amos' dilemma, as he and Jessica attempt to determine, "Who Threw the Barbitals in Mrs. Fletcher's Chowder?"
This episode marks the first of two "MSW" guest roles each for Anne Meara and Henry Gibson, the second of two each for Colleen Camp and Joseph V. Perry, the first of three for Donnelly Rhodes, the second of three for Guy Stockwell, and the second of four "MSW's" for Geoffrey Lewis.
Guy Stockwell, acting in film and on television since 1946, Joseph V. Perry, acting since 1956, and Henry Gibson, acting since 1963, have unfortunately since passed.
Well, this episode represents the eighteenth and penultimate Sheriff Amos Tupper turn, with one final appearance to follow, later during Season Four. With his nineteen, Tom Bosley holds fifth place in the category of acting in the greatest number of "MSW" episodes, after Angela Lansbury, William Windom, Ron Masak and Louis Herthum.
Unlike his successor, Amos rarely has a steady deputy. Last time around (two Cabot Cove episodes prior), his night deputy was suspected of murder. This time around, as he prepares to publish a classified newspaper item to interview candidates for a deputy position, an applicant arrives the day before the advertisement reaches the Cabot Cove Gazette.
Sheriff Amos Tupper (Tom Bosley) has the capable and mild-mannered Deputy Grover (Dennis Bailey) on hand, but when Marigold Feeney (Colleen Camp) shows up to apply for the open position, she informs Amos that she would feel "very disappointed" if he would overlook her because of her gender. He, of course, hires the ambitious Deputy Marigold Feeney, who immediately orders Amos and Deputy Grover to handle the small tasks, while she sets out to nab criminals.
But Amos' troubles are merely beginning, for his sister from Kentucky, Winnie Tupper Banner (Anne Meara), disembarks the Cabot Cove bus, announcing that she has left her husband. Ed Bellamy (Donnelly Rhodes) also appears in Cabot Cove, snooping around without explaining his purposes for visiting the otherwise peaceful community.
Amos requests a favor of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), who rushes through her latest manuscript to meet a publisher's deadline, for Jessica to entertain Winnie, while he trains his new deputy, causing Jessica to plead the need for solitude, and so Winnie turns to the reluctant Doctor Seth Hazlitt (William Windom) for company throughout the remainder of the day and night, even though he pleads with Jessica to conduct Winnie's hospitality, but to no avail, the problem compounding by the disturbance of an outdoors "prowler."
Winnie's husband, Elmo Banner (Guy Stockwell), Elmo's sister, Flo Oakes (Barbara Rhoades), Flo's husband, Kenny Oats (Geoffrey Lewis), and Elmo and Flo's half-brother, Harold Banner (Henry Gibson)--who together somehow manage a chain of ten pharmacies inherited from the mother of Elmo, Flo and Harold--follow Winnie's trail from Kentucky to Cabot Cove, and arrive on the doorstep of Amos, who believes Winnie to have found sanctuary at Jessica's.
After an uneasy night, which includes an altercation with Ralph (Joseph V. Perry), and the relatives' usurping the Tupper living quarters, Amos again pleads with Jessica, who announces that she has finished her manuscript by morning, and, as a special favor for her lack of welcoming Amos' family, shall host the gathering for a special Cabot Cove fishing village flavored dinner.
Amos' kin and kith seems to reject the delicacies of the sea, while the potent potables go over well enough, but after Flo refuses to sample the first course, she screams very audibly at the sight of other dinner guests' dropping into a trance-like state.
While Marigold is busy tackling Ed outdoors, Seth loses a patient at the hospital, both facts compounding Amos' dilemma, as he and Jessica attempt to determine, "Who Threw the Barbitals in Mrs. Fletcher's Chowder?"
This episode marks the first of two "MSW" guest roles each for Anne Meara and Henry Gibson, the second of two each for Colleen Camp and Joseph V. Perry, the first of three for Donnelly Rhodes, the second of three for Guy Stockwell, and the second of four "MSW's" for Geoffrey Lewis.
Guy Stockwell, acting in film and on television since 1946, Joseph V. Perry, acting since 1956, and Henry Gibson, acting since 1963, have unfortunately since passed.
Maybe Marigold returns someday
rgxdzrybr17 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Sheriff Amos Tupper has a mess on his hands. His sister is visiting but so are her awful in laws . One thing leads to another and a murder takes place in Jessica's house! Fortunately Amos has Jessica and Colleen Camp as Marigold the best deputy Cabot Cove ever had . She even makes the big arrest and saves Jessica and one of the less annoying in laws . There is also a private investigator who turns out to be a decent fellow and a possible future in law to Amos as we see at the end of the episode.
A solid episode with mystery, humor and an interesting approach to how the murder takes place.
I am sorry Marigold didn't stick around but maybe she was too good at her job ! Cabot Cove had to have a reason Jessica was always involved.
Maybe Marigold returned when Jess was no longer able to be a part of the action and the others were no longer around for one reason or another.
A comforting thought as Cabot Cove had more than it's share of murders .
A solid episode with mystery, humor and an interesting approach to how the murder takes place.
I am sorry Marigold didn't stick around but maybe she was too good at her job ! Cabot Cove had to have a reason Jessica was always involved.
Maybe Marigold returned when Jess was no longer able to be a part of the action and the others were no longer around for one reason or another.
A comforting thought as Cabot Cove had more than it's share of murders .
Colleen Camp as Dep. Marigold Feeney
safenoe14 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This was Colleen Camp's second appearance in Murder She Wrote, and this time she played a different character, Deputy Marigold Feeney. I naively thought Deputy Feeney would become a regular or even a part- time character on Murder She Wrote, but not to be.
This sort of follows the well-worn and frustrating trope where a new character is introduced as part of the team, but are written out without any explanation in future episodes! I really think there could have been potential with Deputy Feeney, with even a possible spin-off called "Deputy Feeney" where the Deputy has to fight crime in say New York or somewhere like that. Even better, if Murder She Wrote is rebooted, maybe Colleen can appear as Marigold Feeney, who has taken the mantle of crime fighter.
This sort of follows the well-worn and frustrating trope where a new character is introduced as part of the team, but are written out without any explanation in future episodes! I really think there could have been potential with Deputy Feeney, with even a possible spin-off called "Deputy Feeney" where the Deputy has to fight crime in say New York or somewhere like that. Even better, if Murder She Wrote is rebooted, maybe Colleen can appear as Marigold Feeney, who has taken the mantle of crime fighter.
Good fun
coltras3526 May 2022
A man is landed with the job of entertaining his sister when she leaves her husband. However, the situation is complicated when his brother-in-law is murdered. Enter Jessica Fletcher, crime-solver extraordinaire.
MSW always features comedy elements, but this one is much leaning towards that direction, and it's quite funny, especially with the behaviour of Amos' family. It's not a great one, but it's fun and it's good to get more background on the sheriff's family.
MSW always features comedy elements, but this one is much leaning towards that direction, and it's quite funny, especially with the behaviour of Amos' family. It's not a great one, but it's fun and it's good to get more background on the sheriff's family.
The Sheriff needs to man up!
planktonrules21 November 2022
"Who Threw the Barbitals in Mrs. Fletcher's Chowder?" is an episode featuring Sheriff Tupper's godawful family. Aside from his sister, the rest of them are annoying scum. Oddly, however, the Sheriff lets them walk all over him and when they break various laws, he doesn't do much about it. Some might find these folks funny.... I just thought they were annoying and difficult to believe. As for the crime, it was good and the episode not really bad...I just got annoyed that Sheriff Tupper really was a spineless guy in this one and you wonder how ANY town could hire such a guy!
By the way, Ann Meara plays Tupper's sister. She has a STRONG New York accent, whereas he has a very New England one. No one seemed to notice this on the show.
By the way, Ann Meara plays Tupper's sister. She has a STRONG New York accent, whereas he has a very New England one. No one seemed to notice this on the show.
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