Jessica is drawn into an appropriately melodramatic situation when a renowned opera singer is accused of murder in San Francisco.Jessica is drawn into an appropriately melodramatic situation when a renowned opera singer is accused of murder in San Francisco.Jessica is drawn into an appropriately melodramatic situation when a renowned opera singer is accused of murder in San Francisco.
Photos
David Elliott
- Paramedic
- (as David E. Elliott)
Chuck Hicks
- Guard
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe second of four appearances by the late Theodore Bikel. He died on the 21st July 2015 (age 91)
- GoofsJessica refers to Rosanno as a tenor, but judging from his speaking voice, he's a baritone (as Theodore Bikel was).
- Quotes
[first lines]
Policeman: All right, folks, move back. I got an ambulance coming in here. Move back, move back. Come on, move back.
- SoundtracksMurder She Wrote Theme
Written by John Addison
Featured review
A murderous night at the opera
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.
While not one of the classic 'Murder She Wrote' episodes, "When the Fat Lady Sings" has a lot to enjoy and very nearly is, while still in the better half certainly, one of the overall best episodes of Season 6. The only not so good things are the awfully bland performance of Kathleen Beller and the odd moment where silliness creeps in. The title of the episode alludes to the famous colloquialism/proverb that is commonly known as a stereotype in opera for overweight sopranos (a stereotype that is not really true when talking generally, of course there were huge women in opera and still are but certainly not all), with Brunnhilde in Wagner's 'Gotterdammerung' immediately coming to mind. It may sound like a weak, irrelevant title, but considering the episode is opera-centric and plays out like an operatic melodrama it was somewhat of a fitting one if slightly cheesy.
Admittedly, "When the Fat Lady Sings" is downbeat. It is melodramatic. Again, this was appropriate, with the opera house setting and there are some downbeat and melodramatic operas out there (speaking as an enormous fan). 'Tosca' is the queen of them all, which is why it seemed very effective for the music of the Act 2 safe conduct signing scene, the build up to one of the greatest murder scenes in all opera, to be used in the gripping and poignant opening scene that set the tone well.
Really liked the story here. It was a complex one, but never confusing and it all made sense at the end. This is already a huge improvement on the disappointing previous episode "Night of the Tarantula", which was full of excessive weirdness and failed to come together in terms of pacing or sense. The standout is the wickedly clever denouement, with the identity of the murderer, motive and how it was done being a genuine shock but very much plausible and boasts one of Carol Lawrence's best scenes in any of her appearances on 'Murder She Wrote', Lawrence single handedly comes close to stealing the show with that scene alone. Liked too how it played out like an operatic melodrama, and it was just a dream for opera and Italian culture aficionados. The stereotypes are there but not overplayed or offensive and the portrayal of the less than glamorous behind the scenes operatic life is not an inaccurate one, opera singing is an amazing profession but it's very competitive and egos have always been and still are big.
Production values as ever are slick and stylish, opera houses are always a welcome sight, even when not the big ones like La Scala, Covent Garden or The Met, and San Francisco look beautiful. 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. 'Tosca' works incredibly well here, atmospherically and emotionally. The writing is thought-provoking, light-hearted and amiable.
The cast, with the sole exception of Beller, are very good. Angela Lansbury is terrific as is Keith Michell. "When the Fat Lady Sings" relies on their chemistry to work, and it does brilliantly, so natural, breezy and charming.
Carol Lawrence is particularly good in support, especially in her aforementioned scene. Theodore Bickel is dignified and affecting, it's hard not to feel for his character, and Jerry Stiller has fun .
Overall, very good if just falling short of greatness. 8/10 Bethany Cox
While not one of the classic 'Murder She Wrote' episodes, "When the Fat Lady Sings" has a lot to enjoy and very nearly is, while still in the better half certainly, one of the overall best episodes of Season 6. The only not so good things are the awfully bland performance of Kathleen Beller and the odd moment where silliness creeps in. The title of the episode alludes to the famous colloquialism/proverb that is commonly known as a stereotype in opera for overweight sopranos (a stereotype that is not really true when talking generally, of course there were huge women in opera and still are but certainly not all), with Brunnhilde in Wagner's 'Gotterdammerung' immediately coming to mind. It may sound like a weak, irrelevant title, but considering the episode is opera-centric and plays out like an operatic melodrama it was somewhat of a fitting one if slightly cheesy.
Admittedly, "When the Fat Lady Sings" is downbeat. It is melodramatic. Again, this was appropriate, with the opera house setting and there are some downbeat and melodramatic operas out there (speaking as an enormous fan). 'Tosca' is the queen of them all, which is why it seemed very effective for the music of the Act 2 safe conduct signing scene, the build up to one of the greatest murder scenes in all opera, to be used in the gripping and poignant opening scene that set the tone well.
Really liked the story here. It was a complex one, but never confusing and it all made sense at the end. This is already a huge improvement on the disappointing previous episode "Night of the Tarantula", which was full of excessive weirdness and failed to come together in terms of pacing or sense. The standout is the wickedly clever denouement, with the identity of the murderer, motive and how it was done being a genuine shock but very much plausible and boasts one of Carol Lawrence's best scenes in any of her appearances on 'Murder She Wrote', Lawrence single handedly comes close to stealing the show with that scene alone. Liked too how it played out like an operatic melodrama, and it was just a dream for opera and Italian culture aficionados. The stereotypes are there but not overplayed or offensive and the portrayal of the less than glamorous behind the scenes operatic life is not an inaccurate one, opera singing is an amazing profession but it's very competitive and egos have always been and still are big.
Production values as ever are slick and stylish, opera houses are always a welcome sight, even when not the big ones like La Scala, Covent Garden or The Met, and San Francisco look beautiful. 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. 'Tosca' works incredibly well here, atmospherically and emotionally. The writing is thought-provoking, light-hearted and amiable.
The cast, with the sole exception of Beller, are very good. Angela Lansbury is terrific as is Keith Michell. "When the Fat Lady Sings" relies on their chemistry to work, and it does brilliantly, so natural, breezy and charming.
Carol Lawrence is particularly good in support, especially in her aforementioned scene. Theodore Bickel is dignified and affecting, it's hard not to feel for his character, and Jerry Stiller has fun .
Overall, very good if just falling short of greatness. 8/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•23
- TheLittleSongbird
- Sep 29, 2017
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