Behind The Scenes of Murder, She Wrote With Johnnathan Korver

On Set With The Incomparable Angela Lansbury

Let me introduce you to my dear friend Johnnathan Korver, one of the most fascinating people you’ll ever meet. He’s fun and fabulous for a million and one reasons, but for the purpose of this OMITI edition, we’re focusing on his career in film and television.

Now retired from the entertainment industry, Johnnathan was a character actor and dress extra for over three decades. His anecdotes of his experiences in TV and film are the absolute best stories you can imagine! He’s had appearances in hit movies (The Naked Gun and Die Hard) and popular television shows (Parks and Recreation). But my favorite topic of conversation with him revolves around his experience on various TV shows during the heyday of murder mysteries and crime dramas of the 1980s, and he’s been on all of the best ones!

Because of my love for the character Jessica Fletcher and the legendary actress who played her, Angela Lansbury, we’re focusing on Johnnathan’s time working on Murder, She Wrote — easily one of the best and most memorable mystery series during this era of television.

Johnnathan Korver with Angela Lansbury

What do you love best about your time in television and what were some popular mysteries during this time?

I worked on most of the popular Mystery and Police TV shows airing in the 1980s — dramas like Cagney & Lacey, Hunter, Matt Houston and comedies like SledgeHammer! My favorite will always be Murder, She Wrote. I was in several episodes with the amazing Angela Lansbury and the most eclectic array of guest stars. Working on these television shows and films was my “College Experience” as working so closely with these talented people is a learning experience for the craft of acting, professionalism, and integrity. Being around talented crews and directors who work tirelessly hour after hour every day was a learning experience like no other.

Johnnathan Korver with the ladies of Loretta’s Beauty Parlor in Murder, She Wrote - Season 6, Episode 11, “Town Father.”

What was it like on the set of Murder, She Wrote?

Although we shot several episodes on location all over Los Angeles, I loved being on the sound stages and backlot at Universal Studios. The Cabot Cove set was located next to the man-made lake which housed Bruce, the Shark from Jaws, one of the Universal Studios Tour attractions where the trams would have to stop for a few moments if cameras were rolling on the exterior locations of Cabot Cove.

Of course, almost everyone on the tram had cameras and would take lots of pictures. One afternoon while the actors were waiting for the next camera set ups, a few of us decided to have some fun and turn the tables on the tourists who were passing by. At an opportune moment when they were all taking pictures of the Jaws attraction and the Cabot Cove set, about ten of us whipped out our cameras and started taking pictures of the tram passengers as if we were paparazzi. It was so much fun and the tour [group] was so happy to have their own impromptu red carpet moment. Shooting a TV show or film is a lot of hard work, long hours, and a lot of “hurry up and wait” scenarios, but we also had a lot of fun.

Why do you think Murder, She Wrote was so popular?

Well, of course seeing all the guest stars who were appearing on each episode, the writing, direction, and over-all production of the show was always stellar. Very well written with lots of twists and turns, trying to find out who did what to who and with what method. Sometimes, the obvious is not obvious at all!

What was Angela Lansbury like off camera?

Dame Angela Lansbury was the epitome of a wonderful woman whose loving nature, compassion, talent and integrity was worn on her shoulder and anyone who interacted with her would know all these things about her. That being said, she was also an amazing businesswoman who surrounded herself with like-minded people. She was a star and a friend. She treated people with the utmost respect and addressed any issues or challenges on and off the set with integrity and a genuine urgency to correct anything that was wrong, or needed to be dealt with immediately. Always with respect, integrity and yes, authority. One day during a very lengthy shooting schedule, someone had placed a sign on the Craft Services table — drinks, food — that read “Cast & Crew ONLY...NO EXTRAS.” When she saw the sign she calmly called over the head of Craft Services and explained why that sign was completely inappropriate and not in line with the way people are treated on the set of Murder, She Wrote. She addressed the situation with respect and authority, but also took the sign, ripped it in half, then ripped it in half again and threw it in the trash. She was always respectful and always inclusive, a true leader.

What are your favorite mystery TV shows or movies?

Well, Murder, She Wrote aside, I really like the Agatha Christie novels made into movies, like Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and Evil Under the Sun. I love Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot. And it goes without saying that Iʼm very fond of the Perry Mason TV series which aired from 1957-1966, and then Ironside from 1967-1975. Of course, my very favorite “Solve The Case” P.I. ever is the best of the best, Tom Selleck as Magnum PI, 1980-1988.

What are your fondest memories of working in television and film throughout your career?

So many fond memories but this is my favorite. Angela Lansbury thought the way I spelled my name (Johnnathan) with two consecutive n’s was cute so she always greeted me as “Hello, Double N Johnn!” Iʼm honored.

You can catch Murder, She Wrote on Peacock and Roku TV. Be sure to check out Johnnathan Korver’s website, too! Johnnathankorver.com

Song of the Day: “Murder She Wrote, Main Theme” by John Addison