Jessica must find out the truth when the ruthless owner of a periodical is murdered.

Season 2, Episode 19: Christopher Bundy – Died on Sunday (March 30, 1986)

Jessica writes a short story for a magazine, which is soon bought out and turned into a dirty magazine. JB in a porn rag? Maybe!

Who’s in it, outside of Angela Lansbury?

Christopher Bundy, the owner of the magazine, is played by Bert Convy, who, in addition to being a game show host, was also in The Cannonball Run, Jennifer, and “They’re Tearing Down Tim Riley’s Bar,” one of my favorite episodes of Night Gallery.

Det. Lt. Greco in this episode is Robert Costanzo, who has more than 300 roles on IMDb.

Antonio D’Argento is played by Bobby Di Cicco, who was in everything from I Wanna Hold Your Hand to Maniac Cop 3.

Everett Charles Jensen is played by Robert Hooks, Mr. T from Trouble Man.

Grady is back. Have I ever told you how much I hate Jessica’s nephew Grady? Well, I do. And he’s, as always, played by Michael Horton.

Rachel D’Argento is played by Carol Lawrence.

Millicent Moore is played by Katherine Moffat.

Vanessa D’Argento is played by Michelle Nicastro.

Hey! That’s Alex Rocco playing Bert Yardley! And Robert Stack as Chester Harrison!

Pete Morgan is played by Eric Server.

In the background roles, Charles Sweigart plays a police officer, and Josh Gordon plays an announcer.

What happens?

Why would JB’s story be in a porn magazine? You know that it’s Grady’s fault. He takes her to Bundy’s mansion — you know, like the one with the grotto — and she soon realizes that his entire family is insane. Well, Jessica, you cause murder everywhere you go, and you haven’t let death claim Brady, who deserves it more than anyone, so let’s not throw stones.

Then Chester Harrison arrives, angry that Bundy stole his magazine. If you’ve watched enough of this show, you can see that they are stacking the deck with potential killers. The next morning, while JB is on her run, Bundy is shot. Luckily, at the time, JB was watching security monitors with a card, so it’s not her. And everyone has an alibi.

Who did it?

Niece Vanessa, so she wasn’t really playing tennis.

Who made it?

This episode was directed by Peter Crane and written by Gerald K. Siegel.

Does Jessica get some?

No. Robert Stack would be a great partner for her, but we really need to get JB back into her groove.

Was it any good?

It’s fine — you can see the murder coming as the show starts to get its formula.

Any trivia?

The title of this episode comes from the nursery rhyme “Solomon Grundy.”

Give me a reasonable quote:

Grady Fletcher: Aw, who cares? She wasn’t my type anyway.

Jessica Fletcher: Grady, your love life is a real mess.

What’s next?

Jessica attends a tennis tournament, and one of her former students is there. Her husband is killed by a car bomb, which is pretty much what happens when you have any connection to Jessica Fletcher.