ThePoop.com - Media Hounds: Murray on Mad About You

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Maui, a 9-year-old collie mix, got his first major break as Murray, the lovable but slightly dim-witted dog on "Mad About You," during the comedy series' first season (1992-93). When Maui enters his seventh season, he will have to contend with the Buchman's first baby, whose presence will undoubtedly challenge Murray's role in the Buchman household.
Originally found in a Castaic, California, animal shelter by noted Hollywood animal trainer Boone Narr, Maui weighs 58 pounds and is now trained primarily by Betty Linn. His first assignments came in TV commercials and as the backup for the top dog in the feature film "Bingo."
"Maui is very sweet and takes direction well," says Linn, who has trained him for the past four years. "He's completely spoiled by everyone and consequently loves to go to the set when we begin a new show on Mondays."
As Murray, Maui has been known to chase phantom mice and collide with walls, and he excels at getting lost. However, Linn vouches for her canine charge: "Maui is definitely smarter than Murray, and he knows tons of tricks." Among Maui's favorite skills are "hiking" (making people believe he is relieving himself), sneezing, crawling, shaking his head and rolling over. In the summer of 1994 he shared the cover of "TV Guide" with fellow NBC star Moose (Eddie, the dog on "Frasier").
Away from the set, Maui enjoys watching movies on videotape, including "Beethoven," "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," "Old Yeller" and "Dog Day Afternoon."

This hit comedy consistently won Tuesday's eight o'clock half hour in all key adult demos and total viewers by margins as great as 246 percent.
It also strongly overindexed in all adult 18-49 upscale categories. And as "Time" magazine put it, "the combustive blend of Hunt and Reiser has made Mad About You the best-acted sitcom of its time." Not to mention that series co-star Helen Hunt is the first performer ever to win an Emmy, Golden Globe and Oscar in the same year. The icing on the cake is knowing that Mad About You is coming back this fall -- stronger and funnier than ever.
The series his been nominated for an Emmy Award as Outstanding Comedy Series for the last four consecutive years, and both of the series stars continue to earn accolades for their performances. Carol Burnett and Mel Brooks axe 1997 Emmy Award winners for their guest-starring roles as Jamie's mother, Theresa Stemple, and Paul's Uncle Phil.
As the leadoff comedy for NBC's "Must See TV" Tuesday lineup, Mad About You has been the time period winner among total viewers and in key demographic groups. During the 1996-97 season finale, an estimated 39 million viewers witnessed the Buchmans welcome their first child into the world, following five seasons of tackling courtship, marriage and pregnancy.
Sharing Jamie (a former public relations executive and political campaign organizer) and Paul's (an independent filmaker) world are their loyal friends Fran (Leila Kenzle), Jamie's trusted confidante, and Ira Buchman (John Pankow), Paul's smug, chummy cousin. The Buchrnans' lovable but somewhat dense dog Murray (played by Maui) also inhabits their Manhattan apartment, Trying to give advice when needed are Paul's parents-and new grandparents-the spirited, overprotective Sylvia (Cynthia Harris) and stubborn yet loving Burt Buchman (Louis Zorich).
In 1995 the series was honored with a Golden Globe Award as Best Series, Musical or Comedy, as well as the prestigious Peabody Award for excellence in television. Viewers for Quality Television in 1994 named the show Outstanding Comedy Series, and named Reiser and Hunt as Outstanding Actor and Actress in a comedy.
Mad About You, created by Reiser and Danny Jacobson, is from Infront Productions and Nuance Productions in association with TriStar Television. Reiser and Victor Levin are the executive producers, Hunt is co-executive producer.

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