Agnes Moorhead Knits!

People always ask me when I got interested in knitting. One of the most frequent things I hear when I'm knitting in public is 'knitting is a lost art'. Let me start by telling you about my earliest memories of knitting, long before I owned alpacas & decided to start Erin Murphy Knits. One of my fondest memories of childhood is sitting and watching Agnes Moorehead knit. Since my only living grandma lived a plane ride away, Agnes was my Grandmama that I got to see every day. She would tell me stories about how she had loved to do needlework since she was a little girl. I loved watching her knit and listening to her stories. Today when I knit, I frequently flash back on those fond childhood memories. Knitting is the perfect activity on a film/ television set where there are long periods of inactivity. Lots of current actresses knit on set: Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Sandra Bullock, Debra Messing, Sarah Jessica Parker, Christina Hendricks & Madonna. Lost art indeed!! Thought you might enjoy some photos of a few Hollywood legends who had a passion for knitting as well:

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Funny Ladies of TVLand!

I've been involved with TVLand since...well, since before they were TVLand, back when they only had Nick@Nite. I was one of the celebrities who helped promote the network by doing the Nick@Nite traveling road show. We'd visit malls around the country & put on little game shows & had thousands of people show up to get autographs. It was at one of these events that I had one of my strangest autograph requests: signing a saddle in Texas. At my first Nick@Nite mall visit, I worked with this great young guy who had just started. He was smart and hard working, got me coffee & helped with everything. He's now the senior vice president of the Disney Channel (Adam Bonnett! Let's do lunch!). I also had the distinct privilege of being the very first "Miss TVLand' at the very first TVLand Awards. I don't know if they still call it Miss TVLand. In fact, I don't know if anyone but me called it Miss TVLand; but I was the first official trophy girl. I had the pleasure of spending a few days of rehearsal with John Ritter & sat two feet away from Ray Charles as he practiced Georgia. Last night, I was on hand for the funny ladies of TVLand at the Television Academy. It's Emmy campaigning season, so the lead actresses from the three TVLand sitcoms were there happily promoting: Fran Drescher, Rita Moreno & Tichina Arnold from Happily Divorced, Kristen Johnston from The Exes & Valerie Bertinelli, Betty White & Jane Leeves from Hot in Cleveland. The poor moderator had her hands full trying to guide the conversation; but the stories were hilarious! When asked what they'd like to be doing in 5 years, Valerie Bertinelli said that she'd love to be a grandma & Betty White replied "Maybe dating less...maybe not!". Rita Moreno is a class act & looks NOWHERE near her eighty years. Kristen Johnston proved to be very...'animated'. She also had the funniest line of the night. After Kristen spoke about her past drug abuse, Valerie Bertinelli mentioned, 'You know, Mackenzie Phillips..." Kristen responded with 'Not all addicts know one another'. The evening was very much like brunch with my gal pals (most of us actresses). We all laugh & tell stories & talk over each other. Somehow TVLand forgot the red carpet for the 'red carpet', so we all posed against a wall. I think Rita & I rocked the column!

Love Fran Drescher's dress!

Photo Credit: Toby Canham/ Stringer/ Getty Images

Bewitched Bunch?

I kind of enjoy cross-over TV shows, where the cast of one show visits another. Sometimes this is done as a setup for a spinoff, like Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy or one of the versions of CSI or Law & Order. Sometimes the crossover is just for fun, like when the cast of Bewitched suddenly became animated & visited the Flintstones. As a child, my dream crossover would have been a visit to the Brady Bunch. We were filmed at the same time for the same network (ABC). I even sometimes shared an on set tutor with the Brady Kids. Maureen McCormick was on a couple episodes of Bewitched before she was a Brady. I would have loved to be a classmate of Cindy & Bobby. It doesn't matter that they're three years older, TV age and real age don't always coincide. Marcia & Jan could have been my babysitters! Can't you imagine the fun we would have had? I'm friends with most of the Brady's in the "real world". Susan Olsen has even puppy sat for us when we've gone on family vacation. What crossover TV show would you like to see?

Welcome to the Pooch Hotel!

Most people think of their dogs as family members. I know we do. The thought of leaving your much loved pet in a kennel can be downright scary! Last night we went to the Grand Opening of a 5 star hotel...for DOGS! I'm pretty sure it was my first time posing on a red carpet with a fire hydrant. The Pooch Hotel chain first opened their doors in Chicago in 2004 & their newest hotel is opening in Hollywood this weekend. They have beautiful 'Palace Suites' with furniture & TV sets! The hotel offers daycare service & has several huge play areas, where you can watch your puppy play via webcam. I loved the doggy swimming pool & our dog Zuma got a little exercise in the gym on the treadmill. The evening benefitted PAWS/LA (www.pawsla.org ) a wonderful organization that assists low-income seniors and individuals with life threatening illnesses by providing services to help them keep and care for their pets. The event was fun with celebrities & their dogs: including Dick & Jimmy Van Patten, Joan Van Ark, Maria Conchita Alonso & Rip Taylor. I should also mention the absolutely delicious cocktails & appetizers by the Kitchen For Exploring Foods. If you're in the Hollywood area stop by this weekend to see the Pooch Hotel for yourself & enjoy the festivities.

photo credit: Alexandra Wyman, WireImage

What About Dick? or No TV for Lauren Hutton!

Over the weekend I attended the absolutely hilarious Eric Idle play: What About Dick? Unfortunately, it only had a four day run that ended yesterday, so my glowing review of the musical isn't to encourage you to go. The beautiful Orpheum Theater welcomed to the stage Russell Brand, Billy Connolly, Tim Curry, Eric Idle, Eddie Izzard, Jane Leeves, Jim Piddock, Tracey Ullman & Sophie Winkleman. The after party was especially cool: The cast mingled with other guests including Anjelica Huston, Patricia Heaton & Wendie Malick. The producer, Arnold Engelman, graciously introduced me to Lauren Hutton who was one of the investors. I learned two surprising things about the former supermodel: She is VERY short (shorter than I am!) and she hasn't watched television since 1964! She told me that she hadn't ever seen Bewitched, but was 'aware of it' & that she thought it was based on the book Bell, Book & Candle. She was also lovely!

My original title for this blog post was 'Lauren Hutton Prefers Dick to TV!' but I figured that was even too risque for me!

Erin Murphy Does Sunday Set-Up™ With Kathy Kaehler

Most of my friends know that I love to cook. I also try to eat healthy with homegrown veggies & fresh eggs from our chickens. So when celebrity fitness trainer Kathy Kaehler contacted me to shoot a segment of Sunday Set-Up™, I literally jumped at the chance. You may recognize Kathy's name from the Today Show or seen her featured with one of her celebrity clients: Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez, Denise Richards, Claudia Schiffer, and Kim Basinger. Now Kathy has turned some of her attention to diet & nutrition. Her program revolves around the idea of taking time once a week to prep veggies & foods: basically setting up your kitchen for a week of healthy eating. Once a week, she visits a different 'celebrity kitchen' & helps to create some delicious meals. Kathy & I had a blast & she's definitely an animal lover like I am! Look at the adorable promo that feature a few of our alpacas, chickens & baby goat. For more information on Kathy & her Sunday Set-Up™ & to see the full segment we shot, visit www.kathykaehler.net

Erin Murphy Knits: Spit Happens!

I thought I'd share my first post from my Erin Murphy Knits Blog:

One of the questions I get the most frequently about alpacas is "Do they spit?". The honest answer is..sometimes! Alpacas don't spit as often as llamas & they don't usually spit at people. You'll also get a few warnings before they spit: ears back, head back with neck arched. They do occasionally spit at each other when they squabble over hay. One of the times you definitely want to see an alpaca spit is when you perform a spit test, which is an alpaca pregnancy test that even a novice can perform. The alpacas' gestation period is 11.5 months and they don't really look pregnant till the end. you want to make sure that once you get your female pregnant that they maintain their pregnancy. Ultrasounds can be expensive and require a vet visit. Progesterone testing isn't always accurate. Right now I have four females that I'm hoping will maintain their pregnancies & provide me with cria (baby alpacas). Once every month, I bring one of my males into the female pasture on a lead & walk him amongst the pregnant girls. I have two maidens (females who haven't given birth before) & two proven moms. If the females are open (not pregnant) they'll typically cush (lay down) for breeding. If they are pregnant they'll either spit, kick or run away. These could also be symptoms of a retained CL (Corpeus Luteum); but that's probably more info than my casual blog readers are interested in. Today, I had four positive spit tests, so fingers crossed!

I've attached photos of the two beautiful studs we used this year: Canzelle's Mombasa & Canzelle's Swahili. If you're interested in alpacas, knitting or ME, here's the link to my other blog: Erin Murphy Knits: Spit Happens!:

In Search of My Roots

I've always considered myself Irish. I'm sure it's because my name, Erin Margaret Murphy, is just about as Irish as a name can be. Recently, I've decided to find out more about my heritage and what a surprise! I'm 1/4 English, 1/4 Russian, 1/8 Irish, 1/8 French, 1/8 German & 1/8 Latvian. I guess I'm a perfect example of the great American melting pot. I'm looking forward to finding out more about my ancestors.

Survivor Mitzvah Project

Darren & I had the distinct honor of attending the Survivor Mitzvah Project at the Museum of Tolerance. It was an inspiring, heart wrenching evening with actors (including Ed Asner, Frances Fisher, Elliott Gould, Valerie Harper, Lainie Kazan & Alan Rosenberg) reading letters from Holocaust survivors. The organization was founded by the amazing Zane Buzby a television director & producer (Golden Girls, Newhart, Charles in Charge, Married...with Children). During one hiatus, she went on a trip in search of her roots & connected with several Holocaust survivors who were ill and living alone in poverty. She began writing & sending small amounts of money, that they used for the most basic necessities & medical treatment. As she recruited friends to help, she found more and more survivors & they began sharing their experiences before, during and after the Holocaust in a series of letters. I studied the Holocaust in school. I read The Diary of Anne Frank & watched Schindler's List; but I'm embarrassed to admit how little I knew about the actual plight of the survivors. I had falsely assumed that they were well taken care of, for the atrocities that they'd had to endure. it's been said that 'Ignorance is bliss', but sometimes it's just ignorance. My hope is not only that others help this forgotten group, but also that Ms. Buzby turns her story into a film to spread the word even further. http.survivormitzvah.org

photo credit: Paul Archuleta/ Film Magic

Do What You Can...

Today as I entered the Post Office on one of the busiest days of the year (tax day). I saw a woman with two small children holding a sign asking for help. While I waited inside, my mind wandered to someone I love, who was an amazing advocate for the homeless: Dick York. In his later years, even though he was stricken by emphysema & constantly hooked to an oxygen tank, he was completely selfless, making calls to get items donated to homeless shelters. In one of our last conversations, he told me that one of the kindest things you can do for someone who is homeless is to give them something to eat. Instead of handing out money, he chose to hand out sandwiches. When I walked outside, I went to my car & grabbed 3 bananas from a grocery bag in the back. I gave them to the lady along with a few dollars. Then I reached into my purse & took out two small toys that we'd gotten at a Japanese restaurant last night (a slinky & a small car) & handed them to the kids. The little boy looked at me, smiled & hugged my leg. The mom thanked me profusely. As I drove away they were all eating the bananas. I agree with Dick York (my beloved Darrin-Daddy) about giving people food, but I think you should also give them 'hope' & let them know that someone cares.

Sprinkles Cupcake ATM

I thought I'd share my visit to one of the happiest places on Earth: the Sprinkles Cupcake ATM! I am a longtime fan of Sprinkles' Red Velvet Cupcakes (mmmm cream cheese frosting) & I love the idea of being able to get one anytime I want. I'm sure my hubby is happy that this wasn't around when I was pregnant, since I'm sure I would have sent him on some midnight cupcake runs! For now, the ATM line is about the same length as the line to go inside, but the ATM line is a little slower, because every single person takes a photo. A few annoying people even take video (that would be me). Watch as I make a withdrawal..SO COOL!!!

Drive-Thru Zoo!

When I was a kid, we used to go to Lion Country Safari in Irvine, California. You would drive your car amongst all sorts of wildlife; lions, zebras, giraffes, etc. They would give each car a tape recorder device that would say things like 'We are now entering Africa...'.They had a petting zoo at Lion Country Safari where you could have your photo taken with Frazier, the Lion. He was rather old, had no teeth & his tongue hung several inches out of his closed mouth. I didn't care, I thought he was great! It turns out that despite his advanced age, Frazier was put in with the female lions after several young males were ignored. Turns out Frazier was quite the Casanova & he soon had all the girls pregnant. They even made a film about him titled, 'Frazier, the Sensuous Lion'. Another childhood memory involves Lion Couhtry Safari's hippo, Bubbles. She escaped the park under a fence & went to live in a local pond. She refused to get out. Finally she emerged & due to some sort of tranquilizer issue, she died. I took it very hard,since I had been closely following the story & even had a gold "Bubbles" necklace. Her autopsy showed that she was expecting a baby. Lion Country Safari went out of business in California many years ago. On our Easter visit to Texas, we found something very similar: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. The added bonus here, is that you can feed the animals from your car! If you've never fed a giraffe before, I'd highly recommend it!

And the Winner is...

Hey Guys! I fit more into this weekend than I fit into some weeks: Kids Choice & Teen Choice Gifting Suites & Events, Presented 5 awards at a film festival, halter trained a couple alpacas, spent some great quality time with the family & finally read The Hunger Games (which was a super quick read). Did you catch the Bewitched references on last nights' episode of Mad Men? In the photos above, I'm pictured with Moneyball actor/ baseball player Casey Bond & the absolutely adorable Maggie Elizabeth Jones from We Bought a Zoo.

Memories of Sunset & Gower

Isn't it funny how certain things can trigger a memory? When I smell Aramis cologne, it reminds me of a high school boyfriend. When I smell Shalimar, it reminds me of watching my mom get dressed up to go out. Well a friend posted this photo on Facebook today, & memories came flooding back. This is the corner of Sunset & Gower in the 1960's. We filmed Bewitched right here at Screen Gems & I used to eat at the Copper Skillet all the time. One day, Johnnie Whitaker took me on my first date here. To be fair, I don't think he considered it a date, since I think I was only 5 years old & he was probably 10. It was while we were filming the Jack & the Beanstalk episode of Bewitched. I ordered breaded veal cutlet & he paid with a check. Awwww, memories!!

Welcome Back Mad Men

I missed you Don Draper & I'm happy to have you back! After a 17 month hiatus, the 2 hour Mad Men 'movie' didn't disappoint. I've been to a few parties over the years that have a "Zoobie Zoobie Zooooo" moment: where someone does something like get up in front of the group and sing & dance a completely choreographed routine. It may not come across as sexy, entertaining or adorable as planned, but it definitely leads to years of quiet giggles & inside jokes. It's always a little distracting to me when a character is suddenly replaced by a new actor, probably causes flashbacks to Bewitched. So in the opening scenes, I was confused why MJ Delfino was suddenly being called Bobby Draper. But in Hollywood it makes sense, the old Bobby, Jared Gilmore, has a big part on Once Upon A Time & Desperate Housewives is going off the air, so little Mason Vale Cotton needs a new job. I'm just glad they didn't replace Joan. What did you think of the new Mad Men episode?

Happiness is a Warm Puppy!

Thought I'd share this great photo I just received by Lisa Webb Photography. It was taken at Debbie Durkin's Main Event Red Carpet Lounge Eco-Oscars Event which took place at Mary Pickford's old estate, where they filmed The Artist. They've asked the "celebrities" who attended to autograph the photos, which will be auctioned off to benefit the Fur Fitness Foundation http:furfitnessfoundation.org. Being a lifelong animal lover, I'm more than happy to help! They also graciously sent a framed photo for us to keep. My Dog, Zuma (Mandolin Trails Absolute Afternoon at the Beach) is a Leonberger. The breed is still fairly new to the US & are originally from Germany. They were bred to not only 'look like a lion' but also do water rescue. Leonbergers have webbed feet & can jump out of a helicopter to save someone. We adore her! For those of you who've read my blog for awhile, you might remember when we first got Zuma. You can enter the word 'Zuma' into the search section of my blog to read past posts, including her appearance on Animal Planet. She's not a little puppy anymore & weighs more than I do!

I Believe The Children Are Our Future...

Went to two amazing children's charity events this weekend. The first was a Fashion Week Event for Girls Today Women Tomorrow. It's a fabulous mentoring program. http://gtwt.org The second was a Storyland Funtini Extravaganza benefiting Reading, Writing, It's Exciting! http://rweprogram.org/site/ It was all part of the Reading Across America program. I volunteer in a classroom every week. Hope you can all find something that you're passionate about & get involved. On a superficial note: I'm wearing a St. John Jacket, Milly skirt & vintage ostrich handbag. Photo Credit: Paul Archuleta, Film Magic, Getty Images

Grey's Anatomy Cast Sings to Benefit the Actor's Fund

Darren & I went to a really fun event last night. Inspired by their singing episode, the cast of Grey's Anatomy took to the stage of Royce Hall at UCLA for a concert to support the Actor's Fund. The talented Sandra Oh accepted her singing limitations & acted as a lively emcee, while Eric Dane provided the comic relief. They all looked like they were having a great time & sounded much better than you'd expect for a TV Cast. Sara Ramirez (whose name is pronounced like "sorry") had previously won a Tony for Spamalot & was fabulous. Jessica Capshaw is expecting her third child & looked adorable. The highlight for me was definitely Justin Chambers young daughter who is destined to be a STAR!! Take a minute to visit the Actor's Fund Website (http://actorsfund.org). They're an amazing organization that's been supporting the entertainment community since the 1800's.

Here's the set list for those interested in such things: 1. Chasing Cars- Sara Ramirez, Kevin McKidd, Chandra Wilson 2. How We Operate- Kevin McKidd 3. There's A Girl- Sarah Drew 4. Wait- Chandra Wilson, Sarah Drew 5. Running on Sunshine- Cast 6. Young Folks- Justin Chambers & daughters 7. Everywhere I Go- Wilson 8. Keep Breathing- Ingrid Michaelson 9. Looking At The World From The Bottom of a Well- McKidd 10. The Story- Ramirez 11. How To Save A Life- Cast

PSA for PBS

I shot a Public Service Announcement for the PBS Network today. Growing up in Los Angeles, I've been watching PBS as long as I can remember & my kids watch it now. KLCS, "The Education Station" is one of only 7 PBS stations in the country that is licensed to a school district. Sadly LAUSD is in the midst of a financial crisis & PBS is in jeopardy. Unlike most PBS networks, KLCS has never asked for support from their viewers, but now they have to. They don't need much, but they do need you, pick up your phone & text KLCS to 80888 to make a one time donation of $10. No bank account or credit card is needed or visit www.klcs.org & choose the donor level that works for you. It's easy & completely tax deductible. Support PBS/ KLCS. Together we can make a little magic.

Rest in Peace Davy Jones

The Monkees filmed at the Screen Gems lot the same time we were filming Bewitched. I loved the show & like most of America, I thought that Davy was the cute one. I was lucky to spend quite a bit of time with Davy over the years. He was always funny, charming & ageless. I think a nice tribute would be to download your favorite Monkees songs from ITunes. I did that long before today!