Murphy Brown (TV series)
"Murphy Brown" is a television series that premiered in 1988, featuring the character Murphy Brown, played by Candice Bergen. Murphy is a sharp-witted, recovering alcoholic reporter who works for the D.C.-based magazine show "FYI." The series combines humor with topical issues, covering themes like romance, friendship, and politics, while presenting a behind-the-scenes look at television journalism. The ensemble cast includes notable characters such as Miles Silverberg, Jim Dial, and Corky Sherwood, alongside Eldin Bernecky, who often serves as Murphy's confidant.
One of the show's most controversial storylines involved Murphy's unexpected pregnancy, which sparked significant public debate, especially after criticism from then-Vice President Dan Quayle regarding the portrayal of single motherhood. "Murphy Brown" is recognized for pushing boundaries by addressing subjects that earlier comedies had largely skirted, such as women's independence and health challenges, notably Murphy's breast cancer journey. The series resonated with audiences for its blend of humor and serious themes, ultimately culminating in a finale that included memorable guest appearances and emotional depth. It remains an influential work that reflects the changing social dynamics of the late 20th century.
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Subject Terms
Murphy Brown (TV series)
Identification Television comedy series
Date Aired from 1988 to 1998
This groundbreaking series won eighteen Emmy Awards, including two for Outstanding Comedy Series during its ten-season run and five for star Candice Bergen.
When it premiered in 1988, Murphy Brown was a very funny series, similar toThe Mary Tyler Moore Show, but with a more cynical Mary as its protagonist and with topical news headlines incorporated into many of the story lines. Candice Bergen played Murphy, a recovering and world-weary alcoholic reporter, just back from the Betty Ford Center in the first episode, who works for the Washington, D.C.-based magazine television show FYI. The supporting cast included Grant Shaud as emotional yuppie producer Miles Silverberg; Charles Kimbrough as stuffy Jim Dial, anchor on FYI; Faith Ford as former model but now flighty reporter Corky Sherwood; Joe Regalbuto as macho correspondent Frank Fontana; and, perhaps most important, Robert Pastorelli as the moody beatnik housepainter Eldin Bernecky, who serves as Murphy’s sounding board and nanny. Plotlines covered everything from romance to friendship, national politics to office politics, with a running joke throughout the series being the revolving door of secretaries that Murphy has. One episode had John F. Kennedy, Jr., showing up to publicize his new magazine, George, with Murphy mistaking him for her new secretary.
Perhaps the most controversial story line involved Murphy’s pregnancy. The father is her ex-husband, Jake Lowenstein, a political activist who was unable to commit to fatherhood. The pregnancy was heavily criticized by family values groups and then vice president Dan Quayle, who accused single mom Murphy of being a poor example of a parent, public comments that ignited a firestorm of discussion on the importance of marriage and legitimacy. However, the fact that the vice president criticized the series showed the degree to which it was a bellwether of the period in which it ran.
In its hour-long finale, George Clooney, then the star of ER, appeared as a silent member of the medical team helping Murphy face her breast cancer ordeal. After the take, Clooney asked Bergen if she was okay. Bergen opened her mouth to speak, then turned away to cry. This final episode also included cameos from Julia Roberts (as herself) and Bette Midler (as “No. 93” in the long line of Murphy’s temp secretaries). Robert Pastorelli reprised his role as Eldin after an earlier departure from the series, and Murphy even nabbed the ultimate interview, with God (comedian Alan King in a dream sequence).
Impact
Murphy Brown, with its career woman star, built on the success of the earlier television comedy hits such as That Girl and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but with more of an edge. Story lines explored life situations that these earlier series (products of the 1960’s and 1970’s, respectively) could only mention, if even that. Most notable was Murphy’s breast cancer and pregnancy and her decision to raise the child as a single mother.
Bibliography
Alley, Robert S., and Irby B. Brown. Murphy Brown: Anatomy of a Sitcom. New York: Delta, 1990.
Dow, Bonnie J. Prime-Time Feminism: Television, Media Culture, and the Women’s Movement Since 1970. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1996.
Klein, Allison. What Would Murphy Brown Do? How the Women of Prime Time Changed Our Lives. Emeryville, Calif.: Seal Press, 2006.
Lowe, Denise. Women and American Television: An Encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-Clio, 1999.