I was a fan of Murphy Brown for the first five seasons but kind of tappered off after that. But still, the writing was fresh, not too mean-spirited, and Candice Bergen pretty much owned the screen.
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safenoe12 February 2022
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bryankia18 October 2018While this is an important topic I just don't think this hit the mark. Still love the show
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osocary29 September 2018Murphy Brown is back with her crew and a clever premise (that'll really kick in next episode, I guess), and it's an anti-Trumper's delight. With a cameo by Hillary and a tweetstorm with Trump and some real information (boring! . . . not!), and the advantages of age, well, I think it's a keeper that will only get better.
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judybenton13 February 2007Murphy Brown is one of my all time favorite situation comedies. Candice Bergen is a comedic genius, and I wish I could see more of her. The rest of the cast did a great job, too.
The series tackled real problems with insight and humor such as an unmarried mature woman becoming pregnant, alcoholism, and cancer, to name a few.
The summer of 2000, I was battling breast cancer, chemo, nausea, and hair loss when reruns of Murphy's breast cancer experience were shown. It was so true to life but yet so funny. It helped me tremendously! Laughter is indeed the best medicine. These episodes should be shown during chemo treatments.
I implore whoever is in charge of such things to please market DVDs of the entire Murphy Brown series. It should not be allowed to slide into oblivion. -
Tommy-928 October 1999I only started watching this show in its last season. I laughed a lot, which is pretty hard to do with so many of the other shows these days. Candace Bergen is a great actress working with great scripts and a great cast. The breast cancer story line was handled very well, both in poignant and humorous ways. The finale was a fitting way to end it.
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castoirebenjamin28 October 2018This show is great for all Americans, it has great writing, great acting and very funny. Only people with low values would be offended by this show.
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Sylviastel11 April 2005Murphy Brown's intelligence and comedic wit is pure genius and fun to watch. Lifetime began airing the repeats for a while until 2000 which is a shame because it is such a high quality, well-written, and extremely well-acted show overall. While Candice Bergen plays the title character, she never uses her status to ruin the show. She allows her excellent supporting cast including Faith Ford, Grant Shaud, Jim Regalbuto, and the guy who plays Jim Dial. When Grant Shaud left the show, the show brought Lily Tomlin who did an excellent job. I loved Garry Marshall and Pat Corbett as Phil, the local bar owner and the guy that knew everything in Washington D.C. There are several hilarious episodes with guest stars like Barry Manilow serenading Baby Avery, the wonderful Colleen Dewhurst as the memorable Avery Brown, Murphy's mom, Darren McGavin as her father, Broadway Legend Marian Seldes as her aunt during a fabulous Christmas episode. I am sad that Robert Pastorelli passed away recently but he was memorable as the house painter/artist and nanny for Avery. Somebody told me that guest stars shaked the cast for making their experience to be the most pleasurable during their stay. Murphy Brown lasted 11 years for several reasons--it's great cast and staff of writers like Diane English.
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Owlwise19 October 2018As a major fan of the Murphy Brown, I had mixed feelings about its revival today. But if any older TV series was suited to the current times, this is it. And for the most part, it's just as scathing as before ... but not quite settled into its new surroundings yet. The basics are there, the writing is sharp; they just need to tighten & fine-tune the characters & storylines. As much as I loathe Trump, that's not enough to sustain the show for long. I welcome the political humor overall - they always did that well - but look at other entertainment & cultural trends of the day, as well as more personal stories, would add a lot to it.
As for all of the 1 start reviews for the revival ... I notice that quite a few, ostensibly written by different posters, tend to be identical, word-for-word posts. Which means that the revival has struck a nerve. Which means that it's doing something right. I just hope the series will remember that it needs more than outrage (even when I share that outrage). It still has the potential to be just as smart & funny as it ever was! -
policy13417 October 2006This was perceived as something of a sensation back in the late 80's and early 90's. What is strange is that while other sitcoms who were pushing the envelope got virtually no attention, like Married with Children, Murphy Brown was considered cutting edge.
What the sitcom actually introduced was that you could portray a woman, who was successful in her job, even though she was pushing middle age and to top it all of she was single. In that respect you can say that the sitcom was out of the ordinary. Just think of Claire Huxtable without 5 children.
What was not so great about this was the fact that Murphy Brown relied heavily on stereotypes, at least in the beginning of its run. Aside from Murphy Brown herself there was Phil, the understanding but gruff bartender, the airhead journalist who usually got by on her looks and the jealous co-worker who was as stiff on camera as William Shatner.
Oh, yeah. In case you forgot this took place in a newsroom and was one of dozens of shows that aired in the 90's that did. Starting with the feature film "Broadcast News" TV-shows milked this setting for all it was worth in the 90's.
Every once in a while they found an interesting hook in this show like having Murphy Brown get a new secretary (this was before the term assistant became the right term) every week. Of course, this was spoofed on Seinfeld but in itself this was the most funny thing about this show.
The show was famous for tackling issues but usually it was done in such a straightforward manor that you could just as easily have made this a 50 minute drama series instead.
So not that this was the worst sitcom ever, but I couldn't get many laughs out of the situations portrayed here. Just to name a few Murphy Brown was a recovering alcoholic, she gave birth as a single mother (ha-ha), her best friends were a bartender and a man she hired to paint her house. -
lilyrowan19 October 2018Rating Murphy Brown wasn't easy because I would give the original show an 8 and the reboot a 2. I settled for a 5, right in the middle.
The old Murphy Brown, while Left in nature, was smart and funny enough not to insult me, a moderate Republican. Sure, there was good-natured ribbing of the Right, but it wasn't hate filled. Who wouldn't have laughed at Murphy's fight with Dan Quayle no matter which side of the aisle you sat? New Murphy Brown changed that and now only throws out hate toward the Right. The way it is done is insulting and humorless.
Adding Tyne Daly was a good move. Avery is a likable guy and had potential, but they are only using him as a way to put down the news channel liberals hate the most. Too bad they didn't make him a real Republican for a little balance and to really tick off and spar with Murphy.
The new show is a shadow of the original, and after this week's episode, I think it is time for me to say "goodbye" to these characters I used to enjoy enormously. I only stuck around this long because I wanted to see Jim Dial again. One final thought, it was kinda strange how the Miles/Corky marriage never happened. -
ksdilauri30 July 2022So the reboot didn't light up the ratings--it still deserves a very honorable mention. The main cast still had all their talent and timing, and the chemistry between Murphy and the grown Avery is very natural. Though a huge fan of the original series, I felt the difference when I initially watched the 2018 version. However, I bought the reboot on Prime to give it another look after its initial run, and found I enjoyed the episodes more the second time around--and even more on subsequent viewings. Sure, the 'age thing' gives it a different feel--as with any reboot--but the writing and acting give a great one-two punch to their targets. I'm glad they made the effort to produce these episodes (the political climate at the time really required some skewering by the FYI team.) Thank you, Diane English and company.
NOW--other series that are nowhere near the quality of the original 'Murphy Brown' are released in their entirety, and they're not all huge sellers. So will somebody at Warner Brothers and Motown get off their butts, work out a royalty deal, and unlock seasons 2-10 from exile? Murphy fans unite !!! -
DKosty12330 October 2007This show is the creation of Diane English & it shows. Every script reflects her values, her morals, & this has been the major work in her life. She will never equal it again.
The reason the show worked was the talent of the cast ensemble. Everyone knew Candace Bergen has talent. The surprise is how many folks this show discovered. Grant Shaud for one has never equaled his performance in this in any other show. Faith Ford was another great discovery.
The show is set in a television newsroom. A lot of the network news insiders considered it a favorite show of theirs during it's run. It definitely influenced the media generation which it was meant to serve.
That is why you rarely see it re-run on TV now. The political satire that was it's forte is now as ancient to this generation as an expired piece of meat. It is no longer funny & teenagers now would not relate to it.
This generation is being driven away from being self-righteous snobs which are what most of the characters on Murphy Brown were. That is because Diane English very often put her own reflection in the mirror into the characters she drew for this show. While it was effective then, that effect is no longer in vogue.
On Johnny Carson's last show, his monologue made a statement about being a surrogate father for Murphy's just born child. Considering we are pretty much on the verge of having a group of grownups who have never heard of Johnny, nothing better illustrates why the shelf life of this show has expired.
It was topical & funny then, & good to look back on for the folks who remember Murphy. -
quidnessett28 September 2018I use to enjoy this show many years ago, it was witty and entertaining. I tuned in tonight expecting the same thing but with a new twist, I was greatly disappointed. It went from a fun show to a show embracing the turmoil of politics and these days that negativity is everywhere we look, it is nice to have an escape from it. So I think I'll pass on this. CBS you struck out on this one.
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richlieu28 May 1999In my opinion the best sitcom ever! Candice Bergen, surrounded by a brilliant cast, shows wit and intelligence - and not to mention she is (still in my opinion) probably the world´s most beautiful woman.
As, alas, it is dubbed in German in Germany I would give a lot to be able to watch it in original language. -
blairchristina3 October 2018The chracters are back and in this first episode we get a lot of set up and toasting characters no longer with us. Since the first episode was all set up, we Haven't yet seen what the show can do.
What I hope for is Candace Bergen getting more comfortable back in the roll. She needs more edge, not just anger. And the other characters need To sink their teeth more.
But what I saw, it's going to work. -
RECB34 January 2024This is a great and honest journalism comedy series for all viewers to watch. The crew definitely knew what they were doing when they were creating this series. The storyline of the series may have been simple but it was executed brilliantly. The cast selection was splendid. They fully committed and connected to the storyline of the series and to their respective characters. This comedy series reveals to viewers the major issues that need to be discussed more around the world. The world of today has become more dangerous than ever and everyone needs to work together to make the world a better and safe place. This is a fine journalism comedy series for everyone to watch.
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tlgodderz12 October 2018What a refreshing change of pace. An intelligent, funny, energetic and timely show that addresses the important issues we all face. I love Murphy as an older woman, and still pertinent and living life on her terms. It's great to see other members of the cast too, and the new additions! I've told many people to give Murphy a try, as it's phenomenal!
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JamieClaye24 November 2018We've been hanging on for this reincarnation of a classic to find its comedy legs but this episode was the final straw. It was embarrassing. We're done, and there really isn't any need to go on. Sorry Candy, stick a fork in this turkey.
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At the top of its class when first introduced in the late nineteen eighties, MURPHY BROWN still holds up as satisfying, warmly humorous "class" television twenty years later in syndication and on DVD.
Of course MURPHY BROWN was most notable in its original run for addressing the prime issues of the day, but it is the quality of the writing and acting which glows today.
Sadly, few of the "issues" addressed have gone away - "pols" of the ilk of Dan Quayle have even moved up to stealing elections through short counts in Florida and rigged voting machines in Ohio to take the TOP job - where is a Murphy Brown when we need her?), but even conservatives (I'm an occasionally elected - if moderate - Republican myself) could laugh at the balanced writing for MURPHY BROWN the TV show, which took many opportunities to spoof the irony of a newsroom full of dedicated caring professionals (this was just at the time - another topic sharply satirized - when networks were turning the once sacrosanct news departments over to the ministrations of their "entertainment divisions") trying to do a solid job while balancing corporate politics and real personal lives and passions.
Some commentators here have had reservations about the comic impact of MURPHY BROWN, perhaps longing for the knock-about, content free physical comedy of the 1950's. I'd suggest that they do not understand the nature of what SITUATION comedy has (thank God) evolved to since the days of I LOVE LUCY and I MARRIED JOAN. The best comedy comes, not from jokes and mugging (though MURPHY BROWN had its fair share of those too), but from carefully developed SITUATIONS and CHARACTER - which is why those "breast cancer episodes" in the latter seasons, with the show admittedly struggling with maintaining its comic focus in the face of departing - and frequently beloved - cast regulars, could glow so strong in so many memories.
These things go in cycles, and for those who don't like subtlety in their comedy writing, there will always be another wave of joke filled silliness that doesn't actually engage the mind in a season or two - and some times when you have a brilliant comedienne like Lucile Ball at the core and an innovative creator like Desi Arnaz shaping new ways of presenting the old formulas, it will be memorable - but the shows that really last, and *grow* with each passing season are those like MURPHY BROWN that actually engage the mind and attempt to portray and interact with the world they exist in.
MURPHY BROWN may well be the best situation comedy ever not written by Aaron Sorkin (SPORTS NIGHT and WEST WING).
Casting - regulars and guest appearances - was uniformly top drawer to match the writing, with a series of outstanding guest stars fleshing out the fictional news magazine (FYI)'s stories and the personal lives of the characters (Murphy's "ex-husband" and Miles' "brother" were brilliant in too infrequent appearances).
One of the best and most surprising ongoing story lines was Brown's relationship with her over achieving mother, Avery Brown, played by the great stage actress (and long time President of Actor's Equity!) Coleen Dewhurst. This story line brought a new generation of fans to one of the stage's brightest lights and wisely continued even after the actress's untimely passing. While the first season of MURPHY BROWN has been out on DVD for some time (Dewhurst first appeared in the first season), the issuing company does not appear to be in a hurry to put out subsequent seasons. One can only pray that they will consider a single disc DVD issue of all the Dewhurst episodes (and the one where Murphy's child is named). It would be treasured by fans of the series - and of Dewhurst. -
Gagarr3 October 2018If you are going to have a one-note show, you should be honest what that note is. MSNBC is better at the anti-Trump rhetoric. Honestly, at least shows like "Last Man Standing" tries to present both positions and find some middle ground.
Too bad I remember liking the original Murphy Brown.
Murphy Brown = "Fake Comedy" -
Tenant_Uen25 December 2001I can't believe there are only so few comments on this unbelievably funny show! It must be that it ended too early before audiences remember to put their comments on IMDB. I heard many people commend ¡§Friends¡¨ or ¡§Mad About You,¡¨ but I find little fun when I actually watch these shows. ¡§Murphy Brown¡¨ is by far the most intelligent and hilarious series I¡¦ve ever watched, maybe the only sitcom ever interests me, because I generally prefer more serious shows such as ¡§Homicide: Life on the Street¡¨ or ¡§thirtysomething.¡¨ Murphy Brown has all the incredible cast. I especially prefer the interaction between the cranky Murphy and the panicky Miles. I¡¦m not sadistic, but I always roll to the floor every time Murphy torments Miles with her disastrous ideas. Like one IMDB user says, I really miss all of the characters. When can they make a show like this?
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cherm50024 June 2013Who would have thought that a show featuring a recovering alcoholic as the main character could have any redeeming entertainment value or provide much to laugh about. And yet, Murphy Brown did just that. As the fallen-from-grace news celebrity, she became an icon of not only how she turned her life around, but also a symbol of newswomen dedicated to excellence. The show took on subjects not normally tackled in sitcoms of that time period. Murphy was tough, because in the time frame of her rise to the top, a woman had to be tough to succeed. As this show demonstrated, this sometimes came at great personal cost.
I cannot believe that this show, which won award after award and challenged sitcoms to be more than "just funny" has not had the entire series released. In recent times, TV Land recognized it as one of the most innovative shows of its time and rightly so! The plots took into consideration real current events and brought attention to real life issues, all the while entertaining us and making us laugh and sometimes cry.
Murphy Brown was criticized by none other than, then Vice President, Dan Quayle for deciding to become a single mother, thus catapulting a fictional character into a realistic arena. And yet the character did not make the decision to become a single mother lightly. Once made, however, she stuck by that decision with all the second-guessing that goes into such a dilemma.
The show didn't take that course because it was popular with the "family values" proponents of the time, but because it was simply a reality of our society and one the show's creators and writers apparently felt was important to address. One of my favorite scenes was when Murphy had doubts about whether she was doing the right thing. She asked Eldin if he thought she would make a good mother. I believe he reassured her, but I also recall him saying, after she was out of earshot, something to the effect of "I'm not sure if you'll be a good mother, but I know I will be!" I would love to watch that episode again.
The list of guest stars alone would be a worthy reason to produce them on DVD, but truly, the entire cast deserves to be immortalized for future generations to view. As the characters grew and developed, I welcomed them into my home every week and was happy to lose myself in Murphy's world for every second. There are so many moments that come to mind, Jim Dial's very proper demeanor dissolving into laughter, Miles Silverberg's frustration in trying to control Murphy's mood swings and prevent disaster on the show to finally earning her respect, Corky Sherwood's growth from beauty queen fluff pieces to emulating her idol, Murphy Brown, to take on more newsworthy items. The friendships between Murphy and Frank and her ever-present house painter, Eldin. I could go on, but there is limited space here, after all.
A series of this caliber cannot be duplicated, but needs to be re-introduced and promoted. I've owned the first season DVD for years and would be most happy to find the entire series available. I will continue to hope for the release the series! -
sheadcheryl28 September 2018Murphy and cast are back where they belong on a news set. Loved this sitcom way back when and I thoroughly enjoyed its revival last night. It was very up to date and current. Way to go CBS.