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Murphy Brown
On CBS — From Warner Bros. Television · Shukovsky English Entertainment
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🔔 Notify me about new seasonsSynopsis
Murphy Brown is a recovering alcoholic who returns to the fictional newsmagazine FYI for the first time following a stay at the Betty Ford Clinic residential treatment center. Over 40 and single, she is sharp tongued and hard as nails. In her profession, she is considered one of the boys, having shattered many glass ceilings encountered during her career. Dominating the FYI news magazine, she is portrayed as one of America's hardest-hitting (though not the warmest or more sympathetic) media personalities.
Themes
Episodes
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- E1 RespectNext upNov 14, 1988 · 24 min · ★ 7.7
Synopsis
After completing treatment at the Betty Ford Center, celebrated investigative reporter Murphy Brown returns to FYI determined to resume her career. She discovers that the program is now run by young executive producer Miles Silverberg and that former beauty queen Corky Sherwood has joined the reporting team. At home, Murphy hires philosophical house painter Eldin Bernecky, whose work promises to take much longer than expected.
Guest stars: Tony Goldwyn (Bobby Powell), Mary Cadorette (Sherry French - Secretary #1), Kathleen Freeman (Mrs. Caldwell), Charley Lang (Robert - Secretary #2), Mark Lonow (Jerry Weiss), John Achorn (Stage Manager)
- E2 Devil with a Blue Dress OnNov 21, 1988 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy investigates a businessman suspected of involvement in drug smuggling, but Miles insists that Corky accompany her. Murphy expects the inexperienced former beauty queen to be a hindrance until Corky unexpectedly obtains the evidence needed to break the story. Murphy must then decide whether she is prepared to share the credit.
Guest stars: Dinah Lenney (Megan Reynolds - Secretary #3), John Hostetter (John)
- E3 Nowhere to RunNov 28, 1988 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy investigates allegations that a federal prosecutor is connected to a prostitution operation controlled by organized crime. When a death threat is delivered to the FYI newsroom, Miles becomes alarmed by the risks Murphy routinely accepts while pursuing a story.
Guest stars: Michael Gregory (Tiffany Howard), Fran Ryan (The Asp), Tom McCleister (Stagehand), Ritch Brinkley (Carl Wishnitski), Lily Mariye (Secretary #6), Ebbe Roe Smith (Man At Table), Myra Turley (Secretary #7)
- E4 Signed, Sealed, DeliveredDec 5, 1988 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy is assigned to interview radical activist Jake Loewenstein, whom she briefly married years earlier. Their unresolved feelings and conflicting accounts of the relationship make it increasingly difficult for Murphy to conduct an impartial interview.
Guest stars: John Hostetter (John), Charley Lang (Robert, Secretary #2), Robin Thomas (Jake Lowenstein), Joel Schultz (Office Staff Member (uncredited))
- E5 Murphy's PonyDec 11, 1988 · 24 min
Synopsis
Shortly before Christmas, a desperate mother unexpectedly leaves her children in Murphy’s care. Completely unprepared for instant parenthood, Murphy tries to look after the children while searching for their mother and attempting to give the family a proper holiday.
Guest stars: Chelsea Hertford (Lilly), Edan Gross (Joey), Todd Cameron Brown (Michael), Doug Dale (Waiter), Lisa Cloud (Mother), Beverly Dixon (Francine O'Donnell (uncredited)), David Keith Anderson (Patron #1 (uncredited))
- E6 Baby LoveDec 12, 1988 · 24 min
Synopsis
Spending time with a pregnant friend causes Murphy to question whether she wants a child of her own. She begins investigating artificial insemination and approaches Frank about becoming the biological father, leading to an increasingly awkward discussion about friendship, parenthood and their future responsibilities.
Guest stars: Dan Gilvezan (Man), Jenny O'Hara (Lisa), Marianne Muellerleile (Secretary #8), Ritch Brinkley (Carl Wishnitski), Jane Galloway (Sheila Michaels)
- E7 Set Me FreeDec 19, 1988 · 24 min
Synopsis
An armed man enters the FYI studio and demands that the program broadcast his grievances. Murphy attempts to control the dangerous situation while Miles and the rest of the staff struggle to respond. At home, Eldin transforms what was supposed to be a routine painting job into an extensive and apparently endless renovation.
Guest stars: Robert Harper (Henry Tucker), John Hostetter (John), Ritch Brinkley (Carl Wishnitski)
- E8 And So He GoesJan 2, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy is asked to deliver the eulogy for a longtime professional rival. She initially regards the assignment as an opportunity to settle old scores, but reflecting on their contentious history forces her to recognize the respect and affection hidden beneath years of competition.
Guest stars: Delane Matthews (Erma Bentley), Marie Denn (Mrs. Cowan), Ron Perkins (Man In Crowd), Charlie Phillips (Attendant), Dan Ziskie (Minister)
- E9 I Would Have Danced All NightJan 9, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy is outraged when everyone at FYI except her receives an invitation to George H. W. Bush’s inaugural ball. Determined to identify the person responsible for excluding her, she launches an investigation of her own. Meanwhile, Miles hesitates over inviting a woman who is taller than he is.
Guest stars: Annabelle Gurwitch (Secretary #10), Suzie Plakson (Jackie), Edith Fields (Lillian Brown), Lou Wills Jr. (Murray Brown)
- E10 KyleJan 16, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy’s investigative reporting helps exonerate Kyle, a man who has spent years in prison for a crime he did not commit. After his release, Kyle struggles to adjust to ordinary life, and Miles gives him an opportunity to work as Murphy’s latest secretary.
Guest stars: William Frankfather (Man in Bar), John Hostetter (John), Leslie Jordan (Kyle), Scott Lawrence (Office Worker Scott)
- E11 Off the Job ExperienceJan 23, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
Miles suspends Murphy after she disregards his instructions during an interview. Murphy initially welcomes the forced vacation, confident that she can enjoy a life away from television, but soon discovers that her identity and sense of purpose are inseparable from her work.
Guest stars: William Sadler (Colonel Fitzpatrick), Alan Oppenheimer (Eugene Kinsella)
- E12 Why Do Fools Fall in Love?Feb 13, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy and Frank agree to arrange romantic dates for one another, only to discover that each has badly misjudged what the other wants in a partner. Meanwhile, Murphy’s newest secretary develops an obvious attraction to the happily married Jim Dial.
Guest stars: Terri Treas (Meg Reynolds), Deborah May (Secretary #13), Donna Ponterotto (Felicia), Rick Rouseau (Man in Bar), Harley Venton (Richie)
- E13 Soul ManFeb 20, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy challenges an exclusive Washington club that refuses to admit women. After discovering a possible loophole in its membership rules, she pressures Jim into sponsoring her application and prepares to confront the institution on its own terms.
Guest stars: John Hostetter (John), Scott Lawrence (Office Worker Scott), Ritch Brinkley (Carl Wishnitski), David Sabin (Mr. Mueller), John Apicella (Jack), Steve Shaffer (Bartender), George C. Simms (Clemens), Charles Stransky (Bert)
- E14 It's How You Play the GameFeb 27, 1989 · 24 min · ★ 3.0
Synopsis
The FYI staff fears that viewers will ignore Frank’s serious report on homelessness. To attract a larger audience, they imitate the sensational promotional tactics of rival television personality Jerry Gold, but their effort to win the ratings battle threatens to overshadow the story itself.
Guest stars: Hilary Shepard (Jessie), Lee Garlington (Shawnee), Susan Krebs (Betty), Ann Ryerson (Rose), Vivian Paxton (Tanya), Julie Payne (Phyllis), Ritch Brinkley (Carl Wishnitski), Ron Marasco (Secretary #14)
- E15 Mama SaidMar 6, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy’s formidable mother, Avery Brown, arrives for an open-ended visit. Avery’s relentless criticism quickly revives the arguments and insecurities that have long defined their relationship, leaving Murphy desperate to regain control of her home and emotions.
Guest stars: Colleen Dewhurst (Avery Brown Sr.), Rachel Hartley (Young Murphy)
- E16 Moscow on the PotomacMar 13, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy prepares for a joint American-Soviet television broadcast and meets Soviet journalist Vladimir Tishenko. She is startled to discover that her counterpart’s personality, interviewing style and professional reputation closely resemble her own.
Guest stars: Robin Strasser (Vladia Renkov), John Hostetter (John), Ivan G'Vera (Russian), Mary Pat Gleason (Olga Rostapopovich)
- E17 My Dinner with EinsteinMar 20, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
Murphy begins dating brilliant physicist Dr. Victor Rudman to prove that intelligence matters more to her than physical attraction. Her supposedly reserved intellectual companion soon reveals that he has a far more active and adventurous social life than she anticipated.
Guest stars: Vernee Watson (Secretary #17), John Hostetter (John), Buck Henry (Dr. Victor Rudman), Ron Orbach (Photographer #1), Judy Prescott (Mimi), John Mansfield (Handsome Man)
- E18 Funnies GirlApr 10, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
An insulting remark Murphy makes near an open microphone inspires a newspaper cartoonist to create a caricature called “Mouthy Brown.” Murphy’s attempts to suppress or retaliate against the cartoon only give the artist more material and draw the rest of the FYI staff into the satire.
Guest stars: John Hostetter (John), Scott Lawrence (Office Worker Scott), Greg Procaccino (Pat O'Shea), Josh Pais (Secretary #18), John Sanderford (Dr. Keller)
- E19 The Unshrinkable Murphy BrownMay 1, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
A judge suffers a fatal heart attack while Murphy is questioning him on the air. Although she insists that the death has not affected her, Murphy loses her usual confidence and reluctantly attends group therapy in an attempt to understand her reaction.
Guest stars: Steven Culp (Brad Stockton), John Capodice (Judge Ferris), John Hostetter (John), Michael Robert Murphy (Barry), Janet MacLachlan (Dr. Paula Hayes), Robert Trebor (Geoffrey), Mary Catherine Wright (Joan), Christopher Wynne (Dan)
- E20 The Summer of '77May 8, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
Phil remembers Murphy’s arrival in Washington in 1977, when she competed with Frank Fontana and journalist Linda Ellerbee for a position at FYI. In the present, Eldin meets Corky and is immediately captivated by her.
Guest stars: Linda Ellerbee (Linda Ellerbee), Rick Scarry (Man in Bar), John Hostetter (John), James Karen (Arvin), Jason Marsden (Young Miles Silverberg), Eva Charney (Woman in Bar), Judy Kain (Mrs. Silverberg)
- E21 The BicknersMay 15, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
A minor traffic collision involving Murphy and a seemingly harmless elderly couple escalates into a $1.5 million lawsuit. Suspicious of the Bickners’ exaggerated injuries and innocent appearance, Murphy becomes determined to prove that they are experienced frauds.
Guest stars: Eric Christmas (Mr. Bob Bickner), Amzie Strickland (Mrs. Myrna Bickner), Mike Hagerty (Howard Sutthoff), Charley Lang (Robert, Secretary #2), Nicholas Hormann (Roger Moreland)
- E22 The Morning ShowMay 22, 1989 · 24 min
Synopsis
During a scheduled break from FYI, Murphy and Corky are assigned to co-host the network’s cheerful morning program. Corky adapts naturally to the lighter format, while Murphy struggles with cooking demonstrations, celebrity interviews and the relentlessly upbeat atmosphere.
Guest stars: Marge Redmond (Ida Mae), Alan Oppenheimer (Eugene Kinsella), Don Lake (Stage Manager), James Staley (Glenn Goodman), Jim Jansen (Pritchard), Pete Willcox (Secretary #20)
Cast & crew
Created by Diane English
Candice Bergen
Faith Ford
Joe Regalbuto
Charles Kimbrough
Lily TomlinImages · 4
