Murphy Brown
Murphy Brown
TV-PG | 14 November 1988 (USA)

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  • Reviews
    ShangLuda Admirable film.
    ChicDragon It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.
    mraculeated The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.
    Asad Almond A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.
    John Esche 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.
    stir_it_up My favorite sitcom ever.The writing was incredibly smart and equally as humorous. To this day, I believe Murphy Brown was a show ahead of its time. It wasn't afraid to tackle any issue(or President) that came to pass during the show's 10-year run.I adored every character on the show. Each actor clearly embraced their character and made him/her their own. Candice Bergen deserved every Emmy she won for playing "Murphy Brown", who was without a doubt the best character on television.I loved watching Season 1 uncut on DVD. Bring on Season 2!
    Tenant_Uen I 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?
    Rosemea D.S. MacPherson Will we ever forget Murphy Brown, the Washington, D.C. journalist? I think not. That was a really nicely written show. I always have admired Candice Bergen (Ghandi, Murphy Brown). A gorgeous woman who's face glowed in Ghandi. I also recall Candice talking about her husband, the late French movie director Louis Malle (Au revoir les enfants, Pretty Baby ), and her daughter Cloé. Candice has always seemed to be a down to earth person. I always thought that she would make a "nice match" with Robert Redford in some movie! The show reminded me of Mary Taylor Moore, a Mary of the 90's!Her Murphy Brown apartment was so nicely decorated, and her painter Eldin Bernecky, beautifully played by Robert Pastorelli Michael) spent half of the entire series just painting one room, was a really nice guy. They always went to Phil's restaurant. Phil was played by Pat Corley (Hill Street Blues). Corky Sherwood Forrest Silverberg, Faith Ford, (Maggie Winters) was funny and annoying all together. Frank Fontana, Joe Regalbuto (Missing) Murphy's good friend. Charles Kimbrough (The Seduction of Joe Tynan) played the stuffed Jim Dial. Grant Shaud (Wall Street) played the insecure boss Miles Silverberg. Then talented Lily Tomlin (Tea with Mussolini) joined the series almost as it ended as Kay Carter-Shepley. I remember many episodes, but I loved when they were car pooling. What a gang! Their idiosyncrasies. One of Murphy's indiocyncrasies was firing her secretaries. This was a nice place for many famous guest stars including our much loved colleague, the late, John Kennedy Jr., who gave Murphy a copy of the first issue of his political magazine George. Murphy naturally was annoyed because that was such a cheap present coming from such a frugal Kennedy. Then John said: "Then don't complain when you have to pay Newsstand price later!" I enjoyed the series and will always miss them all!