Confession: I am not a girly girl. Never have been. Dresses only happen for me if they are 100% necessary or very special occasions, like when I got married or when my friends get married. I would rather challenge you…
‘Murphy Brown’ Season 11 Review: We’d Hoped For More
Tonight, Candice Bergen could bring home her third Golden Globe award for her title role in Murphy Brown. It’s a nice tip of the hat to a revival that had some brilliant moments, but didn’t quite live up to the…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×13 Review: ‘Happy New Year’
“Happy New Year” was supposed to have some tension about what’s happening to Avery in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, no one told that to the CBS promotions team. They’d included a shot of Avery home safe on New Year’s Eve in the…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×12 Review: ‘AWOL’
At first glance, the title “AWOL” refers to Murphy’s planned story about Afghanistan. But it also applies to what’s missing from network news these days: a sense of independence, willingness to take risks, and faith that audiences can pay attention…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×11 Review: ‘The Wheels On The Dog Go Round And Round’
Before I get into Murphy the dog owner or Avery the man of principles, let me clarify something reported in other media. Murphy Brown IS NOT canceled. Some media outlets presumed it was, based on CBS’ spring schedule. But show runner…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×10 Review: “Beat The Press”
I have often mentioned in these reviews that I, too, am a member of the press. As such, I found the dilemma presented in “Beat The Press” to be all too resonant. When your safety and that of your colleagues…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×09 Review: ‘Thanksgiving and Taking’
There is a recipe for Thanksgiving episodes. It includes a turkey, an awkward family gathering, a dash of ribbing about the culinary talents of the host/hostess, and the eventual realization that despite difficulties, family is something to be thankful for.…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×08 Review: ‘The Coma And The Oxford Comma’
I’d originally looked forward to Murphy Brown for biting political humor at a time when government seems like a circus. But that hasn’t been the show’s strong point. Instead, the show’s funniest moments have dealt with the absurdities of the…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×07 Review: ‘A Lifetime of Achievement’
“Don’t forget to treasure the moments. They will carry you through the roughest of times.” There is no way Murphy Brown’s writers could have known how resonant those words would be last Thursday night. Here in California, we were reeling…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×06 Review: ‘Results May Vary’
Five days before the midterm elections, Murphy Brown focuses on the big vote in “Results May Vary.” The episode features marathon election day coverage by Murphy in the Morning and Avery’s rival Wolf Network, from the opening of the polls to…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×05 Review: ‘The Girl Who Cried About Wolf’
Murphy Brown bounced back this week. While last week’s jokes fell flat or felt like they were lifted from a Twitter war, this week’s edition felt much sharper and more focused on the characters we love. We say it all…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×04 Review: ‘Three Shirts To The Wind’
The Murphy Brown revival promised the nostalgia of an old favorite, and the promise of sharp, topical humor. Four episodes in, neither of those factors are as appealing as the mother/son dynamic of Murphy and Avery. Sadly, we got little…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×03: ‘#MurphyToo’
The saddest thing about the #MeToo movement is the vast number of us who can say those words. In “#MurphyToo,” Murphy Brown joins that army of women and men who have been victims of those more powerful than us. I…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×02 Review: “I (Don’t) Heart Huckabee”
Jake McDorman’s Avery Brown is quickly becoming my favorite part of the Murphy Brown revival. His episode-closing scene with Candice Bergen’s Murphy made up for some early flat notes. It’s not that they didn’t try. But many of the lines…
‘Murphy Brown’ 11×01 Review: ‘Fake News’
There is nothing fake about my joy in seeing Murphy Brown back on my TV. I’ve been anxiously awaiting this revival for months, and the premiere did not disappoint. From the opening montage of the 2016 presidential campaign (over a…
More ‘Murphy Brown’ In The Season Premiere
We were already eagerly anticipating the return of Murphy Brown to our TV sets. Now CBS is exciting us even more with the news that next week’s premiere will get an extra five minutes! That’s five more minutes to get…
From The Upfronts: ‘Murphy Brown’ Making Her Comeback
Of all the new shows the networks are promoting at their Upfronts this week, the one that has me the most excited is an oldie but goodie. Murphy Brown is coming back to CBS this fall, on Thursday nights at…
