The Murphy Brown Episode Guide Compiled by Ed Nomura Special thanks go to the following for their help: Warner Bros. Television Dave Iaia (DAI...@amherst.edu) Brian Neale (brian.ne...@hallucin.com) Dave Chary (cha...@ucs.indiana.edu) Kelly Flores (kflo...@skat.usc.edu) "Murphy Brown: Anatomy of a Sitcom" by Robert S. Alley and Irby B. Brown This Murphy Brown episode guide lists episodes by title in the order of original airdate with a short description plus secretary informa- tion in parentheses (number, description) and dartboard (DB) postings. Interesting guests or cameoes are also noted. One hour episodes count as two. Please send additions or corrections to me at enom...@ucsd.edu This episode guide is for private use only and may be distributed freely. Ed Nomura MURPHY BROWN (Seasons 1-5: Nov 14, 1988 - ) Shukovsky/English Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Executive producers: Diane English, Joel Shukovsky (Seasons 1-4) Executive producers: Steven Peterman, Gary Dontzig (Season 5) Cast: Murphy Brown Candice Bergen Corky Sherwood-Forrest Faith Ford Jim Dial Charles Kimbrough Frank Fontana Joe Regalbuto Miles Silverberg Grant Shaud Phil Pat Corley Eldin Bernecky Robert Pastorelli Recurring: Stage manager John John Hostetter Cameraperson Carl Ritch Brinkley Jerry Gold Jay Thomas Audrey Cohen Jane Leeves Eugene Kinsella Alan Oppenheimer Jake Lowenstein Robin Thomas Miller Redfield Christopher Rich Avery Brown Colleen Dewhurst Bill Brown Darren McGavin Will Forrest Scott Bryce Doris Dial Janet Carroll Rose Fontana Rose Marie Dominic Fontana Barney Martin Dr. Barton Judyann Elder Mitchell Baldwin Julius Carry Ray Chuck Clayton FIRST SEASON: 22 episodes "Respect" (Nov 14, 88) "Respect" Murphy returns from the Betty Ford Clinic and meets her new executive producer Miles Silverberg who tests her vaunted journalistic chutzpah by arranging an interview with a man involved in a political sex scandal. (1, Robert the nervous wreck) "Devil With a Blue Dress On" (Nov 21, 88) "Devil With a Blue Dress On" Miles assigns Corky to help Murphy on a story but when Corky's legwork involves an important lead, Murphy would like to break both of her legs. (Corky fan) DB: "Wait here for next teller" "Nowhere to Run" (Nov 28, 88) "Nowhere to Run" Murphy's story exposing a mob figure leaves Miles feeling exposed himself after he receives a death threat. (devil worshipper) DB: "Wait for hostess to seat you" "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" (Dec 5, 88) "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" Murphy struggles to keep her cool when she's assigned to inter- view the fiery 60's radical she was married to for five steamy days. (Robert the nervous wreck) DB: "Valet 1.50 Parking" "Murphy's Pony" (Dec 11, 88) Murphy's noncelebration of Christmas is interrupted when three homeless urchins appear on her doorstep. "Baby Love" (Dec 12, 88) "Baby Love" After a visit from a pregnant friend, Murphy realizes she's pressed the snooze button on her biological clock too many times, so she decides to get pregnant - somehow. (8, airhead) DB: "Speed Limit 55" "Set Me Free" (Dec 19, 88) "The Way You Do the Things You Do" A gunman takes over a broadcast of FYI and forces Murphy to read a message on the air. DB: ":-) Have a Nice Day" "And So He Goes..." (Jan 2, 89) Murphy's rival Jack Cowan dies. (post-its) "I Would Have Danced All Night" (Jan 9, 89) "Will You Still Love Me Tommorow" Murphy doesn't get an invitation to the George Bush Inaugural Ball and struggles to find someone to take her. (10, drama student) "Kyle" (Jan 16, 89) "Heaven Must've Sent You" A man wrongfully imprisoned for 15 years turns out to be a dull interviewee for Murphy. Miles feels sorry for him and hires him as Murphy's secretary. (Kyle) "Off the Job Experience" (Jan 23, 89) "Isn't She Lovely?" Murphy is suspended for losing her cool on the air. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" (Feb 13, 89) "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" Murphy and Frank get dates for one another. (13, crush on Jim) DB: heart "Soul Man" (Feb 20, 89) "Soul Man" Murphy challenges the Dunfries Club's all-male status. DB: "Temporary No Parking" "It's How You Play the Game" (Feb 27, 89) "Do You Love Me?" FYI goes with one sleazy segment to boost their sagging ratings. (14) "Mama Said" (Mar 6, 89) "Mama Said" Murphy's mother pays a surprise visit. (crash test dummy) "Moscow on the Potomac" (Mar 13, 89) Murphy's Russian counterpart, Vladia Rankov visits FYI to do a broadcast. (Olga - Vladia's secretary) "My Dinner with Einstein" (Mar 20, 89) Murphy's subject, the most brilliant mind of his generation Victor Rudman, asks her out for a date. (17, smoker) "Funnies Girl" (Apr 10, 89) "Like the Whole World's Watching" A car- toonist targets Murphy after a comment she makes inadvertently goes over the airwaves. (18, afraid of Murphy; 19) DB: Garfield doll "The Unshrinkable Murphy Brown" (May 1, 89) After an interviewee dies while being grilled by Murphy on the air, she becomes overly pol- ite and then enters therapy. (soap opera fan) "The Summer of '77" (May 8, 89) A segment on Phil's 70th anniversary prompts flashbacks. Guest: Linda Ellerbee "The Bickners" (May 15, 89) "It's a Man's World" Murphy rear-ends a couple now out to sue her for riches. (Robert the nervous wreck) DB: "I Love Orrin Hatch" "The Morning Show" (May 22, 89) Murphy and Corky guest anchor a morn- ing news show for a week. (20, Elvis impersonator) DB: "How am I Driving? Call 555 3825" SECOND SEASON: 27 episodes (1 one-hour episode) "The Brothers Silverberg" (Sep 18, 89) "Boy From New York City" Miles' brother, Josh Silverberg, visits Miles and becomes infatuated with Murphy. (21, crushes can on head) DB: "NRA" "Anchors Away" (Sep 25, 89) Jim is sent off on assignment to Libya. Miller Redfield fills in. (22, call girl) "The Memo That Got Away" (Oct 2, 89) A young journalist hacks Murphy's private computer memo rating her colleagues for network manage- ment. "TV or Not TV" (Oct 16, 89) Murphy guests on a sitcom centering on an anchorwoman. Guests: Connie Chung, Morgan Fairchild (23, rapper) DB: "Do Not Backup Severe Tire Damage" "Miles's Big Adventure" (Oct 23, 89) On vacation in Tobago, Miles becomes the only reporter where a hijacked plane with a nuclear device has landed. Guest: Yeardley Smith (24, former DMV employee) "Buddies Schmuddies" (Oct 30, 89) "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" Mur- phy and Frank become enemies while pursuing a story. (25) "Whose Garbage is it Anyway?" (Nov 6, 89) "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecol- ogy)" Jerry Gold challenges the FYI team that they cannot be environmentally-conscious. "And the Whiner is..." (Nov 13, 89) "My World is Empty Without You" Corky wins the Humboldt Award. ("Sorry We're Closed") DB: "Checkout Time 11 a.m." "Roasted" (Nov 20, 89) Murphy emcees a roast of Jim for his 25th anniversary with the network. Guests: Walter Cronkite, Irving R. Levine (26) "Brown Like Me" (Nov 27, 89) Murphy invites her parents when she is chosen to receive the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award. 1 hour. ("Vacancy") DB: "? - Only" "The Strike" (Dec 11, 89) A technician's strike hits the crew of FYI. "Here's to You, Mrs. Kinsella" (Dec 11, 89) Miles has a one-night stand with who he finds out later to be Mrs. Kinsella. (Quayle standee) DB: "Breakfast Not Served After 11 a.m." "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" (Jan 1, 90) Sober for the first time on New Year's, Murphy enlivens Corky's party. "Subpoena Envy" (Jan 8, 90) Murphy is imprisoned in a cushy woman's correctional facility for refusing to reveal an anonymous source. DB: "Parking Customary" "I Want My FYI" (Jan 29, 90) "ABC" The network launches a kiddie ver- sion of FYI and the real FYI anchors pitch in. (sleeve caught in drawer) "Frankly Speaking" (Feb 5, 90) "I Feel Good" Frank falls head-over- heels in love with a beautiful psychologist. (28) DB: "Exact Change Only" "The Murphy Brown School of Broadcasting" (Feb 12, 90) Murphy's old high school teacher and mentor ditches retirement and opens a school for budding young journalists named "The Murphy Brown School of Broadcasting." (moving out) DB: "Lost Ticket Pays Max- imum" "Bad Girls" (Feb 19, 90) Corky and Murphy go undercover as hookers to probe an oil scandal during sweeps month at FYI. "Heart of Gold" (Feb 26, 90) "Freedom" Murphy discovers that under Jerry Gold's brash public persona is a warm, caring human being and both embark on a quiet relationship. DB: "Ramp Closed" "On the Road Again" (Mar 5, 90) "Rescue Me" Jim and Murphy get snowed in at a hotel in Kansas, where Murphy encourages Jim to flirt with an attractive woman. "But First a Word From Our Sponsor" (Mar 19, 90) "Please Mr. Postman" Murphy learns a lone woman in the Midwest is successfully putting pressure on advertisers to boycott the show. Cameo: Barnet Kell- man (scared off by talk of sex) DB: [Angry letter - this is the only episode where Murphy mentions putting something on her dart- board] "Frank's Appendectomy" (Apr 9, 90) Murphy and Frank's quest to outdo each other's practical jokes gets out of hand and puts Miles' job in jeopardy. (33, loses Thatcher on phone) DB: "Reserved C. Chung" "Fax or Fiction" (Apr 30, 90) Mysterious love letters coming over the fax for Miles prompt Murphy to draft the replies and fax them back. (34) DB: "Doctor Does Not Bill Insurance" "The Bitch's Back" (May 7, 90) "My Girl" Murphy throws out her back during a stress-reduction class, is hospitalized, and sets up shop in her hospital room. Cameo: Diane English (35, pregnant) "Going to the Chapel, Part I" (May 14, 90) "Where Did Our Love Go?" Corky is swept off her feet by an old grade school acquaintance and announces her engagement. "Going to the Chapel, Part II" (May 21, 90) Corky leaves for Paris unexpectedly, leaving all the wedding plans to Murphy, but returns with cold feet. Guests: Leeza Gibbons, John Tesh, Kath- leen Sullivan, The Temptations (37) DB: ?? THIRD SEASON: 26 episodes (1 one-hour episode) "The 390th Broadcast" (Sep 17, 90) Miles hires an image consultant to make FYI more "viewer-friendly." (37, tap dancer) "Brown and Blue" (Sep 24, 90) Murphy tests her journalistic integrity when interviewing a sexist racist shock-comic. (38, institution runaway) DB: "Extra Topping $1.50 Each" "Local Hero" (Oct 1, 90) Frank panics when he has to entertain his visiting parents and throw their golden anniversary party - at Murphy's home. DB: "The Doctor Does Not Validate" "Strike Two" (Oct 15, 90) When FYI's anchors go on strike, network boss Kinsella and scab reporter Redfield try to do the show. (sign ??) "The Gold Rush" (Oct 22, 90) Tabloid-TV king Jerry Gold joins FYI in a new segment, "Nose to Nose," and rekindles a romance with Murphy. "Bob and Murphy and Ted and Avery" (Nov 5, 90) Murphy's mother moves in with Murphy and takes over their social lives. (taped off) DB: "Deposits Insured to $100,000" "The Last Laugh" (Nov 12, 90) After an uncontrollable giggle-fit on the air leaves him professionally humiliated, Jim goes into hid- ing. (39) "Rootless People" (Nov 19, 90) After Murphy plays a series of practi- cal jokes, no one believes she has really been kidnapped by a trio of ecological fanatics. Guest: Larry King ("Condemned") "The Bummer of 42" (Nov 26, 90) On Murphy's 42nd birthday, Frank hires an actress to spend 12 hours playing the sister Murphy always wanted. (inflatable dragon "I'm Your New Secretary") DB: "Unleaded $1.69" "Trouble at Sherwood-Forrest" (Dec 10, 90) "Tell Him" Their marriage strained, Corky and Will throw a disastrous dinner party. DB: "Deposits Insured to $100,000" "Jingle Hell, Jingle Hell, Jingle All the Way" (Dec 17, 90) Murphy breaks the FYI pact of donating to charity instead of exchanging holiday presents, setting off a buying frenzy. DB: "No Free Gift Wrap" "Retreat" (Jan 7, 91) The FYI anchors and Miles attend a weekend retreat program called "Yes We Can" to try to rekindle their team spirit. "Eldin Imitates Life" (Jan 14, 91) When a famous artist discovers Eldin and hails him as a major new talent, Eldin sells a mural for $1.2 million. (40, flossing teeth) DB: "Only 33? til Closing ?" "Contractions" (Jan 21, 91) Murphy uses interest from the aggressive new Wolf Television Network for leverage during contract negotia- tions. (41, sent from Tartiledge) DB: "?? After 11pm" "Hoarse Play" (Feb 4, 91) While needing to crash a presidential press conference, Murphy loses her voice. (42, masochist) DB: ?? "The Novel" (Feb 11, 91) Jim's unpublished spy novel reveals a secret passion for Murphy. (43, playing with matches) "Terror on the 17th Floor" (Feb 18, 91) After American Industrial Enterprises buys the network, a budget shark makes devastating cuts. "On Another Plane" (Feb 25, 91) When their plane develops engine trou- ble and starts to plummet, Murphy and Frank review their lives (via flashbacks, including to past episodes) and hallucinate about their deaths. (44) 1 hour. "Driving Miss Crazy" (Mar 4, 91) The FYIers drive each other crazy on their car-pool ride to work in Corky's new car. "Every Time it Rains... You Get Wet" (Mar 18, 91) After a series of downbeat news stories, Miles sends the team in a near-fruitless search for a heart-warming report. DB: "Reserved Parking Only" "Corky's Place" (Apr 8, 91) Corky, hosting her first special, "Corky's Place," tries to prove she's not a soft interviewer by nailing her first guest: Murphy. (45) DB: "XX Popcorn 3.50" "Small" (Apr 29, 91) At a ceremony when Phil donates his historic men's-room door to the Smithsonian, Murphy's joke is taken as a slur against short men. Guests: Paula Zahn, Mark McEwen. "The Usual Suspects" (May 6, 91) Murphy suspects everyone everywhere when information about her private life is leaked to a sleazy national tabloid. DB: A copy of The National Enquirer "Q & A & F.Y.I." (May 13, 91) To benefit charity, the FYI gang goes up against Yale students on the "Collegiate Q&A" TV quiz show. "Uh-Oh, Part I" (May 20, 91) "Where Did Our Love Go?" Murphy has to choose between her political activist ex-husband Jake, to whom she was married for five days in 1968, or talk-show host Jerry, back from L.A. and his failed late-night show. DB: "This Dress- ing Room Under Surveillance" FOURTH SEASON: 26 episodes (1 one-hour episode) "Uh-Oh, Part II" (Sep 16, 91) "You Can't Hurry Love" Murphy's baby's father is revealed to be Jake, but Murphy will raise the child alone. 1 hour. (bones) DB: "I Got Free Checking at BCCI" "I'm As Much of a Man as I Ever Was" (Sep 23, 91) Murphy schemes to get a quote from the President. DB: "Do Not Speak to the Driver" "Male Call" (Sep 30, 91) Frank, Jim, and Miles attend a male-bonding seminar. "The Square Triangle" (Oct 7, 91) Murphy finally finds a competent secretary - Miles' girlfriend. "Full Circle" (Oct 14, 91) Murphy deals with the death of her mother. "The Smiths Go to Washington" (Oct 28, 91) FYI tries to woo a family with hot news footage. (?, stand-up comedian) DB: "Geraldo Book Signing 2pm" "It Came From College" (Nov 4, 91) Murphy's 18 year old niece is put in Murphy's care. "The Queen of Soul" (Nov 11, 91) Murphy lines up Aretha Franklin for FYI. (legs under desk) "Inside Murphy Brown" (Nov 18, 91) Murphy learns her baby's gender. (?, schizophrenic) DB: "David Duke: A Different Kind of Republi- can" "Mission Control" (Nov 25, 91) FYI attempts to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a shelter. "Be it Ever So Humboldt" (Dec 9, 91) Frank finally wins the Humboldt award. "Love is Blonde" (Dec 16, 91) Corky considers having a fling with Miller Redfield. (48, Hitler lookalike) DB: "I Visited the Reagan Library" "Anchor Ranchor" (Jan 6, 92) Murphy & Jim battle for the Sunday Even- ing News anchor job. DB: "Reserved for ??" "Guess Who's Coming to Luncheon" (Jan 13, 92) Murphy sucks-up to Corky so she'll ask her to be her guest to the White House. "Lovesick" (Jan 20, 92) Jerry moves in to watch over Murphy when she has pregnancy problems. (cobnwebs) DB: "One Size Fits All" "Heartfelt" (Feb 3, 92) Miles becomes paranoid that he is going to have a heart attack. "Send in the Clowns" (Feb 24, 92) Murphy is called before a Senate hearing regarding how she got some information. DB: ?? "Come Out, Come Out, Where Ever You Are" (Feb 26, 92) A dream about a new co-worker forces Miles to consider he might be gay. "Murphy Buys the Farm" (Mar 2, 92) Murphy thinks about buying a house in the country. "Rage Before Beauty" (Mar 16, 92) Murphy crops her hair after an argu- ment with the network over her appearance clause. DB: "Lose 10 Pounds in One Week" (49, suffered a hard labor) "Phil's Not-So-Silent Partner" (Mar 23, 92) Murphy loans money to Phil to help keep him afloat. DB: "Made in Japan" "He-Ho, He-Ho, It's Off to Lamaze We Go" (Apr 27, 92) Murphy and Eldin go to Lamaze class. DB: ?? "On the Rocks" (May 4, 92) Murphy's replacement is an alcoholic. DB: "Limit: 2 trips to dessert bar" "A Chance of Showers" (May 11, 92) Corky throws Murphy a baby shower. Guests: Kate Couric, Joan Lunden, Paula Zahn, Faith Daniels, Mary Alice Williams. 100th episode. "Birth 101" (May 18, 92) Murphy gives birth. Cameo: Joel Shukovsky. FIFTH SEASON: 24 episodes (1 one-hour episode) "I Say Potatoe, You Say Potato" (Sep 21, 92) "Shout" New mother Murphy puzzles over answering the vice president's slam. (baby) "Life After Birth" (Sep 28, 92) Murphy goes back to work but has trou- ble leaving the baby at home. ("Ross Perot for Secretary"; 51, loudmouth) DB: "No Strollers Allowed" "Black, White and Brown" (Oct 5, 92) Surprisingly, Murphy says nothing when a new network honcho shakes things up. DB: "Call Now For Your 1996 ??" "I Never Sang For My Husband" (Oct 12, 92) Jim's bored wife becomes a cabaret singer. (52, former simultaneous translator) [Nanny 5: thief] "Night of the Living News" (Oct 26, 92) Murphy and Frank become hosts of an overnight news show. (??) DB: ?? "A Year to Remember" (Nov 2, 92) On election day, the staff recall casting first votes. (mannequin with pumpkin head) "Midnight Plane to Paris" (Nov 9, 92) Murphy leaves the baby with Eldin when she goes to Europe. (54, effeminate singer) [6, stolen by Maria Shriver] "Methinks My Parents Doth Protest Too Much" (Nov 17, 92) Miles' parents surprise everyone. (55, pencils in hair) "Winners Take All" (Nov 23, 92) An awards ceremony honoring "FYI" turns into a battle of egos. DB: "ATM Out of Order" "'Til Death or Next Thursday Do We Part" (Dec 7, 92) "The Happening" A plagiarism suit exposes Corky and Will's marital woes. DB: "Please Pay Before Pumping Gas" "I'm Dreaming of a Brown Christmas" (Dec 14, 92) Murphy's father and aunt visit for Christmas. "Games Mothers Play" (Jan 4, 93) Murphy hosts a children's play group after she realizes that she hasn't spent enough time with Avery. "The British Invasion" (Jan 11, 93) Miles isn't particularly comfort- able when his girlfriend moves in with him, but he's even less happy when her old boyfriend puts the moves on her. (56, magi- cian) "Back to the Ball" (Jan 18, 93) As the date for the Inaugural Ball approaches and Murphy still doesn't have a date, the FYI'ers struggle to find her a suitable escort. "The Intern" (Feb 1, 93) "FYI" hires an elderly intern. (57, saleslady) "Trickster, We Hardly Knew Ye" (Feb 8, 93) The death of his dog makes Jim morbid. "The World According to Avery" (Feb 15, 93) Staffers tell their trou- bles to Avery. "Bump in the Night" (Feb 22, 93) Frank lands a spot on Letterman. "To Market, To Market" (Mar 1, 93) A quick trip to the store meets chaos. "Two for the Road" (Mar 15, 93) Murphy fights Baldwin over a new studio set. "Murphy and the Amazing Leaping Man" (Mar 22, 93) Accused of being a lifelong bachelor, Frank gets a girlfriend. DB: "No children or dogs allowed" (58, dog lover) "The Eggs and I" (May 3, 93) Murphy tries to beat other newswomen to an interview with the president. "Ship of Phil's" (May 10, 93) Murphy and Phil play high-stakes poker aboard his boat. "One" (May 17, 93) Frank gets Barry Manilow to perform for Avery's birthday. (59, memory student)