The World Of Murphy Brown

The World of Murphy Brown

"Murphy Brown" was a TV show on CBS that lasted from 1988 to 1998. They had numerous famous guest stars and made over 240 episodes.

It starred Candice Bergen as the title character, Murphy Brown. Murphy is a hard-hitting news journalist who isn't afraid to ask the "tough questions." She has gone through everything, from having a man die while being interviewed, to being a single parent (with lots of media attention due to Dan Quayle's remarks). In the final season of Murphy Brown, Murphy was diagnosed with breast cancer and Murphy is a survivor. You'll be able to read more about Murphy (and the rest of the characters) when I write about her character on my main character/actor biograhpies page.

The show also starred Joe Regalbuto as Frank Fontana, Murphy's best friend. Frank was an investigative reporter who would often do dangerous stunts as a segment on the show, such as skydiving and, in one episode, jumping off the side of the building. Frank, like Murphy, is unmarried.

Faith Ford played Corky Sherwood. Corky was the most changed character over the ten years. In the beginning she was a former Miss America and a ditz without any journalism skills, but she matured from there. Corky married Will Forrest, a writer, (taking the name Corky Sherwood-Forrest) but they divorced after a few years. Corky later married Miles Silverberg, but their long distance marriage did not work and in the final season they separated.

Jim Dial is played by Charles Kimbrough. Jim's contribution in FYI is his commentaries. Jim is more old-fashioned than the rest of the characters. He and his wife Doris separated but in the final season, they got back together. They have no children, although Jim did have a dog, Trickster, who died.

Miles Silverberg is FYI's executive producer. He was played by Grant Shaud. At the end of the eighth season of Murphy Brown, Miles got promoted for his excellent negotiating skills (he kept the team together) and was sent to work for the network in New York. The distance ruined his marriage to Corky. After Miles left, Kay Carter Shepley (played by Lily Tomlin) took his spot, immediately becoming Murphy's enemy. Eventually they got along, and Kay became an excellent addition to FYI.

All of these characters made up the television news show FYI. FYI is a serious news show that airs live, once a week. It has had more than a few mishaps over the years, including two strikes, a rat, other incompetent anchors (such as Miller Redfield and McGovern), and an anchor getting punched by Murphy just a few minutes before air time....

Other important people on Murphy Brown were Phil, the bartender, who had all the local dirt. Phil died in the ninth season, but came back in the finale, revealing that he had not really died, but rather been forced into hiding. His bar, Phil's, has been around since 1919 and was always owned by his family. Phil was played by Pat Corley. Also Eldin Bernecky was an important part to Murphy's life. He came into Murphy's life as a painter who came to touch-up a few areas, but instead painted murals on Murphy's ceilings and became the nanny (although he did not like to be called that) to Murphy's son, Avery. Eldin went to Spain to study under another painter, but also returned in the finale and proposed to Murphy. Eldin was played by Robert Pastorelli.

Murphy Brown used to be one of the most popular shows on television. It slowly fell apart and the departure of three great characters (Miles, Eldin, and Phil) didn't help very much. The writing was always excellent, despite the decline in ratings.

Murphy Brown was always a great show, with wonderful, funny characters, great writing, and talented actors and actresses.

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