TV series
Comedy's Back In The News.
Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) 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.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Sep 1, 2026
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Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) 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.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Miles becomes increasingly uncomfortable when his confident older brother, Josh, visits Washington and immediately develops a mutual attraction with Murphy. His efforts to interfere in their relationship quickly become intrusive.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Barry Dennen, Jon Tenney, Jane Leeves
Episode 2
The network sends Jim on a temporary assignment in Libya, allowing executives to audition handsome young reporter Miller Redfield as his possible replacement. Murphy and the rest of the FYI staff unite to undermine the network’s plan.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Kathryn BakerGuest stars Barbara Tyson, John Hostetter, Christopher Rich, Vachik Mangassarian
Episode 3
A teenage computer hacker obtains a private memorandum in which Murphy candidly evaluates her colleagues. When he threatens to publish it in his school newspaper, Murphy attempts to recover the document before the FYI staff discovers what she wrote about them.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Denise Moss, Sy DukaneGuest stars Judd Trichter
Episode 4
A television network develops a sitcom inspired by FYI and sends glamorous actress Julia St. Martin to study Murphy for the leading role. Although the staff initially resents the project, everyone soon becomes eager to influence how they will be portrayed.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Morgan Fairchild, Jeff Mooring, Keith Amos, Connie Chung, Sanford Jensen
Episode 5
While on vacation, Miles' return flight is delayed by an Air Force pilot who has hijacked an F15-Eagle loaded with nuclear warheads.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Yeardley Smith, Paddi Edwards, John Hostetter, Scott Lawrence
Episode 6
Frank and Murphy compete for the same story, but their intense competition puts the story in jeopardy. Phil, to improve his business at night, tries adding live entertainment to the bar.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Russ WoodyGuest stars Fred Travalena, Andrea Stein, Joe D'Angerio
Episode 7
Jerry Gold bets the staff that they can't be environmentally responsible for a two week period, if they lose Murphy must appear on his show.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Denise Moss, Sy DukaneGuest stars Jay Thomas, Mariko Tse, Paul Dorman
Episode 8
Murphy & Frank lose the Humboldt Award to Corky. Then to ride the PR wave, the network brass decide to give next week's lead story to the award winner.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Kathryn BakerGuest stars John Hostetter, Ritch Brinkley, Alex Rocco
Episode 9
The staff plans a surprise roast for Jim on his 25th anniversary at the network, he tells Murphy before the event that he ""couldn't handle a chance meeting with anyone I know.""
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Irving R. Levine, Walter Cronkite, Jay Fenichel, Tina Johnson
Episode 10
Murphy is set to receive the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, so the rest of the staff convince her that at least one of her estranged parents should attend. She concedes and invites her father, but the sparks fly when her father arrives with his new young wife and child and later her mother shows up.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Darren McGavin, Colleen Dewhurst, Susan Wheeler Duff, Jak Castro
Episode 11
The sparks and the barbs fly back and forth; however, eventually the Browns call a truce. To quote Murphy: ""Interesting family, kind of like a Fellini version of the Waltons.""
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Darren McGavin, Colleen Dewhurst, Susan Wheeler Duff, Tom Williams
Episode 12
To start a significant dialog, Murphy decides she will break the technicians' strike by bringing both sides together for cake and conversation.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Steven Peterman, Gary DontzigGuest stars Alan Oppenheimer, John Hostetter, Ritch Brinkley, Hamilton Camp, Vito J. Giambalvo, Tom McCleister, Steven Anderson, Jim Doughan
Episode 13
While Murphy is throwing a birthday party for Gene Kinsella, Miles recognizes a woman he had a one-night stand with at a broadcaster's convention, Mrs. Kinsella. However, Kinsella thinks that his wife is having an affair with Frank.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Russ WoodyGuest stars Alan Oppenheimer, Clare Peck
Episode 14
Corky is having a New Year's Eve party, and Murphy wants to avoid it. Everyone challenges her to be able enjoy the occasion without the her old vice. Sober, Murphy can still bring life to a dull party.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Donna Ponterotto, Jane Leeves, Janet Carroll, Douglas Sills
Episode 15
Murphy is subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury, but instead of divulging her source she goes to jail. Prison is not what she hoped for or expected, but then neither is the duration of her stay.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Denise Moss, Sy DukaneGuest stars Shuko Akune, Dion Anderson, Jessica James, Nancy Lenehan, Cristine Rose, Linda Sorensen, Walter Addison, Annie LaRussa
Episode 16
Miles asks the staff to be mentors for a group of young reporters who will be doing a pilot for FYI For Kids; Murphy over helps her protégé.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Mayim Bialik, John Hostetter, Troy Slaten, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Laura Mooney, John Towey
Episode 17
Frank meets the woman of his dreams, a woman he dates more than once. However, she is a psychologist and analyzes every little thing Frank does, something that drives him crazier than he already is.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Steven Peterman, Gary DontzigGuest stars Eve Gordon, Jeanette Schwaba
Episode 18
Murphy's journalism mentor from her high school days has retired, to combat inactivity he comes to Washington to open a journalism school using her name.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars William Schallert, Wallace Langham, Chuck Sloan, James Walsh, Gregory Scott Cummins, Robina Suwol, Freyda Thomas
Episode 19
It's February and sweeps month, so Miles gets Murphy and Corky to pose as hookers to break open an oil company scandal.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Steven Peterman, Gary DontzigGuest stars Ritch Brinkley, Raye Birk, Steve Rankin, Peter Marc Jacobson, Beth Broderick, Kelly Connell, Louis Mustillo
Episode 20
When Murphy learns things about Jerry Gold that no one else is privy to, she looks at him in a different light. They begin to have an affair that shocks everyone at FYI.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Russ WoodyGuest stars Jay Thomas, Tony DiBenedetto, Pat Crawford Brown
Episode 21
On a publicity jaunt, Murphy and Jim find themselves snowbound in Kansas. While killing time in the bar Murphy challenges Jim's ability to flirt, something Jim may later regret.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Denise Moss, Sy DukaneGuest stars Jennifer Bassey, Gregory Itzin, Cynthia Mace, David Purdham, Bill McIntyre, David Carlile, Eben Ham
Episode 22
A worried viewer urges advertisers to boycott FYI for an upcoming piece Murphy has on sex education. Murphy flies out to keep the one sponsor they have for the controversial show.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Caroline Lagerfelt, Wayne Tippit, Larry Block, Kate McGregor-Stewart, Chuck Clayton
Episode 23
A series of outrageous practical jokes, which start with a visit from ""Deep Throat,"" get out of hand.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Alan Oppenheimer, Lela Ivey, Graham Jarvis
Episode 24
When a secret admirer sends a fax to Miles, Murphy takes it as a challenge to answer for him and then winds up starting a correspondence.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Richard Masur, Teri Hatcher, Duane Smith
Episode 25
Miles orders the staff to take a stress reduction class. After reluctantly showing up for it, Murphy slips a disc however that doesn't stop her from working on a hot story.
Directed by Barnet KellmanWritten by Steven Peterman, Gary DontzigGuest stars Loretta Devine, Kelly Connell, Gedde Watanabe, David Paymer, Kristen Lowman, Ellen Albertini Dow, Ann Walker, Tamara Clatterbuck
Episode 26
When a ""geek"" from her high school days comes to Washington, Corky's mother & his mother arrange to have them get together. They meet, fall in love, and within two weeks announce their plans to get married. Corky runs out into the night with Eldin, when she thinks that maybe she hasn't really experienced life.
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Ritch Brinkley, Janet Carroll, Scott Bryce, Dena Dietrich, Alice Hirson, Bryan Clark, Sarah Abrell, Courtney Gebhart
Episode 27
Upon returning, Corky decides to go ahead with the wedding, but the event is marred by even more last minute indecision, and then Murphy brings out the ""soul.""
Directed by Barnet KellmanGuest stars Jane Leeves, Scott Bryce
Episode information updated Sep 19, 2026
Candice BergenMurphy Brown
Faith FordCorky Sherwood
Joe RegalbutoFrank Fontana
Charles KimbroughJim Dial
Lily TomlinKay Carter-Shepley
Grant ShaudMiles Silverberg
Robert PastorelliEldin Bernecky
Pat CorleyPhil
CBSUnited States
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