MURPHY BROWN: #MurphyToo {Roundtable}

This week Murphy Brown deals with the heart of many conversations these days: #MeToo. Faced with the professor who groomed her into behaviors he found appropriate. Too bad Murphy thinks of it all and blames herself for her actions – she kept taking his small gifts and agreeing to coffee – but what happens when she goes to see him? That’s the crux of this week’s episode.

Cara and I dig into the episode:

Old News

Roz: I can do without Miles’ neuroses and some of Frank’s awkward conversations, but it’s been three episodes and I think the show is trying to find a good balance; part of me missed those archetypes on my TV each week even if I wish there was some subtle changes in behavior. Of course, part of Miles’ charm is how much he fumbles with life outside of work, and Frank seems to be perfect at being someone that isn’t him. Murphy, though, is still cracking jokes but not for the right reasons. I think we need an episode that gives us character and not a topic. We could use with that adjustment to a modern time, and not at the expensive of politics. I watched this show when I was a kid, not for the politics, but for a woman who stood tall each week and did a great job in journalism. Murphy’s not back to fighting form just yet.

Cara: I have two big complaints about this revival of Murphy Brown. One is that the show glances at serious issues, gets a few laughs, then moves on. They’re playing to a safe audience of viewers that look and think like the Murphy, but not challenging anyone or pushing any boundaries. It feels stale. The second thing is that, aside from Murphy, none of the returning actors are being used in any meaningful way. They are still the same old neurotic producer, dingy blond, and lecherous dude that they always were. It’s been decades. Surely they’ve grown or can be made to grow now. I love, LOVE Tyne Daly, but even she is setting up and knocking down played out lines to a laugh track audience. And why can’t Miles date a woman his own age? Seriously.

“Murphy Too” — After attending a sexual harassment seminar for the “Murphy in the Morning” staff, Murphy is surprised to find herself reeling from the long-repressed memory of her own #MeToo moment, on MURPHY BROWN, Thursday, Oct. 11 (9:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Pictured L-R: Candice Bergen as Murphy Brown and Tyne Daly as Phyllis Photo Credit: David Giesbrecht/© 2018 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved

New News

Roz: Despite working for Wolf News, I appreciate that Avery’s a voice in Murphy’s life to provide her a foil. I miss Aldin as that foil in each episode. Avery’s a good replacement, but still someone who’s going to stand on his own as someone apart from Murphy (even if he is her son).

Cara: I loved Murphy handing her business card to Sasha Diamond’s Jessica. I’ve got my fingers crossed that she calls Murphy and they bring her to work on the show. I’d love some new faces shaking up the place, and it would be great to see Murphy as mentors, rather than as doddering old has-beens.

Murphy Brown airs on Thursdays at 9:30PM on CBS.