MURPHY BROWN: A Lifetime of Achievement {Roundtable}

Jim’s being honored with an award, which leads Murphy and the show to bring out the big guns in supporting Jim. Meanwhile, one of Murphy’s least favorite assistants is now the main shareholder in the network.

Old News

Roz: The idea of Corky and Katie Couric not being friendly before giving into that joy of a burger to be a refreshing way to get at what made me love Corky as a girl: she was strong, but still interested in forming female friendship/relationships with other reporters. It’s one thing to see Corky and Murphy together, but another to see more women in news around.

Jim’s devotion to Dolores is equally admirable in a way that I hadn’t expected.

Cara: The scene where Miles arrives with Pat in vibrant, bold suits made me laugh out, and his manic bonding with Pat at the bar was an entertaining departure from his typical worry. I’m also really glad they had the girlfriend break up with him because of the age difference because, honestly, I was really uncomfortable with it. Roz knows that I had my hesitations about this reboot early on, but last week was reassuring and this week made me glad that I had kept watching. It was all the Murphy Brown I hoped for in this return. Bette Midler was amazing, as always, and I loved that Corky and Katie Couric’s rivalry was no more than friendly ribbing that ended by showing us that ultimately they are on the same side. I mean, a woman who will help you out of your spanx is a woman to keep around.

New News

Roz: Murphy’s love life is a complicated issue for me (I do love Eldon), but Murphy does need someone else in her life besides Avery. She’s got enough going on, but she’s been business first and love second; it’s great to see that switch for her in this part of her life. That she and Avery also had a complicated relationship with having new people in their lives was also a good button.

Cara: John Laroquette’s guest appearance was a nice surprise for me, as I had always loved him on Night Court. The idea of Murphy considering romance is an interesting one for me, and, to be honest, I loved that her first foray into it ended up being a blatant fling. You go, Murphy! I’m also glad that Avery is establishing some boundaries and making his own way in the world, and I love that his date was a match for Murphy. Oh, and Jim and Phyllis, adorable.

Murphy Brown airs on Thursdays at 9:30PM on CBS. Check out all of our other coverage of Murphy Brown here.