Murphy Brown will soon be back at the FYI desk. Deadline reports that CBS has ordered a 13-episode revival of Diane English’s “Murphy Brown.” The sitcom, which centers on Candice Bergen’s titular journalist, originally ran for 10 seasons from 1988–98 on CBS. The revival will air to coincide with the original’s 30th anniversary.
English, who created the original series, will write and exec produce the revival. Bergen will topline and many of “Murphy Brown’s” original writers and co-stars are also expected to return.
During its first run “Murphy Brown” made headlines when Vice President Dan Quayle referenced its supposed lack of morals during a 1992 campaign speech. Referring to the main character’s decision to carry an unplanned pregnancy to term and become a single mother, Quayle said: “It doesn’t help matters when prime-time TV has Murphy Brown — a character who supposedly epitomizes today’s intelligent, highly paid, professional woman — mocking the importance of fathers by bearing a child alone and calling it just another ‘lifestyle choice.’” The series integrated Quayle’s comments into its story, as it did with many other real-life news stories.
“Chatter about a ‘Murphy Brown’ revival restarted a year ago,” Deadline notes, “around the time of Donald Trump’s inauguration, with rumors about English mulling an updated version to take on the new political climate.” The revival pitch and finished script were brought to CBS first due to the show’s history with the network.
2018 is definitely a great time to bring back “Murphy Brown.” With the prevalence of fake news, alternative facts, and the government’s assault on the free press — and the movements resisting all of the above — it’s likely that both English and the character Murphy Brown will have something interesting to say about the modern state of journalism.
“Murphy Brown” won 18 Emmys during its original run. Bergen won five for her lead performance and English received one for her writing. The series also took home the best comedy series prize twice.
CBS recently made its first 2018–19 pilot orders and all three of the projects are created by women. Gloria Calderon Kellett’s “History of Them,” a social media-inspired rom-com, Michelle Nader’s “I Mom So Hard,” a comedy based on Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley’s web series, and Amanda Green’s drama “Murder,” a multi-perspective take on true crime.
“Roseanne,” another much-loved ’80s/’90s sitcom, is also getting the revival treatment. Roseanne Barr spearheaded the project and will star. Set to premiere March 27 on ABC, the new “Roseanne” will catch up with the Conner family in the present day.
