Murphy Brown backdrop
Comedy

The Best Episodes of Murphy Brown

Every episode of Murphy Brown ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Murphy Brown!

Binge this in 5d 2h•Peaking at 8.2/10

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

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons10

All12345678910

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Murphy Brown Season 2 Episode 23 - Frank's Appendectomy
    8.2/10(80 votes)

    #1 - Frank's Appendectomy

    S2:E23

    A series of outrageous practical jokes, which start with a visit from ""Deep Throat,"" get out of hand.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 2 - Uh-Oh (3)
    8.2/10(64 votes)

    #2 - Uh-Oh (3)

    S4:E2

    Jake tells Murphy he has decided he isn't ready to settle down, and they both agree they can't do it together. Murphy decides to exercise her right to choose and her choice is motherhood. Even though it's Jake's baby, Jerry knows fatherhood isn't for him. While everyone else freaks out at the news, only Eldin is truly happy for Murphy. Murphy ""Do you think I'll make a good mother."" Eldin ""No, but I will.""

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 9 - The Queen of Soul
    8.2/10(70 votes)

    #3 - The Queen of Soul

    S4:E9

    Murphy's chance to interview the "Queen of Soul" is in jeopardy when her train arrives late and the limo gets detoured and the staff struggles to fill the air time.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Tom Palmer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Murphy Brown Season 6 Episode 2 - Angst For the Memories
    8.1/10(75 votes)

    #4 - Angst For the Memories

    S6:E2

    Murphy gets an interview with a reclusive '60s literary idol, but times and people have changed.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Rob Bragin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Murphy Brown Season 3 Episode 9 - The Bummer of 42
    8.0/10(71 votes)

    #5 - The Bummer of 42

    S3:E9

    For Murphy's 42nd birthday present, Frank hires an actress to be Murphy's sister for a full twelve hours. The novelty wears off quickly for Murphy, when her ""sister"" keeps turning up.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Tom Palmer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Murphy Brown Season 3 Episode 10 - Trouble in Sherwood-Forrest
    8.0/10(72 votes)

    #6 - Trouble in Sherwood-Forrest

    S3:E10

    On a ""suggestion"" from Murphy, Will and Corky throw a dinner party to feign togetherness. The event turns into a disaster.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writers:Denise Moss, Sy Dukane

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Murphy Brown

    READ
  7. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 1 - Uh-Oh (2)
    8.0/10(69 votes)

    #7 - Uh-Oh (2)

    S4:E1

    Murphy begins to ponder her fate, tells Frank her suspicions and tries more tests (all positive). Murphy tells Jake the news.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 6 - Full Circle
    8.0/10(70 votes)

    #8 - Full Circle

    S4:E6

    After learning about her mother's death, Murphy doesn't seem to be that upset, which makes the FYI gang think that she's hiding her true feelings. She claims it's because of a letter her mother left to her saying that she must not cry, and if it's allowed she'll make one last visit to Murphy at the end of the night. So, Murphy and the Phil crowd decide to celebrate Avery's spirit. Murphy's father, Bill Brown shows up and suggests that they go home so they can talk about the good times the three of them had together. At Murphy's townhouse, Eldin is grieving Avery's passing and refuses to actually believe it. After he's gone, Murphy and her father decide to open the big trunk Avery left to Murphy containing a photo album, Murphy's indian blanket among other things. After arguing with her father over things from the past, Murphy finds a little box inside of the trunk, with one of Avery's hats, which Murphy tries on, also in that box there's a smaller one wrapped up as a present with a

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Murphy Brown Season 5 Episode 1 - You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato (1)
    8.0/10(88 votes)

    #9 - You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato (1)

    S5:E1

    After the delivery, Murphy goes through her ""period of adjustment"" including the sleepless nights, finding a suitable nanny, name for the baby, then Dan opens his mouth.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writers:Steven Peterman, Gary Dontzig

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Murphy Brown Season 1 Episode 1 - Respect
    7.9/10(155 votes)

    #10 - Respect

    S1:E1

    Murphy returns to FYI after ""drying out"" at the Betty Ford clinic. The show has undergone some changes while she was gone, including the addition of a beauty queen to the anchor desk and a new young executive producer. In her first week back she isn't sure whether she still has her edge.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Diane English

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Murphy Brown Season 1 Episode 2 - Devil With a Blue Dress On
    7.9/10(125 votes)

    #11 - Devil With a Blue Dress On

    S1:E2

    Miles assigns Corky to work with Murphy on a big story about a corporate big shot. Corky inadvertently uncovers the fact that he is a drug smuggler, this isn't immediately apparent to her. Murphy almost feels guilty about taking credit for the story, but she doesn't get the chance, Corky ""grabs the brass ring.""

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Korby Siamis

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Murphy Brown Season 2 Episode 2 - Anchors Away
    7.9/10(74 votes)

    #12 - Anchors Away

    S2:E2

    The network sends Jim to Libya for two weeks, so they can audition a handsome new anchor for FYI; they don't count on the retaliation of Murphy and the gang.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Kathryn Baker

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Murphy Brown Season 2 Episode 11 - Brown Like Me (2)
    7.9/10(74 votes)

    #13 - Brown Like Me (2)

    S2:E11

    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.""

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 18 - Send in the Clowns
    7.9/10(71 votes)

    #14 - Send in the Clowns

    S4:E18

    Following her story on the personal spending habits of government officials, a Senate committee must decide whether to find her in contempt of Congress.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writer:Peter Tolan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 23 - He-Ho, He-Ho, It's Off to Lamaze We Go
    7.9/10(63 votes)

    #15 - He-Ho, He-Ho, It's Off to Lamaze We Go

    S4:E23

    Murphy's doctor advises her to take Lamaze classes, and even though Murphy thinks it's not really necessary, she agrees. The problem is that Murphy has to find a partner for that. Frank is her first choice, but he won't be able to make it, because he has to go on location for a story. Murphy then goes after Jim, but only the thought makes him very embarassed and uncomfortable. Miles can't do it either for the same reason. Corky offers to, but Murphy doesn't think it's a good idea. The only one left is Eldin, who reluctantly agrees saying that ha can't make any promises, because he's a free spirit and he doesnt like to stick around at the same place for too long (yeah, right). And that's a big commitment for him. They go to the first class and aparently Murphy and Eldin is not the only couple who doesn't know what they're doing. At the second class, one of the couples is absent, because they had thir baby. The other two seem to be getting better, but Murphy is still clueless. Th

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writers:Steven Peterman, Gary Dontzig

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 26 - Birth 101
    7.9/10(75 votes)

    #16 - Birth 101

    S4:E26

    While doing the last show of the season, Murphy starts going into labor. The FYI gang and crew panics, and don't know what to do since they're in the middle of a live show, Miles asks Jim to take Murphy to the hospital, Corky to close the show, and Frank to get Eldin and anything else Murphy needs at her house. At the hospital, Murphy is still relaxed, she's starting to feel the first contractions and they're not as painful as she thought. She even asks Jim to play cards with her. Everything is under control, but not for long, the contractions are starting to get very painful. Murphy is screaming and Jim doesn't know what to do. A nurse shows up and after examining Murphy says that it's still too early and suggests that Murphy walks a little to relieve some of the pain. And that's what Murphy does, Miles is with her trying to calm her down, because Murphy is a 'little' cranky. Later on, Murphy is screaming even more, she's holding Frank and Miles through their neck cursing and bl

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Murphy Brown Season 5 Episode 25 - One
    7.9/10(97 votes)

    #17 - One

    S5:E25

    Murphy plans Avery's first birthday party; however, on the day of the big event her plane from New York is fogged in. While the others celebrate, Murphy tries everything to get back. Frank brings a special guest for the event. The missing of this big event in Avery's life makes Murphy decide that maybe she just can't do it all, so she plans to make a couple of changes in her career.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writers:Steven Peterman, Gary Dontzig

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Murphy Brown Season 7 Episode 21 - The Good Nephew
    7.9/10(63 votes)

    #18 - The Good Nephew

    S7:E21

    Murphy is forced to hire Lansing's nephew as her new secretary. He proves to be the best one she's ever had, but only at the expense of the rest of the staff.

    Director:Alan Rafkin
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Murphy Brown Season 2 Episode 20 - Heart of Gold
    7.8/10(72 votes)

    #19 - Heart of Gold

    S2:E20

    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.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Russ Woody

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Murphy Brown Season 3 Episode 5 - The Gold Rush
    7.8/10(67 votes)

    #20 - The Gold Rush

    S3:E5

    Jerry Gold joins FYI where in a new feature he goes ""Nose to Nose"" with Murphy and the sparks fly, then the fire is rekindled and the sparks fade away.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writers:Steven Peterman, Gary Dontzig

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Murphy Brown Season 3 Episode 6 - Bob & Murphy & Ted & Avery
    7.8/10(75 votes)

    #21 - Bob & Murphy & Ted & Avery

    S3:E6

    Avery comes to stay with Murphy when she decides it's time to ""change the scenery of my existence""; Murphy suggests she gets a boyfriend. Two hours later she has a double date for herself and Murphy.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Murphy Brown Season 3 Episode 11 - Jingle Hell, Jingle Hell, Jingle All the Way
    7.8/10(81 votes)

    #22 - Jingle Hell, Jingle Hell, Jingle All the Way

    S3:E11

    After Murphy gets the staff to agree to no presents this year, Murphy's little gifts for the rest of the staff causes a last-minute Christmas gift-buying frenzy.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writers:Steven Peterman, Gary Dontzig

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 11 - Mission Control
    7.8/10(73 votes)

    #23 - Mission Control

    S4:E11

    Murphy volunteers the FYI staff to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a homeless shelter.

    Director:Peter Baldwin
    Writer:Michael Patrick King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Murphy Brown Season 5 Episode 12 - I'm Dreaming of a Brown Christmas
    7.8/10(69 votes)

    #24 - I'm Dreaming of a Brown Christmas

    S5:E12

    On Christmas Eve, Murphy wants to celebrate Avery's first Christmas simply; however she finds herself dealing with two surprise guests. Murphy's father and aunt arrive to celebrate the holiday, and it becomes a traditional Brown family Christmas.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel
    Writers:Steven Peterman, Gary Dontzig

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Murphy Brown Season 6 Episode 11 - It's Not Easy Being Brown
    7.8/10(61 votes)

    #25 - It's Not Easy Being Brown

    S6:E11

    To improve upon her image, Murphy gets a publicist and makes an appearance on a children's puppet show.

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Frank's Appendectomy" is the best rated episode of "Murphy Brown". It scored 8.2/10 based on 80 votes. Directed by Barnet Kellman and written by Unknown, it aired on 4/9/1990. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Uh-Oh (3)".