The Best Episodes of Murphy Brown

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

Director: Barnet Kellman

Writer: N/A

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

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: N/A

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

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: N/A

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: N/A

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

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: N/A

Miles and Audrey decide to live together, but he finds the living arrangements a little too crowded for his liking when her ex-boyfriend stays for a night and then doesn't leave.

Director: Lee Shallat Chemel

Writer: Peter Tolan

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

Director: Peter Bonerz

Writer: Rob Bragin

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

Director: Peter Bonerz

Writer: N/A

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: N/A

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

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

Writer: Steven Peterman, Gary Dontzig

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: N/A

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

Director: Barnet Kellman

Writer: Sy Dukane, Denise Moss

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: N/A

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

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

Writer: Steven Peterman, Gary Dontzig

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

Writer: Steven Peterman, Gary Dontzig

Miles is embarrassed when his activist parents come to Washington for a large demonstration.

Director: Peter Bonerz

Writer: Tom Palmer

After finishing his book The Little Dutch Boy and the movie's screenplay, Will gets hit with a plagiarism suit at the premiere. The stress of the situation exposes Corky and Will's marital problems.

Director: Peter Bonerz

Writer: Peter Tolan

Despite the network's policy against it, Murphy decides to play a ""small, but pivotal role"" in director Louis Malle's new film. After getting the script, Murphy goes to the set to get changes made that will protect her ""journalistic integrity.""

Director: John Rich

Writer: N/A

Murphy fires her last secretary, she plans on leaving FYI, it has been six months since her last chemotherapy treatment. She wants to live the rest of her life. Jim mentions it might be time for him to go as well. The rest of the staff tries to come to grips with the situation. Meanwhile, shooting on location down the street, Julia Roberts stops by the offices of FYI hoping to meet Frank Fontana. To be free and clear of cancer, Murphy needs to get another mammogram. Unfortunately, the mammogram shows something that will require exploratory surgery to uncover its nature. Seeking comfort, Murphy reflects on the need to talk with Phil and no one is more surprised than she is when he returns from the dead. Seems he knew too much about Whitewater. Murphy goes under the knife as the gang waits outside. Murphy has an out of body experience that brings up to heaven to conduct the only person she hasn't interviewed, God.

Director: Steve Zuckerman

Writer: N/A

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