Murphy Brown

Rarely has a cast been so perfectly chosen and thoughtfully developed as the crew on "Murphy Brown." [14 May 1990]

This second season has been marvelous. Now it's absolutely brilliant. [27 Nov 1989]

It's very, very funny. ... The ingredients are all here (neat star, clever writing, a talented, well-defined supporting ensemble) for a classy comedy hit in the Cheers or Mary Tyler Moore Show mold. [14 Nov 1988]

Appearing in her first TV series, Bergen brings in a full-court-press performance-stylish, sardonic and funny. Couple that with English's crisp dialogue, which consistently veers off just at the point it seems to be settling for the formulaic, and "Murphy Brown" comes up as a bright, promising half-hour. [14 Nov 1988]

There's lots to love about the CBS sitcom "Murphy Brown," even though Candice Bergen works too hard at grabbing her share. ... This sitcom sparkles with acerbic intelligence, though its fascination with the real TV world occasionally gets out of hand. [28 Nov 1988]

It can't quite decide whether to reach for the smaller, literate audience or appeal to the crowd that needs a laugh track to appreciate a Chevy Chase pratfall. ... Still, there are some good sharp laughs despite the more obvious digs. [14 Nov 1988]

Let's be fair: Murphy Brown has some good things going for it. One of the few comedies on TV that stay abreast of current events, it has the smarts and the moxie to take pokes at everything from gossip-mongering tabloids to the Anita Hill hearings. ... But mostly the show is pretentious and annoying.