Comedy1988–1998CBS

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!

Best episode
S2E23 Frank's Appendectomy
8.166 votes
Worst episode
S9E14 The Big Thaw
6.039 votes
Top season
Season 4
7.6avg
Binge time
4d 23h
247 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Murphy Brown Season 2 Episode 23 - Frank's Appendectomy
    8.1/10(66 votes)

    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

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  2. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 9 - The Queen of Soul
    8.1/10(56 votes)

    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

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  3. Murphy Brown Season 1 Episode 1 - Respect
    7.9/10(151 votes)

    S1:E1

    After completing treatment at the Betty Ford Center, celebrated investigative reporter Murphy Brown returns to FYI determined to resume her career. She discovers that the program is now run by young executive producer Miles Silverberg and that former beauty queen Corky Sherwood has joined the reporting team. At home, Murphy hires philosophical house painter Eldin Bernecky, whose work promises to take much longer than expected.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Diane English

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  4. Murphy Brown Season 6 Episode 2 - Angst For the Memories
    8.0/10(61 votes)

    S6:E2

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

    Director:Peter Bonerz
    Writer:Rob Bragin

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  5. Murphy Brown Season 1 Episode 2 - Devil with a Blue Dress On
    7.9/10(115 votes)

    S1:E2

    Murphy investigates a businessman suspected of involvement in drug smuggling, but Miles insists that Corky accompany her. Murphy expects the inexperienced former beauty queen to be a hindrance until Corky unexpectedly obtains the evidence needed to break the story. Murphy must then decide whether she is prepared to share the credit.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Korby Siamis

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  6. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 2 - Uh-Oh (3)
    8.0/10(50 votes)

    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

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Murphy Brown

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  7. Murphy Brown Season 5 Episode 1 - You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato (1)
    7.9/10(74 votes)

    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:Gary Dontzig, Steven Peterman

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  8. Murphy Brown Season 5 Episode 25 - One
    7.9/10(66 votes)

    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:Gary Dontzig, Steven Peterman

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  9. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 26 - Birth 101
    7.9/10(61 votes)

    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

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  10. Murphy Brown Season 3 Episode 10 - Trouble in Sherwood-Forrest
    7.9/10(58 votes)

    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

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  11. Murphy Brown Season 3 Episode 9 - The Bummer of 42
    7.9/10(57 votes)

    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

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  12. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 6 - Full Circle
    7.9/10(57 votes)

    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

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  13. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 1 - Uh-Oh (2)
    7.9/10(55 votes)

    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

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  14. Murphy Brown Season 3 Episode 11 - Jingle Hell, Jingle Hell, Jingle All the Way
    7.8/10(67 votes)

    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:Gary Dontzig, Steven Peterman

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  15. Murphy Brown Season 2 Episode 2 - Anchors Away
    7.8/10(62 votes)

    S2:E2

    The network sends Jim on a temporary assignment in Libya, allowing executives to audition handsome young reporter Miller Redfield as his possible replacement. Murphy and the rest of the FYI staff unite to undermine the network’s plan.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Kathryn Baker

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  16. Murphy Brown Season 2 Episode 11 - Brown Like Me (2)
    7.8/10(61 votes)

    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

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  17. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 18 - Send in the Clowns
    7.8/10(57 votes)

    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

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  18. Murphy Brown Season 5 Episode 12 - I'm Dreaming of a Brown Christmas
    7.8/10(55 votes)

    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:Gary Dontzig, Steven Peterman

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  19. Murphy Brown Season 3 Episode 5 - The Gold Rush
    7.8/10(53 votes)

    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:Gary Dontzig, Steven Peterman

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  20. Murphy Brown Season 4 Episode 23 - He-Ho, He-Ho, It's Off to Lamaze We Go
    7.8/10(49 votes)

    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:Gary Dontzig, Steven Peterman

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  21. Murphy Brown Season 7 Episode 21 - The Good Nephew
    7.8/10(49 votes)

    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

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  22. Murphy Brown Season 6 Episode 11 - It's Not Easy Being Brown
    7.8/10(48 votes)

    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

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  23. Murphy Brown Season 1 Episode 20 - The Summer of '77
    7.7/10(79 votes)

    S1:E20

    Phil remembers Murphy’s arrival in Washington in 1977, when she competed with Frank Fontana and journalist Linda Ellerbee for a position at FYI. In the present, Eldin meets Corky and is immediately captivated by her.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Diane English

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  24. Murphy Brown Season 2 Episode 15 - Subpoena Envy
    7.7/10(65 votes)

    S2:E15

    Murphy is subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury, but instead of divulging her source she goes to jail. Prison is not what she hoped for or expected, but then neither is the duration of her stay.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writers:Denise Moss, Sy Dukane

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  25. Murphy Brown Season 2 Episode 4 - TV or Not TV
    7.7/10(64 votes)

    S2:E4

    A television network develops a sitcom inspired by FYI and sends glamorous actress Julia St. Martin to study Murphy for the leading role. Although the staff initially resents the project, everyone soon becomes eager to influence how they will be portrayed.

    Director:Barnet Kellman
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"Frank's Appendectomy" is the best rated episode of Murphy Brown. It scored 8.1/10 from 66 votes. Directed by Barnet Kellman and written by Unknown, it aired on April 9, 1990.

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