Murphy Brown is one of TV's most honored journalists. Brilliant and persistent, Murphy is unafraid to ask tough questions of the mighty. She is also an unabashed liberal who is considered an enemy of George Bush's White House. Murphy works for "FYI," a Washington-based network TV newsmagazine series. A recovering alcoholic, Murphy returns from a stay at the Betty Ford rehabilitation center, free of booze and cigarettes -- and correspondingly cranky. Her TV show has a new producer, a whiz-kid half Murphy's age. She's also working with an airheaded ex-Miss America, a befuddled anchorman and her best friend, a danger-loving gonzo reporter. Can Murphy Brown make a comeback to be the best in the business? How can she not!

In the final episode of season four, Murphy Brown gave birth to her child, Avery. Around that time Vice President Dan Quayle, during a televised debate, criticized the show for introducing the theme of an unmarried woman having a child and thereby promoting the idea of single motherhood and the decay of family values, a hot issue during that year's election campaigning. The producers and writers retaliated in the 60-minute season premiere which aired 21 September 1992. The clip from the debate was featured prominently in the episode (entitled "You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato") and the majority of the writing made fun of VP Quayle's remarks (To his credit, Vice President Quayle later sent the fictional baby Avery a very real plush toy elephant.)

[Attempting to breast-feed her newborn son]


Murphy:
I have breasts for the first time and the only man in my life doesn't know what to do with them!