The essential episodes of Murphy Brown
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Murphy Brown — each pick states its reason.
- 01
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.
- 02
Miles becomes increasingly uncomfortable when his confident older brother, Josh, visits Washington and immediately develops a mutual attraction with Murphy. His efforts to interfere in their relationship quickly become intrusive.
- 03
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.
- 04
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.
- 05
Jim goes into hiding after losing control on the air, fearing the only thing people will remember about him is that one moment in his long career.
- 06
Finished early with her story, Murphy terrorizes the rest of the staff with her practical jokes. When a gang of environmental terrorists kidnap her, nobody believes her.
- 07
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.
- 08
On a ""suggestion"" from Murphy, Will and Corky throw a dinner party to feign togetherness. The event turns into a disaster.
- 09
Jingle Hell, Jingle Hell, Jingle All the Way
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.
- 10
When Murphy throws a party, Eldin's artistic talent is discovered. Three weeks later Eldin has a showing at a premiere art gallery. Eldin's mural causes a stir that turns his life upside down.
- 11
Feeling neglected by her husband, Corky considers ""moving down the food chain,"" when she becomes involved with Miller Redfield.
- 12
Their busy schedules keep postponing the details for the various wedding activities, Murphy claims they are not pre-wedding jitters, but aren't they? Miller confronts Corky about taking their relationship to the ""next level,"" sex. Frank arranges Peter's bachelor party and when he doesn't make it, guess who shows up.
- 13
Elizabeth Taylor cancels her interview with Murphy, because the police have a lead on her stolen pearls. Jim stops by for a chance to meet Miss Taylor. Meanwhile, Miles wants the team to stop torturing Miller. Miles asks Jim for a bit of advice and he suggests a retreat. So Miles takes the team north to get them to work together as a team.
- 14
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.
- 15
Jim seeks some career advice from Mike Wallace. Mike tells him he is boring and has lost his spark. Murphy begins her interview with God, who tells her she must make the best of the gifts she has been given. The surgery uncovers the abnormality was just a cyst, Murphy can go on with her life. The gang is happy for her, but unsure what to do with themselves without Murphy as a part of FYI. Frank and Julia finally get together and arrange a date. Jim prepares to leave and Murphy returns to the office. She is ready to tell everyone that she's changed her mind, when they all mention what they have in the works for their careers. Murphy confesses her selfishness, but mentions that she doesn't want to leave. After a group hug, they all get together to reminisce on memories of the past. At the end of the day, Murphy returns to her townhouse. Ten years later, Eldin makes the same entrance back into her life. Seems Avery used his mother's Sprint card to track Eldin down. Eldin proposes marriage
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Shameless is a fiercely engaging and fearlessly twisted series.
