The worst episodes of Murphy Brown
Ranked by viewer rating, lows first. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
Feeling neglected by her husband, Corky considers ""moving down the food chain,"" when she becomes involved with Miller Redfield.
- 02
Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are
After Miles describes a, according to Frank's opinion, homoerotic dream of him and the new publicity guy, Rick 'frolicking', Miles panics. Frank says that's no big deal, and that he probably picked up from the fact that Rick was gay, Murphy does not think Rick is gay so they make a bet. When Rick shows up at the bullpen the gang start to question him about many things about his life, to see if he says anything more revealing about his sexuality. Rick notices that and confirms he is gay, emberassing the whole gang. Miles is totally freaked out, so he goes to one shrink after another, they all agree that there's a possibility that he is really gay. Without knowing what to do, Miles asks for advice Frank, but it doesn't really help, then he goes to Murphy, which doesn't help very much either. Moments later Rick asks Miles to go to Phil's with him to show the new promos for the show, Miles reluctantly goes. At Phil's, Rick notices Miles is giving excuses to get away from their meeting.
- 03
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.
- 04
The FYI staff fears that viewers will ignore Frank’s serious report on homelessness. To attract a larger audience, they imitate the sensational promotional tactics of rival television personality Jerry Gold, but their effort to win the ratings battle threatens to overshadow the story itself.
- 05
While Murphy is throwing a birthday party for Gene Kinsella, Miles recognizes a woman he had a one-night stand with at a broadcaster's convention, Mrs. Kinsella. However, Kinsella thinks that his wife is having an affair with Frank.
- 06
It's February and sweeps month, so Miles gets Murphy and Corky to pose as hookers to break open an oil company scandal.
- 07
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.
- 08
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.
- 09
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
- 10
Murphy investigates allegations that a federal prosecutor is connected to a prostitution operation controlled by organized crime. When a death threat is delivered to the FYI newsroom, Miles becomes alarmed by the risks Murphy routinely accepts while pursuing a story.
- 11
Murphy is assigned to interview radical activist Jake Loewenstein, whom she briefly married years earlier. Their unresolved feelings and conflicting accounts of the relationship make it increasingly difficult for Murphy to conduct an impartial interview.
- 12
Shortly before Christmas, a desperate mother unexpectedly leaves her children in Murphy’s care. Completely unprepared for instant parenthood, Murphy tries to look after the children while searching for their mother and attempting to give the family a proper holiday.
- 13
Spending time with a pregnant friend causes Murphy to question whether she wants a child of her own. She begins investigating artificial insemination and approaches Frank about becoming the biological father, leading to an increasingly awkward discussion about friendship, parenthood and their future responsibilities.
- 14
An armed man enters the FYI studio and demands that the program broadcast his grievances. Murphy attempts to control the dangerous situation while Miles and the rest of the staff struggle to respond. At home, Eldin transforms what was supposed to be a routine painting job into an extensive and apparently endless renovation.
- 15
Murphy is asked to deliver the eulogy for a longtime professional rival. She initially regards the assignment as an opportunity to settle old scores, but reflecting on their contentious history forces her to recognize the respect and affection hidden beneath years of competition.
- 16
Murphy is outraged when everyone at FYI except her receives an invitation to George H. W. Bush’s inaugural ball. Determined to identify the person responsible for excluding her, she launches an investigation of her own. Meanwhile, Miles hesitates over inviting a woman who is taller than he is.
- 17
Murphy’s investigative reporting helps exonerate Kyle, a man who has spent years in prison for a crime he did not commit. After his release, Kyle struggles to adjust to ordinary life, and Miles gives him an opportunity to work as Murphy’s latest secretary.
- 18
Miles suspends Murphy after she disregards his instructions during an interview. Murphy initially welcomes the forced vacation, confident that she can enjoy a life away from television, but soon discovers that her identity and sense of purpose are inseparable from her work.
- 19
Murphy and Frank agree to arrange romantic dates for one another, only to discover that each has badly misjudged what the other wants in a partner. Meanwhile, Murphy’s newest secretary develops an obvious attraction to the happily married Jim Dial.
- 20
Murphy challenges an exclusive Washington club that refuses to admit women. After discovering a possible loophole in its membership rules, she pressures Jim into sponsoring her application and prepares to confront the institution on its own terms.
- 21
Murphy’s formidable mother, Avery Brown, arrives for an open-ended visit. Avery’s relentless criticism quickly revives the arguments and insecurities that have long defined their relationship, leaving Murphy desperate to regain control of her home and emotions.
- 22
Murphy prepares for a joint American-Soviet television broadcast and meets Soviet journalist Vladimir Tishenko. She is startled to discover that her counterpart’s personality, interviewing style and professional reputation closely resemble her own.
- 23
Murphy begins dating brilliant physicist Dr. Victor Rudman to prove that intelligence matters more to her than physical attraction. Her supposedly reserved intellectual companion soon reveals that he has a far more active and adventurous social life than she anticipated.
- 24
An insulting remark Murphy makes near an open microphone inspires a newspaper cartoonist to create a caricature called “Mouthy Brown.” Murphy’s attempts to suppress or retaliate against the cartoon only give the artist more material and draw the rest of the FYI staff into the satire.
- 25
A judge suffers a fatal heart attack while Murphy is questioning him on the air. Although she insists that the death has not affected her, Murphy loses her usual confidence and reluctantly attends group therapy in an attempt to understand her reaction.
Shows like Murphy Brown
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
- 01Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe worst episodes of Fargo2014·FX
Fargo is a seasonal anthology crime drama with some dark comical elements, inspired by the film Fargo written by the Coen brothers. - 02Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe worst episodes of The Rookie2018–present·ABCThe Rookie is inspired by a true story. John Nolan is the oldest rookie in the LAPD.
- 03Drama·Comedy·SportsThe worst episodes of Ted Lasso2020–present
Ted Lasso centers on an idealistic — and clueless — all-American football coach hired to manage an English football club — despite having no soccer coaching experience at all. - 04Drama·Comedy·FoodThe worst episodes of The Bear2022–2026·Hulu
Carmy, a young fine-dining chef, comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop. - 05Drama·Comedy·CrimeThe worst episodes of Tulsa King2022–present·Paramount+
Tulsa King follows New York mafia capo Dwight "The General" Manfredi, just after he is released from prison after 25 years and unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. - 06Drama·Comedy·FamilyThe worst episodes of Shameless2011–2021·Paramount+ with Showtime
Shameless is a fiercely engaging and fearlessly twisted series.
