From its premiere on CBS in the autumn of 1988, "Murphy Brown" was a class act — a crisply written, politically savvy, smart ensemble comedy that evoked favorable comparisons to that jewel of classic TV, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," while setting a new standard for culturally relevant entertainment.

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"Murphy Brown's" plots often parodied actual current events, but in the summer of 1992 "Murphy Brown" became news when the unmarried Murphy gave birth to a baby boy and touched off a national controversy. Vice President Dan Quayle, in a speech on the deterioration of family values in America, criticized the character’s decision to raise her son on her own. He said, "It doesn’t help matters when prime-time TV has Murphy Brown, a character who supposedly epitomizes today’s intelligent, highly paid professional woman, mocking the importance of fathers by bearing a child alone and calling it just another lifestyle choice." Producer Diane English did not mince words when she responded, "If he believes that a woman cannot adequately raise a child without a father, then he’d better make sure abortion remains safe and legal." The exchange became a hot topic, and in the fall of 1992 "Murphy Brown" presented an hour-long episode entitled "I Say Potatoe, You Say Potato" in which Murphy takes Quayle to task, introducing several hard-working, "non-traditional" families on "F.Y.I." In its final season, the show gave an honest look at dealing with breast cancer, when Murphy was diagnosed in an early episode. Later that season, the show came under fire when Jim brought Murphy marijuana to ease her nausea.

"Murphy Brown" hosted a plethora of guest stars from the world of politics, including Senators Orrin Hatch and Bob Dole, and former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, as well as real-life news personalities such as Walter Cronkite (thrice!), Lesley Stahl, and Mike Wallace. In fact, creator Diane English referred to Murphy as "Mike Wallace in a dress."

Murphy Brown is one of TV’s most honestly written, deeply nuanced female characters. And if Murphy’s style, liberated attitude, quick wit, independent streak, and success seem somehow prescient of four recent small screen female icons, it’s no accident. Michael Patrick King, the Executive Producer of the Emmy® award winning "Sex and the City," wrote and received multiple Emmy® nominations for his work on "Murphy Brown."

"Murphy Brown" ended its regular run on CBS in August of 1998, but with the addition of this extraordinary show to the TV Land schedule it’s time to show a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T, turn up the Motown, and start counting secretaries.