The CBS revival of the classic Candice Bergen sitcom "is conscious that the world has changed in the 20 years since we last saw Murphy and friends," says Alan Sepinwall. "The problem is that Murphy Brown itself really hasn’t, and that does more to tarnish the real show’s legacy than anything else. The original series was both a classic and very much of its time. Murphy — simultaneously glamorous and pugnacious, a recovering alcoholic who took on titans of industry and government without fear — is a Hall of Fame sitcom character. The show around her had its charms ... but also a weakness for jokes dependent entirely on name-dropping famous political and media figures of the day." The reference humor is still there in abundance, says Sepinwall. He adds that there is also "the sense of preachy self-importance that permeates the entire revival. Murphy Brown comes out of retirement to try to save America itself, and Murphy Brown seems convinced it can do the same thing."
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TOPICS: Murphy Brown, CBS, Candice Bergen, Diane English, Jake McDorman, Revivals