S11.E01: Fake News

[The Crazed Spruce]

Quote

Amid a divided nation, chaotic national discourse and rampant attacks on the press, Murphy decides to return to the airwaves with her biting take on current events on the CNC cable network's morning news program.

[SoMuchTV]

Lol. Previous secretarial experience. 

Edited to add:

Yay! My first pink post!  Apparently I can still edit it. Make America great again?

Edited October 2, 2018 by SoMuchTV
Pure troublemaking.

[Goldmoon]

Great cameo! However not funny.

[SailorGirl]

4 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

Lol. Previous secretarial experience. 

hilary@youcouldhavehadme.com  I could not love this more, ESPECIALLY today. . . 

[madfortv]

9 minutes ago, SailorGirl said:

hilary@youcouldhavehadme.com  I could not love this more, ESPECIALLY today. . . 

Hillary's cameo was fun though it wasn't that funny.  Hillary did a great job.

At the end of the show, I laughed out loud at the tweets and responses.

[Reddust]

The tweet exchange was perfect and hysterical. I'm so glad they're back!

[The Crazed Spruce]

"Hashtag Dan Quayle" was the line of the night, you ask me.

[WhitneyWhit]

Poor Miles. He was always an exposed nerve, of course The View would cause him to have to "go away".

[Chaos Theory]

I laughed out loud when they used Hillary Clinton for the secretary bit.   She’s not  a half bad actress.  Might have missed her calling.

Edited September 28, 2018 by Chaos Theory

[ItCouldBeWorse]

I watched the original show and enjoyed the revival, especially the Murphy/Avery relationship. (I really liked Jake McDorman (Avery) in Limitless.) How do viewers who are new to the show feel?

[festivus]

I didn't realize how much I missed this show. The stuff at the end with the tweets had me and my husband howling. We were like that's exactly what he sounds like and he's probably gonna make real tweets like that about this show. We both agreed that if we have to be stuck with him at least we'll get some fun out of it.

 

My other favorite thing was Corky and her hot flashes. I feel you, girl. I feel you.

[Lilac2000]

I was pretty young when it was on and I remember it vaguely. I liked this for what it is. It's a throwback and you can tell they're all having a blast. I'll watch again.

[UYI]

I NEEDED THIS TODAY! Welcome back, Murphy! 

[RandomWatcher]

Trump heavy but we expected that right? Weren't Corky and Miles dating when the series went off the air?

[Amethyst]

Honestly, I wasn't expecting much, but I really enjoyed this.  Some great throwbacks to the original series (esp the Arethaforever password) and I thought some of the former cast members got nice sendoffs.  I do think Jim will make an appearance eventually.  But I understand why he's not on the show.

The cast fit into their old roles like a slipper.  Speaking of which, I missed Miles so much.  Once his neurotic self showed up, then it felt real.

[mtlchick]

For reference, I wasn't an avid watcher of the show back then and I came home late and only saw the last half.

This felt exactly how Will and Grace 2.0 started: a LOT of Trump jokes which I hope means they get it out of their system now.  (I'm not a Trump fan but I need a detox from the jokes as well.)  But at least the cast gelled quickly enough that I hope the second episode improves.

10 minutes ago, Chaos Theory said:

I laughed out loud when they used Hillary Clinton for the secretary bit.   She’s not  a half bad actress.  Might have missed her calling.

She was able to land most of her lines when she appeared on SNL, especially when she's playing against "herself" (Amy Poehler and Kate McKinnon) so I was expecting more of the same here.

I did love her tribute to Aretha. 

[SrOfficial]

I didn't love it, although i'm hoping it will improve.  They sort of tied up loose ends in this first episode.   The Corky menopause thing is going to get old very quickly.  The son is pretty good looking.

[stonehaven]

I loved this..although it felt forced in parts..a bit of "trying too hard" in others. I loved the Hilary spot (and I didn't vote for her). Loved the relationship of Murphy and Avery...the "ArethaForever" as a password was wonderful.

Frank still trying to pick up chicks at a women's march was perfect....Yes, the Twitter war was hilarious..#danquayle spot on....

The two things I loved were the digs at the current state of journalism..and the reality that the showier Murphy moment would outshine the earnest Avery's show.

Still, the biggest revelation continues to be the fantastic Faith Ford. When the original was on, I was all about CB and didn't really notice how great Ford was at the physical stuff...

As someone who has dealt with hot flashes this past year, I almost cried when she had them on air...but I LOVED her great, factual, sane argument FOR climate change...while the others were just lost in what to say. 

I am in..and hoping CBS has the patience for it. I am in the long haul.

[ByaNose]

The guy playing Avery looks like a GQ model but real looking. If that makes sense. Overall, it was a pretty good episode. I watched the OG except for the last 2 seasons because the show was getting stale. I could see this show going on for a few seasons. The only thing I’m curios about if it was shot in front of a live audience or not. 

[The Crazed Spruce]

8 minutes ago, RandomWatcher said:

Weren't Corky and Miles dating when the series went off the air?

I'm pretty sure they broke up over long distance not long after he left the show and they brought in Lily Tomlin to replace him.

[Skycatcher]

10 minutes ago, mtlchick said:

(I'm not a Trump fan but I need a detox from the jokes as well.) 

 I been feeling like I need a detox from news in general.  I was a little hesitant about tuning in.  I think you're right once they get it out of their systems,  once "the news" becomes more organic I think it will be better.

Yes, the menopause gag is already old.

Edited September 28, 2018 by Skycatcher

[UYI]

11 minutes ago, RandomWatcher said:

Trump heavy but we expected that right? Weren't Corky and Miles dating when the series went off the air?

They wound up married, but Grant Shaud left at the end of season 8, so they divorced. Lily Tomlin played FYI Executive Producer Kay Cater-Shepley during the last two seasons. 

[Amethyst]

9 minutes ago, RandomWatcher said:

Weren't Corky and Miles dating when the series went off the air?

I think so but I'm wondering if they broke up.  It sounds like Corky and Murphy have children, but the jury's out on Miles.  Think Frank is still a confirmed bachelor.

Something else I liked was that there was no animosity between Murphy and Avery.  They're friendly rivals.  Avery clearly has respect for his mother and her legacy, but Murphy is proud of Avery and what's he's accomplished.  I was worried about seeing a "bratty Millennial" stereotype from Avery and was pleasantly surprised.

[Bort]

The funniest bit for me was the Indian tech guy's reaction to Murphy's flip phone.

[UYI]

12 minutes ago, Amethyst said:

 I do think Jim will make an appearance eventually.  .

 

It's already been confirmed that he's making a few guest appearances. 

[CatsAndMoreCats]

18 minutes ago, UYI said:

I NEEDED THIS TODAY! Welcome back, Murphy! 

Oh yes!  I laughed.  I cried.  I missed Eldin coming in from the kitchen or through the front door.  I LOVED the Twitter war at the end.  "Hash Tag Dan Quayle."  Yes!  My soul has felt so crushed and devoid of hope for the last two years.  The new/old Murphy gives me hope for impending change.

[UYI]

"Other shows have been cancelled for less."

...Roseanne shade or just me? 

[theredhead77]

22 minutes ago, UYI said:

I NEEDED THIS TODAY! Welcome back, Murphy! 

Yes! I'm so glad I didn't postpone this for tomorrow's catch up. 

 

Loved it!

[RandomWatcher]

2 minutes ago, UYI said:

"Other shows have been cancelled for less."

...Roseanne shade or just me? 

It's never just you

[CatsAndMoreCats]

2 minutes ago, UYI said:

"Other shows have been cancelled for less."

...Roseanne shade or just me? 

Oh DEFINITELY a reference to the late Roseanne.

[The Crazed Spruce]

3 minutes ago, UYI said:

"Other shows have been cancelled for less."

...Roseanne shade or just me? 

That's how I took it. :)

[TomGirl]

I thought this started off a little stiff and exaggerated, but got better as it went along.  Laughed out loud when Hillary made her appearance.  I like all the new characters so far.  Avery is a very natural actor with a believable rapport with his mom.  Patel is hilarious.  And what’s not to love about Tyne Daly?

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, stonehaven said:

The two things I loved were the digs at the current state of journalism..and the reality that the showier Murphy moment would outshine the earnest Avery's show.

I found it pretty depressing that Murphy returned to journalism to be a place where real dialogue and debate could take place and then she basically caves into the thing she was not going to be because there is no one of any substance to dialogue with and then she descends into a twitter fight.  But its a big ratings grabber.  But Murphy Morning isn't any different than any other hack news show.  That isn't the Murphy Brown I remember.  I hope they tighten the writing up a bit.  They used to be able to make her intelligent and scathing, not just trading insults.  Its a bit like they kind of remember how to write Murphy but its not quite comfortable yet.

The best things about this episode were:

Miles explaining the trauma of producing the View.  We don't need Murphy's rotating secretaries.  Let watch Miles dive for cover because former hosts of the View keep dropping by to say hello to Murphy.  I believe there are more than 20 of them.

Every scene between Murphy and Avery was perfect.  I think they need to actually think about why that Is working and forget for a minute that every one else has a back history that most of the audience is familiar with; and then get Murphy, Corky, Miles, and Frank more grounded and less gimmicky.

While I hated everything about the tweets while they were on the air.  I loved the very first tweet she sent out to just stir shit up.  That is the Murphy I remember and hope to see more of.

[festivus]

19 minutes ago, UYI said:

"Other shows have been cancelled for less."

...Roseanne shade or just me? 

Oh it definitely was. There was a whole lot of meta going on tonight.

[PradaKitty]

Why does Candace Bergen look so different? She seems “puffier”. I don’t think it’s just aging..

[Wanda]

The only things that salvaged today was knowing the Good Place and Murphy Brown were waiting to embrace my sad, defeated soul.

[MMEButterfly]

She's been a bit puffy (or fluffy) for a while. I loved it. I remembered the Dan Quayle days, and it gave me hope. Days like today will pass. We can laugh, and laugh I did. I love the Easter eggs. 

[Wanda]

4 minutes ago, PradaKitty said:

Why does Candace Bergen look so different? She seems “puffier”. I don’t think it’s just aging..

As she’s said, she has no interest in dieting at her age. She enjoys her food and wine. What you’re seeing is a beautiful woman with excellent genes, allowing herself to actually eat and weigh what non Hollywood women might weigh. It looks very odd compared to the “vintage Candice”. But I don’t think it’s the result of cosmetic surgery, at least to any major extent.

[babyhouseman]

I was in my teens and twenties when the first show was on. I really enjoyed it. Frank: Did he(Trump) grab you? Murphy: He wasn't suicidal.

[CatsAndMoreCats]

10 minutes ago, PradaKitty said:

Why does Candace Bergen look so different? She seems “puffier”. I don’t think it’s just aging..

It happens.  For 20 years after I graduated college, I weighed 118 pounds and was a perfect size 8.  And then blammo.  Menopause and uncontrollable weight gain.  Last time I got on a scale I was somewhere just south of 160.  Has nothing to do with my thyroid or any other weight-producing physical condition.  Getting older sucks.  But...  the trade-off is that you gain confidence and a comfort level with who you really are.  Which is what I see in Murphy.  And I saw it in Hillary times infinity, tonight. 

[UYI]

19 minutes ago, PradaKitty said:

Why does Candace Bergen look so different? She seems “puffier”. I don’t think it’s just aging..

She's been pretty open about saying "fuck it" about her weight and just enjoying life and food these days. Good for her. 

ETA: @Wanda beat me to it! :)

Edited September 28, 2018 by UYI

[Irlandesa]

35 minutes ago, RandomWatcher said:

Weren't Corky and Miles dating when the series went off the air?

I believe I read an article that stated that they were just going to pretend like that didn't happen.

I both looked forward to this and dreaded it since I had read reviews that felt that they handled things well and others that felt they didn't.  I can see a little bit of both but I found I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.  I actually felt they handled the expected political nature better than Will & Grace did last year.  Maybe it was better writing or maybe it's just the milieu of newspeople. 

There were some smart and funny lines in the news aspect of the show but I agree with those who felt the Avery and Murphy stuff worked the best.  I think it's because, with the old cast, there's this feeling of needing to live up to something.  They know people are tuning in out of nostalgia and want to give them that dynamic and chemistry. 

Whereas with Avery, they don't have to hit some specific dynamic.  The actors can just feel each other out and create that relationship from scratch.  Plus, I have been a big fan of Jake McDorman from Greek, through Limitless (*sniff*) and here as well. He can be funny but overall he's grounded as an actor.  The news stuff might have been about real life but the mother and son scenes came off as more realistic.  

[festivus]

2 minutes ago, Irlandesa said:

The actors can just feel each other out and create that relationship from scratch.  Plus, I have been a big fan of Jake McDorman from Greek, through Limitless (*sniff*) and here as well. He can be funny but overall he's grounded as an actor.  The news stuff might have been about real life but the mother and son scenes came off as more realistic.  

Yeah I thought there was a good dynamic there. I like Jake McDorman but I only know him from Limitless. (yes, *sniff*. That was a good show.)

 

I think the show started out a little stiff but found its groove way quicker than Roseanne or Will and Grace did.

[Skycatcher]

35 minutes ago, ParadoxLost said:

........and then she basically caves into the thing she was not going to be because there is no one of any substance to dialogue with and then she descends into a twitter fight.  But its a big ratings grabber.  

 I took it as an intentional reality check to Murphy about just how hard she's going to have to work to avoid becoming what she's trying to avoid,  and demonstrating just how easy it is, with her personality, to fall into that trap.  At least I hope that's the case because  I'm not intrested in watching a program about political pot shots without some intelligence behind it.

[aemom]

As I watched the show I said to my husband "I really hope they mention Eldin in some way," and I'm so glad they did.

I remember that when Murphy found out she was pregnant, that everybody was so against the idea and she came home so dejected.

Eldin said that he was done and Murphy said that she'd see him tomorrow,  but then he said no, that he was finally finished painting and that was it.

She told him she was pregnant, and he was so happy and excited and said that he had to do the baby's room, etc. and he stayed until the end as her nanny.

I was really hoping that it would be good, and it was a good episode. I'm looking forward to next week.

[ombelico]

Really enjoyed it and screamed out loud when Hillary came off the elevator. And "Bring it on! Hashtag Dan Quayle" - yes!! The scene in Phil's was rather painful, though - I don't know if that's what they filmed first (maybe so since that's when the audience applauded Murphy's appearance), but everyone seemed a bit stiff. It got better as the episode went on, though. Grant Shaud was great as Miles - no stiffness there, and it's great to see him back in competent executive producer mode.

I'm really excited about Avery. He's clearly grown up very well, is super smart, and is going to be a good debater for Murphy. The actor also very plausibly looks like he could be Candice Bergen's son - excellent casting.

[Silver Raven]

"The Wolf Network".

The tech guy with the flip phone was hilarious.

I hope the ladies on the View respond tomorrow.

[Guest]

I loved it. It felt like vintage Murphy to me. I missed Phil and Jim though. 

I had forgotten Miles and Corky had divorced. I was surprised they weren’t together with zero explanation until I remembered. 

[Bastet]

I have been so excited for this revival ever since it was announced.  I was a huge fan of the original run, watching all the way through, and I watch my season one DVDs every couple of years (damn music licensing costs that prevented the release of subsequent seasons).

The jokes in the opening scene at Phil’s were rather painfully obvious, and comparing that to the pilot which was so refreshingly above the obvious (the Camus joke alone meant the show had me at hello) definitely came up short.  But seeing Phil’s, and Murphy’s living room, and the old gang – I was happy.  Giddy, really.  The band is getting back together, and I’m in.

Especially when Murphy went to see Miles.  Their dynamic was always one of the best parts of the show.

That in talking to Avery, Murphy refers to “Uncle Frank” and “Aunt Corky”?  All of Murphy’s original sofa table photos, including that of Robert Kennedy and the original Avery, visible as Murphy talks with Avery the Younger?  Murphy’s take on the Wolf network, and her response to Avery talking about a certain demographic deserving a voice?  The depiction of cable’s frenetic five-things-at-once bullshit to accommodate America’s non-existent attention span?  Yes.  Yes, yes, yes.  Sure, some of it is low-hanging fruit.  But it’s true.  Like the complete lack of qualifications of cabinet appointees.  And batshit crazy tweets out of the executive bathroom in response to TV shows.  This is an era when reality is even more ridiculous than the worst of sitcom clichés, so a show like this has to go there.  (They didn't do it perfectly, but they did it well, and I look forward to watching them settle in - and especially to the future episodes that are shot with a quick turnaround.)

"Oh, you bring it on.  #DanQuayle"

Murphy’s regret at getting down in the mud, and the difference between good television and journalism, was a nice tag to all that.  That she had a blast, it’s easy to do, she beat a proper show’s pants off in the ratings, but it’s wrong.  And then "Old Murphy, my ass."  I look forward to more.

ArethaForever.  The Eldin toast.  Yeah.

Bergen and the actor playing Avery have great chemistry, and I look forward to more of that.  I was very pleased to learn that they weren't going down the tired "child of hippie liberal rebels by being conservative" road in reading about the revival, and I think Avery as proud son of a journalism legend played well.

One of the things I’ve most looked forward to with the revival is the continuation of the revolving door of Murphy’s secretaries, and - especially with a limited run and the revival hoopla - I figured they could get some seriously great cameos.  But I never dreamed Hillary Clinton would kick it off.  I guffawed!  “I do have some experience with emails.”  “It takes a village.”  Hillary@youcoulddahadme.com 

For those asking about Jim, he'll appear in episode three.

(And I have a flip phone and don’t use social media, so I liked that bit, too.)

[kathyk24]

I loved every minute of this. The Hillary cameo made me squeal like a little girl. I loved all the scenes with Avery and Murphy. I remember on the original show Murphy loved Avery but wasn't a typical sitcom mom. I was so happy to see him follow in her footsteps and her pride in him.