Murphy Brown

During a scheduled break from FYI, Murphy and Corky are assigned to co-host the network’s cheerful morning program. Corky adapts naturally to the lighter format, while Murphy struggles with cooking demonstrations, celebrity interviews and the relentlessly upbeat atmosphere.

A minor traffic collision involving Murphy and a seemingly harmless elderly couple escalates into a $1.5 million lawsuit. Suspicious of the Bickners’ exaggerated injuries and innocent appearance, Murphy becomes determined to prove that they are experienced frauds.

Phil remembers Murphy’s arrival in Washington in 1977, when she competed with Frank Fontana and journalist Linda Ellerbee for a position at FYI. In the present, Eldin meets Corky and is immediately captivated by her.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Murphy investigates a businessman suspected of involvement in drug smuggling, but Miles insists that Corky accompany her. Murphy expects the inexperienced former beauty queen to be a hindrance until Corky unexpectedly obtains the evidence needed to break the story. Murphy must then decide whether she is prepared to share the credit.

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.

Upon returning, Corky decides to go ahead with the wedding, but the event is marred by even more last minute indecision, and then Murphy brings out the ""soul.""

When a ""geek"" from her high school days comes to Washington, Corky's mother & his mother arrange to have them get together. They meet, fall in love, and within two weeks announce their plans to get married. Corky runs out into the night with Eldin, when she thinks that maybe she hasn't really experienced life.

Miles orders the staff to take a stress reduction class. After reluctantly showing up for it, Murphy slips a disc however that doesn't stop her from working on a hot story.

When a secret admirer sends a fax to Miles, Murphy takes it as a challenge to answer for him and then winds up starting a correspondence.

A series of outrageous practical jokes, which start with a visit from ""Deep Throat,"" get out of hand.

A worried viewer urges advertisers to boycott FYI for an upcoming piece Murphy has on sex education. Murphy flies out to keep the one sponsor they have for the controversial show.

On a publicity jaunt, Murphy and Jim find themselves snowbound in Kansas. While killing time in the bar Murphy challenges Jim's ability to flirt, something Jim may later regret.

When Murphy learns things about Jerry Gold that no one else is privy to, she looks at him in a different light. They begin to have an affair that shocks everyone at FYI.

It's February and sweeps month, so Miles gets Murphy and Corky to pose as hookers to break open an oil company scandal.

Murphy's journalism mentor from her high school days has retired, to combat inactivity he comes to Washington to open a journalism school using her name.

Frank meets the woman of his dreams, a woman he dates more than once. However, she is a psychologist and analyzes every little thing Frank does, something that drives him crazier than he already is.

Miles asks the staff to be mentors for a group of young reporters who will be doing a pilot for FYI For Kids; Murphy over helps her protégé.

Murphy is subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury, but instead of divulging her source she goes to jail. Prison is not what she hoped for or expected, but then neither is the duration of her stay.

Corky is having a New Year's Eve party, and Murphy wants to avoid it. Everyone challenges her to be able enjoy the occasion without the her old vice. Sober, Murphy can still bring life to a dull party.

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.

To start a significant dialog, Murphy decides she will break the technicians' strike by bringing both sides together for cake and conversation.

The sparks and the barbs fly back and forth; however, eventually the Browns call a truce. To quote Murphy: ""Interesting family, kind of like a Fellini version of the Waltons.""

Murphy is set to receive the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, so the rest of the staff convince her that at least one of her estranged parents should attend. She concedes and invites her father, but the sparks fly when her father arrives with his new young wife and child and later her mother shows up.

The staff plans a surprise roast for Jim on his 25th anniversary at the network, he tells Murphy before the event that he ""couldn't handle a chance meeting with anyone I know.""

Murphy & Frank lose the Humboldt Award to Corky. Then to ride the PR wave, the network brass decide to give next week's lead story to the award winner.

Jerry Gold bets the staff that they can't be environmentally responsible for a two week period, if they lose Murphy must appear on his show.

Frank and Murphy compete for the same story, but their intense competition puts the story in jeopardy. Phil, to improve his business at night, tries adding live entertainment to the bar.

While on vacation, Miles' return flight is delayed by an Air Force pilot who has hijacked an F15-Eagle loaded with nuclear warheads.

An FYI inspired sitcom sends its star to Washington to research her part, Murphy Brown.

A high-school computer hacker stumbles onto a memo by Murphy about her co-workers, and he plans to publish it in the school paper.

The network sends Jim to Libya for two weeks, so they can audition a handsome new anchor for FYI; they don't count on the retaliation of Murphy and the gang.

When Miles arrives to the office, the whole gang makes fun of his new suit. He says he bought it because his older brother is coming to town so he wants to look good. At Murphy's office, Miles asks her to join them for lunch, Murphy reluctantly agrees. At Phil's Miles' brother Josh and Murphy really hit it off, which makes Miles a little uncomfortable. They also agree to go all to dinner together at a fancy italian restaurant. Miles brings his date Audrey Cohen, they all have a nice time at first but then Miles starts embarassing Murphy. The next day, Miles apologizes to Murphy about the way he behaved at the restaurant. One night Miles, Murphy and Josh arrive at her house after dinner, Murphy and Josh want to be alone but Miles is always getting in the middle, so they politely ask him to leave. Miles shows up in the middle of the night just to tell Murphy that he does not like the idea of her dating his brother at all. Josh arrives after being looking for Miles for hours, they sta

Jake resurfaces with matrimony on his mind, Murphy is caught between him and her ex-lover, Jerry Gold, when he returns unexpectedly. Later Murphy takes a home pregnancy test, the results are positive.

The FYI staff vies against Yale on a TV quiz show, but at the dress rehearsal, they realize just how much they've forgotten since their school days.

Murphy goes off the deep end when a tabloid prints lies about her, one of which says she is drinking again.

Murphy makes a flip remark that insults short men, especially members of ""The 66 Club."" She shows them their ""short"" sightedness.

Corky gets her own network special, she decides to do it as an interview show with a ""tea party"" theme. Murphy comes on as her first guest and is humiliated when Corky asks her really tough, Murphy Brown type of questions.

Suffering from ""3rd year burnout,"" Miles asks for a positive uplifting story. When everyone else fails, Murphy takes on the challenge. She gets a perfect story, until the interview is on the air.

While the FYI staff car pool together, Murphy works on her will, Frank gets over a relationship, Corky obsesses over being right about a trivia question, Jim tries to think of an anecdote for an interview and Miles almost gets everyone killed.

Frank and Murphy witness their wake, giving them further time for reflection on their lives.

When their plane gets in trouble: Murphy and Frank's lives flash before their eyes.

The network is sold to American Industrial, a large corporation, who send in a management consultant to streamline the network. Miles and Murphy go to New York to meet with the new mis-management.

Jim's new novel, seems to uncover his affection for Murphy, when the central character meets a blonde female reporter.

Ten years ago Murphy was banned from the White House press conferences. To top off her story on the education crisis, Murphy decides she needs a quotation from the ""Education"" president. When she manages to get a pass, she loses her voice two days before the conference.

The Wolf network tries to woo Murphy away, something she isn't interested in until she finds out the network is taking her for granted.

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.

When tensions arise among the staff, Miles arranges for a corporate weekend retreat. Where they learn to develop their teamwork as they compete against a group of bankers.

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.

On a ""suggestion"" from Murphy, Will and Corky throw a dinner party to feign togetherness. The event turns into a disaster.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The on-air talent goes on strike, so management brings in Miller Redfield to handle Murphy's pending interview on the S&L crisis. When the only question Miller wants to know is why parking isn't validated, Miles must do the interview.

Frank rescues people trapped in a hostage situation, but falls to pieces when his parents come to town for the celebration of 50th their wedding anniversary bash. A party Frank forgot to plan.

Murphy wants to interview a controversial comic, but after seeing some tapes of his act she changes her mind. Miles sets up the interview so Murphy decides to go ahead with it, the result of which makes for interesting viewing.

With the start of the 13th season, Miles decides it's time to change the image of FYI, so he hires a consultant.

While doing the last show of the season, Murphy starts going into labor. The FYI gang and crew panics, and don't know what to do since they're in the middle of a live show, Miles asks Jim to take Murphy to the hospital, Corky to close the show, and Frank to get Eldin and anything else Murphy needs at her house. At the hospital, Murphy is still relaxed, she's starting to feel the first contractions and they're not as painful as she thought. She even asks Jim to play cards with her. Everything is under control, but not for long, the contractions are starting to get very painful. Murphy is screaming and Jim doesn't know what to do. A nurse shows up and after examining Murphy says that it's still too early and suggests that Murphy walks a little to relieve some of the pain. And that's what Murphy does, Miles is with her trying to calm her down, because Murphy is a 'little' cranky. Later on, Murphy is screaming even more, she's holding Frank and Miles through their neck cursing and bl

Murphy relents when Corky wants to throw her a baby shower and the guests that arrive give her the low down on child birth and children.

The network tries a temporary replacement for Murphy; however, Murphy recognizes the same signs in her that show she is on the same path Murphy once traveled, alcoholism.

Murphy's doctor advises her to take Lamaze classes, and even though Murphy thinks it's not really necessary, she agrees. The problem is that Murphy has to find a partner for that. Frank is her first choice, but he won't be able to make it, because he has to go on location for a story. Murphy then goes after Jim, but only the thought makes him very embarassed and uncomfortable. Miles can't do it either for the same reason. Corky offers to, but Murphy doesn't think it's a good idea. The only one left is Eldin, who reluctantly agrees saying that ha can't make any promises, because he's a free spirit and he doesnt like to stick around at the same place for too long (yeah, right). And that's a big commitment for him. They go to the first class and aparently Murphy and Eldin is not the only couple who doesn't know what they're doing. At the second class, one of the couples is absent, because they had thir baby. The other two seem to be getting better, but Murphy is still clueless. Th

Murphy loans Phil some money to keep his place from going under; however, Phil gets more than money and more than he can take with the deal.

Murphy changes her hairstyle to rebel against an appearance clause in her contract; the network's and the audience reaction is less than favorable.

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.

Murphy gets everyone to reluctantly join her, for an old fashioned weekend at the farm she is considering buying. The neighbors in the area aren't as old fashioned as Murphy would like.

Following her story on the personal spending habits of government officials, a Senate committee must decide whether to find her in contempt of Congress.

Miles succumbs to stress when he has heart attack symptoms at his 30th birthday party.

Murphy returns from a trip feeling a little ill, turns out she is having pre-term labor pains, common for pregnant women over forty. Jerry Gold offers to move in with Murphy to help her out and they both learn about having a live-in relationship.

When Corky gets an invitation to a Barbara Bush luncheon, Murphy tries to scam her so she can get back into the White House, a placed she has been banned from.

When the existing Sunday news anchor dies, the competition heats up between Jim and Murphy, when the network test both of them for the job.

Feeling neglected by her husband, Corky considers ""moving down the food chain,"" when she becomes involved with Miller Redfield.

After being nominated every year, for ten years straight, Frank wins the Humboldt Award and it brings out the worst in him.

Murphy volunteers the FYI staff to serve Thanksgiving dinner at a homeless shelter.

Murphy has an appointment with a gynecologist for a test she can't drive to, when no one else is available, Jim must take her. The results of the test are normal with one exception, it's a boy.

Murphy's chance to interview the "Queen of Soul" is in jeopardy when her train arrives late and the limo gets detoured and the staff struggles to fill the air time.

When Murphy looks after a friend's 18-year-old daughter she begins to learn about what being a mother is all about.

It's Nightline vs. FYI when both shows court a small town family that inadvertently taped a senator's romantic rendezvous.

After learning about her mother's death, Murphy doesn't seem to be that upset, which makes the FYI gang think that she's hiding her true feelings. She claims it's because of a letter her mother left to her saying that she must not cry, and if it's allowed she'll make one last visit to Murphy at the end of the night. So, Murphy and the Phil crowd decide to celebrate Avery's spirit. Murphy's father, Bill Brown shows up and suggests that they go home so they can talk about the good times the three of them had together. At Murphy's townhouse, Eldin is grieving Avery's passing and refuses to actually believe it. After he's gone, Murphy and her father decide to open the big trunk Avery left to Murphy containing a photo album, Murphy's indian blanket among other things. After arguing with her father over things from the past, Murphy finds a little box inside of the trunk, with one of Avery's hats, which Murphy tries on, also in that box there's a smaller one wrapped up as a present with a

Murphy gets a competent secretary in Miles' girlfriend, Audrey. The pressure of working together causes their break up and Frank becomes the tool Audrey uses to get back at Miles.

Out to prove the new men's movement is a fraud, Murphy attends a men's-only workshop to get the real story on the new men's movement and Frank, Miles and Jim are participants.

Gene Kinsella finds out about Murphy's pregnancy and considers the idea of taking her off the air. But Miles convinces him not to. Once that is solved, Murphy must get a quote from the president for her latest story. Frank says the only way to get this quote is jogging with him. Murphy thinks she's up for the job but Frank and Jim don't think so because of her pregnancy. So, Murphy accepts Frank's offer of getting the quote for her. When that doesn't work, Murphy tries to get it herself and ends up running over the president with her bike. Even though Murphy didn't get her quote she's happy, and concludes that her pregnancy will not make her life any more difficult, all she has to do is be a little more creative.

Jake tells Murphy he has decided he isn't ready to settle down, and they both agree they can't do it together. Murphy decides to exercise her right to choose and her choice is motherhood. Even though it's Jake's baby, Jerry knows fatherhood isn't for him. While everyone else freaks out at the news, only Eldin is truly happy for Murphy. Murphy ""Do you think I'll make a good mother."" Eldin ""No, but I will.""

Murphy begins to ponder her fate, tells Frank her suspicions and tries more tests (all positive). Murphy tells Jake the news.

Murphy plans Avery's first birthday party; however, on the day of the big event her plane from New York is fogged in. While the others celebrate, Murphy tries everything to get back. Frank brings a special guest for the event. The missing of this big event in Avery's life makes Murphy decide that maybe she just can't do it all, so she plans to make a couple of changes in her career.

Murphy and Phil play for high stakes during their annual poker cruise aboard his houseboat. Miles suffers from an overdose of seasick medication.

When Frank gets back from a story, Corky recounts the story about how Murphy tried to beat other newswomen to an interview with the president by taking Avery to the White House Easter Egg Hunt. All she winds up getting is banned, from the White House again.

When Murphy can't join him for their annual escapades at the Press Club dinners, Frank does something unusual, he goes alone. At the dinner he is accused of being a bachelor and he stops by Corky's to talk, she inspires him to ""take the leap."" So to the shock of everyone he gets a steady girlfriend.

Murphy decides to take Mitchell on when he wants a set change. When they go to a charity event together, each tries to get the upper hand.

Murphy gets the car pool to make a ""quick"" side trip to the market, just so she pick up a quick jar of baby food; also while there she meets up with ex-secretary #37. Corky finds a picture of Will and Cher together, so she starts to shop for a binge. Miles tries to buy a female item for Audrey. Frank tries to pick up another shopper, but he gets ""nun."" Jim tries to get the deli guy to make him a sandwich.

A major story gets Frank a booking on Late Night With David Letterman, and Murphy becomes jealous. Frank invites Murphy to come with him and she causes trouble in the green room with the other guests, causing their performances to be off.

When Eldin becomes sick, Murphy brings Avery to work. While Murphy is out searching for an interview for that night's show, everyone takes turns baby-sitting and sharing their most personal feelings with him.

Following his dog's death, Jim delivers a commentary on the animal during his commentary. The staff throws a memorial service to help him overcome the loss.

Corky gets an intern job for one of her sorority sisters, a recent college graduate. The staff over-protects their new intern, from labor-intensive and meaningless jobs, when she turns out to be much older than they expected.

The staff try to rustle up a date for Murphy when she gets invited to the inaugural ball. Murphy finds her own date, Eldin's friend, who did a sketch of Avery. Later Murphy has second thoughts about going out on a date.

Miles and Audrey decide to live together, but he finds the living arrangements a little too crowded for his liking when her ex-boyfriend stays for a night and then doesn't leave.

Though she thinks she knows how to relate to Avery, Murphy is swayed into giving him some ""quality time"" by playing games and singing children's songs with a group of other mothers.

On Christmas Eve, Murphy wants to celebrate Avery's first Christmas simply; however she finds herself dealing with two surprise guests. Murphy's father and aunt arrive to celebrate the holiday, and it becomes a traditional Brown family Christmas.

After finishing his book The Little Dutch Boy and the movie's screenplay, Will gets hit with a plagiarism suit at the premiere. The stress of the situation exposes Corky and Will's marital problems.

The Museum of Broadcast Arts awards ceremony honoring FYI turns into a colossal battle of egos and nobody has a bigger one than Murphy.

Miles is embarrassed when his activist parents come to Washington for a large demonstration.

Murphy leaves Eldin as nanny when she must fly to Paris for a European Summit Conference. She also decides on the baby's name, Avery and a full time nanny, Eldin.

While working their way through Election Day, the staff recalls casting their first votes.

Frank, sensing his ""big break,"" persuades a reluctant Murphy to co-host the network's new overnight news program with him, and the pair get punchy while on the air.

Doris, feeling that her life is miserable, decides to become a cabaret singer and Jim has hard time dealing with it.

The network moves Kinsella into a nothing position, Murphy finds herself unusually pleasant to the new ""black"" vice president of news at the network, Mitchell Baldwin.

During her first day back at FYI, Murphy discovers just how hard it is to leave the baby at home with a nanny.

Murphy is angry over the Vice President's comments about her choice of ""family values,"" while trying to deal with her choice.

After the delivery, Murphy goes through her ""period of adjustment"" including the sleepless nights, finding a suitable nanny, name for the baby, then Dan opens his mouth.

Frank, Jim and Murphy are all up for contract renewals as FYI celebrates the airing of its 500th broadcast and their egos go unchecked.

Despite the network's policy against it, Murphy decides to play a ""small, but pivotal role"" in director Louis Malle's new film. After getting the script, Murphy goes to the set to get changes made that will protect her ""journalistic integrity.""

Peter returns to town and he and Murphy pick up right where they left off. Back at her place, Murphy delays the inevitable.

When Murphy take Miles shopping for a new suit, he becomes humiliated when she ""sees it"" and then everyone else finds out. Later, everyone else lets out their most embarrassing moment.

Frank's psychologist tells him after 18 years of therapy that he's cured and needs to move on and he leans on Murphy for support.

FYI's 17th anniversary show is more than complete when an annoying former anchor returns. They plot to get rid of him again until Murphy finds out what he once did for her before the 1st show.

After her car is stolen out of her driveway, Murphy joins the neighborhood watch, but discovers that her neighbors are borderline vigilantes.

The team travels to Lillehammer, and Murphy, who's more interested in getting free stuff, has a ""fluff piece"" interview with a skater, which results in a disaster for Norway.

Jim decides to open an English pub called ""The Anchorman"" and it turns out to be a big success as a gay bar.

Murphy's report and comments about modern art lead to her appearance on a PBS talk show, defending her views against art critics. Later she takes one of Avery's paintings and puts it on display to show them what they really know about art.

An injured Peter returns from Bosnia and eventually they admit missing each other and decide to have a relationship they know will go down in flames.

Murphy gets rude remarks by radio personality, Marty Crane. She gets mad but the gang actually thin the things Marty says about Murphy are funny. They're all now at a charity event at Phill's, while every one of the gang donated something to be auctioned, Murphy decided to donate herself, that means the winner will spend a whole day with her in the office and then go to dinner. Marty Crane is there, and buys Murphy for 10 thousand dollars. Murphy doesn't accept it at first but then agrees, after all I can't be that bad. But it is, Marty shows up at the bullpen with cameras and girls with costumes. At her office, they start talking and Marty says that by the end of the day, she'll start seing him differently. Murphy doens't think so. At the restaurant Murphy doens't seem to want people to see her with Marty, which he notices. They have a honest talk, and Murphy starts to understand his point of view and they make plans to get together again. The next morning while driving to work,

Murphy gets invited to the White House by the Clintons. Once she gets back to the office, she finds out she has a furry stowaway.

Miles comes under public scrutiny when he is misquoted in a magazine article that makes him out to be the biggest male chauvinist in Washington, DC.

To improve upon her image, Murphy gets a publicist and makes an appearance on a children's puppet show.

Murphy is obsessed with the need to try to explain death to Avery and bothers everyone for their perspective.

Peter, Frank & Murphy are all nominated for the Humboldt Award. While at the ceremony, Murphy can't understand how disinterested Peter is in the award and Frank hears a rumor about a network having to make cutbacks.

Murphy has nightmares about what her colleagues will say about her when they are interviewed for a biography that she has authorized to be written.

Murphy works reluctantly on a story the network brass wants on ""The Beltway Madam,"" a high priced call girl who's just been exposed and is the hottest story in town.

Peter and Murphy compete for the Middle East peace story. Miles obtains sideline passes to a Washington football game where he plans to propose to Audrey via the scoreboard, but finds he is so wrapped up with work he didn't even notice that she has left him. Corky thinks the passes are cursed when more bad things occur to anyone in possession of them.

The staff gets nervous when Peter whisks away a depressed Corky on her 30th birthday.

A series of on-air comments made by Peter and Murphy gets the staff forced to attend a seminar on political correctness.

After going to a function with Mitchell, Murphy begins to date him. Is there anything there, or do they just like it when heads turn?

Murphy gets an interview with a reclusive '60s literary idol, but times and people have changed.

An arrogant new colleague threatens everyone on the staff, especially Murphy who's just reduced her role on FYI resulting from the pressures of motherhood. Their relationship hits it off real well just as the show is ready to air.

The first seven seasons of the show are highlighted by Lesley Stahl of CBS's 60 Minutes including interviews with the cast and Diane English, the series creator.

The first seven seasons of the show are highlighted by Lesley Stahl of CBS's 60 Minutes including interviews with the cast and Diane English, the series creator.

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.

Miles begins dating Vendela, the supermodel, to make Corky jealous. Murphy relents and lets Corky help make her wedding plans, so that pizza won't be on the menu.

The staff is sent down to Florida to cover a hurricane and Murphy is showing signs of being pregnant again. Later after the results of a test are in, Peter asks Murphy an important question.

Murphy is forced to hire Lansing's nephew as her new secretary. He proves to be the best one she's ever had, but only at the expense of the rest of the staff.

When McGovern appears naked on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, Murphy is certain that Lansing will get rid of her.

Miles begins to split his time with another show that features Miller Redfield, who is still interested in Corky. Murphy takes over FYI meanwhile, Miles is too busy for a relationship with Corky.

There is a rat running amok at FYI as they move to their new ground level studio, with a ""Window on America""; however, the animal rights activists react when Murphy is seen catching a rat on camera.

When a network executive sexually harasses Corky, Murphy deals with him and then gets slapped with a harassment suit of her own.

While Lansing is in the hospital for a ""heart attack,"" he decides to bring youth and cute animals into the CBS schedule, this includes the addition of a former MTV veejay to FYI. Murphy likes the new anchor, but during a White House press conference, her politics come out.

Murphy is the only one who can't remember Jack, a crew member who's just died; everyone else can, but Murphy is the one who's been asked to give the eulogy.

Murphy and Peter find out how much they don't know; when they go out on a double date with Frank and a quick blind date that Peter finds for him. Corky and Miles relationship begins to gel.

Stuart Best returns to Washington as a congressman and he humiliates Murphy at an inaugural party. To get her revenge, Murphy gets him on FYI to see where he stands on the issues, only Stuart didn't find out who was contributing to his campaign.

Murphy joins the frenzied masses of toy shoppers, when she overhears Avery tell Santa that he wants the hottest toy on the market for Christmas. This holiday season is turning into a bummer for Corky, when nothing seems to go right.

A series of incidents, while Doris is away, make Jim the subject of a tabloid article and his co-workers begin to doubt the credibility of his side of the story.

Eldin's mother stops by to visit (she's a hit with the FYI staffers) and she has a letter for Eldin. The letter contains a chance for Eldin to study with a famous muralist in Spain, but it means he must leave Murphy and Avery, something he's reluctant to do, so Murphy fires him.

Unbeknownst to Miles, Corky classifies a Saturday night dinner with him as a date. When he does find out, first he isn't interested, but then changes his mind.

After her story falls apart, Peter & Murphy try to have a romantic weekend in the Cayman Islands. Just after arriving, Murphy gets word that the story is back on and Peter stumbles onto a lead and then their competition begins.

FYI is moved out of its time slot to Saturday night, Frank goes upstairs to try to get the show moved back. Instead, he gets his big chance at being the lead anchor of the new magazine show that is taking the time slot. Then the network asks Murphy to interview him before their first show.

Jim tries to get the staff to be part of the Humboldt Award judging committee. Frank just tries to get on the ballot, since he forgot to send in his entry, but didn't forget his ad campaign. After the judging an easy category, Murphy plans to go to a Motown festival with Peter, but when she gets reassigned to another category, she makes the other judge's experience, including Corky, a living hell.

When her life-sized statue of ""Meaty Boy,"" an icon from a childhood burger place, is taken as a prank, Murphy unleashes a reign of terror against the suspected perpetrators.

Corky's handling of a tough interview impresses her colleagues, but it isn't a hit with her fans, so she invites a few of the hate mail writers to the FYI offices.

Murphy bad mouths the network's new fall line-up and the staff is forced to attend an affiliate's meeting.

A media frenzy ensues when famous ex-astronaut ""Danger Duke"" Robinson is wanted for questioning in the murder of his brother.

Murphy tries to impress the board members of the prestigious ""Ducky Lucky Pre-School,"" by inviting them to a celebrity filled party.

The unemployed staff members decide it would be a slap in the face to the network if they helped Jim and his team out. Miller wants to move into Murphy's office. Miles fills Lansing in on the state of things. Lansing offers advice to Miles, which he declines. Lansing concedes, FYI is back, complete with Jim; the network is going to let them run the tobacco story. Charles Kuralt takes over Jim's responsibilities at ICN. Impressed with Miles' hardball tactics, Lansing offers him a big job in New York City and he accepts.

Murphy celebrates her 8th year of sobriety, but she has a few steps to go. Making amends is her next step, an awfully big one but she tries really hard; everyone else is concerned about rumors of FYI moving its time slot. Murphy decides to confront Stan about the rumor. She finds out more than she wants to (and even more from Phil) then have to keep it a secret, especially from Corky and Frank. Murphy decides to quit FYI, Frank and Corky join her.

Frank, smitten with a real estate agent, buys a 5 million dollar mansion that he can't afford.

A secret admirer fills Murphy's office with flowers, candy and other gifts. It's obvious who the admirer is, Andrew J. Lansing III. Andrew gets her to his place (under false pretenses), Frank rescues her; however, they discover the hideous truth.

Miles gets to use the new T-2000 bus to cover a primary campaign stop in Madison. The bus breaks down before they get there, so they decide to do their coverage from a local diner. GOP aides and other networks discover the broadcast and descend on the diner, turning it into just another campaign story. Meanwhile, Jim and his team get to Madison and get the real story.

Murphy is coordinator of the Press-capades and is set on playing the role of Hillary Clinton in a sketch she's written. The rest of the cast wants her out and she concedes; however, Katie Couric has an accident before the show, so guess who gets the role.

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.

Jim's surprise resignation last week, impacts the future of FYI. The FYI staff convince Lansing to get him back, but that doesn't work out the way they'd hoped. Lansing makes Miller their new anchor and Jim tells everyone that he is going to head the news division for the new ICN Network. Later, Murphy and Frank go there to convince him to return, but Murphy sees that despite that fact everything is falling apart around him, he is truly enjoying himself.

Stuart Best is now a tobacco lobbyist but he has a change of heart when he decides that smoking really stinks. He gives FYI the memos and etc. that will expose the tobacco industry. He becomes a little nervous and meets with the network lawyers where a little detail reveals they could all be sued. Murphy contemplates her future in journalism, but Jim makes the move.

Murphy misses a social event and tries to pull an all-nighter to work on her latest story. Peter drops by unexpectedly (he's only in town for 24 hours). Murphy wants to keep working on her story; instead she falls asleep. She begins dreaming that she's on trial for all her relationship sins, and begins facing all her previous suitors in court.

Lansing asks Jim to turn Miller into a real newsman. The rest of FYI is shocked to find out that Jim is responsible for the change in Miller. Jim is shocked to find out that a similar thing was done for him many years ago.

Murphy is the reluctant winner of an interview with a celebrity who's never given one. Just as she gets into doing the whole ""fluff"" piece, a real news story breaks out. The network decides they want to continue with the ""fluff"" but will Murphy sacrifice her journalistic integrity?

Corky and Miles decide to make their marriage official by having a real ceremony. The trouble begins when Nana Silverberg meets the Sherwood's and their differences of opinion are expressed after Corky finally tells her family about the fact they are already married.

Lansing wants Murphy to apologize publicly about a comment she made about a popular talk-show host. She tries, but things only get worse.

An ungrateful Miller wins the Humboldt Award for a story that the entire FYI staff works on in a pinch for him on Front and Center. The staff waits anxiously for Murphy's retaliation.

Murphy fires her agent and then the rivalry begins when she signs with Jim's agent and gets everything she wants. Jim's jealously builds and is revealed during an airing of the McLaughlin Group.

Andrew comes down to Murphy with a story idea, for a profile of a business mogul. She rejects the idea. Frank takes the idea but doesn't do anything with it. Andrew provides the dirt & Murphy and Frank do a big expose at the same time that this mogul buys the network.

A truck crashes through the studio window, so the team accompanies Murphy back to her alma mater where she is receiving an honorary doctorate. However, the students in the women's studies program she helped establish think she is out of touch with women in the '90s.

Murphy fears that she is losing her touch when she loses an important interview to Miller Redfield; however, his touch is a little different.

Sex (consummation of his marriage to Corky) or death (from Murphy) is on the line for Miles when he gives a pivotal political story to each of them, then must take it back. He waffles and assigns the story to both of them.

Murphy's appearance in traffic court and her need to not get special treatment, because of her celebrity status, gets her a fine and 40 hours of community service. The judge demands that she reappear in court when it is reported that didn't serve her time by getting special treatment, the network hires a high-power ""defense team.""

Frank escapes death while interviewing a mass murderer. Frank would like to cover less action stories; however, Lansing, hoping for a ratings boost, wants Frank to cover even riskier stories. Frank starts doing the stunts and then Lansing wants him to jump off the building, live.

Lansing's nephew becomes Vice President of Current Affairs and he lures Murphy into a new hard news show he's created featuring Walter Cronkite; however, soon Cronkite becomes Redfield and the hard news becomes infotainment.

With her marriage to Peter canceled, Murphy is skeptical at the sudden marriage of Miles and Corky.

Murphy makes a candid comment about the President during the end credits for FYI that goes out on the air. When Murphy refuses to apologize, Lansing fires Kay. The next day, Murphy receives a phone call and is summoned to appear at the White House, where she sits and waits. Murphy returns from her audience with the President; she has a big decision to make regarding her future.

Miller's overbearing mother is going to write him off as her son since he is an idiot and not married yet. To impress her, Miller claims that he and Murphy are friends. Because Murphy is uncomfortable around Miller, his mother suspects they might be more than friends. Something he doesn't readily deny.

Stuart Best is dubbed a hero at a fire. Murphy's probing questions lead the authorities to think he may have actually set the fire.

A billionaire media mogul proposes marriage to Murphy while she is conducting an on-air interview with him. Murphy doubts the sincerity of the proposal, then the gift of an 8+ carat diamond ring arrives. She declines the invitation, but that doesn't keep Briggs from trying, by using Frank and the other FYI staffers. He even buys her contract from Lansing, then Kay steps in.

Frank announces that he's taken the plunge; he bought a new Jaguar XK8. Corky comes in with a story about Walter Cronkite. Only she can't tell them what he said, only she does but can't elaborate on the grunt he made about Murphy. Not knowing what he thinks begin to affect her performance. Frank tries to help out with help from Tom Snyder and Phil Jr.. Murphy goes to confront Walter.

To combat against some radical changes that Kay is proposing, Murphy enlists the aid of Andrew J. Lansing III, who has been recuperating in a Buddhist monastery.

Corky complains about the local dry cleaner; she plans to take action. Frank complains about Dana's delinquent son. Murphy suggests that he gets a job. Frank asks Kay and he suddenly becomes a valuable asset to the organization, as a strong arm man. Murphy, stuck keeping an eye on Danny has to take him with her to Atlantic City. While there, gambling fever takes them over.

Lansing is being honored at a dinner. Murphy arranges a blind date for Jim, but she mistakenly ends up with Miller. Meanwhile, despite the fact that he is in a committed relationship, Frank suddenly contends with being popular with the ladies.

When Kay isn't sure about the accuracy of Murphy's source, she wants to meet him. To keep her source's anonymity Murphy and Frank decide to hire an impostor. Unfortunately they both hire someone for the part. The guy Frank hires, a video store clerk, seizes the opportunity to be on television when he tells Kay he'll appear to be on the show.

Jim is going to the hospital for a hernia operation. Frank and Murphy both fight to do the commentary during his absence. Kay leaves the decision up to them. They decide to ask Jim, despite the fact that Jim is just regaining consciousness from his operation. Corky gets a protégé, who's a lot like she was years ago; it slowly drives her nuts.

When Kay and Murphy are the only ones to make it into the office during a snowstorm. Kay seizes the opportunity to get an evaluation of her performance. Instead, she gets Murphy giving her several examples of how she acted in a variety of situations.

Murphy suspects that Kay has ulterior motives when Kay says the network is sending the staff to a retreat in Mexico. Instead, while there, she must contend with filling all her free time avoiding a group of employees from a corporation that she exposed for their corrupt practices. Corky faces being without Miles, yet again. Jim discovers a ""short""-age when he packs his own suitcase for the first time. Frank fearing the worst when Kay wants to talk with him gets the courage to confront her.

Everyone tries to come up with an excuse to miss Jim and Doris's annual party. This year's festivities are anything but boring when their fight turns into a separation.

In an attempt to divert Kay's attention from FYI Murphy suggests that Kay produce a new afternoon talk show that she also convinces Stan that he can host. Frank even gets to play the saxophone in the house band. The premiere show starts out real bad and guest Tom Hanks escapes. Murphy becomes the replacement guest.

Frank thinks that Dana may finally be the one. He asks Murphy to have lunch with her and give her approval. When she does, he hesitates, but then moves he moves in with her. At their first dinner party, some truths about Dana are revealed. She keeps a menagerie in her apartment, has a son, her furniture is being repossessed and her ex-husband has broken out of prison and is looking for a place to stay.

Murphy's former agent, Steve, gives her a copy of TV Q ratings. She discovers that Miller's ratings are very low and she sees an opportunity to finally get rid of him. So she hooks Miller up with her former agent and insists it would be a great time for him to renegotiate his contract using the ""underdog theory."" He is fired and ironically all the other networks start a bidding war for his services.

Murphy is ready to anchor the election coverage. However all her former secretary have formed a support group. The Eastern branch is lead by Robert (Secretary #2) and they all try to show Murphy the error of her ways.

Kay lays down an edict that the staff must stay in Washington, that puts a damper on Corky's trip to rendezvous with Miles in New York City. She also puts a stop to Murphy's expense account. In defiance, Murphy gets Corky on a plane to New York. Fortunately a breaking story in New York City works to Murphy's advantage. However, the next day, Corky ""crumbles"" under the feeling of guilt.

Phil passes away. When Phyllis announces her intention to sell, the gang decides to buy the bar. Trouble begins when each has their own idea how to improve the place. Finally they decide that they should keep one tradition.

Murphy begins to redecorate her bedroom into an office with a few extra amenities. Jim insists that she get a permit and have the job done properly, she'd already started. To get a permit, she has to get permission from her neighbor, Old Man Swenson. Eventually an agreement is reached, but will Murphy endure him long enough to keep up her end of the bargain.

Dottie invites Avery to her son Harrison's birthday party, despite the fact that Murphy tells her she doesn't like her. Corky finds some interesting information on Dottie's clothing line, Murphy makes a deal and trades stories; then she dishes the dirt on Dottie. Even that doesn't initially keep Dottie away. Finally she hates her; however, Murphy discovers that Avery still wants to go to the party. Murphy sneaks him in, but Dottie still demands an apology.

Frank is getting one of his plays produced. When he gets an out of country assignment, he leaves Murphy in charge of looking after his interests in the production. Busy with her own story, Murphy takes a hands off approach to the production, leaving the director to make his own decisions. The director, decides on a major casting change; Murphy finds out about it, just before the curtain rises.

Kay begins to wield her power. She starts with the wardrobe policy, the coffee island and holding the story meetings in her office. Murphy fights back and the rest of the staff joins her, even though they like the story assignments she's given them. She stands fast as they all cave in. She confronts Kay and lets her know who's in charge; however we discover who's really the master manipulator. Murphy takes Kay's story idea (moderating the Presidential debates) and finds out the rest have killed their stories. Kay offers to help them get them back as Murphy declares war.

Andrew moves in as the executive producer and the staff moves him out. They try to interview replacements, but Andrew keeps getting in the way. Lansing makes a decision that puts the executive producer of a game show in charge of FYI and she lays down one of the rules of her game.

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

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.

Murphy finds a secretary that she likes; only nobody else likes his abrasive approach. Jim is planning a rendezvous with Doris in Maine. When he tries to go through the metal detector at the airport he is found to be in possession of a small quantity of marijuana, the marijuana that he purchased to help Murphy get through her chemotherapy. He dismisses it all as a minor inconvenience until the press gets hold of the story. In the ensuing media frenzy, Jim prefers to remain silent, Murphy thinks it would be better to tell the truth and when she does, Jim stops talking to her.

To prove her point about gender identification, Kay shows up at Phil's dressed as a man. The disguise fools the staff and Murphy uses Kay in her disguise to stop the advances of an IRS tax accountant that has information Muprhy needs for a big story. Unfortunately, the poly jeopardizes Murphy's chances at the story. The staff tries to help Murphy rescue her story.

For a birthday present, Murphy helps her friend Lisa, from the canccer support group, to meet her high school crush. The gang decides to return the same favor for Murphy when Murphy mentions the name of boy she had a crush on; he was the lead in a high school production of ""The Music Man."" They set up a surprise meeting and they discover that Murphy's old crush is now a lounge singer.

Jerry Gold returns from Germany and it seems just like old times for Murphy and Jerry and the gang. Even Kay sees it as she tells the gang how she thinks there perfect for each other. Murphy and Jerry take the day off from work and feel the old sparks again. He inquires on her health Jerry: Did it hurt. Murphy: At first yes, but it doesn't hurt now Jerry: I can't think of anything hurting you Jerry and Murphy end up in bed together and Murphy tells him she does not want a relationship. Jerry says like wise because he's getting married. After Murphy tries to kick Jerry out of her house he tells her he wants her to be his best man because he cares so much about her. Murphy agrees with much begrudging. Murphy pretends she's not hurt, but Kay can see it. She even goes so far as to say Jerry is in town so she will stop the wedding. Murphy: Kay, Jerry Gold is not the man who got away. Kay: Really, because I would have guessed you two ended up in bed yesterday. Do you want to tell me or

Murphy is done with her chemotherapy and she thinks that is the best birthday she could get for her upcoming 50th birthday. Frank and Murphy decide that it might be interesting to try going out on a date together. Frank has to cut the date short, because has a big surprise planned for Murphy's to go out on a date that Frank has to cut short so that he can get Franks plans a big surprise for Murphy's birthday. He has American Bandstand recreated in the FYI studio, complete with Dick Clark and variety of featured artists.

Kay's idea to take the show to Paris turns into the network's idea of airing old stories on a cable special. The staff tries to decide upon which of their old stories to show. Murphy sees herself side-by-side, then and now and that causes her to return to her childhood home in Philadelphia in an attempt to recapture something from her childhood.

Murphy battles insomnia and the gang helps her to get through the night. Frank, while he is on a stakeout with a SWAT team. Jim, while he is working on getting back together with Doris. Corky, while she is going through her storage locker of memories. Kay, who was up anyway, helps Murphy make and bake cookies from scratch, over the phone.

The chemotherapy begins to take its toll on Murphy's hair. She begins to wear a wig and attend support group meetings.

Murphy's new secretary makes a great cup of coffee, but doesn't have time for much else. Murphy receives a call from a former Wall Street trader who has just been released from his prison sentence for insider trading and he wants to be interviewed on the show. During the on camera interview, he proposes to use some of his money to hold a benefit run for breast cancer research, which he would like Murphy endorse. Later, off camera, she does and really thinks that he might have changed when everything seems to go right with the event. Until he tells her that he doubled the million dollars they rose. She also discovers that public opinion is split, not on what she did, but who she did it with.

Murphy fires yet another secretary and while searching for a story idea for Corky, Kay suggests the staff go out on the terrace. They get trapped out there, when the door closes and no one has a key. Jim has a dinner date scheduled with Doris, Corky is going to miss the lighting of the White House tree and Frank has a flight to Costa Rica. They have a chance to get back inside when Murphy's recently fired secretary returns to the office, only for the ex-secretary it's revenge time. Kay feels they've been locked out on the terrace for some greater purpose, while Murphy has her doubts. Meanwhile, in a building across the way, a man and a woman fight about the time they're not spending on their relationship, only to be inspired by a group of people on a balcony.

Corky is working to help the zoo with their charity auction. Murphy's bout with cancer has made her realize there may not another chance to do some of the things she'd like to do. When the one item goes up for bid that she is interested in, it's Murphy Brown vs. Olivia Newton-John for the right to conduct a symphony orchestra. Meanwhile, Doris tells Jim that it is time to file the divorce papers; Murphy encourages him to fight for her.

Frank signs his new contract; Murphy is in the midst of negotiating her new deal. After Murphy can't make her appearance on the show, Corky fills in and does a great job conducting the scheduled interview. The network brass wants to give Corky the chance to report from the Middle East. The network only offers Murphy a one year deal instead of the usual three year deal and Murphy won't back down until the network meets her on her terms.

While acting as chaperone for one of Avery's field trips, Murphy meets a younger man who wants to take her out on a date. The staff worry about nominations for the upcoming Humboldt Awards; no one is nominated, except Murphy who is to receive the lifetime achievement award. She is honored but concerned that her illness might be the reason for receiving the honor at this point in her career. Murphy decides to accept the young man's offer and begins to enjoy herself. The gang is reluctant to accept him and even Murphy feels she would be embarrassed to be seen with him when she plans to take him to the Humboldt Awards.

Murphy's archrival, Athena Gillington, invites her to one of her parties. Murphy doesn't want to go because she thinks it is a pity invitation. Murphy relents and attends the party where she discovers two things about Athena, one that she is using Murphy's presence at the party as publicity for her I just turned 50 book and two, that Athena is much older than 50.

Murphy begins her chemotherapy treatments. The treatments make her uncomfortable and take a lot out of her. She confronts Jim about his avoidance of her and her condition. In an effort to help her out, Jim purchases some marijuana to help ease her pain. They light up and deal with their issues.

Frank can't stop telling the story about him punching the paparazzi. Murphy returns to work the day after her surgery and she looks like hell and is very disoriented. Corky takes her home at offers to stay with her for a couple of days. Murphy becomes so dependent upon Corky that Corky hasn't got the time to take care of her own problems, such as her failing marriage to Miles.

Murphy worries about how she is going to tell Avery about the trip to the hospital she is making to treat a word she can't yet bring herself to say. The gang plans to help Murphy keep the nature of her surgery from an annoying member of the paparazzi. Kay, disguised as Murphy, Jim and Corky try to keep the photographer diverted while Murphy is prepared for the procedure, but are the doctors prepared for her? Despite the efforts, the photographer gets photos and the real information about Murphy's visit. Frank deals with that issue. Meanwhile in recovery Murphy meets a woman whose words help her to say the word, cancer.

When Murphy and Frank don't show up for dinner, Kay speculates they have are a having a relationship. Murphy drops the bomb on the rest of the staff. Jim is speechless. Frank tries to help in every way that he can. Murphy faces a tough decision with the myriad of treatment options for her breast cancer.

Murphy needs a biopsy, which she reluctantly gets right away and must wait to hear the results at the end of the next day. In the morning of the next day the staff fights the network lawyers who want to kill their grocery chain story. As a comprise with the network they can do their story if they have a legal consultant with them in the remote unit and Jim must do promos for all the local affiliates. When their undercover operative isn't going to work out and Frank is convinced he is to well known to pull it off, Kay volunteers. Meanwhile, Jim makes his promos. Just before going to dinner that evening, Murphy gets the results of her test and tells Frank the news.

Murphy says her goodbyes to the gang of FYI. She takes a month off before her new job at the White House starts. On her first day, Murphy enters the gate of the White House and forty minutes later she makes her exit. She goes back to FYI looking for her old job; though Joan Lunden is a prime candidate. When she does return, her first show back features a report by Corky on breast cancer. Appalled by the fact that neither Murphy nor Kay has had a recent mammogram, Corky insists they each get one. Kay's test is negative, but Murphy has to speak to the doctor.