In many episodes, we always hear about "The Network", but they never tell us exactly what network they're referring to. It could be made up, but I thought it would be fun to try and guess which one it was.

I know it can't be FOX, because in one episode, Murphy meets with an executive from the "Wolf" network, and that of course was supposed to resemble FOX. Were there any other references to any of the other networks?

I think FYI was supposed to be on CBS. Because in one of the Season 9 episodes, Stan Lansing threw a party and invited Hector Elizondo of Chicago Hope, and he says to Hector, "Sure, you can leave. Go back to Chicago, and hope I don't cancel your show." I think there were other references to the show being on CBS, too.

- Kristen

I think FYI was supposed to be on CBS. Because in one of the Season 9 episodes, Stan Lansing threw a party and invited Hector Elizondo of Chicago Hope, and he says to Hector, "Sure, you can leave. Go back to Chicago, and hope I don't cancel your show." I think there were other references to the show being on CBS, too.

- Kristen

Yeah, and the show was pretty much supposed to be a 60-Minutes type show. I was thinking either CBS or ABC, because I believe in another episode they talk about one of the NBC executives wanting Murphy for their network. I just always laughed at how they would never say the name of the network, just "The Network".

I am 100% certain that FYI was supposed to have aired on CBS because they often mentioned other CBS programming on the show. One time Murphy mentioned shopping at the CBS gift shop and getting "dr. quinn tote bags" or something like that. and in another episode while Murphy is talking to the head of the network he wonders where on the schedule he has put "Dave's World" another CBS show that was airing at the time.

They just couldn't say outright it was CBS because of potential legal issues or perhaps it was just how people in TV talk about their network.

I
They just couldn't say outright it was CBS because of potential legal issues or perhaps it was just how people in TV talk about their network.

In the last season they dropped "The Network, and plainly said CBS.

In the last season they dropped "The Network, and plainly said CBS.

okay and there you have it.

Tonight I watched Murphy Brown on encore classic. It was the episode where Jim cracks up on the air and takes some time off as a result. And Connie Chung was mentioned resulting in Jim doing gte news break and Murphy mentioned channel 9 so I put two and two together.

And right now I am watching the episode of MB where Murphy's comment about short people gets her into trouble and a clip of Muephy on CBS This Morning and Psula Zahn referred to Murphy as "our colleague"

Confusing I am watching the episode of Murphy where FYI is honored with an award and the man in charge of the dinner pointed out that FYI premiered in September 1977 at 9:00/8 central after the short-lived but underrated show Mulligan's Stew. Which was an NBC show apparently, FYI either started on NBC but moved to CBS or in the MB universe, Mulligan's stew was on CBS instead of NBC.

There was also reference to the cast of FYI making a cameo appearance on Dr. Quinn.

Also when Frank was panicking about cutbacks he said "Between Letterman and that Murder She Wrote lady, they can't afford white-out!"

Also Murphy mentioned Bill Paley so sure enough the network was CBS.

Watching MB and the episode where FYI goes on location at the Olympics in Norway. And CBS had the rights to the Winter Olympics then.

Watching MB and the episode where FYI goes on location at the Olympics in Norway. And CBS had the rights to the Winter Olympics then.

Murphy even says "No wonder we lost football!" This episode originally aired in early 1994, which was around the same time that Fox outbid CBS (in December '93) for the broadcasting rights to the National Football Conference.

Murphy even says "No wonder we lost football!" This episode originally aired in early 1994, which was around the same time that Fox outbid CBS (in December '93) for the broadcasting rights to the National Football Conference.

Yup and in tonight's episode they talk about losing football and eight affiliates with it.

And at the affiliates meeting there are references to Carroll O'Connor, Angela Lansbury, Fran Dreshcer, and Suzanne Pleshette. Then-CBS stars. Also, Corky points out thst it was 60 Minutes' turn Murphy trashed the fall lineup and I don't blame her. CBS's shows from that season (1994-95) sucked.

Angela and Carroll were supposed to host the meeting. But Frank inadvertently ran them over with his golf cart. So Murphy and Jim hosted the meeting in their place.

Murphy even makes a Mary Tyler Moore reference and pointed out she was a "former network star."

I think maybe for the first couple of years they didn't really say, but eventually they decided to just flat-out say it was on CBS.

Watching the episode where Miles and Corky discover they like each other and in the scene where Corky finds his coffee mug it's a CBS mug!

Watching the episode where Jim gets hit by the tabloids and when Lansing talks to Jim, he points out that his network is in third place!

Yesterday, I was watching McGovern's first episode and CBS was mentioned outright and a Florist sent flowers for Stan compliments of Mike Wallace and At the end of the episode, Pat O'Brien is seen reporting for CBS Sports and his co-anchor is a pet! Also, Dr. Quinn is treating Stan!

Also, the episode where Corky is sexually harassed by a network exec, there was talk of Corky hosting a special that was preempting FYI and Miles mentioned they wanted Letterman but his license was suspended.

Garry Marshall's appearances as Mr. Lansing (the head of "The Network") didn't make a lot of sense when you really thought about it. I mean, CBS' headquarters are in New York City, whereas Murphy Brown took place in Washington, D.C. For example, Encore Classic just showed the episode in which Murphy confronts Mr. Lansing about getting McGovern kicked off of FYI for posing nude for a magazine. It finally hit me that Mr. Lansing's office was in the same vicinity as the FYI office (since Murphy was wearing the same clothes during this sequence).

On Friday's episode, Andrew points out about Murder She Wrote moving to Thursdays. And on today's episode, Stan Lansing was working on getting a female friend of his a guest spot on Northern Exposure!

The elder Lansing even mentioned Cybill Shepard's new hit show with Christine Baranski!

Letterman and Paul Shaffer were referenced when Lansing was planning on replacing Shaffer with a pet and this is the season finale, (Miles' final episode where he is promoted to run the whole news division.). And Miles was planning for Jim to be Dan Rather's successor if Rather acts up and Murphy even told Miles that if Rather acted up she was just a phone call away and pointed out she had dirt on him!

Lansing made allusions to tbe mascot being an eye.

Jim mentioned Edward Murrow in tonight's episode.

Mark McEwen made an appearance in tonight's episode on behalf of CBS This Morning!

In this episode where The gang anchors the election coverage, Jim writes a letter to Dan Rather telling him to eat his shorts! Lol

The episode about Kay producing the network's new talk show, Letterman and Sajak's talk show were referenced!

Tom Snyder mentioned to Murphy he was honored to share the same call letters as her.

On last night's episode it was mentioned thst Charles Osgood threatened to throw Murphy off the campaign bus in '80 and on tonight's episode Stan said we should change our slogan from "Welcome Home" to "Where the hell are we?!"

In tonight's episode, when Jim does promos for the local affiliates Jim mentions WIVB-TV! As well as CBS 62 in Detroit!

Watching Tbe episode where Jim gets busted for marijuana and the network is still referred to as "the network"

The episode where the gang goes to Clinton's inaugural ball, i am watching it on YouTube right now and corky introduces Murphy to her friend and she points out that he works for CBS news.