Candice Bergen Recalls Dan Quayle Controversy - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 06-06-2013, 07:57 PM

Candice Bergen Recalls "Murphy Brown" 'Firestorm' after Dan Quayle Comments (VIDEO)
6/6/13

"Murphy Brown" ran from 1988-1998 and recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of its series finale.

"Murphy Brown" took on a number of issues during its 10-year run on CBS, but the show will always be remembered for its infamous clash with Vice President Dan Quayle.

At the end of Season 4, the title character, played by Candice Bergen, gave birth and became a single mother. Quayle criticized the series for "ignoring the importance of fathers by birthing a child alone" and the fifth season premiere responded to Quayle's comments.

How far did you see women have come?

It's a big difference for me from when we did "Murphy Brown", that was in 1989 when it appeared for the first time. Many more women are creating television series and writing for television now. Women are also anchoring for the news which did not exist during that time.

It's come substantially further, but there's room to grow.

The show had its share of social commentary. What were some of the responses you got?

During the end of our fourth year through the beginning of our fifth year then-Vice President Dan Quayle made a speech during the campaign year and George Bush was running with him opposite Bill Clinton.

Quale made the speech in San Francisco where he attacked "Murphy Brown" for being a single mother and "ignoring the importance of fathers". It was such a firestorm, it was in the campaign coverage for six months. That was all very intense and we had to have security on the show.

We ended the fourth season with Murphy giving birth and we began the fifth her responding to Quale.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0..._3398379.html?

Mr. Television · 06-06-2013, 08:02 PM

That was the beginning of the end for me and Murphy Brown. I watched the show pretty regularly up until then. Murphy Brown got more and more political after this incident. It was overblown anyway.

Retro4Life · 06-06-2013, 08:54 PM

I wanted this to be a new "MTM" show, but it just never had the heart to do that. It was witty, sarcastic, biting...but I just never connected with it or the characters on an emotional level.

Mace Dolex · 01-31-2014, 08:38 PM

The show was pretty forgettable, I mean it was on CBS what else could you expect from them?

TMC · 06-10-2014, 04:59 AM

I wonder if Dan Quayle was aware of previous comments that were made about him and his wife on the show:

Quote:

On the Feb. 27, 1989 Murphy Brown episode, Frank Fontana says, "Who is the toughest person you know? Name the one person capable of enduring more pain than anyone?"

Murphy replies, "Marilyn Quayle?"

Huge laugh from audience.

king of comedy · 06-10-2014, 06:52 AM

Murphy getting pregnant ruined the show.

Mr. Television · 06-10-2014, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king of comedy

Murphy getting pregnant ruined the show.

I agree.

tlc38tlc38 · 06-10-2014, 08:46 AM

This "controversy" seems so tame compared to today's issues.

TMC · 06-16-2014, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king of comedy

Murphy getting pregnant ruined the show.

I never really watched Murphy Brown that much during its original network run on CBS (although I've been watching it on Encore Classic whenever I can), so I'm a bit curious about this.

I immediately want to think that it was when Murphy got pregnant and subsequently had her son (as well as the infamous "Dan Quayle feud"). It seemed like it was the producers' attempt at softening her character as well as being a straw-woman of sorts to promote single-motherhood (against right-wing politicians like Dan Quayle).

I also heard another argument that Murphy Brown really jumped the shark when Grant Shaud (Miles) left and was replaced by Lily Tomlin as the boss character. This coincided w/ an out of nowhere hook-up between Miles and Corky.

I also wonder why people seemed to hate the "Murphy has cancer" storyline from the last season? Is it because it purely screamed "Give me an Emmy!" (even though Candice Bergan if I'm not mistaken, took her name out of consideration at that point). Is it because it came across as too dark or depressing for a sitcom that was usually supposed to be about then, hot-button political issues.

TMC · 06-16-2014, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

This "controversy" seems so tame compared to today's issues.

The people at the TVTropes.org site also suggested that this is partially why Murphy Brown isn't as impactful now as it was when it was originally on the air some 20 years ago. Basically, regardless of whether or not you agreed w/ Dan Quayle's point of view or not, the bottom-line is that it's easy to argue that making a big deal out of a single mother on a prime time network TV show, seems rather quaint by today's standards. What doesn't help (besides the fact that whole thing was pretty much the defining moment of Murphy Brown) is that Vice President Quayle has pretty much become a forgotten figure/political footnote. As a result, the show's legendary "take that" at Dan Quayle doesn't feel as powerful or effective in hindsight.

king of comedy · 06-16-2014, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

I wanted this to be a new "MTM" show, but it just never had the heart to do that. It was witty, sarcastic, biting...but I just never connected with it or the characters on an emotional level.

Looking back on it now, neither could I.

Yong Fang · 06-16-2014, 09:18 AM

Dan Quayle was a DUMBASS. Seriously, probably the dumbest, most clueless, lame high level public official ever. At least Sarah Palin is hot. I think collectively when that started was "There goes Vice President Dumbass talking again..." and moved on.

It is not a general disrespect for politicians. I hate Obama but the man is very intelligent. Again, Dan Quayle was a complete dumbass potatoe brained moron and to this day do not understand why the people of Indiana elected the dumbass.

Dan Quayle quotes.....

"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure."

"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child."

"What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is."

"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared.'"

"Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts."

"Mars is essentially in the same orbit . . . Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe."

"The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation's history. I mean in this century's history. But we all lived in this century. I didn't live in this century."

"I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy -- but that could change."

"Add one little bit on the end... Think of 'potato', how's it spelled? You're right phonetically, but what else...? There ya' go... all right!" --"correcting" a student's correct spelling of the word "potato" during a spelling bee at an elementary school (he told the student to add an "e" at the end

"I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future."

"The future will be better tomorrow."

"We're going to have the best-educated American people in the world."

"People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history."

"We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe."

"I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican."

"I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix."

"It's wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago."

"A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls."

"When I have been asked during these last weeks who caused the riots and the killing in L.A., my answer has been direct and simple: Who is to blame for the riots? The rioters are to blame. Who is to blame for the killings? The killers are to blame."

"Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it."

"We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur."

"For NASA, space is still a high priority."

"Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children."

"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."

"[It's] time for the human race to enter the solar system."

"The American people would not want to know of any misquotes that Dan Quayle may or may not make."

"Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things."

"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made."

Seriously, the man is as dumb as a bag of hammers.

Yong Fang · 06-16-2014, 09:21 AM

Candice Bergen was too butch for me. Ugh, her voice. She got pregnant? How drunk was the father of the kid?

Liked the dude who was always working on her house but was never finished, and the Jewish guy who was the producer and the stiff anchorman guy. The 1990's was a bad fog for me then.

king of comedy · 06-16-2014, 10:49 AM

Comedy was not for her. In supporting roles yes but not the lead.

Mr. Television · 06-16-2014, 12:42 PM

The funny thing is Bill Clinton said the same thing as Quayle a few years later and nothing was said. This was all political and taken totally out of context. It ruined her show and it got me from watching it.

06-06-2013, 07:57 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,956	Candice Bergen Recalls Dan Quayle Controversy *Candice Bergen Recalls "Murphy Brown" 'Firestorm' after Dan Quayle Comments (VIDEO)* 6/6/13 "Murphy Brown" ran from 1988-1998 and recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of its series finale. "Murphy Brown" took on a number of issues during its 10-year run on CBS, but the show will always be remembered for its infamous clash with Vice President Dan Quayle. At the end of Season 4, the title character, played by Candice Bergen, gave birth and became a single mother. Quayle criticized the series for "ignoring the importance of fathers by birthing a child alone" and the fifth season premiere responded to Quayle's comments. How far did you see women have come? It's a big difference for me from when we did "Murphy Brown", that was in 1989 when it appeared for the first time. Many more women are creating television series and writing for television now. Women are also anchoring for the news which did not exist during that time. It's come substantially further, but there's room to grow. The show had its share of social commentary. What were some of the responses you got? During the end of our fourth year through the beginning of our fifth year then-Vice President Dan Quayle made a speech during the campaign year and George Bush was running with him opposite Bill Clinton. Quale made the speech in San Francisco where he attacked "Murphy Brown" for being a single mother and "ignoring the importance of fathers". It was such a firestorm, it was in the campaign coverage for six months. That was all very intense and we had to have security on the show. We ended the fourth season with Murphy giving birth and we began the fifth her responding to Quale. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0..._3398379.html?

06-06-2013, 08:02 PM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	That was the beginning of the end for me and Murphy Brown. I watched the show pretty regularly up until then. Murphy Brown got more and more political after this incident. It was overblown anyway.
	__________________ Sonny

06-06-2013, 08:54 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,706	I wanted this to be a new "MTM" show, but it just never had the heart to do that. It was witty, sarcastic, biting...but I just never connected with it or the characters on an emotional level.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

06-10-2014, 08:46 AM	#8
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,252	This "controversy" seems so tame compared to today's issues.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

01-31-2014, 08:38 PM	#4
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,660	The show was pretty forgettable, I mean it was on CBS what else could you expect from them?

06-10-2014, 06:52 AM	#6
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	Murphy getting pregnant ruined the show.

06-16-2014, 09:18 AM	#12
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	Dan Quayle was a DUMBASS. Seriously, probably the dumbest, most clueless, lame high level public official ever. At least Sarah Palin is hot. I think collectively when that started was "There goes Vice President Dumbass talking again..." and moved on. It is not a general disrespect for politicians. I hate Obama but the man is very intelligent. Again, Dan Quayle was a complete dumbass potatoe brained moron and to this day do not understand why the people of Indiana elected the dumbass. Dan Quayle quotes..... "If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." "Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child." "What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is." "One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared.'" "Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts." "Mars is essentially in the same orbit . . . Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe." "The Holocaust was an obscene period in our nation's history. I mean in this century's history. But we all lived in this century. I didn't live in this century." "I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy -- but that could change." "Add one little bit on the end... Think of 'potato', how's it spelled? You're right phonetically, but what else...? There ya' go... all right!" --"correcting" a student's correct spelling of the word "potato" during a spelling bee at an elementary school (he told the student to add an "e" at the end "I have made good judgments in the past. I have made good judgments in the future." "The future will be better tomorrow." "We're going to have the best-educated American people in the world." "People that are really very weird can get into sensitive positions and have a tremendous impact on history." "We have a firm commitment to NATO, we are a part of NATO. We have a firm commitment to Europe. We are a part of Europe." "I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican." "I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix." "It's wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago." "A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls." "When I have been asked during these last weeks who caused the riots and the killing in L.A., my answer has been direct and simple: Who is to blame for the riots? The rioters are to blame. Who is to blame for the killings? The killers are to blame." "Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it." "We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur." "For NASA, space is still a high priority." "Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children." "It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it." "[It's] time for the human race to enter the solar system." "The American people would not want to know of any misquotes that Dan Quayle may or may not make." "Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things." "I stand by all the misstatements that I've made." Seriously, the man is as dumb as a bag of hammers.

06-16-2014, 09:21 AM	#13
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	Candice Bergen was too butch for me. Ugh, her voice. She got pregnant? How drunk was the father of the kid? Liked the dude who was always working on her house but was never finished, and the Jewish guy who was the producer and the stiff anchorman guy. The 1990's was a bad fog for me then.

06-16-2014, 10:49 AM	#14
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	Comedy was not for her. In supporting roles yes but not the lead.

06-16-2014, 12:42 PM	#15
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	The funny thing is Bill Clinton said the same thing as Quayle a few years later and nothing was said. This was all political and taken totally out of context. It ruined her show and it got me from watching it.