Nitrate

Murphy Brown · S2 · E22

But First a Word From Our Sponsor

  • TV-PG
  • Mar 19, 1990
  • 30 min

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.

About this episode

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.

Season 2

27 episodes
  1. 1The Brothers Silverberg

    24 minSep 18, 1989

    Miles becomes increasingly uncomfortable when his confident older brother, Josh, visits Washington and immediately develops a mutual attraction with Murphy. His efforts to interfere in their relationship quickly become intrusive.

  2. 2Anchors Away

    24 minSep 25, 1989

    The network sends Jim on a temporary assignment in Libya, allowing executives to audition handsome young reporter Miller Redfield as his possible replacement. Murphy and the rest of the FYI staff unite to undermine the network’s plan.

  3. 3The Memo that Got Away

    24 minOct 2, 1989

    A teenage computer hacker obtains a private memorandum in which Murphy candidly evaluates her colleagues. When he threatens to publish it in his school newspaper, Murphy attempts to recover the document before the FYI staff discovers what she wrote about them.

  4. 4TV or Not TV

    24 minOct 16, 1989

    A television network develops a sitcom inspired by FYI and sends glamorous actress Julia St. Martin to study Murphy for the leading role. Although the staff initially resents the project, everyone soon becomes eager to influence how they will be portrayed.

  5. 5Miles' Big Adventure

    30 minOct 23, 1989

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

  6. 6Buddies Schmuddies

    30 minOct 30, 1989

    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.

  7. 7Whose Garbage is it Anyway?

    30 minNov 6, 1989

    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.

  8. 8And the Whiner Is...

    30 minNov 13, 1989

    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.

  9. 9Roasted

    30 minNov 20, 1989

    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.""

  10. 10Brown Like Me (1)

    30 minNov 27, 1989

    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.

  11. 11Brown Like Me (2)

    30 minNov 27, 1989

    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.""

  12. 12The Strike

    30 minDec 11, 1989

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

  13. 13Here's to You Mrs. Kinsella

    30 minDec 18, 1989

    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.

  14. 14What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

    30 minJan 1, 1990

    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.

  15. 15Subpoena Envy

    30 minJan 8, 1990

    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.

  16. 16I Want My FYI

    24 minJan 29, 1990

    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.

  17. 17Frankly Speaking

    30 minFeb 5, 1990

    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.

  18. 18The Murphy Brown School of Broadcasting

    30 minFeb 12, 1990

    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.

  19. 19Bad Girls

    30 minFeb 19, 1990

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

  20. 20Heart of Gold

    30 minFeb 26, 1990

    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.

  21. 21On the Road Again

    30 minMar 5, 1990

    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.

  22. 22But First a Word From Our Sponsor

    30 minMar 19, 1990Now viewing

    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.

  23. 23Frank's Appendectomy

    30 minApr 9, 1990

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

  24. 24Fax or Fiction

    30 minApr 30, 1990

    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.

  25. 25The Bitch's Back

    30 minMay 7, 1990

    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.

  26. 26Going to the Chapel (1)

    30 minMay 14, 1990

    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.

  27. 27Going to the Chapel (2)

    30 minMay 21, 1990

    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.""

Guest stars

Caroline LagerfeltMary Ann Miller
Wayne TippitJohn Q. Bryant
Larry BlockAl Anderson
Kate McGregor-StewartSecretary #32
Chuck ClaytonRay / Bob