50 best television shows set across the United States
By Sundi Rose
Washington, D.C.: Murphy Brown
The premise: Murphy Brown was among the most groundbreaking series of its time, and possibly withstands the test of time to remain among one of the most forward-thinking. Starring Candice Bergen as the namesake character, it took on very topical and serious issues of the time, highlighting her role as a single mother and her battle with breast cancer.
Murphy and a handful of capable colleagues work for a 24-hour news cable network Mand strive to deliver fair, balanced, and comprehensive news, even in the face of a volatile and changing political landscape.
The setting: Murphy works at the FYI network, located in Washington, D.C. and therefore was always at the hub of the most breaking news. Before cable news turned into this colossal machine that grinds up stories into whatever matter they want, it was a serious undertaking. Washington was a serious place to work, and journalists would kill to be headquartered there.
The most DC thing about it: Murphy Brown made such a cultural impact that the then-Vice President of the United States, Dan Quayle, weighed in on the single mom plot of the show. He disparaged it for glorifying a departure for traditional family values, and his remarks sparked a hotly debated national conversation. Looking back, it’s apparent that the Quayle was on the wrong side of history, but you know you’re very D.C. when a standing VP finds time to mention you.
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Have another show from your state you love? Let us know in the comments!