Hillary Clinton played a version of herself in the Murphy Brown reboot premiere, and the jokes were a little TOO real
The much-anticipated Murphy Brown reboot premiered last night, September 27th. And boy, is it off to the races. As the show’s creator Diane English promised, viewers were treated to a huge surprise during the first episode. It did not disappoint: Hillary Clinton guest-starred, playing a version of herself.
Clinton played Hilary (with one L), a candidate for the “secretarial position” at Murphy Brown’s new morning news show, Entertainment Weekly reports. As viewers of the original show will remember, it was a running gag that Brown had a new secretary in every episode. When Candice Bergen’s Brown asked for Hilary’s credentials, Clinton replied, “For four years I was the secretary…of a very large organization.” Nice.
Brown then pressed Clinton about her secretarial skills—working computers, sending emails, etc. “Emails,” Clinton responded right away. “I do have some experience with emails.” Ouch. That zinger still stings.
The former Secretary of State’s bit ended by Clinton handing Brown her card, on which she listed her fictional email address: [email protected]. Sigh.
Although the self-deprecating jokes hurt—we think it will always be too soon to joke about her loss, to be honest—it’s comforting to see that Clinton has risen from the metaphorical ashes and refuses to let her loss keep her down.
But what about her emails?
Hillary Clinton plays controversy for laughs in surprise appearance on 'Murphy Brown' reboot: https://t.co/U1pTQTRQDG pic.twitter.com/6K3tULVPq1— Morning Express with Robin Meade (@MorningExp) September 28, 2018
Clinton’s cameo is just a small taste of what Murphy Brown will tackle in the revival.
With so much political upset right now, the writers have a lot to work into the storyline, which shares the same premise as the original Murphy Brown that aired from 1988 to 1998.
In the first few episodes, Brown and her colleagues Frank Fontana (Joe Regalbuto), Corky Sherwood (Faith Ford), and Miles Silverberg (Grant Shaud) will bring up DACA, #MeToo, the Muslim ban, immigrant family separation, and attacks on the press. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Murphy Brown was “woke” before it was thing, and intolerant and outspoken as a woman when it wasn’t so acceptable in a newsroom. How timely and appropriate for her to return after 20 years too long, today. #MurphyBrown
— Chris Witherspoon (@WitherspoonC) September 28, 2018
We can’t wait to see what Brown does next. Just like in the good old days, she’s speaking up, making a statement, and being unapologetic for her opinions. And we’re loving every minute of it.
And if you’re already craving more Hillary, you’re in luck. As Entertainment Weekly reports, she’ll also be playing herself in an October episode of CBS’s Madame Secretary.
