The Hollywood Reporter published a story Thursday headlined, “‘Murphy Brown,’ ‘Happy Together’ to End After Initial Orders on CBS.” That made it sound as if the 13-episode run which is now at an end would be the end of the revived series, but the story itself says the show, while underperforming, could be renewed:

As CBS continues to solidify its midseason lineup, both rookie series will make way on the schedule for freshman ‘Fam’ and the third season of ‘Man With a Plan.’…

For Murphy Brown, the rebooted series was always intended to be a closed-ended order of 13 episodes. The multicamera comedy, featuring the return of star Candice Bergen and from original creator Diane English, has underperformed (6.2 million total viewers and a 0.9 in the key 18-49 demo) in its prime Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. slot and remains in consideration for a renewal.

The creator of the series tweeted that the THR story was mistaken and that a second season was still possible:

Murphy Brown fans. We are NOT CANCELED!!!!! Several entertainment sites read a mid season schedule put out by CBS that did not have our show on it and the assumption was made that we were not renewed. Our order, at our request was 13 eps. We look forward to a second season.

— Diane English (@realmurphybrown) November 28, 2018

English later clarified that while the show could be renewed for another season, that hasn’t happened yet:

Hi again, guys. No, we are not cancelled. But we will have to wait until spring to hear if we are renewed for another season of 13. Thank you for being such a loyal audience. We shoot episode 13 tomorrow. Meanwhile you have four more episodes to enjoy starting with tonight.

— Diane English (@realmurphybrown) November 29, 2018

Based on the description of the revived show from People magazine, I can’t imagine why it would be underperforming:

The Murphy Brown revival has made headlines by tackling how its famously outspoken main character — who made waves in the ’90s as a working single mother on television — fits into Trump’s America. New episodes have featured Brown speaking up to figures in the government, fighting Trump over Twitter and wearing a sweatshirt that labels her the “Original Nasty Woman.” Her competition in her morning news time slot is her son Avery (Jake McDorman), who joined the family business as the “token liberal” on a conservative network.

The first episode of the show featured a surprise appearance by Hillary Clinton playing herself. Hillary did one scene which made no sense except as fan service and in which she demonstrated the same comedic timing that made her a hit on the campaign trail. Did I say a hit? Well, more like a dull thud really.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VezUa8P0TGA

There is a joke here, sort of, but they never quite give you the punchline. Why is Hillary interviewing for a secretarial job? Because she’s out of work, obviously. The scene should have ended like this:

Murphy Brown: You are very impressive, maybe a bit overqualified. How about I take some time to think it over and give you a call.

Hillary: Don’t wait too long. I’ve got an application in at Dunkin Donuts.

Brown: Really?

Hillary: There’s only so much of my husband’s reminiscing about the ‘good old days’ I can take.

I’m not saying that would have been hilarious but at least it would pay off the setup, i.e. Hillary unexpectedly has a lot of time on her hands. But of course, they don’t want to let Hillary be the butt of the joke. So instead it ends with that “you coulda had me” line which is clapper humor for progressives who still can’t believe she lost in 2016.

When progressives can’t turn to the White House for real-life drama in which they are the heroes, they simply make up their own dramas on television. It must be nice to have so much of the media under your control that you can simply wish a partisan bubble into existence at any time. Conservatives really don’t have that luxury. But if Murphy Brown is an example of what that power gets you, maybe we’re better off without it.