Candice Bergen’s Hilarious Emmy Moment: Comparing JD Vance’s "Childless Cat Ladies" Swipe to Dan Quayle's Murphy Brown Attack

The 2024 Emmy Awards were not just a night of glitz and glamor, but also of sharp wit and biting humor, especially when Candice Bergen stepped up to present the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. With impeccable timing, Bergen took a moment to make a striking comparison between a political swipe from JD Vance and her own brush with controversy during the 90s—bringing the audience along for a nostalgic, yet timely, laugh.

As fans of classic TV remember, Candice Bergen played the iconic role of Murphy Brown in the beloved sitcom of the same name. At the Emmys, Bergen reminisced about her time on Murphy Brown, recalling an unforgettable moment when then-Vice President Dan Quayle criticized her character for choosing to have a child as a single mother. But this time, she humorously linked Quayle’s outdated comments to JD Vance's more recent "childless cat ladies" remark, a phrase that’s once again stirred up conversation about women’s choices and family dynamics.

“For 11 years, I had the tremendous privilege of playing the lead in a comedy series called Murphy Brown,” Bergen began with poise, before swiftly delivering the punchline. “And in one classic moment, my character was attacked by Vice President Dan Quayle when Murphy became pregnant and decided to raise the baby as a single mother. Oh, how far we’ve come,” she deadpanned, leaving the room in stitches.

A Timely Comparison: JD Vance and Dan Quayle’s Comments on Women’s Choices

Bergen’s joke wasn’t just a walk down memory lane—it was a brilliant nod to the ongoing political discourse surrounding women’s roles and family structures. In 1992, Quayle caused a firestorm when he publicly criticized Murphy Brown for "mocking the importance of fathers" by portraying single motherhood as a valid choice. The comment became a hot-button issue during that election year, and Bergen even won an Emmy for her role, humorously thanking Quayle during her acceptance speech while poking fun at his infamous misspelling of "potato."

Fast forward to 2021, and another politician entered the conversation with a similar tone. JD Vance, now the Republican vice presidential candidate, appeared on Tucker Carlson Tonight, where he made a controversial remark about "childless cat ladies" in reference to some Democratic policies. The clip resurfaced during his current campaign, drawing criticism for its tone toward women who choose not to have children. Vance defended his comment, claiming he was addressing what he called “anti-family” sentiments in the Democratic Party.

Candice Bergen, always quick-witted, seized the opportunity to connect the dots between these two moments. “Today, a Republican candidate for vice president would never attack a woman for having kids. So as they say, my work here is done. Meow,” she quipped, in a perfectly timed jab that drew both laughter and applause.

Why This Moment Was So Powerful

Bergen’s comparison is more than just a funny anecdote—it highlights how little has changed when it comes to political rhetoric about women’s personal lives. Quayle’s attack on Murphy Brown in 1992 became symbolic of a larger debate over traditional family values versus evolving societal norms. Similarly, JD Vance’s "childless cat ladies" remark echoes a similar discomfort with shifting definitions of family, gender roles, and women’s autonomy.

For many viewers, this Emmy moment was not just a reminder of TV history but a reflection of how entertainment and politics often intersect. Murphy Brown’s decision to raise her child as a single mother was groundbreaking in its time, representing a growing acceptance of different family structures. Meanwhile, Vance’s comment brings up the question of whether political figures still struggle with acknowledging that a woman’s worth isn’t tied to her role as a mother or her family choices.

By linking these two events, Bergen subtly called out the persistence of outdated thinking while celebrating how far we’ve come in normalizing choices that were once considered controversial. And the fact that she did so with humor only underscores her enduring talent as both a comedian and a cultural commentator.

The Legacy of Murphy Brown and TV’s Role in Political Commentary

When Murphy Brown first aired, it wasn’t just a sitcom—it was a commentary on the evolving landscape of American society. The show tackled important issues, from gender equality to politics, often holding up a mirror to the social debates of its time. Bergen’s character was smart, successful, and unapologetically single, challenging the traditional narratives of womanhood on TV.

The show’s response to Dan Quayle’s criticism further cemented its place in pop culture history. Rather than shying away from the controversy, the writers addressed it head-on in subsequent episodes, mocking Quayle’s remarks while continuing to explore the complexities of single motherhood. Bergen’s portrayal of Murphy Brown helped to normalize conversations around non-traditional families, making her an emblem of modern womanhood on screen.

And now, decades later, Bergen’s ability to tie that history into today’s political landscape shows the lasting impact of TV on shaping—and responding to—cultural conversations.

A Night of Laughter and Reflection

Candice Bergen’s Emmy moment was more than just a joke—it was a reminder of the power of comedy to challenge societal norms and spark conversation. By drawing parallels between Quayle’s attack on Murphy Brown and JD Vance’s recent remarks, Bergen highlighted how women’s personal choices remain a political talking point, even in 2024.

Her playful jab at JD Vance, followed by her iconic “Meow” sign-off, showed that while political rhetoric may not have evolved as much as we’d like, Bergen—and the spirit of Murphy Brown—remains just as sharp, relevant, and funny as ever.

Candice Bergen’s Emmy appearance was a masterclass in blending humor and social commentary. Her comparison of JD Vance’s "childless cat ladies" remark to Dan Quayle’s attack on Murphy Brown was both timely and hilarious, reminding us that while politics may not have changed as much as we’d hope, the conversation about women’s choices continues to evolve

Bergen’s legacy as Murphy Brown isn’t just about her Emmy wins—it’s about the way she pushed boundaries and started conversations that still resonate today. Here's hoping that as we move forward, we continue to celebrate and support all the different ways women choose to live their lives.