Candice Bergen

On Sept. 27, Bergen, 72, returns to her Emmywinning role of tart-tongued investigative TV journalist Murphy Brown in the CBS reboot of the series of the same name—which originally aired from 1988 to 1998.

What will Murphy’s new show be like?

Murphy’s very intent on bringing truthfulness back to the media. So it’s a morning news show with Murphy, Corky [Faith Ford], Frank [Joe Regalbuto] and various guests talking about social and political issues.

What’s it like, going back?

When we walked onto the soundstage in Queens [New York] and saw Murphy’s townhouse and Phil’s bar reassembled exactly as they were in Burbank on the Warner Bros. lot, all of us had tears in our eyes.

Tyne Daly is joining the cast. Who’s she playing?

She’s playing Phyllis, who is Phil the bartender’s sister. Pat Corley, who played Phil, died [in 2006], so Phyllis has come in to replace him and run Phil’s bar.

Did Murphy get all of her repairs finished in her apartment? Will there be an Eldin-like character?

Bobby Pastorelli, who played [painter] Eldin, died [in 2004]. We haven’t yet replaced him with anyone, but we do toast him.

What will Murphy’s relationship be with her grownup journalist son, Avery [Jake McDorman]?

The scenes with Murphy and Avery are wonderful. They’re beautifully written, tough and funny. Murphy is so competitive that she can’t even restrain herself with her son.