Candice Bergen Jabs JD Vance During Her Emmys Acceptance Speech

Candice Bergen took a subtle jab at JD Vance during the 2024 Emmy Awards, showcasing her wit while presenting the award for best lead actress in a comedy series. In her introduction, Bergen reflected on her time as the lead in the celebrated comedy series “Murphy Brown.”

“Murphy Brown,” which aired from 1988 to 1998 and had a revival season in 2018, featured storylines that tackled contemporary issues. One particular plot of significance included Bergen’s character, Murphy, becoming a single mother, which drew notable criticism from then-Vice President Dan Quayle.

In her speech, Bergen recalled the backlash she faced when Quayle criticized the show for promoting single motherhood. “I was surrounded by brilliant and funny actors, had the best scripts to work with, 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,” she shared.

As reported by The New York Times, Quayle made his remarks in May 1992, stating that Murphy’s character “mocks the importance of fathers.” In a clever response, the show tackled the critique directly, with Murphy addressing Quayle’s comments in the fifth season’s premiere.

During her Emmy speech, Bergen noted the changes that have occurred over the years. “Oh, how far we’ve come,” she stated. “Today, a Republican candidate for Vice President would never attack a woman for having kids. So as they say, my work here is done.”

JD Vance, a prominent Republican figure and former President Trump’s running mate, has previously made headlines for his remarks regarding childless individuals. In September, he proposed that parents could help manage childcare costs by enlisting the help of family members, further igniting criticism over his views on parenting.

He attempted to clarify his position in a post on X, suggesting that government policies should recognize and support alternative family structures. However, his past comments continue to follow him. In a 2021 appearance on Fox News, Vance referred to “childless cat ladies,” implying that such individuals are unhappy with their own life choices and, as a result, want to create societal misery.

In the midst of ongoing criticisms for these statements, Vance defended his comments on “The Megyn Kelly Show” earlier this year. He claimed that his intention was not to disparage childless individuals, but to critique the Democratic Party for what he perceives to be an anti-family stance.

Bergen cleverly added to Vance’s infamous remark with a light-hearted “Meow,” drawing laughter and applause from the audience, and underscoring her critical perspective on such comments.

This exchange at the Emmys encapsulated the tension between contemporary discussions of family, motherhood, and political rhetoric, showcasing Bergen’s sharp humor and the cultural relevance of “Murphy Brown,” a show that continues to resonate in today’s political climate.