Candice Bergen Makes Catty J.D. Vance Joke at Emmys

Candice Bergen returned to the 2024 Emmys stage Sunday night and landed a joke at the expense of Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance.

The former star of CBS’ Murphy Brown, who famously drew the ire of conservative politicians in the 1990s, made a direct comparison to her sitcom’s most famous storyline and current political headlines.

“For 11 years, I had the tremendous privilege of playing the lead in a comedy series called Murphy Brown,” the 78-year-old Bergen said. “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.”

Bergen took a beat, and then sarcastically said, “Oh, how far we’ve come … Today, a Republican candidate for vice president would never attack a woman for having kids. So, as they say, my work here is done.” And then Bergen archly added, “Meow,” which earned a roar of laughter and approval.

Bergen was at the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards to present the honor for lead actress in a comedy series, which was won by Hacks‘ Jean Smart.

Vance has repeatedly launched criticisms at women who are childless by choice, deriding them as “a bunch of childless cat ladies.” The remarks have seemingly had the opposite of their intended effect, drawing widespread condemnation and ridicule, and possibly even helping prompt self-described “childless cat lady” Taylor Swift to endorse GOP candidate Donald Trump’s Democratic rival Kamala Harris last week.

Here is the complete winners list for the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

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