'Murphy Brown' fans crowd lounges

They came with their microwave popcorn, Ben and Jerry's frozen yogurt and Triscuits ready to witness the long-awaited showdown between Esquire Magazine's Woman of the Year and America's most ridiculed man. And although a few students strolled into Ashurst Lounge muttering about "the game" -- pitting the Chicago Bears against the New York Giants -- they were quickly met with loud "boos" and joined the crowd engrossed in the season premiere of Murphy Brown. Most of the students watching the show last night said they were Democrats and first-time watchers who were drawn to the program after extensive media attention. The program gained national prominence last year when Vice President Dan Quayle labeled Murphy Brown, who is a single parent, "a bad role model." But many University students lauded the show's positive stance on single parenthood. "It touched all aspects of the single motherhood issue," said College freshman Lauren Shulman. "It's been such a long-awaited response and it was done well." But College sophomore Howard Gottlieb criticized the episode's style. "It was anti-climactic and the ending was a bit sugary," Gottlieb said. "[But]I think Quayle and Bush have dug themselves in a big enough hole anyway that you can't make it any worse than it is." Most students said last night that they believe the show hurt the Republican in the upcoming presidential election. "It will affect the election, but I think most people have already made their decisions," College freshman Dahlia Aronson said. "It just shows that Dan Quayle is so out of touch with reality in today's society in the 90s." But College sophomore Justin Leevy said he believes that the media attention can only aid Bush re-election chances. "I don't think its an effective way of bringing down Quayle," Leevy said. "It just increases name recognition." Some students said they were happy that the program introduced humor in what has at times been an overly serious campaign. And students also said they were pleased that the show -- which stars former University student Candice Bergen -- retaliated against the Vice President. "I think it's great that the show decided to say something and speak for themselves," said College freshman Kelly McCollins. "They didn't just let his comments slide . . . Prime time has finally chosen to address a real topic."