“A Republican candidate for vice president would never attack a woman for having kids,” Bergen joked, referencing her famous ‘Murphy Brown’ interaction with former vice president Dan Quayle

Candice Bergen at the 2024 Emmy Awards on Sept. 15, 2024. Photo: Leon Bennett/WireImage

On stage at the 76th annual awards ceremony, Bergen gave a speech before presenting the nominees for lead actress in a comedy series. Taking a moment to poke fun at the parallels in her acting career and the current political climate, the actress referred to her popular 1980s sitcom Murphy Brown.

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

“Oh how far we’ve come,” Bergen, who has a daughter, said sarcastically. “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!”

Candice Bergen at the 2024 Emmy Awards.Kevin Winter/Getty

Bergen was referring to vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance’s now-viral comments deriding “childless cat ladies.”

Earlier in the show, Selena Gomez also referred to Vance’s comments during a monologue with Only Murders in the Building costars Steve Martin and Martin Short.

“Steve, let me say what an honor it is to be working with someone who looks like he’s fallen and can’t get up,” Short quipped.

Martin replied, “And let me say what an honor it is for me to be working with someone who looks like a former women’s tennis champion.”

Then, Gomez remarked: “And let me say, what an honor it is to work with two men who are this far away from being childless cat ladies.”

Selena Gomez.Amy Sussman/Getty

Vance’s comment has prompted several celebrities to speak out against him, with Taylor Swift endorsing Harris for president after the Sept. 10 debate.

“I will be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the 2024 Presidential Election,” Swift began in an Instagram post, alongside a photo of herself holding a cat. “I’m voting for @kamalaharris because she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them. I think she is a steady-handed, gifted leader and I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos. I was so heartened and impressed by her selection of running mate @timwalz, who has been standing up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and a woman’s right to her own body for decades.”

“I’ve done my research, and I’ve made my choice. Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make. I also want to say, especially to first time voters: Remember that in order to vote, you have to be registered! I also find it’s much easier to vote early. I’ll link where to register and find early voting dates and info in my story.”

Swift then signed the statement as a “Childless Cat Lady,” a reference to the 2021 comments made by Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance.

See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards as they’re broadcasting live on ABC from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.