Take two rival television reporters: one handsome, one talented, both male. Add one producer, female. Mix well, and watch the sparks fly.Take two rival television reporters: one handsome, one talented, both male. Add one producer, female. Mix well, and watch the sparks fly.Take two rival television reporters: one handsome, one talented, both male. Add one producer, female. Mix well, and watch the sparks fly.
- Nominated for 7 Oscars
- 15 wins & 23 nominations total
Joan Cusack
- Blair Litton
- (as Joan Cusak)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAlbert Brooks revealed that when he first read the script, the scene where Aaron does a weekend broadcast simply noted "Something bad happens to Aaron on the air." Albert was watching CNN when a reporter he'd never seen before (and hasn't seen since) began sweating badly. Albert phoned writer and director James L. Brooks at three in the morning, and stated that Aaron HAD to start sweating profusely.
- GoofsAs Jane approaches the restaurant to meet the gang for drinks, William Hurt (Tom) peeks around the corner early and realizes he jumped his cue. He quickly pulls back, then he and Jennifer walk around the corner as if they had just left.
- Quotes
Paul Moore: It must be nice to always believe you know better, to always think you're the smartest person in the room.
Jane Craig: No. It's awful.
- Crazy creditsAlbert Brooks' singing of "L'Edition Speciale" from the film also briefly appears in the end credits.
- ConnectionsEdited into Armageddon in Effect (2008)
- SoundtracksÉdition Spéciale
Music by Francis Cabrel
Lyrics by Francis Cabrel
Performed by Francis Cabrel
Courtesy of Editions 31 (Paris)
Featured review
Beware of TV news!
Essential viewing for anyone who watches TV news as it may help to become a little more sceptical, or even cynical. On a personal note I recall taking a course some years ago about being interviewed for TV - what to do, what not to do. The course instructors impressed on us that TV news was a "branch of show-biz". That depressing view, which is probably even more valid today than when it was made, is reinforced by this film. Never mind journalistic integrity, what counts is the ability to look good and smile nicely. And make sure you don't sweat on camera.
The interactions between the three main characters form the centre-piece, each with his or her own ambitions, capabilities and beliefs. Brooks takes these differences and sets them into the volatile setting of a TV news studio, and adds more than a pinch of love interest to the mixture. The result is a complex, if somewhat overlong, portrayal of how we compromise every day in order to meet our ambitions and take others with us. It is always entertaining, although the final scene was, perhaps, unnecessary given everything that had gone before.
The interactions between the three main characters form the centre-piece, each with his or her own ambitions, capabilities and beliefs. Brooks takes these differences and sets them into the volatile setting of a TV news studio, and adds more than a pinch of love interest to the mixture. The result is a complex, if somewhat overlong, portrayal of how we compromise every day in order to meet our ambitions and take others with us. It is always entertaining, although the final scene was, perhaps, unnecessary given everything that had gone before.
helpful•195
- davidholmesfr
- Jan 31, 2003
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Network News
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $20,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $51,249,404
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $197,542
- Dec 20, 1987
- Gross worldwide
- $67,331,309
- Runtime2 hours 13 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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