On the evening of Saturday, June 7, 2025, history was made as CNN broadcast live the penultimate performance of the Broadway play Good Night, and Good Luck from the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City. This marked the first time a Broadway play was ever televised live on national television, opening a new chapter in the accessibility of live theater to audiences across the country and around the world.
The play, co-written by George Clooney and Grant Heslov, is an adaptation of the 2005 film of the same name. It tells the gripping story of legendary CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow’s courageous on-air confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s Red Scare. Murrow’s efforts to hold McCarthy accountable for his fear-mongering and baseless accusations of communism are brought vividly to life on stage, with Clooney himself making his Broadway debut in the role of Murrow.
Clooney’s personal connection to the story runs deep. He and Heslov originally wrote the film as a response to the Iraq War, highlighting the timeless importance of speaking truth to power. As Clooney told CBS’s 60 Minutes, “I think it’s a story that you can keep telling over and over. I don’t think it will ever thematically get old.” The play’s message resonates strongly in today’s political climate, especially given recent challenges to the media’s role in democracy.
“When the other three estates fail, when the judiciary and the executive and the legislative branches fail us, the fourth estate has to succeed,” Clooney explained during the interview. He also highlighted the dangers journalists face today, citing attempts to discredit the media and restrict press freedom, including efforts by the Trump administration to label news outlets as “fake news” and to limit their funding.
The production has been a commercial and critical triumph. Since opening on Broadway on April 3, 2025, Good Night, and Good Luck has become the highest-grossing play in Broadway history, repeatedly grossing over $4 million in a single week. Tickets ranged from $176 for obstructed views to $799 for premium seats. The play earned five Tony Award nominations, including Best Actor for Clooney, Best Scenic Design, Lighting, Sound, and Costume Design.
Critics praised the production’s seriousness and educational value. Variety’s Frank Rizzo noted its “seriousness of purpose that is again dramatically stark, solidly documented, and ultimately chilling.” The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney described it as “almost as educational as it is theatrical,” though some critics wished for deeper character development beyond Murrow. Time Out’s Adam Feldman was more critical, feeling the play was too similar to the film and questioning the need to see it again on stage.
The live broadcast was a complex technical feat, utilizing 20 cameras and 14 camera operators to capture the play from multiple angles, giving viewers the sensation of being in the theater. CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper hosted pre-show coverage alongside Pamela Brown, who broadcast live from outside the Winter Garden Theatre beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. After the play’s 1 hour and 40-minute run with no intermission, Cooper led a special panel discussion on the current state of journalism, featuring notable guests such as Connie Chung and Marvin Kalb.
Viewers watching at home were surprised and delighted to spot comedian Ilana Glazer, known for co-creating the Comedy Central hit Broad City, in the cast as producer and writer Shirley Wershba. Many fans took to social media expressing awe at the relevance of the play’s themes to contemporary politics, particularly the parallels to the Trump administration’s strained relationship with the press.
“You need to stop whatever you are doing and watch Good Night, and Good Luck right now,” wrote one viewer on X (formerly Twitter). “So much of this dialogue perfectly ensconce the current Trump administration.” Another added, “The new McCarthyism is well and alive today. Be very vigilant.” Fans also applauded the accessibility of bringing Broadway into their living rooms. “This live broadcast is great so far, and I hope it leads to even more Broadway on TV,” one wrote. “Theatre SHOULD be regularly broadcasted or made available to stream,” another enthused.
Clooney, who dyed his hair black for the role to the dismay of fans and joked about his family’s reactions, expressed excitement about the groundbreaking broadcast. “I can’t tell you how exciting it is to do something that’s never been done,” he said in a press release. “CNN is the perfect place to bring this story of courage to so many more people than we could have ever hoped. Live TV. No net. Buckle up everyone.”
This event was not Clooney’s first foray into live television. Twenty-five years earlier, in 2000, he convinced CBS to mount a live black-and-white production of Fail Safe, a Cold War thriller about nuclear war threats, marking CBS’s first live broadcast in over three decades. Clooney’s passion for live broadcasts and stories with political urgency has long been evident.
“Good Night, and Good Luck” is also a tribute to television’s power as a medium and the crucial role of journalism. The play uniquely incorporates archival footage of Senator McCarthy, allowing Murrow’s character to confront the real-life senator on stage, with McCarthy’s speeches projected on a giant screen. This technique bridges past and present, reminding audiences of the enduring battle between truth and fear.
The broadcast was available not only on CNN and CNN International for traditional cable subscribers but also streamed online at CNN.com/GoodNightGoodLuck and via CNN’s apps without requiring a cable login. It was also accessible on HBO Max for subscribers at all levels, expanding its reach beyond typical theatergoers.
As the play closed its limited run on June 8, 2025, the day of the 78th Tony Awards, the live broadcast served as a powerful reminder that the fight for truth and accountability remains as vital as ever. George Clooney’s commitment to bringing this story to a broad audience underscores the enduring relevance of Edward R. Murrow’s legacy and the essential role of a free press in safeguarding democracy.
