Editing NewsRadio

{{Short description|American television sitcom}}
{{About|the sitcom|the Australian radio network|ABC NewsRadio|the radio format|All-news radio}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = NewsRadio.jpg
| genre                = [[Sitcom]]<br>[[Slapstick]]<br>[[Surreal humor]]
| creator              = [[Paul Simms]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/09/arts/television-a-precocious-sitcom-freshman.html | title=TELEVISION; A Precocious Sitcom Freshman | work=The New York Times | date=April 9, 1995 | last1=Meisler | first1=Andy }}</ref>
| starring             = {{Plainlist|
*[[Dave Foley]]
*[[Stephen Root]]
*[[Andy Dick]]
*[[Maura Tierney]]
*[[Vicki Lewis]]
*[[Joe Rogan]]
*[[Khandi Alexander]]
*[[Phil Hartman]]
*[[Jon Lovitz]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[Mike Post]]
| composer             = Ian Dye
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 5
| num_episodes         = 97
| list_episodes        = List of NewsRadio episodes
| executive_producer   = {{Plainlist|
*[[Paul Simms]]
*[[Bernie Brillstein]]
*[[Brad Grey]]
*[[Josh Lieb]]
}}
| producer             = {{Plainlist|
*Kell Cahoon
*Tom Saunders
*Barbara Dorio
*Mark Grossan
}}
| camera               = [[Multiple-camera setup|Multi-camera]]
| runtime              = 30 minutes
| company              = {{Plainlist|
*[[Brillstein Entertainment Partners|Brillstein-Grey Communications]]<br>(1995–1998)<br>(seasons 1–4)
*[[Brillstein Entertainment Partners|Brillstein-Grey Entertainment]]<br>(1998–1999)<br>(season 5)
*[[Paul Simms|343 Incorporated]]<br>[[Columbia Pictures Television]]<br>(1995–1998)<br>(seasons 1–4)
*[[Columbia TriStar Television]]<br>(1998–1999)<br>(season 5)
}}
| network              = [[NBC]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1995|03|21}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|1999|05|04}}
}}

'''''NewsRadio''''' is an American television [[sitcom]] that aired on [[NBC]] from March 21, 1995, to May 4, 1999, focusing on the work lives of the staff of a New York City AM news radio station. It had an [[ensemble cast]] featuring [[Dave Foley]], [[Stephen Root]], [[Andy Dick]], [[Maura Tierney]], [[Vicki Lewis]], [[Joe Rogan]], [[Khandi Alexander]], and [[Phil Hartman]] in his final regular role before his death in 1998; [[Jon Lovitz]] joined the show after Hartman's death.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/07/arts/a-hard-job-to-accept-a-slain-buddy-s-show.html | title=A Hard Job to Accept: A Slain Buddy's Show | work=The New York Times | date=October 7, 1998 | last1=Carter | first1=Bill }}</ref>

The series was created by executive producer [[Paul Simms]] and was filmed in front of a studio audience at [[CBS Studio Center]] and [[Sunset Gower Studios]]. The theme song was composed by [[Mike Post]], who also scored the pilot. 

==Overview==
The series is set at WNYX, a fictional [[AM broadcasting]] [[all-news radio]] station in [[New York City]], populated by an eccentric station owner and staff. The show begins with the arrival of new news director Dave Nelson ([[Dave Foley]]). While Dave turns out to be more experienced than his youthful appearance suggests, he never fully gains control of his co-workers.

The scripts and ensemble cast combined [[Physical comedy|physical humor]] and [[visual gag]]s with quick-witted dialogue and farcical storylines. Plots often involved satirical takes on historical events, news stories, and [[popular culture|pop culture]] references. The third and fourth season finales took the surrealism to the extreme, setting the characters in outer space and aboard the ''[[Titanic]]'', respectively.

''NewsRadio'' debuted on March 21, 1995.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/427466998/ Patty Duke, Phil Hartman join NBC spring schedule]". ''Associated Press''. The Paducah Sun. p. 6B.</ref> It took over the time slot from ''[[Something Wilder]]''.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/574303370/ New sitcoms coming out on NBC]". ''The Spokesman-Review''. February 23, 1995. p. D5.</ref>

There are a total of [[list of NewsRadio episodes|97 episodes]]. Reruns continued in syndication for several years before disappearing in most markets. However, the show has aired on [[A&E (TV network)|A&E]], [[Nick at Nite]], and [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] network in the United States, and [[DTour]] and the Comedy Network in Canada. In the United States, the show occasionally airs as a filler on [[WGN America]] and runs regularly on [[Reelz]], [[Antenna TV]], and [[Rewind TV]]. For several years starting in July 2007, the program was syndicated through [[The Program Exchange]].<ref>[http://www.programexchange.com/programDetails.asp?programID=162 ''NewsRadio''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708170155/http://www.programexchange.com/programDetails.asp?programID=162 |date=July 8, 2007 }} from [[The Program Exchange]].  As of January 1, 2020, the show is airing on Antenna TV.</ref>

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of NewsRadio episodes}}
{{:List of NewsRadio episodes}}

==Characters==

===Main===
[[File:NR-Cast-2.jpg|thumb|The cast of ''NewsRadio'', Seasons 1 to 4]]
<!-- Cast listed in order of opening credits, and then appearance on the show, as per [[WP:TVCAST]] -->
* Dave Nelson ([[Dave Foley]]) is WNYX's [[news director]], described as a "Midwesterner out of place in New York and pointedly young for such a responsible job". He was raised in Wisconsin, although he was born in Canada.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1995/tv/reviews/newsradio-1200440994/|title=Advertisement|work=Variety|date=March 21, 1995 |access-date=October 2, 2014}}</ref> Dave has a number of talents that the other staff members consider embarrassing, including tap dancing, [[actor|acting]] work in high school, participation in an all-male a cappella group, knife throwing, and ventriloquism. He also has a very friendly, formal, and easy-going personality, which contrasts with the more lively personalities of the other characters and the farcical situations that occur on the show.<ref name="freshman">[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE1DC113FF93AA35757C0A963958260&pagewanted=print A Precocious Sitcom Freshman], an April 9, 1995 article from ''The New York Times''</ref> He frequently has phone conversations with his mother and keeps a picture of her in his desk. He has an overwhelming [[Caffeine dependence|coffee addiction]], as well as a strong passion for television and classic sitcoms, particularly ''[[Green Acres]]'' and ''[[Mister Ed]]''. Dave has an inexplicable "obsession", as Lisa calls it, with the [[America (band)|America]] song "[[A Horse with No Name]]". 
* Jimmy James ([[Stephen Root]]) is the station's extroverted, playful [[billionaire]] owner. His name comes from the [[Beastie Boys]] song "[[Jimmy James (song)|Jimmy James]]".<ref name="epguide">{{Cite web|url=http://epguides.com/NewsRadio/guide.shtml|title=NewsRadio (an Episode Guide)}}</ref> Despite owning a vast corporate empire, he seems to enjoy micromanaging WNYX. He acts as a father figure toward his employees, often helping them learn life lessons. Recurring gags associated with Mr. James include his search for a wife (for which he keeps an extensive list of potential "wife candidates"), his infatuation with Dave's mother, his inability to act, his rivalries with other wealthy entrepreneurs (such as [[Ted Turner]] and [[Bill Gates]]), and his considerable inside knowledge of conspiracies and government cover-ups; he claims to have been [[Deep Throat (Watergate)|Deep Throat]] and is at one point suspected to have been the infamous aircraft hijacker [[D. B. Cooper]]. In the show's series finale, Mr. James "retires" to [[New Hampshire]], where he buys a news radio station and newspaper, taking most of the WNYX staff with him.
* Matthew Brock ([[Andy Dick]]) is a [[news reporter]]. Superficially clumsy, naive, and immature, he is the butt of many physical jokes on the show; he is often seen tripping, falling, flying over furniture, or handling electronics that explode or catch fire. Matthew idolizes Bill, who bullies him in return. Later in the series, he displays an affinity for science fiction and fantasy media. Matthew holds a degree in dentistry — and appears to be a very competent dental practitioner — but prefers radio journalism, despite the fact he is very often shown to be truly inept at it. He develops a crush on Lisa. He initially dislikes Max, seeing him as an interloper who is trying to take Bill's place, and believes himself to be Bill's rightful successor, but eventually grows to like him.
* Lisa Miller ([[Maura Tierney]]), with whom Dave has an intermittent relationship, serves as reporter, on-air personality, producer, and news director briefly in the series. An obsessive overachiever, Lisa can instantly perform complex mathematical calculations and keeps a detailed life-plan. She frequently brags about her [[SAT]] scores and retakes the exam well out of college. Also, she gets turned on if she yells too much. Lisa was born in Boston, living there until the age of seven when her family moved to Connecticut. She represses a working-class [[Boston accent]], which results in her having a sibilant "S" while speaking. During the first two seasons of the show, she is in regular contact with her ex-boyfriend Stuart, with the suggestion that they might still be in love. In season five, she marries Jimmy's archenemy Johnny Johnson (played by [[Patrick Warburton]]).
* Beth ([[Vicki Lewis]]) is Dave's secretary. She wears ridiculous, often midriff-baring outfits, has bright red hair, and chews gum. Her salary is often the subject of jokes; characters frequently point out that she "earns next to nothing". Her first name comes from the [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] song "[[Beth (song)|Beth]]",<ref name="epguide"/> and she claims that she does not have a last name. In the third season DVD commentary, the writers revealed they had planned to have Jimmy adopt Beth as his daughter, but felt there was never a right time for it.
* Joe Garrelli ([[Joe Rogan]]) is the station's street-smart electrician and handyman. He is notorious for his seemingly nonchalant approach to his profession. Believing that consumer products are "rip-offs", he is known to personally craft his own supplies (such as homemade duct tape) and gadgets for others around the office (among many a [[Electroshock weapon|stun gun]], a [[white noise]] machine and a [[two-way radio]]). He also espouses various conspiracy theories, particularly with regard to the government's suppression of information about extraterrestrial life. Throughout the series, he displays an infatuation with Catherine Duke. On several occasions, the other employees at the station speculate that Joe might have been the [[Ted Kaczynski|Unabomber]]. The character of Joe was originally named Rick, and was played by [[Greg Lee (actor)|Greg Lee]] in the pilot episode. [[Ray Romano]] was originally cast to play Joe, but was replaced because his style of verbal comedy did not mesh well with the fast-paced wit of the rest of the cast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.philly.com/1998-11-09/entertainment/25734541_1_bank-teller-slow-lane-gas-station-attendant |url-access= |title=Suddenly, The Fast Lane Life Was Very Leisurely For Ray Romano. He Pumped Gas; He Delivered Futons – And Liked It. Then He Got A Sitcom With A Sappy Name, And Things Went Kaflooey. |last=Heller |first=Karen |author-link= |date=November 9, 1998 |department=entertainment |website=Philly.com |series=Bank Teller |id= |access-date=October 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006155917/http://articles.philly.com/1998-11-09/entertainment/25734541_1_bank-teller-slow-lane-gas-station-attendant |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-18-ca-44906-story.html|title=An Everyman With a New York Accent : 'Everybody Loves Raymond' Draws on Ray Romano's Family Life for Laughs|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 18, 1996 |access-date=October 2, 2014}}</ref>
* Catherine Duke ([[Khandi Alexander]]) is the second of WNYX's news anchors. She is often bitter rivals with co-anchor Bill McNeal; according to Bill, this is partly due to an office affair they had years earlier. When she was younger she worked with her uncle and learned how to perform and identify numerous scams, such as [[Three-card Monte]]. She is well known for slapping her co-workers in the event words do not express her contempt for a certain situation. Catherine is noted for being direct with people, though she is willing to use her charms to get her way. Catherine leaves the station to take a job in London during the fourth season. She makes a brief appearance in the fifth-season premiere for Bill's funeral. The role of Catherine was played by [[Ella Joyce]] in the pilot episode.
<!-- And -->
* Evelyn William "Bill" McNeal ([[Phil Hartman]]) is a [[News presenter|news co-anchor]] for WNYX. Loud, arrogant, and free-spirited, Bill is frequently a thorn in the news director's side. Bill was the breakout character. His relationships are often unorthodox or contentious. He often displays jarring gaps in knowledge. Another running joke in the show has Bill describing painful stories with an air of cheerful nostalgia, often wistfully saying, "good times, good times". Bill occasionally shows flashes of concern and wisdom for his co-workers, whom he perceives as friends. Hartman's death during the production hiatus after the fourth season is addressed in the first episode of the fifth season, where his character is revealed to have died of a sudden heart attack. An issue of ''[[Radio Ink]]'' magazine displaying Hartman on its cover was subsequently displayed in Dave's office as a tribute to the actor and character following his death. Bill is shown reading from said issue in the season four episode “Who’s the Boss?”
* Max Louis ([[Jon Lovitz]]) is Bill McNeal's replacement in season five. He is socially awkward, neurotic and terrible at his job. Max has a penchant for redheads, and Beth in particular, but she quickly ends up despising him. He says that Max Louis is not his true identity, because he uses a different persona every time he gets a new job. Max gets the job at WNYX because he is an old colleague of Bill's, a plot point that reflects the real-life fact that Jon Lovitz took the role in ''NewsRadio'' out of friendship with Phil Hartman. When asked why he joined ''NewsRadio'', Lovitz stated that show creator Paul Simms told Lovitz, "I don't know what to tell you. You're his friend. It feels right. Everybody in the cast wants you."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.deseret.com/1998/12/7/19416805/lovitz-joins-newsradio-to-carry-on-comedic-work-of-slain-friend-hartman/ | title=Lovitz joins 'NewsRadio' to carry on comedic work of slain friend, Hartman | date=December 7, 1998 }}</ref> Lovitz first appeared on "Our Fiftieth Episode" when Bill meets him in a mental ward going by the name Fred. Fred later admits he is really an air traffic controller who periodically and voluntarily "flips out" and goes into the mental ward for a vacation from making decisions. Lovitz returned a second time in the fourth season opener "Jumper". In the episode, Lovitz plays Mike Johnson, a disgruntled former employee who has been fired and is threatening to commit suicide by jumping from the ledge outside Dave's office.

=== Recurring ===
The only [[recurring character]] to appear in more than one production season is that of Jimmy's lawyer, Roger, played initially by [[Norm Macdonald]], and later by ''NewsRadio'' writer [[Drake Sather]], who did a vocal impersonation of Norm Macdonald.

Several other actors appeared in multiple seasons playing different characters, notably Lovitz, [[David Cross]], [[Toby Huss]], [[Brian Posehn]], [[David Anthony Higgins]], [[Dave Allen (actor)|Dave Allen]], [[Wallace Langham]], and [[Bob Odenkirk]].

[[Tone Loc|Tone Lōc]] and [[Toby Huss]] played security guards Lorenzo and Junior in two episodes in season 2. The characters were based on the security guards at the studio where ''NewsRadio'' was shot.<ref>Commentary track for episode "Friends"</ref> During the last season, [[Patrick Warburton]] had a recurring role as Johnny Johnson, Jimmy's nemesis and Lisa's love interest (and eventual husband).

[[Lauren Graham]] had a four-episode run as Andrea, a manipulative [[Business efficiency expert|efficiency expert]] who shakes up the office (firing Matthew, demoting Dave, and promoting Lisa). She is sometimes referred to as "Planbee" after Matthew misunderstands her being Jimmy's "Plan B" for the office. In a season 4 episode commentary track, Tierney gives the hiring of Graham as a possible explanation for Alexander's departure, which contradicts the idea that Alexander intended to leave before Graham appeared on the show (In Dave Foley's appearance on [[The Joe Rogan Experience|Joe Rogan's podcast]], they talked about Alexander leaving because she was not given enough lines). All of the changes introduced during Graham's time on the show would be restored by mid-season to the way things were before her arrival.

[[Brad Rowe (actor)|Brad Rowe]] had a four-episode run as Walt the intern, Jimmy's nephew who has a crush on Lisa, which causes more worry for Dave.

==Home media==
[[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment]] released all five seasons of ''NewsRadio'' on DVD in Region 1 between 2005 and 2007. Each set includes multiple [[Audio commentary|audio commentaries]] with creator Paul Simms, the writers and actors. The DVD sets also include special features such as [[Blooper|gag reels]] and other featurettes.

On August 27, 2013, it was announced that Mill Creek Entertainment had acquired the rights to various television series from the Sony Pictures library, including ''NewsRadio''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News-Mill-Creek-Sony-License-Deal/18902|title=Mill Creek Entertainment Signs Deals With Sony Pictures Home Entertainment To Expand Their Distribution Partnership|access-date=October 2, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006134321/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Site-News-Mill-Creek-Sony-License-Deal/18902|archive-date=October 6, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> They subsequently re-released the first two seasons on DVD on April 1, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NewsRadio-Seasons-1-and-2/19494|title='Seasons 1 & 2' DVD Re-Release is Scheduled by Mill Creek|access-date=October 2, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006114437/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NewsRadio-Seasons-1-and-2/19494|archive-date=October 6, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

On May 19, 2015, Mill Creek Entertainment re-released ''NewsRadio – The Complete Series'' on DVD in Region 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/feature/more/dvd-calendar|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326221646/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/NewsRadio-The-Complete-Series/20893|publisher=Metacritic|url-status=dead|title=DVD Calendar Feature Articles – Metacritic|archivedate=March 26, 2015}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!DVD Name
!# ep.
!Release Date
|-
|The Complete First and Second Seasons || style="text-align:center;"|28 || May 24, 2005<br />(re-release: April 1, 2014)
|-
|The Complete Third Season || style="text-align:center;"|25 || February 28, 2006
|-
|The Complete Fourth Season || style="text-align:center;"|22 || June 20, 2006
|-
|The Complete Fifth Season || style="text-align:center;"|22 || March 20, 2007
|-
|The Complete Series || style="text-align:center;"|97 || October 28, 2008<br />(re-release: May 19, 2015)
|}

==Nielsen ratings==
During its run, ''NewsRadio''{{'}}s time slot changed eleven times.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/10-episodes-of-perfect-imperfection-from-the-great-news-1798277921|title=10 episodes of perfect imperfection from the great NewsRadio|last=Hill|first=Libby|date=March 23, 2015|work=The A.V. Club|access-date=2018-09-08|language=en-US}}</ref>

On its first two broadcasts, the show received a [[Ratings share|20 share]], improving on its lead-in (''[[Wings (1990 TV series)|Wings]]'') by a percentage point, and beating its competitors (''[[Under One Roof (1995 TV series)|Under One Roof]]'' and ''[[Thunder Alley (TV series)|Thunder Alley]]'') in its share of the 18- to 49-year-old audience.<ref name="freshman"/>

===Season ratings===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Season
! TV season
! Time slot (ET)
! Ratings rank
! Viewers{{br}}(in millions)
|-
| [[List of NewsRadio episodes#Season 1 (1995)|1]] || [[1994-1995 United States network television schedule|1995]] || Tuesday at 8:30 pm || #39{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} || 11.4{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
|-
| [[List of NewsRadio episodes#Season 2 (1995–96)|2]] || [[1995–96 United States network television schedule|1995–1996]] || Tuesday at 8:30 pm <small>(episodes 1–10)</small><br/>Sunday at 8:30 pm <small>(episodes 11–21)</small> || #39{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} || 10.6{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
|-
| [[List of NewsRadio episodes#Season 3 (1996–97)|3]] || [[1996–97 United States network television schedule|1996–1997]] || Wednesday at 9:00 pm <small>(episodes 1–10, 12–17)</small><br/>Thursday at 8:30 pm <small>(episodes 11, 25)</small><br/>Wednesday at 8:00 pm <small>(episodes 18–21, 23 & 24)</small><br/>Wednesday at 8:30 pm <small>(episode 22)</small> || #92{{citation needed|date=May 2020}} || 7.0{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
|-
| [[List of NewsRadio episodes#Season 4 (1997–98)|4]] || [[1997–98 United States network television schedule|1997–1998]] || Tuesday at 8:30 pm <small>(episodes 1–8, 10–15, 22)</small><br/>Thursday at 8:30 pm <small>(episode 9)</small><br/>Wednesday at 8:00 pm <small>(episodes 16–21)</small> || #62<ref name="sfgate.com"/> || 8.0<ref name="sfgate.com">{{cite news| url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1998/05/25/DD61876.DTL&type=chart | title=Final Ratings for '97–'98 TV Season | date=May 25, 1998 | work=The San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref>
|-
| [[List of NewsRadio episodes#Season 5 (1998–99)|5]] || [[1998–99 United States network television schedule|1998–1999]] || Wednesday at 9:30 pm <small>(episodes 1–7, 9)</small><br/>Tuesday at 8:30 pm <small>(episodes 8, 10–22)</small> || #77<ref name="geocities.com"/> || 9.6<ref name="geocities.com">{{cite web|url=http://geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html |title=Final ratings for the 1998–1999 TV season |access-date=2013-02-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029011819/http://geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html |archive-date=October 29, 2009 }}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0112095}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130317173229/http://www.newsradioart.com/ ''NewsRadio'' and the Comedic Art]
* [http://uproxx.com/tv/2015/03/newsradio-oral-history/ An Oral History of News Radio]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Newsradio}}
[[Category:1995 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1999 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s American workplace comedy television series]]
[[Category:1990s American multi-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television series about radio]]
[[Category:Television series about journalism]]
[[Category:Television series by Sony Pictures Television]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Television series by Brad Grey Television]]
[[Category:NBC sitcoms]]