Director:
James L. BrooksWriter:
James L. BrooksProducer:
James L. BrooksCinematographer:
Michael BallhausEditor:
Richard MarksProduction Designer:
Charles RosenProduction Companies:
Twentieth Century Fox, Gracie Films, Amercent FilmsOpening credits are preceded by a prologue featuring brief scenes of young “Tom Grunick,” “Aaron Altman,” and “Jane Craig” growing up in the 1960s.
After winning three Academy Awards for writing, producing, and directing Terms of Endearment (1983, see entry), filmmaker James L. Brooks spent considerable time developing the subject of his next picture. Broadcast News began as an idea to portray a romantic comedy with a “new kind of heroine.” Although his hit television series, The Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS, 19 Sep 1970—19 Mar 1977) and its spinoff, Lou Grant (CBS, 20 Sep 1977—13 Sep 1982) both took place in newsrooms, Brooks did not intend to revisit the setting for a film until he attended the Democratic National Convention in Jul 1984. Noting how much broadcast news had changed since his time working as a copy boy in the 1960s, he decided to use the workplace as a backdrop for a love triangle between three ambitious individuals. During the convention, he met CBS News producer Susan Zirinsky, who acted as a technical advisor throughout the next year and a half of research. Zirinsky was eventually named associate producer. Although several sources claimed that Jane Craig was based on Zirinsky, both she and Brooks asserted that the character was a composite of several different women working in broadcast journalism at the time.
On 2 Jul 1986, Var announced that William Hurt had agreed to star in the project, then untitled, which was to be fully financed and distributed by Twentieth Century Fox. Production notes in AMPAS library files state that James L. Brooks wrote the role of ...
Opening credits are preceded by a prologue featuring brief scenes of young “Tom Grunick,” “Aaron Altman,” and “Jane Craig” growing up in the 1960s.
After winning three Academy Awards for writing, producing, and directing Terms of Endearment (1983, see entry), filmmaker James L. Brooks spent considerable time developing the subject of his next picture. Broadcast News began as an idea to portray a romantic comedy with a “new kind of heroine.” Although his hit television series, The Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS, 19 Sep 1970—19 Mar 1977) and its spinoff, Lou Grant (CBS, 20 Sep 1977—13 Sep 1982) both took place in newsrooms, Brooks did not intend to revisit the setting for a film until he attended the Democratic National Convention in Jul 1984. Noting how much broadcast news had changed since his time working as a copy boy in the 1960s, he decided to use the workplace as a backdrop for a love triangle between three ambitious individuals. During the convention, he met CBS News producer Susan Zirinsky, who acted as a technical advisor throughout the next year and a half of research. Zirinsky was eventually named associate producer. Although several sources claimed that Jane Craig was based on Zirinsky, both she and Brooks asserted that the character was a composite of several different women working in broadcast journalism at the time.
On 2 Jul 1986, Var announced that William Hurt had agreed to star in the project, then untitled, which was to be fully financed and distributed by Twentieth Century Fox. Production notes in AMPAS library files state that James L. Brooks wrote the role of Aaron specifically for his longtime friend, Albert Brooks, but struggled to find the right actress to play Jane. Newsweek indicated that Terms of Endearment star Debra Winger, Sigourney Weaver, Diane Wiest, Jessica Lange, Elizabeth Perkins, and Mary Beth Hurt were among those considered before he agreed to audition Holly Hunter, unknown to the director at the time, just two days before the start of production.
The 10 Feb 1987 HR stated that principal photography began on 2 Feb 1986. According to the Apr 1988 issue of AmCin, the picture was filmed on more than forty locations in the Washington, D.C. area, including the Stuart Hobson Middle School; the Hay Adams Hotel; the JW Marriott Hotel; the Hotel Bristol; Baltimore—Washington International Airport and Trailways Bus Terminal in Baltimore, MD; and the Marwood Estate in Potomac, MD. The newsroom set was constructed inside a renovated office complex at 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, while the control room and studio sets were built backstage at the Wolf Trap Theater, an outdoor performance venue in Fairfax County, VA. All newsreel footage played on the monitors was produced by two senior news officials, who the 23 Dec 1987 LAHExam identified as Zirinsky and Charlie Wilson. Production also spent three days at the Charles Deering Estate in Miami, FL. Filming was completed in Apr 1987.
Although the 11 Sep 1987 DV stated that Broadcast News was scheduled to open on 20 Nov 1987, the release date was pushed back to the Christmas holiday. To qualify for Academy Award consideration, the film opened in seven theaters in New York City; Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; and Toronto, Canada. According to the 22 Dec 1987 HR, the preview was well received, earning a five-day box-office total of $273,405. Items in the 14 Dec 1987 and 29 Dec 1987 DV indicate that the film expanded to 667 theaters on Christmas Day.
A critical success, Broadcast News was nominated for Academy Awards in the following categories: Actor in a Leading Role (William Hurt), Actor in a Supporting Role (Albert Brooks), Actress in a Leading Role (Holly Hunter), Cinematography, Editing, Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen), and Best Picture; and ranks #64 on AFI’s list of the 100 Funniest American Movies of All Time.
End credits state: “The producers wish to thank those who so generously lent their time and expertise during the research for Broadcast News, and: Juliet Taylor; Ed. Weinberger; Jack Winter; Jerry Belson; Treva Silverman; Patrick Williams; Michael Gore; The Mayor’s Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, Washington, D.C.; The Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Capital Region and the U.S. Park Police; City of Alexandria, Virginia; Proton, Inc.; Sony Communications Products Company; Textronix, Inc.; Aurora Systems; Grass Valley Group”; and, “And Special Thanks to Holly Brooks.” A statement also reads: “Shot entirely on location.”
John Cusack, who appears as “Angry messenger,” is credited onscreen as “John Cusak.”
In Washington, D.C., Jane Craig is a successful television news producer at a national network. During a conference for local broadcasters, Jane gives an impassioned but poorly received keynote address, urging her colleagues not to lose sight of their journalistic integrity in the wake of increasingly sensational and frivolous assignments. Once the room clears, handsome but feebleminded anchor Tom Grunick compliments her speech and accepts her invitation to dinner. Back at her hotel room, Tom confides he is uncomfortable with his runaway success because he rarely understands the stories he reads on air. When Jane suggests he make an effort to strengthen his qualifications, Tom takes offense to her forthright manner and leaves in embarrassment. Later that evening, he calls Jane to reveal that her network has hired him as its new anchor. His first week on the job, Tom is intimidated by Jane’s intensity, but continually seeks her advice. Eventually, he convinces her to produce his latest story idea, which is well received by network management and bolsters his confidence. Over time, Jane realizes she has complicated feelings for Tom, even though she does not respect him. When Libyans bomb a U.S. military base in Italy, network director Paul Moore calls for a live breaking news report with Tom as anchor. Jane objects, insisting that her close but undervalued colleague, Aaron Altman, is substantially more qualified, but Paul refuses to listen. As a result, Aaron feeds information to Jane over the phone, which she relays to Tom through his earpiece. The report is a rousing success, and Tom is exhilarated by their teamwork, comparing it to “great sex.” Afterward, Jane visits Aaron, who is drunk at his apartment. ...
In Washington, D.C., Jane Craig is a successful television news producer at a national network. During a conference for local broadcasters, Jane gives an impassioned but poorly received keynote address, urging her colleagues not to lose sight of their journalistic integrity in the wake of increasingly sensational and frivolous assignments. Once the room clears, handsome but feebleminded anchor Tom Grunick compliments her speech and accepts her invitation to dinner. Back at her hotel room, Tom confides he is uncomfortable with his runaway success because he rarely understands the stories he reads on air. When Jane suggests he make an effort to strengthen his qualifications, Tom takes offense to her forthright manner and leaves in embarrassment. Later that evening, he calls Jane to reveal that her network has hired him as its new anchor. His first week on the job, Tom is intimidated by Jane’s intensity, but continually seeks her advice. Eventually, he convinces her to produce his latest story idea, which is well received by network management and bolsters his confidence. Over time, Jane realizes she has complicated feelings for Tom, even though she does not respect him. When Libyans bomb a U.S. military base in Italy, network director Paul Moore calls for a live breaking news report with Tom as anchor. Jane objects, insisting that her close but undervalued colleague, Aaron Altman, is substantially more qualified, but Paul refuses to listen. As a result, Aaron feeds information to Jane over the phone, which she relays to Tom through his earpiece. The report is a rousing success, and Tom is exhilarated by their teamwork, comparing it to “great sex.” Afterward, Jane visits Aaron, who is drunk at his apartment. He hints at his affection for her, but Jane gives him a friendly goodbye kiss before rushing off meet her co-workers at a bar across town. Hoping to catch Tom alone, she is disappointed to find him leaving the party with a female colleague. As Jane’s infatuation with Tom grows, she musters the confidence to invite him to a party where the two acknowledge their mutual attraction. At the end of the evening, Tom pitches his first solo assignment about the rising dangers of date rape. Although Jane initially laughs at the suggestion, the piece later proves to be an emotionally powerful exposé that causes her to reconsider her more conservative reporting style. One afternoon, Paul Moore announces that he has been forced to implement a $24 million budget cut, resulting in massive layoffs. Sympathetic bureau chief Ernie Merriman warns Aaron that he may be fired. Determined to prove himself as an anchor, Aaron begs for a chance to read the weekend news. Ernie agrees, and enlists Tom to coach Aaron in the more superficial elements of his presentation. Although Aaron writes compelling copy, he lacks Tom’s charisma, and perspires excessively on camera. Meanwhile, Jane accompanies Tom to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, but the two leave the party to share a romantic moment on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. As their embrace becomes intimate, Jane suddenly remembers her promise to check on Aaron after his report, and asks Tom to wait for her. At his apartment, Aaron relays the disastrous events of the evening and offers to cook Jane dinner. She declines, confessing her feelings for Tom. Aaron bitterly reminds her that the vacuous anchor personifies everything she has been fighting against. In an attempt to dissuade her from pursuing the relationship, Aaron admits he has secretly been in love with her for some time. Unsure what to do, Jane calls Tom to tell him she is running late, but he cancels their engagement. Upset, she confronts Tom at work the next day, and they reconcile. As the station restructures, Jane learns she has been assigned to replace Ernie Merriman, while Tom is promoted to the network office in London, England. Paul keeps Aaron on the team as a “cost efficient” reporter, but Aaron quietly resigns and accepts an anchor position in Portland, Oregon, where he hopes he will be more appreciated. With only a week before his new job starts, Tom convinces Jane to take a vacation with him so they can test their compatibility outside the workplace. Before leaving, she meets Aaron for coffee. Still hurt by her decision, Aaron informs her that Tom faked crying onscreen during the date rape story. After reviewing the outtakes, Jane is disgusted by Tom’s breach of ethics and chooses to forgo their vacation. Several years later, Tom, Aaron, and Jane reunite at a broadcasting conference. While the men each have stable careers and growing families, Jane has accepted a prestigious position as a managing editor in New York City, and reveals she has begun a new, but happy, relationship.
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