Great News Explained

Genre:	Sitcom
Creator:	Tracey Wigfield
Composer:	Jeff Richmond Giancarlo Vulcano
Country:	United States
Language:	English
Num Seasons:	2
Num Episodes:	23
Camera:	Single-camera
Runtime:	22 minutes
Channel:	NBC

Great News is an American sitcom television series created and written by Tracey Wigfield,^[1] and executive produced by Wigfield alongside Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, and David Miner for 3 Arts Entertainment, Little Stranger and Universal Television. The series premiered April 25, 2017 on NBC.^[2]

On May 11, 2017, NBC renewed Great News for a second season of 13 episodes, which premiered on September 28, 2017.^{[3] [4]} On May 11, 2018, NBC canceled the series after two seasons.^[5]

Premise

The series, set in the world of television news, follows an up-and-coming news producer who finds herself dealing with a new intern: her mother.

Cast and characters

Main

• Briga Heelan as Katherine "Katie" Wendelson, a segment producer at The Breakdown who suddenly has to deal with the presence of her mother Carol, who is hired as an intern at the show^[6]
• Andrea Martin as Carol Wendelson, Katie's mother and an intern at The Breakdown^[7]
• Adam Campbell as Greg Walsh, an executive producer at The Breakdown and Katie's boss and love interest^[8]
• Nicole Richie as Portia Scott-Griffith, co-anchor of The Breakdown
• Horatio Sanz as Justin, video editor at The Breakdown
• John Michael Higgins as Chuck Pierce, co-anchor of The Breakdown who was once a well-respected network anchor^[9]

Recurring

• Tracey Wigfield as Beth Vierk: the meteorologist for The Breakdown
• Sheaun McKinney as Wayne: a cameraman for The Breakdown
• Brad Morris as Gene: one of the segment producers on The Breakdown
• Stewart Skelton as Dave Wendelson: Katie's father and Carol's husband, whose face is always partially obscured
• Vicki Lawrence as Angie Deltaliano: Carol's best friend
• Sarah Baker as Joyce Vickley: a human resources employee who comes in contact with The Breakdown staff
• Adam Countee as Chip: co-host of The Chip & Chet Report, a competitor of The Breakdown
• Dave Hill as Chet: co-host of The Chip & Chet Report, a competitor of The Breakdown
• Ana Gasteyer as Kelly: boozy co-host of Morning Wined Up, MMN's morning show
• Rachel Dratch as Mary-Kelly: boozy co-host of Morning Wined Up, MMN's morning show
• Christina Pickles as Mildred Marlock (season 1): the owner of MMN and Greg's grandmother
• Tina Fey as Diana St. Tropez (season 2): the new head of MMN
• Reid Scott as Jeremy (season 2): Katie's new boyfriend and a workaholic reporter for The New York Times
• Jim Rash as Fenton Pelt (season 2): the billionaire owner of Pelt Industries who sues MMN due to a story reported by The Breakdown

Guest

• Tommy Dewey as Trip ("War Is Hell")
• Robin Leach as himself and 'Pond Scum' co-host ("Carol Has a Bully")
• Chris Parnell as Gerald, Diana St. Tropez's assistant ("Squad Feud")
• Rev. Run as himself ("Honeypot!")
• Christopher McDonald as Len Archer ("Award Show")
• Cecily Strong as Jessica Mancuso ("Night of the Living Screen")
• Rashad Jennings as Carvell ("Pool Show")
• Will Sasso as Petey Pierce, Chuck's mid 30s son ("A Christmas Carol Wendelson")
• Judith Roberts as Grammy ("Love is Dead")
• Jayma Mays as Cat ("Catfight")
• Tim Meadows as Lawyer ("The Fast Track")
• Ray Liotta as himself ("Early Retirement")
• Nat Faxon as Anthony Lyon ("Early Retirement")

Episodes

Season 2 (2017–18)

Reception

Critical response

Great News has received generally positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes the series has an approval rating of 76% based on 33 reviews, with an average rating of 6.15/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Great News overcomes its familiar trappings with gently subversive humor and a smart cast of talented, likable actors."^[10] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 67 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".^[11]

Ratings

Season 2

See also

• Room for Two, a 1990s sitcom with a similar premise that also ran for two seasons.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Writer Tracey Wigfield's Double Milestone. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. May 21, 2016. May 21, 2016.
2. Web site: NBC Midseason Schedule: 'Trial & Error' & 'Great News' Succeed 'This Is Us', 'Shades Of Blue' Moves, DC's 'Powerless' Slotted. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. December 8, 2016. December 8, 2016.
3. Web site: NBC Renews 'Great News' Comedy Series Produced By Tina Fey For Season 2. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. May 11, 2017. May 11, 2017.
4. Web site: NBC Announces Fall Premiere Dates for New 2017-18 Season. The Futon Critic. June 19, 2017. June 19, 2017.
5. Web site: 'Great News' Canceled By NBC After Two Seasons. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. May 11, 2018. May 11, 2018.
6. Web site: Briga Heelan To Topline Tracey Wigfield NBC Comedy Pilot Produced By Tina Fey. Nellie. Andreeva. Deadline Hollywood. February 19, 2016. February 19, 2016. June 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180628205117/https://deadline.com/2016/02/briga-heelan-star-tracey-wigfield-nbc-comedy-pilot-tina-fey-1201706268/. dead.
7. Web site: Andrea Martin To Star In Tracey Wigfield NBC Pilot, Kimrie Lewis-Davis Also Cast. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. February 12, 2016. February 12, 2016.
8. Web site: Adam Campbell Cast In NBC's Tracey Wigfield Comedy Pilot. Nellie. Andreeva. Deadline Hollywood. February 9, 2016. February 9, 2016.
9. News: Meet the Mismatched Anchors of NBC's 'Great News'. Snetiker. Marc. April 20, 2017. EW.com. April 26, 2017. en-US.
10. Web site: Great News: Season 1 (2017). Rotten Tomatoes. January 6, 2019.
11. Web site: Great News: Season 1 reviews. Metacritic. May 2, 2017.