The episode argues that Broadcast News is nearly perfect: a top-tier screenplay, a great tone that balances comedy and drama, and a trio of lead performances at or near their peaks. The hosts emphasize how the movie feels surprisingly current because it captures newsroom media anxiety, ethical compromise, and the collapse of institutional news in a way that still resonates.
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01The screenplay is praised as elite and endlessly rewatchable because every scene is sharp, funny, and character-driven. Opening minutes
02Holly Hunter’s performance as Jane Craig is singled out as essential, uniquely specific, and highly relatable. About 8 min
03The film’s newsroom and media themes still feel contemporary because it anticipates layoffs, institutional decline, and fake-news-era anxieties. About 16 min
04The dialogue and yelling scenes are highly memorable, especially the apartment blow-up and the devil speech. About 40 min
05The movie’s cast has unusual star power, with major actors at their peak and Jack Nicholson stealing scenes in small doses. About 8 min
WHAT DID NOT WORK
Their main criticisms
minorThe childhood opening scenes and epilogue feel overly 80s and somewhat unnecessary to some of the hosts. About 8 min
moderateThe actual ending is divisive; some think the released ending is too tidy or emotionally unsatisfying. About 56 min
minorHolly Hunter’s correspondence dinner look is described as rough or ugly. About 1:12
minorThe date-rape-news segment is viewed as dated in how the film frames what counts as news. About 48 min
SCENES THEY KEPT COMING BACK TO
Standout moments
mixed
Opening childhood montage
The hosts debate the value of the childhood opening scenes; some think they are too 80s and could be cut, while others think they help define the characters early.
About 8 min Favorite
First anchor test / on-air intro
The first anchor scene is admired for showing how Hurt’s character learns performance and confidence in the chair.
About 48 min Favorite
Aaron’s TV disaster
The on-air blowup is treated as a classic humiliation scene and one of the film’s most rewatchable moments.
About 32 min positive
Libya / Gaddafi coverage
The newsroom’s rush to cover Libya is admired for keeping the movie inside rooms and letting dialogue drive stakes.
About 24 min Favorite
The apartment fight
The long argument in Aaron’s apartment is considered one of the movie’s best scenes, driven by yelling and emotional precision.
About 32 min mixed
Correspondents’ dinner / Tom and Jane tension
The dinner scene and follow-up tension are memorable but also criticized for Jane’s outfit and for workplace-romance awkwardness.
About 1:12 mixed
Alternate cab ending
The deleted cab scene where Aaron jumps in and confesses his feelings is praised for acting but debated as a final choice.
About 1:36
WHERE THEY DISAGREED
The biggest debates
They partly agreed About 8 min
Are the childhood scenes necessary?
Bill Simmons
Leans toward cutting them because they feel like the most 80s part.
Sean Fennessey
Thinks they help establish the characters’ adult identities from childhood.
No final agreement About 32 min
What is the best scene in the movie?
Bill Simmons
Leans toward the anchor tutorial and the TV disaster scenes.
Chris Ryan
Leans toward the apartment fight and the yelling scenes.
Sean Fennessey
Highlights the anchor-tutoring sequence and the classic final emotional scenes.
No final agreement About 56 min
Did the released ending work?
Bill Simmons
Dislikes the ending and prefers the alternate cab scene.
Chris Ryan
Also dislikes the released ending but thinks the open breakup has some logic.
Sean Fennessey
Accepts the ending but acknowledges the alternate version has strong acting.
No final agreement About 1:20
Is the movie the best of the 1980s?
Bill Simmons
Makes a strong case that it could be the decade’s best film.
Sean Fennessey
Says it is at least in the conversation with Raiders, Back to the Future, and others.
Chris Ryan
Argues the 80s had many strong contenders but accepts Broadcast News as a top candidate.
15 People discussedActors, directors, writers, and producers
