- Apple TV+ released the first full trailer for its debut drama series, The Morning Show.
- Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Steve Carell all star.
- The streaming platform and its series will launch this fall.
- In new exclusive interviews with Entertainment Weekly, Witherspoon and Aniston open up about their roles and the challenges that came with them. While the premiere date is unclear, Apple TV+, which will be $4.99 a month, launches November 1.
When Apple first announced in 2017 that it would be releasing 10 hour-long episodes of a journalism drama produced by Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, our first thought was, How 'bout them Apples?
Now, two long years later, we finally get our first bite—or rather, soundbite. The series, which is set in New York City and stars the aforementioned superstar producers, released its very first teaser in August, giving eager fans a peek into what brand-new streaming platform Apple TV+ has in store. (Oprah, by the way, is dropping two documentaries on the platform).
In the teaser, a minute-long peek into the bowels of a television studio, we hear Aniston, Witherspoon, and fellow co-star Steve Carell waxing deep about their ambitions in the world of morning news. And just when we thought it couldn't get better, the full-length trailer proved that this show's about to get super dramatic.
Watch the full trailer below.
As it begins, Jennifer Aniston's character appears to be a TV news anchor, Alex Levy, who has to announce that her longtime co-host Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell) was fired from allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct. They worked together for 15 years. When the minutes-long clip continues, we see the executives at the news section hunt for new reports, a.k.a. Reese Witherspoon's young journalist character, Bradley Jackson . It becomes clear that Witherspoon wins over America, but it's not all fun and games behind the scenes.
As some clever fans noticed, the trailer is set to the tune of Supertramp's "Goodbye Stranger," which Carell's Michael Scott comedically sang along to in the season 4 finale of The Office. "Oh, my gosh, when I saw the trailer I was like, somebody should have called me and said, 'Do you want to flag anything about this?" he told EW. "I was like, 'Guys, you can't put that in the trailer and not have people raise one or two eyebrows." Jokingly, he said he doesn't think they did it on purpose, and it was just an oversight.
The Morning Show premieres this fall.
Looks like the actual most wonderful time of the year, a.k.a. fall TV season, just got more wonderful. Though it might prove difficult, you may want to carve out time in your busy TV-watching schedule for Apple’s original series, which premieres in the months ahead. So far, it remains unclear if the series will follow Hulu’s weekly release or Netflix’s binge-drop format. And we also don't have an official premiere date yet, though Apple TV+ launches November 1.
Jennifer Aniston leads the cast of The Morning Show.
Apple has tapped top-notch talent for its original series debut. Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon, who darkens her signature blond locks for her role in the series, will star, as will Friends alum Jennifer Aniston—both of whom have yet to receive character details on IMDb. If you recall, they actually worked together on Friends way back when.
Mimi Leder (The Leftovers), who joins Lynn Shelton (Your Sister’s Sister) and David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) to direct the series, told Entertainment Weekly, “It’s a great show starring Jen and Reese and in many ways, it thematically follows the movie I just made [On the Basis of Sex], in that it deals with the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements and women in power.”
The high-profile actresses join funnyman and Office boss Steve Carell. Deadline reported that Carell will play Mitch Kessler, a news anchor struggling to get a foothold in the ever-changing landscape of morning television. Billy Crudup, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Bel Powley are also on board to star.
And so far, a few paparazzi photos have been snapped of the stars on set:
What has the Witherspoon-Aniston reunion been like?
In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, they opened up about the early days of the project. "I called Jen and was like, 'We should do this. Do you want to do this together?'" Witherspoon said. "We were so excited to get to do it together," Aniston said.
"There's something sort of bulletproof about morning shows," Witherspoon said. "They're a stalwart part of American culture." She and Aniston met journalists like Diane Sawyer to get a better sense of what morning TV hosts go through. "I was astounded by how honest a lot of female anchors were with myself and Jen. I think most people would find it shocking that women in that position, of what we perceive as power, are looked at as expendable."
They started developing the show in August of 2017, but things changed after the #MeToo movement took off following the New York Times story accusing Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment. "When #MeToo happened...it's like, we can't not address it," Aniston said. Witherspoon continued, "I don't think I've seen a time in my life where more people have lost their entire careers over misconduct. People who were seemingly untouchable. We had to start totally over and redevelop the show, but it actually turned out to be so much more potent and topical."
Later in the interview, Aniston says the role didn't come overnight. "It's one of the hardest jobs I've had. I knew I was up to the task, but then there was the excavation of all the emotions in order to create this world for this woman. All of her lifelines are falling away. I would walk out of some of those scenes feeling like a manhole cover just came off my back," Aniston said.
She explained how just like her character felt like the public had an idea of who she was privately, Aniston has faced that as one of America's sweethearts, thanks to her previous work. "I understand that, with people having connections to Friends," she said. "I understand the isolation—not wanting to be seen, not wanting to be public, not wanting to have to go on a red carpet. It's not always easy to go out there and have to be the person that you have to be."
The Morning Show will turn the camera on behind-the-scenes power dynamics.
Staying true to its tagline, “The news is only half the story,” the talk show series will address things people don’t like to talk about. According to AM New York, power dynamics are the name of the game.
Witherspoon specifically plays Bradley Jackson, a local West Virginia reporter. After a video of her goes viral, she comes on The Morning Show, hosted by Aniston's Alex Levy, according to EW.
At the 2019 media preview event in Cupertino, California this spring, Aniston elaborated, saying, “We take an honest look at the complex relationships between women and men in the workplace and we engage in the conversation people are a little too afraid to have unless they are behind closed doors.”
As society wades through the current sticky cultural climate bobbing with gender equality, sexual harassment, and other workplace taboos, we’re betting any hot-button topic is fair game.
Yes, you will need a subscription to watch The Morning Show.
Just like Netflix and Hulu, Apple TV+ is an ad-free subscription-based streaming hub for original programming and exclusive content. The platform will launch on November 1 for $4.99 a month, with The Morning Show and more original series. Details such as cost of the service, the depths of its content library, and whether binge-drops will be the status quo are yet to come, per CNet.
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DeAnna Janes
DeAnna Janes is a freelance writer and editor for a number of sites, including Harper’s BAZAAR, Tasting Table, Fast Company and Brit + Co, and is a passionate supporter of animal causes, copy savant, movie dork and reckless connoisseur of all holidays. A native Texan living in NYC since 2005, Janes has a degree in journalism from Texas A&M and got her start in media at US Weekly before moving on to O Magazine, and eventually becoming the entertainment editor of the once-loved, now-shuttered DailyCandy. She’s based on the Upper West Side.
FAQs
Jennifer Aniston on The Morning Show: "It's One of the Hardest Jobs I've Had"? ›
"This role never could've come to me any sooner than now," Aniston tells EW. "It's one of the hardest jobs I've had. I knew I was up to the task, but then there was the excavation of all the emotions in order to create this world for this woman. All of her lifelines are falling away.
What is the salary of Jennifer Aniston for The Morning Show? ›Another form of revenue comes from Apple TV's show The Morning Show. Aniston co-stars in the show and earns $1.25 million per episode.
What is The Morning Show based on Matt Lauer? ›The actual source material for the show is Brian Stelter's 2013 book Top of the Morning: Inside The Cutthroat World of Morning TV, which focuses on the ratings rivalry between NBC's Today and ABC's Good Morning America.
Is Alex Levy based on a real person? ›The Morning Show's Alex Levy Isn't Real, But Her Struggles Sure Are. She's back! The new AppleTV+ series, The Morning Show, marks Jennifer Aniston's return to the small screen alongside her TV sister from Friends, Reese Witherspoon, and the actor formerly known as Michael Scott, Steve Carell.
Is The Morning Show accurate? ›Surprisingly, the answer is yes. “There are many things about the show that are realistic,” Krajchir told PureWow. “The early morning routines, the race to get the best story, the reporters willing to wake up, travel and do whatever it takes to get on air and the dream of becoming an anchor for many reporters.
Who is the highest paid actor on The Morning Show? ›1 Reese Witherspoon ($400 million)
In The Morning Show, the actress portrays the character of Bradley Jackson, the co-host of TMS. According to Glamour, Reese also earned a $2 million salary per episode for her role, similar to Aniston. She, too, serves as a Producer on the show through her company Hello Sunshine.
$24,000 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $113,500 is the 75th percentile.
Is Morning Show based on Katie Couric? ›The plot of the series, starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, eerily echoed the behind the scenes lives of Couric and her disgraced former “Today” show co-anchor Matt Lauer. Many think Aniston's Alex Levy is based directly on Couric, while Steve Carell's storyline is similar to Lauer's real life downfall.
Are Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer still friends? ›Many of Matt's former co-stars have cut ties with the star
According to US Weekly, Savannah Guthrie has completely ended her friendship with Matt.
According to the insider, Lauer is eyeing a podcast deal now that he knows his television career “is over.” The source also noted that the New York native “has been dating” since his divorce from Annette Roque.
What parts of The Morning Show are true? ›
Season one was inspired by the #MeToo movement, as well as Top of the Morning, Brian Stelter's non-fiction look at the "cutthroat world of morning TV." But to say that specific characters on the show are directly based on real-life morning television personalities is inaccurate, says Leder.
Does Alex Levy have a husband? ›Though Alex still has a strong friendship with her husband Jason Craig, they no longer feel any kind of romantic connection. They've stayed together for the sake of their daughter and for the sake of Alex's public reputation. Challenge... saving The Morning Show and saving herself.
Does Alex Levy have a daughter? ›Lizzy Craig is the daughter of Alex Levy and Jason Craig.
What is the most watched morning show in America? ›Good Morning America has been the most watched morning show in total viewers and key demos each year since summer 2012.
What was the scandal on The Morning Show? ›Carson was trying to get a sense of the prevalence of sexual harassment in the TV news business, an issue that's at the heart of the Emmy-winning series, when Crawford alleged that she was sexually assaulted two years prior by her boss, then a senior executive producer for the ABC morning show.
What does Uba stand for on The Morning Show? ›Edit. UBA (United Broadcast Association) is the American network that airs the most popular morning news show, The Morning Show.
Do morning shows pay guests? ›Like radio talk shows, TV news talk shows usually won't pay guests for showing up. In both cases, the financial results – if there are any – are generally longer term. Gaining more awareness will lead to more people discovering what they do, buying their products or services, and so on.
Who is the highest paid American TV star? ›According to the report, Kevin Costner is possibly the highest-paid actor on TV, taking home $1.3 million per episode for his performance in Yellowstone.
How much does GMA pay Michael Strahan? ›It was reported at the time that the deal could almost double his "GMA" salary, to around $20 million per year. He re-signed with ABC in 2021, wth Variety reporting the deal was for four years.
What is Jimmy Fallon's salary? ›Celebrity Net Worth reports that Fallon takes home $16million per year from his hosting duties.
Who is the highest paid host on Good Morning America? ›
While each of the show's stars earn huge salaries that contribute to their whopping net worths, there's one broadcaster whose paycheck is slightly higher than the rest. Robin Roberts is currently the highest-paid GMA anchor.
Which of these TV host has made the most money? ›1. Oprah Winfrey. Who is the highest paid talk show host? Apart from being the richest talk show host on this list, Oprah Winfrey also happens to be the highest paid TV personality in 2021.
Was Katie Couric involved with Matt Lauer? ›Couric admitted in the “Today” interview that there was a side of Lauer that she “never really knew,” and she tried to understand why he was so “abusive to other women.” The book also contains text messages between Couric and Lauer that showed how their relationship “devolved and ultimately deteriorated.”
Who is Reese Witherspoon supposed to be on The Morning Show? ›But for all her behind the scenes work, the role viewers will be most focused on is Witherspoon's Bradley Jackson, a local reporter who is brought onto The Morning Show after a video of her fiery personality (and thus major TV potential) goes viral.
What does Katie Couric say about Matt Lauer in her new book? ›And it was really devastating but also disgusting. I think what I realized is there was a side of Matt I never really knew. And I tried to understand why he behaved the way he did—and why he was so reckless and callous and, honestly, abusive to other women.” She also clarified that they now “have no relationship.”
What is Savannah Guthrie salary? ›Salary. For her various duties at NBC, most notably her work on "Today", Guthrie is paid a salary of $8 million per year by NBC.
Are Katie Couric and Al Roker still friends? ›Though Couric left NBC for CBS in 2006, she and Roker have remained close -- epitomized by a tweet last December, supporting her old pal in his fight against prostate cancer.
Does Matt Lauer have a daughter? › How old is Matt Lauer now? › Who is Bradley supposed to be in The Morning Show? ›While chatting with Entertainment Tonight about the show's upcoming season, series star Reese Witherspoon (who plays news anchor Bradley Jackson) revealed that filming is "nearly done" and gave viewers a hint on what they can expect from The Morning Show's third season. "It's so good," the Big Little Lies star said.
Is The Morning Show inspired by the Today show? ›
The Morning Show was inspired by Brian Stelter's book Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV about The Today Show and will explore the power dynamics of men and women in the workplace – delving into ageism and sexism.
When did Katie Couric leave the Today show? ›Katie attended the University of Virginia and worked for WRC-TV before joining the team of anchors at NBC in 1989. After filling in for her colleagues on Today a number of times, she was promoted to official host of the talk show two years later. The reporter announced her departure from the program in April 2006.
Is Cory In love With Bradley? ›Cory's impromptu declaration of love in season 2:
I really love you. I love you." Before Bradley could react or process Cory's declaration of love in a meaningful manner, her phone rang with news about her brother's whereabouts.
The combination of her complex relationship with Yanko, as well as the devastation from finding Hannah's body, was ultimately too much for Claire. In season 2, we find out that Claire quit the show and moved back to England.
Does Sarah Levy have a child? ›The Schitt's Creek star shared a super rare photo of her 9-month-old son James Eugene, who she shares with husband Graham Outerbridge, and his jacket puts David's iconic sweaters to shame! “The custom starts young apparently,” Sarah captioned a photo on Instagram.
Is Chip in love with Alex? ›The two clearest things that I knew I needed to understand to play Chip correctly is that he's definitely in love with Alex Levy — he'll do anything to protect her — and I knew that he was the one that leaked it to the Times. That helped me kind of create the barometer with which to do his trajectory.
Is Jennifer Aniston leaving The Morning Show? ›She is based in the UK. Filming on season 3 of The Morning Show has officially wrapped! On Thursday, Jennifer Aniston, 53, posted a series of behind-the-scenes images from the set of the Apple TV+ drama as she confirmed filming had come to a close.
What personality type is Alex Levy? ›Alex Levy from The Morning Show - ENTJ
She is definitely an ENTJ, as she is a natural leader and good at make quick decisions.
1 'The Simpsons'
Since the beginning of its run in 1989, The Simpsons have had 34 seasons and 740 episodes, making it the longest-running American animated series, the longest-running American sitcom, and the longest-running American scripted primetime television series of all time.
Though the Apollo 11 Moon landing is the most watched television event in American history, it is considered a news event, meaning that Fox's live telecast of Super Bowl LVII in 2023 holds the record for the largest average viewership of any live single network U.S. television broadcast, with 115.1 million viewers.
What is the #1 TV show in America? ›
NFL sports broadcasts score high with viewers
In 2021, the Super Bowl LV was the top primetime telecast in the U.S., drawing nearly 93 million viewers to their screens.
NEW YORK -- CNN fired longtime host Don Lemon on Monday following his short and disastrous run as a morning show host, a little over two months after he apologized for on-air comments about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley being past her prime. The move quickly turned nasty.
Did TJ and Amy get fired? ›“After several productive conversations with Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes about different options, we all agreed it's best for everyone that they move on from ABC News,” the network said in a statement. “We recognize their talent and commitment over the years and are thankful for their contributions.”
Who just got fired from Good Morning America? ›Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, the Good Morning America co-hosts whose alleged extramarital affair sparked months of tabloid drama, have officially parted ways with ABC.
Who is Alex Levy based on? ›Aniston's character, Alex Levy, is said to be based on Couric during her time on the “Today” show, while co-star Steve Carell's character — who is embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal — is thought to be based on since-fired Lauer, though the cast has firmly maintained that he's based on a mix of powerful men in ...
Is The Morning Show worth watching? ›Worth Watching! First of all The Morning Show has one of the best overall casts of any show on tv. Just to name some of the actors in this are Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell, Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, etc. With a cast like that you just know the show is worth watching.
Who is Cory Ellison based on? ›The new Apple TV+ series is loosely based on Brian Stelter's 2013 book, Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV, but the cast has been pretty insistent that all of the characters are fictional — including Cory.
How much does Reese Witherspoon get for The Morning Show? ›According to reports, Witherspoon and Aniston both earn $2 million for every episode of The Morning Show. While many people were shocked by this “exorbitant” number, Witherspoon told The Hollywood Reporter that she feels her salary is fair.
What was Rachel's salary? ›During Season 1, Rachel had to quickly learn the value of her own dollar. After being cut off my her father, she landed a job as a waitress at Central Perk. Minimum wage in New York was $4.25 an hour at the time of her new job, but her paycheck likely fluctuated between taxes and tips.
How much do The Morning Show executive producers make? ›How much does a Morning Show Producer make? As of May 15, 2023, the average annual pay for a Morning Show Producer in the United States is $34,325 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $16.50 an hour. This is the equivalent of $660/week or $2,860/month.
How much did The Morning Show cost per episode? ›
The Morning Show - 15 million dollars per episode
A star specked show with among others Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell in the leads, which understandably meant expensive talent salaries.
“I think we tried the blonde and then we tried a brown wig and when we saw it, it felt so different,” showrunner Kerry Ehrin agreed. “And Bradley is just a little bit of a darker character. We just saw her as a little more dark and sarcastic and cynical.” To be able to convey all of this, that is one powerful wig.
Is Reese Witherspoon a billionaire? ›According to Forbes, Reese Witherspoon is worth an estimated $400 million today. But her salary from acting in successful films throughout her career are not enough to reach that impressive net worth. Her secret lies in a production company she founded back in 2012 and was acquired by Blackstone in 2021.
Who is worth more Jennifer Aniston or Reese Witherspoon? ›1 Reese Witherspoon's Current Net Worth
It may surprise a lot of people, but Witherspoon actually has a higher net worth than Aniston. Currently, Forbes reported that her net worth is around $400 million. And it will just keep climbing.
Well, Giff Gaff dug through all 10 seasons of the hit sitcom to estimate each character's salary – and they've determined that the highest paid member of the gang is, in fact, Joey.
How much was Monica's rent? ›Monica's apartment in Friends: $6,554 a month
Apparently, it was rent-controlled at $200 a month (outrageous!) because Monica's grandmother left her the apartment. In real life today, a two-bedroom apartment in West Village just like theirs goes for an average of $6,554 a month.
Phoebe's family has her back
Frances may have purchased the apartment before her death, allowing Phoebe to stay near her friends and not have to worry about rent. This could explain how she can afford to live in the heart of New York.
| 1 | Paul Allen Net Worth: $20B |
|---|---|
| 2 | George Lucas Net Worth: $10B |
| 3 | David Geffen Net Worth: $8B |
| 4 | Steven Spielberg Net Worth: $8B |
| 5 | Jeffrey Skoll Net Worth: $7B |
Up next in our 10X Kids series, we're shining the light on Marsai Martin. The young woman was only 14 years old when she earned the title of Youngest Hollywood Executive Producer from the Guinness Book of World Records.
Do executive producers get royalties from TV shows? ›In film and television “royalties” are referred to as residuals, and they are reserved for the creatives involved in the project. That being said, if an executive producer plays a direct role in the creative development of the script, they may have the right to earn residuals on their film or show.