Great News
Great News is an American sitcom television series created and written by Tracey Wigfield, 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. It received positive reviews from the critics, praised for its cast and "subversive humor".
On May 11, 2017, NBC renewed Great News for a second season of 13 episodes, which premiered on September 28, 2017. On May 11, 2018, NBC canceled the series after two seasons.
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
- Andrea Martin as Carol Wendelson, Katie's mother and an intern at The Breakdown
- Adam Campbell as Greg Walsh, an executive producer at The Breakdown and Katie's boss and love interest
- 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
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 : the owner of MMN and Greg's grandmother
- Tina Fey as Diana St. Tropez : the new head of MMN
- Reid Scott as Jeremy : Katie's new boyfriend and a workaholic reporter for The New York Times
- Jim Rash as Fenton Pelt : the billionaire owner of Pelt Industries who sues MMN due to a story reported by ''The Breakdown''
Guest
- Tommy Dewey as Trip
- Robin Leach as himself and 'Pond Scum' co-host
- Chris Parnell as Gerald, Diana St. Tropez's assistant
- Rev. Run as himself
- Christopher McDonald as Len Archer
- Cecily Strong as Jessica Mancuso
- Rashad Jennings as Carvell
- Will Sasso as Petey Pierce, Chuck's mid 30s son
- Judith Roberts as Grammy
- Jayma Mays as Cat
- Tim Meadows as Lawyer
- Ray Liotta as himself
- Nat Faxon as Anthony Lyon
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." On Metacritic, the series has a score of 67 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".In 2018, Great News won the Gracie Award for Outstanding Comedy.