George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck will make broadcast history with CNN’s first-ever live telecast of a Broadway play on June 7.
In a rare and history-making television moment, CNN will air a live Broadway performance of Good Night, and Good Luck at 7 p.m. on June 7. Not only will it mark the network’s first live broadcast of a theatrical play, but it will also be the first time any Broadway production has ever been televised live — a major milestone for both television and the theater world.
Based on the critically acclaimed 2005 film, Good Night, and Good Luck dramatizes the real-life 1950s showdown between iconic journalist Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy during the height of the Red Scare. It’s a gripping tale about truth, fear, and the role of the press — themes that feel just as urgent in 2025 as they did in Murrow’s era.
The live event is no small production. The Broadway revival, which has earned five Tony nominations, is directed by George Clooney and Grant Heslov, the same duo behind the original film. Clooney also stars in the play, though now taking on a different role than he did in the movie. In the film, Clooney portrayed Murrow’s colleague Fred Friendly; in the stage version, he steps into the role of Murrow himself — a part originally played by David Strathairn with somber elegance.
The setting may be 1954, but the questions it raises could easily apply to today. CNN’s choice to air Good Night, and Good Luck live speaks to the relevance of Murrow’s journalistic legacy in an age where the media landscape is increasingly fragmented and polarized. The story’s exploration of unchecked political power, due process, and press accountability is strikingly timely, especially in light of recent conversations surrounding President Donald Trump and challenges to the balance of governmental authority.
Tickets for the live Broadway performances have been selling for as much as $849, making this free-to-view live stream a major cultural offering for those unable to make the trip to New York City. The broadcast will be available on CNN‘s cable channel and will also stream online via CNN.com — no cable log-in required.
The production doesn’t shy away from challenging questions. Clooney’s Murrow confronts McCarthy’s smear tactics, calls out sealed accusations, and warns that “accusation is not proof,” insisting on the importance of due process and facts. These sentiments hit especially hard in 2025, as public trust in journalism continues to erode and social media fuels the rise of misinformation.
The film, and now the play, looks back at a time when TV journalists were seen as beacons of truth. Today, that image feels like a nostalgic fantasy. With the current state of TV news defined by partisan panels and sensational true-crime stories, the question arises: Is there still space for journalism that prioritizes integrity over ratings?
The broadcast also comes on the heels of newsroom turbulence, including high-profile resignations from CBS‘s 60 Minutes team following internal disputes and legal battles. With even trusted programs like 60 Minutes under threat, and public broadcasting fighting for federal funding, Good Night, and Good Luck lands like a cultural wake-up call.
Can anyone today be a modern-day Murrow — someone trusted across political lines to guide a national conversation grounded in truth? That’s a question the play doesn’t directly answer, but one it asks the audience to wrestle with.
As Murrow famously signed off each night, “Good night, and good luck.” With any luck, this groundbreaking broadcast might inspire a much-needed renaissance in public trust and journalistic courage.
