Original subtitles

You gotta get that deal closed.

And the most important thing is cohost approval.

Start putting together a list of names, men who can sit next to Alex for now

and also work with someone younger once she’s gone.

Rapist!

Sexual misconduct is what I’m being accused of.

Don’t you wave your fucking hand at me!

- Your show sucks. - Please.

You really think this is gonna help you get a job?

People like you are the reason broadcast news is what it is.

Do not show your face tonight. Do not do that to Alex.

My tux is pressed.

I can’t unpress my tux.

Cory would like for you to be at the Leadership in Journalism event tonight.

I’m confused. I had a meeting with Chip Charlie Black,

and it did not go well.

You remember Bradley Jackson?

Oh, my God.

But why is she sitting at that table over there with our people?

He sat you at my table to fuck with me.

Me fuck with you?

I’m not closing without cohost approval.

Well, I’m sorry to hear that, because you’re not getting it.

Then I’ll walk.

Then walk.

I have some exciting news to share with all of you tonight.

I would like to announce my new Morning Show cohost...

I would like to take this moment to announce my new Morning Show cohost,

Bradley Jackson.

Don't look too surprised.

- All right, stand up. Up. - Okay.

- Bradley! - Bradley!

- Miss Jackson! - Bradley, how are you feeling?

Smile. Smile.

How do you feel, Miss Jackson?

Is she drunk?

That would make sense.

Get her to the studio. Don't let either of them make statements.

She is the perfect person for the job, and you will see what I'm talking about.

Yeah.

Hope you had fun up there.

Oh, I'm really excited too.

- Are you both gonna be lead anchors? - Bradley.

Let's go. Let's go.

Bradley, Bradley,

- Maggie Brener, New York Magazine. - Oh, hi.

- Congratulations on... - Maggie, my love. Tonight is a tease.

But, Cory, how'd you manage to keep such a delightful secret?

Well, you guys are only interested in the obvious choices.

Bradley Jackson isn't obvious.

After Mitch, we felt we needed a big change and quickly.

One that makes a statement about where we intend to go.

Where is that?

If you guys wanna know more...

tune in on Monday for Alex and Bradley's first show.

Bradley. Miss Jackson, over here, please.

How long are you gonna be with this network?

What are you fucking doing?

Um, congratulations, Bradley Jackson.

Your life just took off.

Don't say anything to anyone and meet me at the studio.

You're changing the game. How does it feel?

Bradley! Bradley.

Are you excited to work with Miss Levy?

What is the statement that you would like to make to young women?

- I don't... - Hey, let's get you outta here.

They're looking at you like you're raw meat.

- Okay. - Okay. We're going this way.

- Bradley! - Excuse me.

This way.

Oh, my God. What the hell just happened?

They'll have answers for us at the studio. Chip knows we're on our way.

Oh, no, no. I'm going to LaGuardia. LaGuardia, please.

- Uh, we're not going to LaGuardia... - Yes.

And with all due respect, who the hell are you to tell me what to do?

Do you have a cigarette?

Twenty bucks.

Bravo, buddy. Way to take advantage of a woman in need.

Do you have $20?

Yeah. Cory put it on public record that the show is launching on Monday.

Yeah, well, he's insane too.

Agreed. But let's for one moment assume you are the coanchor.

You can assume that. I don't want to assume that.

I'm going to LaGuardia. I don't wanna be the coanchor.

Why the hell not?

Because they're gonna use me to try and get an Eagle News audience

that I won't attract because I'm not that kinda conservative.

But you don't know that,

because there's no way in hell that I have been vetted.

And I am being set up here to be some sort of fall guy,

and I am not interested in that.

Not interested.

Do you have a light?

No smoking, ma'am.

You've gotta be kidding me.

What the hell were you thinking?

Why would you back that unhinged woman to a room full of reporters?

You were given clear instructions.

Why would you box us in to a Monday launch with that nobody?

I feel it's a bit dismissive to refer to them as "unhinged woman" and "nobody."

Don't fuck with me. I need to understand how you plan to fix this.

Or explain to me why I shouldn't fire you along with Levy?

Well, because that "unhinged woman" did us a serious favor.

Look, this show slipped in the ratings, Fred, because the show is stale.

Alex Levy, her sell-by date, it expired years ago.

She needed to go. Everybody knew we were gonna fire her,

but Mitch fucked that up by fucking everything.

So, now, everybody's curious. What are we gonna do?

So what we're gonna do is, we're gonna give her this victory.

A Pyrrhic victory. Make her think that she's won.

But really, we're gonna let this "nobody" in to freshen the show.

Juice the ratings for sweeps and finally push Alex Levy off the shelf for good

when it is convenient for us

and when we don't have to look like the bad guys.

That doesn't explain why we have to rush them out for Monday.

Well, the streak.

If we don't do something next week, the streak is over.

YDA is not sneaking up on us, they're breathing down our fucking necks,

in spite of our "Mitch is a predator" boost. It feels old.

People are getting too used to their favorite cuddly men turning into monsters,

but watching a beloved woman's breakdown

is timeless American entertainment.

The Morning Show audience values stability.

When has it been the case that a morning audience prefers fighting over family?

I don't know. Families fight, Fred.

Look, all right, hey, give me a month of "The Alex and Bradley Show."

Either they work well together, or it's horrible.

Regardless, putting Bradley in lets us get back to replacing Alex.

And it'll be interesting and fun, fresh, you know,

which is imperative right now.

I'm gonna make something clear.

I have an easy fall guy when all this goes to shit.

Oh, we're talking about me, right?

Chaos, it's the new cocaine, Fred.

You screwed yourself.

Committed a fireable offense, overtly in breach of contract.

We'll be lucky if the network even continues negotiations.

You need to go in and find Fred and apologize tonight.

Right, right. Is there an alternative option?

Not unless you wanna pull the rehab card.

We could say you were emotional about Mitch.

But I'm not emotional about Mitch.

I was emotional because no one's fucking listening to me!

Mom! What's going on? Are you? Are you...

- Yes, I'm fine. Sorry. - Let's just take a beat here, please.

- Sarah, listen. I'm going to handle this. - It's okay. It's okay.

Then put on your apology face and fucking mean it.

- Absolutely. I completely understand. - You understand?

Guys. Guys, guys, guys.

Listen, don't... Honey, oh, baby. Honey, listen to me.

Sometimes women can't ask for control.

So, they have to take it, okay?

Okay.

I want you to remember that. Okay, baby?

- Okay. - Okay.

Okay. Everybody knows you're here. They want you to sit tight for 15 minutes.

I will not sit tight.

There are some snacks. Some TV.

There's definitely some booze around here somewhere.

They're deciding my life out there.

Yes, and I know that's insane, but Alex is meeting with the CEO.

Chip is gathering the staff, and if you're even remotely considering doing this...

I don't know what this is.

You need to let them come to you.

You need to let yourself take a breath. Have a fucking drink.

Think about what you want.

Consider this the start of me being a great producer.

- You're not my producer. - Yet.

Oh, my God.

Hal, where have you been?

You cannot seriously be making this about me right now.

Okay? Can we please talk about you? You're all over the news.

This is so weird.

Yeah, no kidding. Is Mom okay?

Uhh...

She's pissed at me.

She said you embarrassed her with her friends because you didn't tell her.

I didn't know.

Is this even real?

Fuck, Hal. I hope not.

- Oh, hey. She's waiting in the green room. - You're a god.

- Is this for real? Or are... - Fucking hope not.

What the hell was she thinking? It's a room full of press, and she just...

I think she was thinking it would be effective.

- Yeah, well... - So?

Wait till she finds out Bradley Jackson is a fucking raving lunatic. Jesus.

- Chip. - What?

I wanna produce her.

Why?

Because I've been in purgatory. I'm too good for that.

If this is real, you should put your best person on it,

and you know that's fucking me, and, honestly, I like her,

which could go a long way to making this work.

If this works, it's gonna be a fucking disaster,

and you're gonna be tied to it.

Yeah, I've been tied to disasters before.

I want this, Chip.

Hold on. Let's just get some quiet. Can I get quiet for two seconds, please?

I refuse to accept any of this as reality. Fuck. Jesus.

Who died?

Ideally, not my show.

Come on, Chip. Cheer the fuck up.

We're in the middle of an epic rebirth.

So, this is happening?

Look, I do know that this comes as a bit of a surprise.

Alex jumped the gun a little bit on the announcement,

but we've been quietly vetting Bradley for a while now,

looking for someone with that kind of unpredictable energy.

And I know Monday feels fast. That's why we hired a veteran.

Not an anchor veteran. Zero anchor experience, in fact.

But she has got raw talent coming out of her pores.

And you know it.

So, let's get moving, people.

We've got 48 hours to define the character of Bradley Jackson.

I want wardrobe tests, screen tests, makeup tests.

I wanna have those tests focus-grouped.

We need a contract. Where's legal?

I'm telling you, it's not a given she'll go on air Monday.

Huh. Are you legal?

I'm Mia Jordan, Bradley's producer.

Well, that happened fast.

Uh... Yeah, I felt I was a few steps behind,

so I wanted one of my best people to manage the circus.

Well, just make sure that she can read a teleprompter.

I don't want to rain on the parade, but I snaked a Mitch accuser from YDA.

- You got a Mitch accuser? - Yeah.

Not great optics to launch a new anchor

next to a sexual assault victim's brave return.

Are you kidding me? That's perfect.

What is your name?

- Hannah. I'm head booker. - Hannah.

Hannah nailed it, 'cause we're creating a safe space here.

It's a feminine space.

This is an era for The Morning Show

where women make the rules and give voice to the silenced.

Speaking of which, nobody says a fucking word to the press.

They're gonna be circling us like vultures.

So, anyone who leaks will be murdered...

career-wise.

Okay. I'm gonna run upstairs to the public spanking of Alex Levy.

Neal, I have an idea.

I know it's only been a few days,

and I know that you're gonna tell me it's too soon,

but let's just for a second, look at the larger context of #MeToo.

It's been, what? Two years?

We're two years in.

I feel that people are screaming for an honest conversation.

And what do I do?

What do I do best?

I am a journalist.

I can feel when the world needs me to articulate something for them.

To help them understand.

And believe me, I know this is gonna require a high degree of sensitivity.

But I fucking love a tightrope. I love it. It makes me feel alive.

You know what? Maybe all of this happened for a reason.

Because I think that if I can get in there, and I can show my face,

and I can look and address the darkness...

...that exists within...

You're gonna answer...

Fuck.

Who is Bradley Jackson?

Mitch, I love you.

I mean, you know that's true.

You're a fantastic talent.

But the fact of the matter is that a working relationship is based on work,

and that's not gonna be happening for a while.

Are you dropping me, Neal?

We have a lot of female clients that are journalists that we represent.

You understand?

There are certain pressures brought to bear on us.

Believe me, I wish it was different than the way it is,

but this is the reality now.

Maybe you should sign Bradley Jackson,

whoever the fuck that is.

Would you like me to leave?

Yes.

I don't feel I need to remind you

that this network has been very good to you over the years.

We have always shown you personal and professional respect.

I never anticipated we would be met with such utter disrespect

and insubordination in return.

This network has every right to terminate you immediately.

You have placed us in an impossible situation.

You have embarrassed yourself.

You have done something unforgivably selfish.

And for what? To what end?

I find myself wondering if we can even trust you with the privilege

of being on air for The Morning Show.

Are you done?

I'm sorry?

The part you guys never seem to realize is that you don't have the power anymore.

The news division is held up by my show.

And the only thing keeping us afloat is me.

Because guess what?

America loves me.

And therefore, I own America.

It seems pretty fucking simple, but so easy for you guys to forget.

Are you actually trying to justify your action...

You're not listening!

I don't need to justify anything.

You all are so convinced that you are the rightful owner of all of the power

that it doesn't even occur to you

that someone else could be in the driver's seat.

And so, we have to just gingerly step around your male egos

in order to not burst this precious little bubble.

Well, surprise!

I'm bursting it.

We are doing this my way.

Because, frankly, I've let you bozos handle this long enough.

Not the apology you were expecting?

Wanna take a seat?

Is that an invitation or a command?

You sound a little pissed off.

I don't like surprises.

Oh, come on. That was a pretty good surprise.

No. You don't get to make this about me.

You dropped a bomb, and I don't know why. Maybe you're trying to blow up your life.

Maybe you were angry, which I get,

but you don't have the right to fuck with me.

Fuck with you? How?

By offering you the most coveted anchor job in the world?

I don't want your job.

Oh, honey, bullshit.

You are so cocky. You just think I'm gonna do this?

I know you're going to do this.

I don't have a contract.

Well, great. I just put you in a great spot to negotiate.

This job is yours.

I'm welcoming you with open arms.

I'm giving you the biggest news platform you could ever have.

If you're a true journalist, you don't say no to this.

I'm not sure this is considered true journalism.

And how many current or former presidents have you interviewed?

This job requires a certain kind of positivity.

I'm not a perky person.

I don't care. I don't want us to be the same.

I'm not looking to groom my replacement.

I want a partner.

Do you?

Or do you want somebody who's beholden to you?

Somebody who's grateful that you plucked them from obscurity?

Because if that's what you're hoping for, I will give you serious buyer's remorse.

You are convinced that you know me.

I can guarantee that you are underestimating me.

And I am really fucking over people doing that.

I want you here at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow.

I suggest that you get up at 5:00. 4:00 on Sunday.

Start getting yourself conditioned.

- Alex... - Mm-hmm?

I don't like being used.

Oh, my God.

Could you just try, like, taking advantage of the situation presented?

That sounds like something you might enjoy.

Come on. See you tomorrow.

We're gonna hit up a lot of the nitty-gritty today,

because being a morning show anchor is the hardest job on television bar none.

So, we're gonna meet with makeup, wardrobe, we'll do some screen tests.

- Okay. - Meet with marketing, publicity, research,

uh, we're gonna drill transitions.

Look, the other thing is that, and don't shoot the messenger,

the show will be heavily scripted.

What do you mean by "heavily"?

Completely. It's gonna be completely scripted.

Okay, no, I'm not a novice. I don't like things to be overtly scripted.

It sort of eliminates any possibility of something truthful happening.

Plus, I have a habit of going off-script sometimes.

Two-Fucks Jackson.

Well, I see the research has finally begun.

I can relate to a good self-sabotage,

but it cannot happen on The Morning Show.

Okay, Mia, listen. I get that you're excited and y'all want this to work out.

I just don't know how I feel about being forced onto national television

just to make an ass of myself.

I wanna be clear, by showing up today, I'm not agreeing to this,

and I'm not signing a contract, okay?

Baby steps, okay?

You know who's the most excited?

- Who? - Alex.

Seriously.

She's gonna be shepherding you through this entire weekend,

along with me, of course.

Okay? She really wants to take a firm hand in this.

- She really cares. - She does?

Absolutely. This whole weekend is about you.

Getting to know Bradley Jackson, who you are, what's important to you.

Really? You think I can define myself?

Absolutely.

This is gonna be fun. Watch.

Can't wait.

You guys, thank you. Thank you, but no.

Fucking no. I'm sorry. I know you're tired,

and I know you hate me right now, but I really don't give a shit.

All we have to do is figure out who Bradley Jackson is next to Alex Levy.

Who do you partner with a 24-karat bitch?

That's actually really funny. Don't...

Good morning.

Oh, good to see you're all in such good spirits today.

Milk Bar for the writers.

Yes, I'm shamelessly bribing you with sugar for working overtime.

So, you're joining us?

Absolutely.

We were just discussing the enigma that is Bradley Jackson, so...

Fabulous.

So, if you'd give us a few minutes...

No, I'd actually like to get in on that.

- It's actually why I'm here. - To discuss Bradley?

Among other things.

Look, guys, this is a pressure-cooker moment, all right?

This is a massive transition.

We are redefining ourselves,

and I need to make sure that we are all on the same page.

So I'm gonna be here all weekend.

- All weekend? - Yeah, all weekend.

Sean typed up a schedule. Sean.

So, I spoke to wardrobe,

and they're going to screen test some looks that will appeal to her demographic.

And then I want us to bang out some copy

so that we can talk about what segments that we will be giving to Bradley.

What time does Ashley Brown get here?

- Around 10:00. - 10:00. Okay, great.

I'll do her pre-interview then.

Sorry, should I know who Ashley Brown is?

Mitch's victim.

No, let's not call her a victim.

Okay, what should we call her then?

I think "accuser" feels more appropriate.

Look, if she wants to call herself a victim, we can take our lead from her.

But I think it's important that she feels in control of it.

In control of the language used.

So, just to be clear, and I appreciate the typed-up schedule,

you're doing the Ashley Brown interview?

Yes, I am, Chip.

What?

Okay. All right, team.

I will address the elephant in the room.

Yes, yes. I worked side by side with Mitch for 15 years.

God knows he was not perfect.

I felt it daily.

But I didn't know he was that guy.

And that's a problem.

I fell asleep at the wheel.

But I want you to know that I am here now.

And I'm here for Ashley,

and I'm here for you.

I'm available, I'm accessible, and I'm awake.

So, shall we?

Stay on two. As we said, go with Yanko. Go with Yanko.

If you live in New England, not so fast.

- All right. Good, good, good. - You'll be seeing one last snowfall

of the season.

We do have some exciting wind blowing

- our way down here in New York City too - Okay, good, guys.

and she goes by the name of Bradley Jackson.

- See what I did there? - Very smooth.

Welcome to command center.

Now, I may be stating the obvious,

but it's a pretty exciting weekend here at TMS.

We have our new Morning Show cohost, Bradley, in the halls,

and she and Alex are prepping a really, really amazing show for this Monday.

That's right, Daniel.

And that includes an interview with our very own former colleague Ashley Brown,

who has bravely agreed to return and talk about her experience with Mitch Kessler.

That's going to be something.

- Yeah. It's very, very brave. - Yeah. Big stuff.

We hope you spend your Monday morning with our new family.

I'm Daniel Henderson.

I'm Alison Namazi.

I'm Yanko Flores.

And this was the weekend edition of The Morning Show.

- Ready, four? - Until next time.

Take four. Insert. Roll credits.

'Cause America loves a good Cinderella story, just as long as she's a white girl.

Please. Disney got you a black princess, like, what, 2008?

He's not wrong.

- I don't recall that. - You didn't see it.

There was a frog.

Bradley. Hi. Claire. We met the other day.

- Yeah, yeah. I remember. - I'm with the digital team today.

If it's cool, I'm gonna shadow you while we do your screen tests this morning.

Give people a front-row look on how we make a star.

Oh.

Sorry, they told me to say that. Stupid. Let's go.

Okay.

Fuck me.

Tell me why I shouldn't hand in my resignation now.

Daniel, I could write you a fucking book.

Yesterday, you said it was my chair to lose.

And I don't recall fucking up the pass.

So why am I out there previewing a conservative beauty queen, huh?

You know, she's not a beauty queen, and she's actually more of a libertarian,

so I don't know.

- Chip, I'm out. - Daniel, come on.

Hold on, hold on, hold on.

Take a breath, take a breath, take a breath.

I have been told to take deep breaths my whole life.

I can't do it anymore.

Daniel, I'm telling you,

you walk out that door, you're never gonna get back in when the chair opens up.

And when will that be?

Because women live longer than men,

and those two look like they do a lot of Pilates.

Read the tea leaves! Bradley Jackson is a nobody.

Alex is... clearly struggling, you know?

It was a desperate move from someone who had their fucking ego bruised, okay?

This will fail.

And, when it does, maybe two chairs are gonna open up.

Okay? So, please, I'm begging you,

ride with me through this shitstorm,

and I promise you the show will be yours in the end.

Here we go.

Yeah!

Aha!

Here's the thing.

Everything can be recontextualized.

They take my movies that I directed,

and they pervert them to fit a convenient narrative.

Hugging and Loving, right?

That's a veiled portrait

of my grandmother's assimilation story, for God's sake.

That is a terrific film. That's my mom's favorite film.

So, now, it's about what I apparently did to all my leading ladies.

Well, when did hugging become a sin?

Fuck it. I love to hug.

Huggings are nice.

Yeah. Jeez. That is crazy.

No, no, no. Crazy is how they loved the title Jessica Over Easy

and then, of course, now they just rip me to shreds over it.

God damn it. You know what? They just twist everything.

I don't even understand what their message is they're sending out.

That women are not allowed to be in possession of their sexual choices?

When they fixate on us, they lose sight of the issues.

I actually feel bad for the kids.

'Cause there's nothing sexy about consent.

Well...

That came out wrong, and that was creepy.

I guess what I'm saying is...

humanity happens in the unspoken moments,

and I just feel badly for a generation that loses that.

Wow. That's really well said.

Fuck it.

Fuck it.

We're not in prison.

- Prison of public opinion. - Mm-hmm.

That's exactly what I wanna talk about.

The discussion, this whole Me Too thing,

it is so fucking puritanical and myopic.

No one is addressing it.

A woman can say one thing about you.

It doesn't matter what her motivation is.

And everything you've done in your life... gone.

Your career erased.

You deserve better, buddy.

You deserve better.

I have an idea.

We do a documentary. You direct it. I do the interviews.

We make them look at it. We make them look at us.

We ask to be a part of the conversation.

I mean...

we did something wrong, okay.

What?

If that's the way you feel, fine,

but explain it to me, 'cause I don't fucking get it.

A conversation with the victims.

Yes. And I think we can do it in a really smart way.

I don't think we refer to them as victims.

I think...

that's a concess... I don't think it's something we want to concede.

No, no, we do call them victims,

and then we prove why they're not.

I'm not sure that we should use gotcha journalism with the women who accused us.

Oh, fuck that! Jesus. They did it with us.

"Gotcha!

I'll fuck you for the role, and then I'll win an Oscar."

And then, "Oh, now I'm 50 and irrelevant,

so I'll scream 'rape' and then I'll force a settlement."

You know, as if that lazy lay deserves a cent.

No, no, you're wrong.

Wow. Is that real?

"Gotcha!

I said I was 20. Oh, I was only 15."

Bullshit. "Then why do you look like a tired old bag?"

And yeah, I'd love... I'd kill to see her birth certificate.

How come I never heard about that one?

'Cause she's going the legal route.

Big fucking chance.

Statute of limitations, babe.

You know, sometimes you gotta say, "God bless America."

Finally protected.

Yeah, well,

maybe we should just interview the men,

because it might be naive to think that the women would want to participate.

Do you think we could get Cosby?

No, let's... No.

No. I think another smart idea would be

to talk about the specificity of the Me Too movements.

There was the first wave of guys who were accused,

and then there was a second wave,

and we could talk about the nuance between the two.

I don't think I follow.

Well, the first wave was... really bad.

And then the guys accused in the second wave was just different,

and I don't think we should be scared to talk about it.

Spell it out for me, won't you, Mitch?

Well, you are actually a predator.

And people are gonna want you to own that.

As opposed to...

What are you exactly, Mitch?

Not you.

The organization has now raised over $80,000

to help end sexual assault on college campuses.

Pace it down. You have time.

Okay.

And educate students on consent.

Really inspiring to see these young women

working together to effect change, isn't it, Alex?

Fast learner, our Bradley.

Well, it's Saturday night, and she has the stage to herself.

Let's not do the hora just yet.

Coming up after the break, we have one of my personal favorites,

The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.

Alex, growing up on the farm, my mama made the best grits in all of West Virginia.

Let's see how Ree compares.

Seriously, you guys? This is garbage.

I don't call my mother "Mama," and she's also a terrible cook.

I hear you, Bradley.

Do you?

Yeah. We're taking notes. We're making changes.

How about I do it for you?

Please welcome The Pioneer Woman,

who somehow manages to idealize an era

when women birthed babies in covered wagons

and died from cholera before they even had a chance to nurse 'em.

Something like that?

Yo, Jackson. God here. Let's fix that wardrobe.

Whoever's picking these outfits should be fired.

Alex picked 'em.

All right, next up,

Lizzy has her mock trial semifinal on May 3.

Yeah, it's an all-day thing. I'll cover it.

No. I wanna go to that.

Yeah, it's at Wolcott's.

I refuse to have boarding school mean that I don't get to see my fucking kid.

I'm gonna get more wine. Would you like some?

Uh, sure. Why don't you switch to white?

Isn't that stuff giving you headaches?

If I don't take an Advil, okay, Jason?

- Jesus. - Okay. Jesus Christ.

God.

- Al, Al, Al. - What?

Oh, God. What is going on?

I just think it's weird that we have to make a fake family calendar. That's all.

We've always done it.

No, but now it just is... feels like a game.

Lizzy's stuff is real,

but coordinating my events and you having to pretend. Come on. It feels weird.

Yes, obviously. It's fucking bizarre.

But, you know, we'll figure it out.

Lizzy's at boarding school now. She'll be at college in a minute.

Yes, I know. I know. And I'm thrilled for her.

We raised a beautiful, independent kid,

but would it kill her to need us a little bit more?

Oh, come on.

Is that really what's bothering you?

Come on.

Page Six thinks I'm crazy.

Page Six thought you were pregnant ten times last year. Who cares?

Well, I very well might be.

- Excuse me? - Crazy, not pregnant.

Crazy. I'm... This article came up the other day.

I googled "Alex and Bradley" 'cause... I'm fucking human and curious,

and this article popped up

that said I was "wandering the halls of TMS in the middle of the night."

Were you?

Yes.

But that means that my coworkers are leaking stories about me.

Mitch is going down,

and somehow stories about me being crazy are popping up.

How the fuck does that track?

- All right, it's a big change. - Yes.

You're allowed to feel it.

I know, but I'm the one who made this big, stupid

Bradley-Jackson, whoever-the-fuck-that-is move.

I mean, it is crazy. It's absolutely crazy.

But at first it felt like "I'm in control. This is a power move."

But I just... This stupid shitshow, I'm just... I'm exhausted.

I'm just so exhausted. Ohh.

Would it really be so bad if it all went away?

What?

Oh, come on. A part of you is trying to blow it all up. Admit it.

Now, come on. I know you.

I get it.

But you've had this unbelievable run, Alex.

You've earned your freedom.

You've earned your family their freedom.

So, I don't know, maybe this is the moment you get to choose to stop.

We'll be fine.

Wait. Are you saying that if I quit, we would be...

Fuck, no, no, I'm... No, I was not making this about me. Sorry.

Okay.

Thank you for that.

- Thank you. - Sure.

Am I supposed to be impressed you can open Barneys?

You're supposed to be impressed that I've got $30,000

for you to spend on whatever you want.

Do you have a favorite silhouette?

Pants.

Pencil, cigarette, flared, high-waisted, gaucho, drop-crotch...

You know what? Just bring us a variety. We trust you.

And throw in some dresses too, please.

I get you're not a typical woman, but try to see the joy in a wardrobe upgrade.

What is a typical woman?

You know, not everything is a challenge.

Mm, people usually say that when they don't wanna be challenged.

Wow. You're fun.

I'm tired.

And I don't feel like pretending Pretty Woman is my favorite movie.

What is your favorite movie?

What do you want my favorite movie to be?

I'm beginning to sense that you're very frustrated.

Look, I don't wanna sound ungrateful.

New clothes are fun. They're...

You know what's even more fun?

Having your image workshopped by a focus group.

I can't wait to hear how I'm gonna alienate Americans.

I've been contending with the misogynistic world of journalism for 15 years.

I've only been told about a thousand different ways

I'm too liberal, too conservative, too in-between.

"You've too much chin. You're not smiling enough.

You're too brunette. Do you wanna go blonde?

Where are your boobs?

Quick, put your boobs out. Wait, put your boobs away.

You're attracting men. You're scaring women.

Try not to be so confrontational. Men don't wanna fuck you.

Don't be so angry. Women feel criticized."

But here, no, no,

here I'm gonna transform into the aspirational, inoffensive dream girl.

Here I'm gonna become the Mother Teresa of the morning news.

Though I'm pretty sure that Mother Teresa had too many fucking wrinkles for HD.

All right, are we doing this? Let's go.

Mm-hmm.

I'm trying on a lot of clothes for someone without a signed contract.

It'll be ready tomorrow. You need a better agent.

My agent is fine.

He's an idiot if he closes at $700,000.

I thought you were trying to get me on the cheap.

I don't mind paying someone what I think they're worth.

You're single, right?

Huh?

Single.

What's that got to do with my contract?

So, you are? That's great.

Good. Keep it that way.

American women, they're getting married later, often not at all.

Eggs frozen to be used another day, if at all.

Men to be fucked but not needed for fulfillment.

That's exciting, that's reality, and that is not on morning television.

Okay. What do you think of this?

Oh, yeah. Right.

Very Pantsuit Nation.

Fuck off.

No, I love it.

I'm serious. It just, it... It reminds me of my mom.

Seriously?

My mom is awesome,

and she is gonna love you.

Martha has never seen herself reflected on The Morning Show.

Is this the mom you took care of after Daddy left?

Oh, I see. You think of her as, like, a sad, weak, abandoned woman?

Hey, I didn't say that.

I took care of my mom, in the cooking her dinner and giving her hugs sense.

Telling her to put her work away and go to bed.

And I was, you know, a terrific 12-year-old mom to my mom.

What does she do?

Uh, retired now.

She was a campaign organizer for progressive women who usually lost.

Martha loved an easy sell.

Like mother, like son.

How so?

Peddling out to America a 40-year-old, single, childless woman

who's a political independent?

I don't think you're a tough sell.

We already have the housewives watching TMS.

If we want to win the ratings war, we need the women who aren't watching,

the ones that don't see themselves reflected in Ice Queen Alex.

So... be messy.

Let's do segments on the ways that you haven't "lived up."

Be the narrative real women are living.

There is no way that Ashley is only one fucking segment.

That's plenty of time for a good interview.

It is completely disrespectful to the seriousness of the subject.

I get it. But Ashley is not good.

Oh, my Go... Okay, hold on a second.

Did you seriously just call her "not a good victim"?

Look, I read the transcript.

She's superficial, she's inconsistent in her recounting of the story...

She's completely preoccupied by Mitch, how he might feel about it.

Okay, so did you bring her in for backup?

- Is that what Mia's doing here? - I am nobody's backup.

I read the transcript from your pre-interview.

- I came to my own conclusions. - Why are you reading my transcripts?

Hey, hey, hey.

Mia's in charge of our Me Too coverage. She gets what works.

This is not about Me Too, Chip.

This is about us. This is about our show,

how we will be judged by the public.

And if you cut that down, it's gonna look like a dodge. It just fucking is.

So get this into your little fucking brains, okay?

I'm doing the interview my way, and if you have a problem with it,

and if you have a problem with it, then fucking quit.

Just let her deal with it. Fuck it. Fuck it.

I'll be on stage in a minute!

You shouldn't do the interview with Ashley.

Why wouldn't I?

I don't know.

Seems like you wanna create this narrative about how you're taking control,

how you've been powerless, but, um...

that's pretty convenient.

What's convenient about it?

You've always had power,

and you know exactly what it looks like when a woman doesn't.

Mia, I don't think we've ever known each other that well.

Maybe not,

but it hasn't stopped you from making assumptions about me.

Yeah. I've made assumptions about you and Mitch.

I did not approve of that relationship.

Not one bit.

Completely inappropriate.

And I think the world is making that pretty clear right now.

But what I don't understand is why is this my fault?

It's not.

But you're not impartial on this subject. You knew what Mitch was doing.

And you're impartial?

You're producing the person who'll be doing the interview.

That's pretty fuckin' transparent

- if you ask me. - This isn't about that.

Well, then what is it about, Mia? 'Cause I'm getting really confused.

I don't ever remember you confiding in me about Mitch,

asking me for help.

I remember you being pretty capable of taking good care of yourself.

You know what? Do whatever you wanna do with Ashley,

but I'm telling you, she's enamored of you.

You'll never get to something honest.

And then you're gonna get crucified for it.

God.

So, one big happy family.

Yeah. With an absent mother.

I, honestly, was shocked that she agreed to a run-through.

Not exactly a team player?

Alex requires a fair amount of personal space.

It's just who she is.

Okay, so, Alex is in a meeting.

We're gonna mark some transitions without her.

Daniel, do you mind playing Alex for a bit?

- Don't mind at all. - Okay.

Um...

This way.

Okay.

Speaking of family,

we know how hard it is to make your kid's lunch quick and healthy,

but luckily, multitasking mom Margaret M...

Multitasking mom Margaret Mapel...

Okay. Can we run that back? That's a lot of alliteration.

- I'm not looking for sympathy. - I'm not offering any.

All right. Going again, let's take it from the top.

Here we go. Starting with Bradley's line.

Everyone quiet, please.

Hey, you're doing great. Just take a deep breath.

Mia, thanks for showing up.

Sorry. Dealing with some changes. Um...

You are doing the interview with Ashley.

We've pushed it to the end of the week so we can prepare.

Wait, what?

Yeah. Alex just told me on her way out.

On her way out?

What, she's leaving?

Yeah.

Wait, when is she gonna rehearse with me? On air?

Bradley, this run-through is going well. Let's just push through.

Oh, hell no! No, no, no.

I'm not going on tomorrow if we don't rehearse.

Bra... Hey! Don't let her walk out of this...

Great.

Great.

Hey! Alex!

Hey! Alex. Alex.

Why are you not going through the run-through?

We moved the Ashley interview to the end of the week,

so I gotta go home and prep a new story.

Why are you giving me the interview?

Because it's better for the show.

Why are you doing this to me?

Doing what? Handing you an amazing opportunity?

No. You're making no sense.

Y-Y-You're not being present.

What the fuck?

I don't have all the answers.

And why does this have to be about you?

'Cause I'm a woman who has a life. You realize that?

I have people I'm responsible for,

and I have career aspirations that don't involve being your sidekick.

You are not my sidekick. You're my cohost.

Well, you have barely acknowledged me all weekend.

I... I didn't know that you needed me to hold your hand.

I need a partner.

Sometimes partners hold hands.

Oh.

Oh, Jesus.

Okay.

Uh, Bradley...

I don't have a fucking clue what I'm doing.

- You don't? - Nope. Not a clue.

Running on instinct.

But I know that I need a second

so I can get my shit together to go on air tomorrow.

And I know I have to not be in that building with those fucking people

who are constantly judging my choices.

I honestly don't know why I picked you.

Okay? That's the truth.

Just an impulse, and I went with it.

But I do know that I think I like you.

Just go sign your contract.

All right.

Okay.

Watch your step.

You are so cocky. You just think I'm gonna do this?

I know you're going to do this.

We're gonna make her think that she's won, but we're gonna let this "nobody" in

and finally push Alex Levy off the shelf for good

when we don't have to look like the bad guys.

We are doing this my way.

Because, frankly, I've let you bozos handle this long enough.

Not the apology you were expecting?

So, people, we've got 48 hours to define the character of Bradley Jackson.

Seriously, you guys? This is garbage.

I don't call my mother "Mama," and she's also a terrible cook.

"Try not to be so confrontational. Men don't wanna fuck you.

Don't be so angry. Women feel criticized."

But here, here I'm gonna become the Mother Teresa of the morning news.

I snaked a Mitch accuser from YDA.

Come on The Morning Show.

Show everyone you have the nerve, but especially him.

- You are doing the interview with Ashley. - What?

Why are you giving me the interview?

Because it's better for the show.

Why are you doing this to me?

Bradley, I don't have a fucking clue what I'm doing.

- You don't? - I honestly don't know why I picked you.

- But I do know that I think I like you. - But I do know that I think I like you.

Don't fuck it up. 1

The Russians put the first man on the moon.

I thought it was about being first.

Turns out the stakes are much bigger than that.

Now we can get back to work.

Three, two...

Ignition.

You are astronaut candidates.

- It's dangerous. -I want this.

We will be reaching into space for all of mankind.

Good morning. Welcome back and thank you for joining us.

While we are still reeling from the shock of last week,

today is a very special day here at The Morning Show

because of this gal sitting right next to me.

Wait, wait, hold on a second. Where is she? Bradley?

Send her in. Take four.

Now. Go, go, go.

- Stand by, one. Take it, one. - Bradley Jackson.

You're not going to have a heart attack. You're not.

I feel so empowered. Do I look empowered?

- I feel empowered. - You look great.

- Hello, Bradley. - Hey there.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change."

-Oh, my gosh. Wow! - Come on. Sit up on your throne.

This is amazing. Okay.

Something about Kelly's pipes makes you feel like you can do anything. Am I right?

You are absolutely right. I love me some Kelly.

But, listen, Miss Bradley, this is about you right now.

You have arrived. Welcome, Bradley Jackson.

Thank you so much, Alex.

Wow, I can't even begin to express

how thrilled I am to be sitting in this iconic studio next to you.

Talk about dreams come true.

I am living proof that that is more than just a cliché.

I've been watching this show since I was toddling around in a onesie.

Oh, my gosh.

To be sitting side-by-side with you. I mean, somebody pinch me.

Well, let me just tell you the feeling is mutual.

When we did our interview last week, I just felt this instant connection.

Fucking bitch.

- Yes, I had the same feeling. - Yeah.

Journalistic kismet or something.

I like that. Yes.

Like when you go on a first date and it just sparks so easily...

Does this feel like total, bland bullshit to you?

You mean, does it feel like the show? Yes.

Very single.

Not for long. Not for long.

So, what would we consider this to be?

I guess our... Would this be our second date?

I don't want to scare you, Alex, but I think we've already moved in.

Oh, my gosh, that was fast.

Well, here's hoping you get to the bedroom soon.

We have a little surprise for you, Bradley.

-You do? - Yes, we do.

- All set with the feed? - Ready to go.

And for our audience,

Bradley's mom is checking in on us from West Virginia.

Sandy Jackson, are you there?

Hi there. Hello, everybody.

Hello, Sandy.

Hi, Mom. I'm on The Morning Show. How about this?

I'm just so proud.

Well, as you should be.

Bradley is pretty amazing.

What was it like watching her grow up?

Oh, it was just wonderful.

She was always so smart and sassy and funny and just so much fun.

It was a wonderful time for our family, and so much love and happiness.

And we always knew that Bradley was something special.

You were always a great mom.

Sandy, when did you first start seeing Bradley's potential?

Oh, very early on.

She was always the smartest in her class and worked so hard at everything she did.

She wrote for the school paper. Won every spelling bee.

Helped out at the soup kitchen. And was always ready to lend me a hand.

We cooked together every night.

Just such a happy time for our family.

You better get your shit together, girl,

or you're gonna end up sucking dicks under the promenade.

Well, family is everything. Isn't it, Sandy?

Family is a whole lot of things.

Oh, hey, and I hear that you put together a little clip

of Bradley growing up that you would like to share.

Yes, I did. I worked on it really late last night.

- Ready X. - Should we roll it?

Let's do it, America.

- Roll X, take X. - Let's do it.

I feel like I'm at my own wake.

Producers did a really good job with this.

They changed the script on my mother.

Did they?

Yes. The one they showed me reflected some sort of reality.

This is just based on a snow globe.

It was flat.

- Do not overreact. Just go with it. - And we're back.

- Five, four... - You'll get used to this.

Three, two...

So great to meet your mom, Bradley. And what an amazing place you grew up in.

Yes, West Virginia is amazing.

But it wasn't all as perfect as that made it seem.

She's going off script.

That's what America loves about you, Bradley.

You're real.

Yeah, just to be real,

I don't want young women out there watching the show to think

you have to have some perfect childhood to be successful.

Right.

There were hard times, and I did a lot of stupid things.

Of course. We all did.

Yeah, yeah, no. I'm not talking about

just accepting a dare to jump off the roof of a barn, 'cause I did that.

I got suspended multiple times.

I cost my high school track team a championship

because I got caught with alcohol on me.

Heck, had an abortion when I was 15 years old.

- She did not. - Oh, my God.

Mother of fuck!

Yes.

Bradley had an abortion?

Oh, Jesus.

That's a lot... for a 15-year-old.

Yeah, it was. It was. And that's what I mean.

Life is hard and people get through things and...

Let's go to weather. We're evacuating this shitshow.

Somebody get Yanko to the stage right fucking now.

It's not just sunshine and roses.

Get me Cory Ellison! Get me Charlie Black now!

But you can grow.

- Twitter's fucking blowing up. - Should we cut it for the West Coast feed?

We can't. The women's groups are going to skewer us if we cut it.

What do we do?

Leave it in.

Go to Yanko now.

What shaped me and gave me my view of the world.

Because this is my day to introduce myself to America, right?

Yes.

I just thought I should be transparent with them, with you guys.

You certainly have been.

And thank you for opening up, Bradley.

Yanko. Go, go! Okay, throw to Yanko.

All right, let's get an update on the weather, Yanko.

What is today looking like?

Amazing. Amazing.

Grab the kids. Head to the park this week. It is gonna be sunny days, folks.

It's gonna be beautiful. But don't forget to put a sun hat on that baby, okay?

And lather up that sunscreen.

SPF 30 and over, especially for the little ones.

Somebody get in Yanko's ear and tell him no more kid references.

Entire weekend.

If you don't have kids, you should also wear sunscreen.

Can you pull something out from later in the week and fill the time with it?

Let's put Alison and the Marcus Samuelsson cooking segment along with Alex,

and you guys just rework it.

Make it work. Lighten it up.

Chip, maybe it was a slipup. It's her first day.

That was not a slipup. That was deliberate.

We are minimizing her for the rest of the show. No more risk.

I do not want Bradley Jackson near anything where she can say anything

about anything that isn't air fucking tight!

- Chip! - What?

I have Fred on the phone and he says he needs to talk to...

Tell Fred to go fuck himself! Thank you!

As most of you in DC know.

This year, I'm happy to report the festival will go on sans rain.

And to all my sailor friends, down in Norfolk,

if you're gonna throw a few back this weekend, make sure you throw on that zinc.

Friends in the south, on the other hand,

they're gonna be seeing clouds rolling in throughout the entire weekend.

It looks like the sun won't be showing itself there till Tuesday morning.

And that's what's happening across the country, folks.

Let's see how it's looking where you live.

And we're out.

Did you fuck up just now, or was that intentional?

I don't actually know.

She's a Category Five.

I think she's amazing.

I'll come back in a bit. We're gonna have a talk.

Okay.

It's been less than a minute, we've already had two advertisers call

and pull their spots for tomorrow.

I know. It's a mess.

We'll have to figure out how to manage the fallout.

No. You have to figure out how to manage the fucking fallout!

This is on you, Cory! It's your failed goddamn experiment!

I said she was a mistake.

She was untested and unpredictable and unvetted, and I was right.

She barely made it ten minutes without announcing

her teenage fucking abortion to Middle America.

Bradley Jackson's revelation has gone viral

and sparked a national firestorm.

The Pro-Life Action League issued a condemnation of UBA

and The Morning Show, while Planned Parenthood tweeted that...

- Okay, can you just turn that off, please? - Sure.

Oh, God. Oh, fuck me.

Fuck me. Fuck. Shit, shit.

Okay, okay.

Well, I'm sorry. It's the truth.

I can't believe that happened when you were 15.

Did you just make that up to be controversial?

No, I didn't make it up! Jesus, why would I do that?

You should have told me.

I could have had a grandchild. I could have raised it.

Oh, 'cause you did such a great job with me and Hal?

You think I'd bring that kind of problem into our crazy environment?

Our house? You think I would possibly do that?

You don't understand!

Fuck.

Fuck.

Oh, my God.

Oh, God.

Good morning, Bradley.

Get in the car.

Okay.

So, is this the part where you take me out to a warehouse and shoot me?

Worse.

I'm taking you down to the studio.

You're gonna get back on that horse,

and you're gonna do the show like yesterday never happened.

This is a really fucked-up job.

Yeah. All jobs are fucked up.

You do things you don't necessarily choose to do

in exchange for relevance and money, and you cannot let it kill you.

Why are you even talking to me right now?

I am talking to you, Bradley, because I have to make this work.

I chose you, and everything is on the line for me.

And I can't let this beat me.

"This" meaning me? My mouth?

Who I am at my very core?

- Those things? - Yes.

If you want to put it that way, you can put it however way you want.

But we are gonna win this.

You can escape. You know that, right?

The people in America don't know that you chose me.

They can just blame the network when I get fired.

No. People on the inside know.

Chip knows. Cory Ellison knows. Fred Micklen knows.

Motherfuckers.

Those motherfuckers.

And I am not gonna let them walk away thinking they were right.

I would die first.

Okay.

I understand.

I'll try.

Good. Thank you.

Before we jump into today's top stories,

Bradley, I know that you wanted to address America yourself.

-Yes. Thank you, Alex. - Of course.

I understand that many of you were insulted yesterday

when I referenced an abortion I had as a teen.

While I am not sorry for the life choices I've made,

I'm very sorry for so casually discussing an issue

that is so personal to many Americans.

I promise that as I embark on my new role here,

I will work hard every day to earn your forgiveness,

as well as your trust and support.

Thank you.

Thank you. Well said, Bradley.

Well, it comes from my heart.

And we're out. Back in two minutes.

No. No, she is not interviewing the Mitch victim.

Well, Fred, that's an extreme reaction.

She's popping. You can't deny that. Her ratings for Monday...

Of course the ratings were strong. We promoted the shit out of it.

But after what she did yesterday? No.

I would like to point out that no one is talking about Mitch right now.

Oh, that's our standard?

Getting fucked by a new scandal so the old one pulls out?

What Bradley did yesterday was core shaking.

It undercuts our integrity in an entirely different way than Mitch did.

UBA has a reputation as a fair and impartial actor in the news business,

and in one fucking sentence she politicized us.

Bradley is interviewing Ashley Brown on Friday.

- I beg your pardon? - We have already run the promos.

We did a big end-of-the-week blitz. That's got a hook. It's compelling.

Bradley will bring authenticity, transparency, to the interview,

which is what we need right now.

We cannot look like we just changed our minds.

We've got to stay bold. God.

We can respond to what happened yesterday by taking the interview away.

It'll actually look like someone's running things.

All right, Fred, here it is.

Half the country hates her, but half the country loves her.

We pull her from the Ashley interview mid-promotional stream,

those lefty blogs are gonna shoot their condescending, politically correct wad

all over the Internet's fucking face.

Before you know it, we become an example of everything that they stand against.

The powerful patriarchy silencing a woman for talking about her uterus.

And Woke Twitter will never forgive us.

You sound like an asshole when you say "Woke Twitter."

- You know that? - I did. I heard it. I know.

Look, Fred, we have already course corrected here.

Why don't we just give this a chance to work?

Because we're still bleeding advertisers.

They'll come back. They always do. Especially if the ratings are up.

It's the beauty of capitalism, right?

In one day,

Bradley Jackson re-branded morning news as personal, unexpected, exciting.

You should be thanking her. And you will be.

Now let's just everybody calm down and get on this ride.

It's gonna be a good one. Bradley Jackson is going to save us.

That's why I picked her.

You're welcome.

Friday, a Morning Show exclusive.

Former TMS staffer, Ashley Brown, sits down with Bradley Jackson live

to discuss Brown's accusations against Mitch Kessler.

A no-holds-barred interview you don't want to miss.

Only on The Morning Show.

Mia.

Bradley's still doing the interview, but let's prepare our contingency plan.

Fred is like a ticking bomb right now.

- What? - She's here.

- She's here. Great. - Wait, who's here?

It's the investigator that the network hired from Stern and Young.

Can't we delay that? This week is already insane.

It's optics. We can't wait. Look, it's gonna be fine.

We just need to be careful.

More is gonna come out about Mitch. That is inevitable.

And we need to have each other's backs so we can survive,

then we will right the ship.

We need to... protect that.

Protect the show.

Yes. "Protect the show." Thank you.

My name is Vicki Manderly.

I'm from Stern and Young,

and I'm going to be heading up the investigation on Mitch Kessler.

I will be having private conversations with you all, individually.

I don't want you to feel scared or anxious about any of this, okay?

We're just talking. It is all confidential. You are safe.

I'm only here to try and understand the culture at The Morning Show

that allowed Mitch Kessler's inappropriate behavior to go unchecked.

We want to find out where the blind spots are.

So we can work together

to make this a safe, highly-functioning workplace for everyone.

So whatever you can do to help facilitate this process

would be greatly appreciated.

You got it, Vicki. We're here to help, so... whatever you need.

The fact that he actually screwed around with people on the show?

I mean, yes, there was gossip,

but I never let myself believe that it was actually true.

What about now, post Mitch?

Do you think this is an environment that condones sexual misconduct,

inappropriate sexual relationships?

Do you know of any misconduct?

No, God, no. No, not at all. None.

They actually did a good thing for once and hired a conservative.

But now, of course, they're just using her to push their agenda.

How? She just stated that she had an abortion.

They're sending the message that Planned Parenthood

and other organizations that are funded by our government...

They're completely missing the point. She's not a conservative or a liberal.

No. No, she's a performance artist.

It's like watching somebody burn the American flag every single morning.

But less political and more controversial.

I know. Isn't it great?

Well, yeah, if you think watching a star explode into a supernova

and leave a black hole in its place is great.

- I do. - Well, yeah, of course you do.

You get me, don't you? I love that.

Hey, hey.

Claire, wait, wait.

- What? - Did I do those things to you?

What things?

You know, those... Like what Mitch did. Did I do that to you?

Oh, God.

You think because you're older than me and technically my superior at work,

I can't have decided to fuck you without being taken advantage of?

What, because you're the big, powerful weatherman,

I lose all agency in my sexual choices?

I don't know.

I mean, I know what I feel when I'm with you.

I know what I feel when it's just you and me.

I don't need anything but you, so...

- Are you answering your own question? - I'm not.

Claire, the investigator kept talking about power imbalances

and inequitable sexual dynamics.

- That's this... That's us. - Yanko, darling.

My family could buy and sell you and your entire family tree

a dozen times over.

My father has nothing to do with UBA,

but he could still have you fired with one phone call.

If there's a power imbalance in this relationship,

it's the one I have over you.

And I don't plan to stop taking advantage of you anytime soon,

so you better find another outlet for this bullshit you're peddling.

Okay.

It's just you and me, okay?

- Okay. - Yeah.

And when we come back,

W Magazine accessories director of our favorite sunglass guru, Delilah Frye,

shows us the hottest new trends for summer.

I am so excited for that. I moved here, and I forgot my sunglasses.

-What were you thinking? - I don't know.

Don't worry. Delilah's gonna take care of that for you.

Well, I can't wait.

And later in the hour, Alison and I will sit down with the author

of the newest "ya" sensation.

Excuse me. I meant to say "YA sensation."

Okay there, Bradley?

I know I'm "ya."

I'm okay, but I'm sorry 'cause I'm so tired right now,

I can barely see straight.

All right, we're a mess.

We need to sleep tonight so we can pull it together for Kelly Clarkson tomorrow.

Oh, my gosh, Kelly is going to be here.

-What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. - That's right.

-I'm the biggest Kelly Clarkson fan. - I know you are.

- I'm probably not gonna sleep tonight. - You need to sleep.

We'll cover your sleepy eyes with Delilah's sunglasses.

She'll take care of that.

Her summer styles are up next.

And later, Alison and I are going to talk to Allegra Jameson about her new book.

So don't go away.

- My body, my choice! - Abortion stops a beating heart.

Oh, my God, this isn't going away, is it?

Two news cycles and counting. The moon landing only gets one in 2019.

She'll be the death of us all. Or at least Alex and Chip.

Over my dead body.

Actually, nobody up there would even notice my dead body.

They'd just have to step over my rotting corpse to do the show.

This place runs on human sacrifice. We'll all end up on the altar eventually.

No. No, I never saw or heard anything.

Why? Did someone say that I did?

I never slept with him. That Page Six article was bullshit.

Mitch was a flirt, pretty good one. I am too, to be fair. So is Alex.

I've only been here about 18 months,

so I'm probably not the best person to speak to the culture

over a long period of time,

but everything I've observed has been aboveboard.

Honestly, I liked having him around. He was fun. I miss him.

Next, we have an inspiring story coming out of Mississippi,

where high school girls are walking out of class today

to show their support for Bradley Jackson, the new coanchor of The Morning Show,

after the governor tried to reintroduce legislation

that would ban abortions after six weeks.

This action comes after a controversial comment he made earlier this week

calling The Morning Show's Bradley Jackson "a dangerous threat to America."

Mississippi already has some of the nation's strictest abortion laws.

In southern parts of the state, walkouts have lasted nearly six hours,

which represents how long it would take a student

to drive to the state's only remaining abortion clinic.

This footage is remarkable.

The power of social media on display.

Not to mention Bradley Jackson.

Her comment has lit a fire under the abortion debate nationwide.

And the governor's attempt to use Jackson as a lightning rod to push his agenda

appears to have backfired.

I agree.

I'd also argue that these walkouts go beyond just the abortion bill.

They're happening because people heard Bradley's story and thought,

"That could be me.

And I want to make my own choice about my future like she did."

Okay, we're now getting word from our source on the ground

that a staggering 37 school...

Stand by, three. Take it, three.

Come on. Bradley Jackson, get on over here.

- Oh, my God, me? - Go, yes. Go, go.

Okay. Coming.

All right, girl, I know that it has been a crazy week.

-Oh, my gosh. - All right?

But you are a truth teller, Bradley Jackson.

You're honest, I love you, and I stand with you.

All right, come on. Dance with me.

We've been growing steadily all week,

especially in the 18-to-34 demo,

which is hitting live numbers we haven't seen in years.

Kelly Clarkson, everybody!

Thank you so much for being here. You made my day.

Thank you, everyone. That's our show for today.

Stay tuned for The Twist.

The culture is fine.

And as for Mitch, everyone loved him here.

He lit up the room. He made everyone feel like family.

Well, I don't have a whole ton to say about Mitch.

He was the king of the world, and he knew it.

I saw the way he talked to people, how he hugged women hello.

Yeah, he just thought he's pretty untouchable.

There she is. Kelly Clarkson's truth teller.

This is all just so weird. Why are you here?

I've got a meeting with Fred upstairs. I just wanted to stop in and say hello.

You going to join the chorus of people telling me to keep behaving myself?

Have you met me?

Yes, I have.

You know you're killing this, right?

Am I?

I don't know.

Right now I'm just prepping for this Ashley interview tomorrow.

God, is it ever strange being in his old dressing room?

I hardly have a chance to get used to it, but... yeah, sometimes it's weird.

I wonder what happened in here on a regular basis.

Yeah, I wonder that.

Between us, I also wonder who knew.

All right, I'll leave you to it.

Come in.

Hey, you got a minute?

Sure.

- I just wanted to say that... - Oh, God, I'm fine.

You don't have to do this.

I literally didn't do anything yet.

We've known each other long enough, Chip.

I know you know me.

Kelly Clarkson likes Bradley more than she likes me.

I'm gonna live.

You know, obviously she's new. She created a stir this week.

- It's gonna die down soon. - Why? We don't want it to die down.

It's great.

I mean, I made her, right?

Yeah.

I'm her Dr. Frankenstein. She's my monster.

And if I'm being honest, she's actually exceeding my expectations.

And listen, would I like a little credit?

Sure.

But that's also not surprising, 'cause people are disappointing,

and you just can't let it get to you.

Well, that is... I'm really proud of you.

Oh, my God, stop.

- What? - It's embarrassing.

You really don't do sincere emotion well. It's kind of painful.

Okay. All true.

Yeah.

Still, I'm...

proud of you.

Thank you.

There's one little thing I do want to run by you.

Go on.

New York Magazine called.

Maggie Brener wants to do a feature piece on Bradley.

Maggie Brener?

That's good. That's good.

It really takes the focus off Mitch being gone, huh?

- Yeah, that's true. - Yeah.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

Well, okay.

So, he seduced you?

It did not feel that way at the time.

We had this easy working relationship

where we could almost finish each other's sentences.

He could read my mind.

It became very attractive.

And then he started to talk about his marital issues.

He and his wife fought all the time. It was hard raising kids.

They never had sex. On and on.

Mitch was genuinely lonely.

So was I.

Our world was this job.

And he let me in.

He created this intimacy where I felt seen.

Respected. I admired him so much. He knew it.

He knew it. And then...

we didn't sleep together until right before the election.

How long did it last?

The affair? About a year.

- And which one of you... - Me. I ended it.

Why?

It got too complicated.

And what about after?

- "After?" - After you broke up with him.

What was it like for you? Were there any repercussions?

No. Not at all. We were perfectly professional.

This is a lot to carry with you.

I understand why you decided to tell the Times.

What? No.

No. I did not leak it to the Times.

Oh. You didn't? Oh, I'm sorry. I just...

Since you made the complaint to HR a week before his termination,

the one that the network was investigating, I assumed...

I made a complaint 'cause I couldn't stand watching Mitch report on Me Too anymore

with that empathetic, dad-next-door smile.

That had to end.

But it was never my intention that he get fired.

I won't get into specifics over the phone, but, so far, you're safe.

Nobody's implicated the show or the network yet.

Just Mitch.

Okay, good. What's the next move?

I conduct my investigation. Talk to everyone.

Find out where you're vulnerable. You're not out of the woods yet.

All right. Keep me posted.

Tomorrow. Bradley Jackson's live sit-down with former TMS staffer Ashley Brown.

The painful truth about the Mitch Kessler no one knew.

The interview everyone will be talking about.

Only on The Morning Show.

Well, shit. That feels sort of incongruous, doesn't it?

What? What's incongruous?

What they're selling and what we're prepping.

No. Marketing is doing their job. We need eyeballs.

I just hope we don't disappoint a lot of eyeballs.

This thing could backfire on us.

This is a strong interview, Bradley. Ashley is ready.

Which is not something I could say a week ago.

We have done good work.

Yeah. I guess so.

I just can't help but feel like it's a little bit safe.

"Safe"? What are you... It's not "safe."

Yeah. Safe. Soft.

Ashley and Mitch have this flirtatious workplace dynamic.

Mitch pushes it too far.

It never crosses the line,

but Ashley feels all this pressure, and she quits.

- That's it? - Yeah, that's not nothing.

No, it's not nothing. It's awful.

And I give her so much credit for coming back on the show.

I just can't help but feel like I'm pushing someone else's agenda.

No. You're helping to tell Ashley's story. Her truth.

Well, it's a truth.

It's a truth that's been poked and prodded and vetted

by rooms full of lawyers and executives and crisis management specialists,

all trying to minimize the damage to the network.

And, you know, UBA's exposure here is very low.

Otherwise they would never let this interview happen. You and I know that.

Okay, okay.

It's like the illusion of transparency without any of the actual risk.

Okay, fine. You're not wrong. UBA is a business. Right?

They're not gonna stab themselves in the face for the greater good.

Right.

But it doesn't mean this interview isn't important.

Ashley's experience is common.

It's sexual misconduct at an insidiously routine level.

That shit matters.

It's relatable.

It's gonna mean something to our audience.

Okay.

- I hope you're right. - No, look. I'm totally right.

Look, you had a long week. It's been a bumpy ride.

But you've done great.

You're coming out of this strong as shit, so let's just focus.

Bring this one home. Okay?

Okay.

I hear you.

Let's go right to camera two.

- So, just, no jib. - Yeah.

- I'm fine with that. - Hi, everybody.

Wow. TGIF, am I right? What a week!

Look who it is. It's Cory.

Big, big day. I wanted to catch the show live.

- How are you doing? - Oh, yeah. Welcome.

- Thank you. - Yes.

Did you know he was coming?

No fucking clue.

And when we come back, I sit down with Ashley Brown,

a former Morning Show staffer with an emotional story to tell

about her experiences with Mitch Kessler.

Stay with us.

And we're out. Back in two minutes.

All right. Here I go.

Hey. You're going to be great. You're ready.

Just stick to the script, okay?

And just remember, I'm with you the whole time.

- Okay. - Okay?

- Thanks, Alex. - Yeah.

We're back in 30.

Hi, Ashley.

Bradley Jackson. So nice to meet you.

I'm so nervous. I hope my mike doesn't pick it up.

Oh, it's gonna be okay. We're in this together.

- Okay. - All right?

You want to take a seat?

And we're back in four, three, two...

Cue her.

So, by this point, you were working in the audio department.

Yeah. So, I was the person who miked everyone.

It's a quick but intimate job.

So, of course I was around Mitch every day.

And he liked to tease me when I would slide the mike down his shirt.

You know, flirty stuff.

And I guess I thought he was fun...

and I liked the attention from the star of the show.

If I'm honest, I flirted back.

But I never intended for it to take the turn that it did.

And when did that happen?

I'm... sorry. This is all just...

It's okay. Take your time, Ashley.

It was 2009, and there was a big production meeting.

Everyone was there.

I wound up sitting next to Mitch, which... he made sure of.

And he sat down next to me.

So, we were all in this meeting,

and I felt a hand on my thigh, under the table...

and it was him.

His hand lingered there.

Then I felt him squeeze my thigh in a way that felt...

Loaded. Sexual.

And what was going through your head when that happened?

If I'm honest with myself, it was exciting.

Really exciting.

But also shocking and overwhelming.

Confusing.

How did you react in the moment?

I didn't. I should have.

But it all happened so fast, and it was so public.

I didn't have time to think, and so I did nothing.

And that opened a door.

And that flirty thing that we had, it increased.

A lot. And it became... consuming.

"Consuming"? Describe what you mean.

I couldn't focus on my job.

All I could think about was what sexual innuendo Mitch would throw my way.

And... I knew what he wanted.

There was a question in my head of, "Should I give it to him?"

Or what would happen if you didn't?

Yeah. That crossed my mind.

But I never did. But I was still scared.

I felt like my entire career was in the hands of this one person.

I was very confused. I didn't know how I felt about anything.

And eventually it just became too much.

And so I quit.

Did you ever open up to anyone, tell them what you were going through?

No, I didn't.

Did you report to HR?

About Mitch? No.

Why didn't you?

I guess I just... felt embarrassed.

I didn't want Mitch to know that I was complaining.

So you felt it would somehow get back to Mitch.

No, I...

Wait. That question wasn't vetted.

I guess that...

- Where are you going with this, Bradley? - It's okay, Ashley.

I know it's uncomfortable being back here with all the people you used to work with

in the studio and...

I guess what I'm asking is:

Was there something about the culture at this network, at this show,

that made it feel impossible to complain?

No.

What the hell is she doing?

No, I...

I didn't say anything because I didn't want anyone to know.

Know what?

People had to know Mitch was flirting with you.

You said he did it publicly.

I'm not talking about flirting. I'm talking about what happened.

Did she hint at this during prep?

- No. She never... - Tell her to stop.

- Bradley. - Mia. Don't stop her.

Ashley, I'm here.

You're safe.

I don't want you to say anything that you don't feel comfortable saying.

- Bradley. - But the truth matters.

Pull it back.

Sometimes it's the only weapon that we have

against the powerful men who are trying to shut us up.

Bradley, stop this right now.

And your truth, Ashley. Your truth could help so many other women.

Fred is on the phone.

Mitch and I did cross the line...

a few times.

In his dressing room.

He would call me in. We would start kissing.

I would give him oral sex.

He never forced me, ever.

But I guess I...

I still just...

didn't really know how not to go through with it.

And I never told anybody, but...

everybody knew.

He's not picking up.

Fuck!

I could feel it.

I could feel...

these people that I... respected looking at me different.

Losing respect for me.

That must've been so hard for you.

It was.

I felt like I was... watching myself from the outside.

And I saw myself the way everyone else saw me.

This... slut sleeping with Mitch to help her career.

And I didn't... know who that person was.

I didn't recognize myself. And he did that to me.

He branded me.

He stole my confidence, my self-worth.

And then I was... drowning,

and there was no one to throw me a lifeline.

No one.

I was alone. So alone.

Surrounded by people, but...

Isolated.

Thank you so much, Ashley. Thank you for telling us your truth.

You're an incredibly brave woman.

We'll be right back.

And we're out.

Thank you. Can I give you a hug?

Can I get you a tissue?

I'll be right back.

What the fuck was that?

I brought you in. I bet on you.

I dragged you up out of nowhere

and gave you the opportunity of a fucking lifetime.

What you just did was reckless.

You just put this show and everyone who works here at risk.

Did you know?

Excuse me?

About Mitch.

About what was going on in his dressing room.

Did you?

How dare you?

- Excellent interview, Chip. I can't wait for the rest of the show. - Excellent interview, Chip. I can't wait for the rest of the show.

I'm gonna grab some more tea.

["Nemesis" playing]

[music ends]

That's our show for today.

We are so glad you spent your morning with us.

And congratulations on your first week.

- Yeah. Well done. Good job. - Happy Friday, everyone.

Thank you, guys. It's been a fun ride.

Have a great weekend, America.

And stay tuned for The Twist.

- [gasps] - [Alex] Mm-hmm.

["Stronger" plays]

[Alex] Like they say, like Kelly says... You know what I mean?

[overlapping chatter]

[Alison] I love this song.

- [floor director] And we're out. - [crew chatters]

Don't you ever, ever question my integrity in my own house again.

[crew chatters]

[sighs] Okay. All right.

Let me explain something to you real quick.

The business of this show is a complicated world. Okay?

There are rules we have to honor here.

You may think you don't have to, but you would be fucking wrong. Okay?

This show, it will consume you,

it will spit out your bones and some gristle

and your fucking spirit along with it.

Unless that's what you're trying to accomplish, in which case,

I don't know what to tell you.

- Chip, what are you trying to say? - You could do great work here.

Don't annihilate yourself in the process

just for the sake of pushing buttons that you aren't supposed to push.

Be careful.

Why? 'Cause if the network's found culpable, you're the fall guy?

- [Chip scoffs] - It'll kill your career?

Unfortunately, I think that death ship is sailing as we speak.

Look, not everybody's a self-serving pile of shit.

I'm talking to you about you.

- Chip. - Not now, Rena. I need five seconds...

Mitch is here.

Wow, look at you, Mort. Nice scruff. I like it.

Hey, Greg.

Lindsey. Oh, how's the puppy?

- Uh, she's good, Mitch. - Remember, crate training.

You have to crate train. Hey.

Good morning. Good morning.

What... Fuck me.

[Chip] Um, uh, Mitch?

Hey there, Captain. How's the Titanic?

Um, why are you here?

I worked here for 15 years.

There's something I wanna say to these good people.

- I don't think that's a good idea. - I think it's a great idea.

- Okay, call security. - I already did.

I'm staying with you. I mean, I wanna see the show.

Let's just hope the show doesn't involve a sawed-off shotgun under his coat.

God.

Hello, everybody.

[chuckles]

[Mitch] Hi.

You know,

I noticed on the way in that there aren't any pictures of me out there.

What's going on with that?

Who did that? Who did that?

[laughs] I'm kidding.

Well...

isn't this awkward?

[chuckles]

I know you're terrified to say anything, so I'll do all the talking.

[exhales]

This is so weird.

[sighs] First of all, I'm sorry.

And when I say that, I'm not admitting guilt or anything.

I am sorry in the same way you might be sorry for someone who was hit by a bus,

even though you weren't driving the bus.

So, I'm sorry that the show got hit by a bus.

We all got hit.

[sighs] Secondly... [clears throat]

I...

I really miss the shit outta you guys.

[sighs] I miss this place. I miss being here.

I miss my partners.

[sighs]

Hey, Alex.

I heard that you did an interview with one of my alleged victims,

and that there's a New York Times article coming out imminently.

And we all know how that's gonna go.

I'm sure they're not gonna do a feel-good piece about me.

So that's the other reason I'm here.

I am asking you to speak up on my behalf.

Call the Times, go on record, give 'em quotes.

You guys know me better than anybody, so,

out there,

they're gonna blow this up.

But you've worked with me.

We have worked side by side for years and years.

We have shared family experiences.

We are colleagues. We're friends.

I'm asking you all, as friends,

to speak out on my behalf.

Mitch, this is not okay. You need to leave.

I know that some of you want to do it.

I know that there are some of you who want to speak up.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

This is scary. I get it.

Going against the grain,

saying things that are unpopular in the moment

about people that are unpopular in the moment.

But this is my fucking life!

Who will speak up for me?

Who here will speak up for me?

You are the people that I love in the world!

Anybody?

No?

Wow.

[laughs] Okay.

Alex?

Okay. Listen, I get it.

I understand.

But from the bottom of my heart, I just want you all to know...

how important you are to me.

[chuckles] But... I'm... That's not to lay a guilt trip.

I really do love you guys.

And it's been an honor working with all of you. Thank you.

- [clears throat] - [Bradley] Mitch Kessler!

If it isn't Bradley Jackson.

- [laughs] - Who else knew what was going on?

Who do you think?

Congrats on the chair.

Keep your back to the wall.

[man plays horn]

[barista] Bill! Bill?

Hey.

Hey.

We were just talking about you.

Oh, yeah?

We think you are amazing.

Really? I feel like everybody over there wants to put my head on a spike.

No. No, no, no. A lot of us actually find you incredibly inspiring.

Thank you for saying that. I really appreciate it.

Hey, would you wanna come out with some of us from the office tomorrow night?

It's Claire's birthday, and we're going drinking.

It's your birthday.

I'm sure you have something much better to do.

No. I actually have nothing to do. I don't...

I don't really know anybody here. So I would love to come.

I just have to move into my new hotel. But what time?

Uh, nine-ish?

- Yeah. - Tom O'Donnell's.

- Great, great. - [barista] Birdly!

I think that's me. I'm Birdly, I think. Okay, I'll see y'all tomorrow night.

- Bye, Birdly. - Bye.

- Thank you. - [barista] You're welcome. Enjoy.

[lock beeps]

[sighs]

[door shuts]

[sighs]

Holy shit.

[Ashley] And he did that to me.

He branded me.

He stole my self-confidence, my self-worth.

And then I was drowning,

and there was no one to throw me a lifeline.

Oh, my God.

[phone line ringing]

[female computerized voice] Hello. Please leave a message after the tone.

Hey, it's Chip. Can you call me back?

I could really use a favor.

[sighs]

[phone buzzes]

- Hey, Mia. - Good morning, Bradley.

Maggie Brener from New York Magazine should be there any minute.

I told the front desk to call you.

Oh, yeah. I'm almost ready.

Listen. That Ashley interview.

- We didn't get the chance to talk after. - Yeah, I know, Mia.

No, no. I'm not gonna say what you think I'm gonna say.

I thought it was a great interview. I'm really proud of it,

especially with Mitch showing up after.

I mean, it's just a big fucking reminder that what you did was right.

I think he misses an audience.

Yeah, well. Look what happened. We all just sat there and listened.

Well, obviously we're gonna be curious.

Exactly. Which is why Maggie Brener is gonna be curious, right?

It's this fascinating car crash,

- and with Ashley's confession... - [sighs]

...it's just opened up the door to more questions about The Morning Show.

And she is gonna expect you to answer them.

What are you asking?

I'm just asking that you keep all that in mind.

Maggie thinks she's smarter than everyone.

[Bradley] Well, I have no idea why The Morning Show chose me.

I mean, I feel like sometimes they got the wrong person or something.

Like, someone's gonna call up and tell me it was a big mistake.

Well, that's part of your charm, right?

The complete lack of pretense, the self-effacing authenticity.

- Now, how do you hold on to all that? - Oh, I...

I mean, I don't know. I guess, just don't believe your own press.

Don't surround yourself with yes-people.

Mainly I just think we're all gonna end up dead,

so there's no coming out on top anyway.

You just can't get caught up in all that bullshit.

I probably shouldn't say "shit."

That's okay. We all speak a little French. [laughs]

So, you change The Morning Show, don't let The Morning Show change you?

Well, I think we can evolve together.

Right.

But... Alex.

I've known her for a long time. She is a legend.

She is.

Do you think that she's up for this...

Morning Show feminist revolution that you've ignited?

Especially in her own home.

Oh, I think she is.

But do you notice a shift in the behind-the-scenes culture

now that Mitch is gone?

Or is that even possible given that so much of the old guard remains?

I wasn't there before, so I can't really speak to a shift.

But you were clearly chasing that story yesterday

in your interview with Ashley Brown,

wondering at the culture

that allowed Mitch's behavior to go unchecked for a decade.

So I think it's fair to assume you're curious?

Yeah, I'm human. And I'm a journalist.

So when I see someone who has a story to tell,

I try to create space for them to share it.

Have you shared that space with Alex?

She's been there longer than anyone.

Yeah. Alex and I have just started to work together.

And I think we're off to a good start.

I'm hopeful that we will prove to be a very powerful team.

Well, I look forward to our ten-year follow-up interview.

Let's see if everything works out as you've intended it to.

[man] We gave you the thrust of it. There were four accusers who came forward,

two by name. And after Ashley, we now have two more women

who are willing to go on record.

Allegations of misconduct and harassment by Mitch.

Some went through channels.

We're giving you eight hours to respond with a quote from Fred.

They need to give us the fucking details.

I need to know what's in the story, how exposed we are.

Agreed.

Otherwise I won't validate this with a quote.

[types, sends message]

[phone buzzes]

Okay, Rob. Let's just cut to the chase here.

You know that we're not gonna let Fred give you a quote

if he doesn't know the content.

[Robert] Hey, we're calling as a courtesy.

Our story plays with or without the quotes.

But you should think of optics.

People will know that Fred is trying to duck out.

[Dick] Duck out from what?

There's a million vague stories going around. Yours isn't special.

If you had something to say that was new or explosive, then you'd be telling us.

Here's what we have. Four sources of quotes.

Three are women who work or have worked on the show,

one from a male who currently works on the show.

These events took place in his dressing room, in his car,

on location, in hotels,

in a Chevron bathroom on a remote in Northern California

during the Shakespeare Festival,

in Rome during the papal conclave,

a weekend at his vacation home in the Hamptons,

and numerous incidents on his yacht.

Extra, extra.

Anybody can say anything.

Is any of this credible?

It's some direct quotes and some second-party.

One of them is Fred's old assistant, Janine Friedman.

Mitch fucked Janine? Jesus.

[Dick] What's the quote from Friedman?

Janine stated, "There was always an environment of protection for the stars.

I'm not speaking directly about sexual allegations,

but obviously the stars are the bread and butter, and they are fiercely protected.

I know there were always rumors about what Mitch was doing.

It was common knowledge."

What about if we trade the story of Mitch coming to the set yesterday

and getting escorted off by security for dropping the quote?

- Text him. - Yeah.

This is exciting.

[phone buzzes]

Listen.

We have a story that's a perfect addition to this piece.

It's directly about Mitch, and it's eyewitnesses.

That's fantastic.

But you have to drop the Friedman quote.

I need to hear it before I can make that deal.

No, that's not gonna happen.

I promise you, it's going to make the piece sing.

[Robert] Fuck 'em. They're bluffing.

Sorry, we're gonna run the piece as is. Thank you.

What the hell?

You need to do anything you can to stop this.

Discredit people making the allegations, call our sources.

Do what you have to do to get people to retract.

Buy them off. But stop this from happening immediately,

or you're gonna be looking for new jobs.

[sighs]

I'm really fucking sick of you and sick of your shtick.

Oh, I know you think you're a genius.

I have chewed through seven different versions of guys like you in my career.

So stop acting like you're the second coming of the Lord.

The truth is, nobody likes you.

Well, maybe your mother does,

but I guess she didn't pay enough attention to you, and...

now we all have to suffer because of it.

Ow.

[vocalizing]

- [knock at door] - [Jason] May I enter my lady's chamber?

[laughs] So polite of you. Yes, please. Come in.

I'm getting my game face on.

Ooh, game face.

There was me thinking this was a delightful charity fund-raiser.

[Alex] No, it is. It is.

Unfortunately, I have to do some old-fashioned stroking

of Maggie Brener's oversized ego.

Oh, to what end?

Well, she interviewed Bradley today for New York Magazine.

And I just, I just have to make sure I'm all over it.

Mm, always something exciting to look forward to.

You have armies to conquer. Look your best.

You're supposed to say I already do.

- You already do. - Thank you.

[phone buzzes]

[man] Bradley, it's your dad.

I'm here in my car. And I thought I'd give you a call.

Chip, that Ashley Brown interview.

[scoffs] My God.

I know. It's a real barn burner, huh?

Yeah. Well, you guys promised transparency after Mitch, but... Jesus.

[Chip] Look, let's just cut to it.

The article you're dropping, with more Mitch accusers...

You want to comment on the record?

No, I want you to tell me what's about to fuck me up the ass.

You weren't listening in on the call?

Sorry.

All right, fuck it.

How exposed is the network?

The show? I mean, how exposed am I, Robbie?

You gotta give me something, please.

I mean, how long have we been friends?

We chased the same stories. We stayed in the same shitty motels.

You've met most of my ex-wives.

I've done shit for you. I helped you get this job.

We know the culture wasn't perfect at the show,

but we did not know everything.

And we are cleaning it up.

Gotta help me. It's quid pro quo. It's what we do.

I'm sorry, Chip.

Really? You're sorry? After what I gave you?

I don't remember what you gave me.

Wasn't that the deal?

I'm not asking you to compromise the piece.

Just don't shoot me in the fucking face.

You owe me that.

That might compromise the piece.

I know where your skeletons are buried, my friend.

[slams money on table]

I'd think about what you're doing.

[piano plays]

[chatter]

- Welcome. May I take your coat? - [man sings in distance]

Permission granted.

- Here you go. - Thank you.

- You're welcome. Enjoy. - Mm.

[singing]

This gives you the warning. Cory just walked in.

- Oh. Okay. Game face. - The smile.

Hello, Cory. So glad that you could come.

Oh, Alex, if only you meant that.

I know you only invited me for political reasons.

Oh. Well, true.

But let's just pretend maybe I didn't.

It might be more fun.

Oh, and you can sing a show tune for a donation.

[laughs]

What about "The Waltz of Treachery"?

Les Mis?

Very inside baseball, that selection. I'm impressed.

Likewise.

I guess we do have something in common after all.

Who knew?

[applause]

Manhattan?

When in Rome.

[Alex] So good to see you.

- Hi, Geneva. - Hi. Muah.

You're here. Muah.

- Thanks for coming. - Thank you so much for doing this, Alex.

Yes, thank you. Place looks beautiful.

Thank you. Thank you.

- How is everything? - Okay.

- Yeah? - Okay, well, actually, not okay.

Have you heard about these wildfires outside of Los Angeles, California?

Oh, I know. They're horrible.

Well, apparently, they're just a few miles from our Malibu home.

- No. I'm so sorry. - We'll be fine.

We have a hysterical neighbor who loves the drama.

But I really hope you're right, Fred.

I hope you get to relax. That's what tonight is all about. Okay?

Bid on something, Fred. Don't be cheap.

Why does everyone think I'm so cheap?

Because you are, dear.

- Thank you. - Do you come here often?

[chuckles] Yeah. You actually look kinda familiar to me.

Buy you a drink?

Oh, I'd love to. But I'm too busy controlling the universe.

Mm, of course you are.

Have you seen Maggie yet?

God. She better fucking show.

Yeah. How's the old game face holding up?

My game face is fantastic. I'm doing great.

You know that I always know how to pull it together when I have to.

Yes, I do.

Yes. But you know what's driving me crazy?

Everybody. All they wanna do is talk about Bradley Jackson.

"This Bradley, she's amazing." "Oh, my God. What a find."

"Bradley, she's just like a revelation."

- Mm-hmm. - "What a firecracker."

It's fucking bullshit.

I swear to God. I'm the one who found her.

- And no one seems to remember that. - Oh, I remember it.

- Mm. - Anyhow, speech time.

So, deep breath.

Look both ways. Wear a helmet and just be careful.

Oh, come on. Don't worry. I'm almost always careful.

"Almost."

Okay.

Excuse me. [clears throat]

- Hello, everyone. - [glass clinking]

- Don't worry, I'm not gonna sing. - [laughter]

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for coming out tonight.

And a very special thanks to Geneva Micklen

who introduced me to this wonderful foundation

- and the reason we are all here tonight. - [applause]

Thank you.

The New York Theatre Development Fund

seeks to bring the power of theater to everyone.

They provide scholarships for underprivileged drama students

and future theater performers.

So, please check out the auction room.

There are some fantastic pieces in there.

Um, oh, and Christian will be here all night.

So, for a $1,000 donation, you can sing one of your favorite show tunes.

Like Cheyenne Jackson did so beautifully just before.

Yes, and there will be desserts passed around, drinks.

And just please enjoy yourselves and...

- long live Broadway. - [laughter, applause]

- Thank you. Enjoy. - [plays piano]

- You did so well. Thank you so much. - Thank you.

- [chatter] - [rock music plays]

- Hey. - Hey, what can I get ya?

What do you have for a social obligation I'm not emotionally equipped to be at?

Ah, Jameson. It got us through the social obligation

of lying to the British for quite a while.

Perfect. I'll have that on the rocks.

Actually, make it a double.

A double? I'll run a tab for ya.

Great. My name's Bradley.

I'll remember ya.

All right. Wish me luck.

Good luck.

[man] That's Bradley Jackson.

[Mia] Bradley's here. How did that happen?

Oh, yeah, Claire and I invited her.

She actually showed up? Interesting.

- Oh, my God. I love that hair. - Who wants another round?

You like it? The network made me look like a tool. So, I changed it.

Anyway, thank you for having me.

Happy birthday, Claire.

- This is for you. - Oh, thank you.

- To Claire. To Claire. - Oh, thank you.

- To Claire. - Thank you very much.

- Cheers. - We were just about to play

"Take a shot for every time you hit on someone at a workplace in the old days."

- In the old days. - [waiter] Anybody need anything?

- Tequila. - [Bradley] Tequila.

Yes, tequila. And then we're gonna put it on my card,

and I'm gonna keep it open all night.

My name is Bradley.

- Mm. Ms. Jackson. - Ms. Jackson if you're nasty.

[laughter]

[Bradley] Oh, my God.

You nasty, Layla. I see you.

How does he know who I am? This is so weird.

- Oh, get used to it. - That's what this is for.

Takes the edge off the things you don't like thinking about.

Cheers to that, my friend. To denial.

[all] Denial!

[Alison sings] ♪ Yes, I ♪

♪ Can ♪

♪ Yes, she can ♪

You're too good. That was so silly.

Tequila on the rocks, please.

Daniel, you're too talented.

Well, I'm no Neil Diamond, but I do okay.

No, the singing was great, but what I meant was you're too talented

to be waiting around for some white folks to play chess to decide your future.

It is good to see you, Audra.

So, where's the rest of the YDA team?

Well, Jimmy's grandmother's home is in the path of the California wildfires.

So, he went out to make sure that everything was okay.

Oh, my God. That's terrible.

Yeah, we'll see what happens.

What I was getting at was

there is something that I would like to discuss with you.

Okay.

Preferably not in an environment that is teeming with TMS overlords.

Look, TMS has been my home for a long time,

and I don't think my work here is done just yet.

Do you feel appreciated?

I feel motivated.

Okay, keep telling yourself that. Come talk to me.

Hey. Why don't you be a good gay and come listen to show tunes with me, huh?

- Sure. - Okay, come on.

- [Yanko] Painful, right? - [Alex] Brutally painful.

[Yanko] Oh, no. There's nothing much left now.

- All right. So, are you gonna sing? - [Yanko chuckles]

- Please, make him sing. - Oh, please. Come on.

I'm thinking "Modern Major General" 'cause I can talk-sing it,

and I learned it in boarding school.

So, it's either that, or any musical that Rex Harrison ever sang in. We'll see.

Gilbert and Sullivan.

What a crowd-pleaser. I can't wait for that.

- It'll be good, Yanko. - Okay. Sure.

Oh, Maggie. Okay, have fun.

- Hi, Maggie. - Hi, Alex.

- How are you? - Beautiful party.

- And beautiful men. - I know. Always.

- [both laugh] - You are such a champ for being here.

I know that you already had a full day with my new partner in crime.

She's quite something, huh?

Bradley, yeah.

- Yeah, she's an interesting find. - Yes, I know. I know.

- Is she here? - Mm-mm.

- Okay. - Nope, she's not here.

No, she actually is taking a night for herself.

- Which she has earned. - Oh, well, good for her.

It must've been quite the week being shot outta the TMS cannon.

It was a tough week for her.

And, I mean, she's extremely talented, but she got quite shell-shocked

when I told her that she had to go on air Monday.

Who wouldn't be? So...

You made the Monday call?

Yeah, I know what the show needs.

You know, a fast, fresh start.

Feminist slant. And it couldn't happen faster in my opinion.

And Bradley came through like a superstar.

I mean, for someone who has zero anchor experience, she did great.

[laughs] Well, clearly guided by the steady hand of someone

who has been through the wringers of the industry herself.

Well, yes. I mean, you know this, Maggie.

It's never straightforward when women try to take control

of a male-dominated empire, you know?

But we made history with that interview.

You're already a royal we? That's cute.

Thank you.

I mean, come on, you really think that I wouldn't take a firm hand

in an interview that had stakes that high?

I mean, I worked with Bradley all week, I guided her,

trying to get to the truth of Ashley's experience.

And it was intense. And it was tough. But we, I... We got there.

Is this supposed to be on the record?

No.

[chuckles]

I just thought that you would be interested

in the changes that were happening over at TMS.

I mean, I myself felt certain constraints sitting next to Mitch.

And now, I finally have an opportunity to make things better over there

for women, and for myself.

- What? - Alex, we've known each other too long.

I have tremendous respect for you, but...

I am not going to write some feminist puff piece

about a woman...

who turned a blind eye to the sexual misconduct of her cohost.

Excuse me?

Bradley's profile is gonna be great.

I don't blame you for being worried about getting lost,

the fear that someone sitting next to you is your replacement.

I know this is really hard for you.

Would you like to comment on that?

Off the record, Maggie.

I'm not afraid about getting lost.

Anywhere.

Ever.

Enjoy the party.

I still haven't heard anything about the Times pulling back.

Fuckers. Have you?

No, not a word. Fuckers.

Hey, you just missed the press photographer, Chip.

Shall I call her back?

We can all be in the Gala section of W looking like the rich assholes we are.

I think I'm more comfortable being an off-camera asshole. Thank you.

- Ohh. - You're here pretty late.

I'm here pretty drunk. [laughs]

Drinking seemed more pressing tonight for some reason.

I'm gonna go find Geneva.

You know, just... I didn't really appreciate being left off the Times call.

You weren't needed.

I know what you're doing.

You're waiting for that article to come out,

and then if it's bad for you, I don't have a job in the morning.

Am I right?

I guess I'm right. Hm.

Sorry, Charlie "Chip" Black.

Are you really?

- I think I actually am. - Mm.

Okay. Well, just so you know, you're not immune here.

You're just as fucking expendable as I am. [clinks glass]

[Alex groans]

Hey, you good?

Please. What, are you in the 12-step program?

- Wanna make amends to me? Cory. - No, Alex, now hold on just a minute.

Come on. Let 'em get a picture of us talking, you know?

Oh!

- Smiling... - [laughs]

Yeah, are you good?

I can't remember the last time that we actually talked.

What do you... What do you want, Cory?

It was right before you announced Bradley as your cohost.

- And I was pretty awful to you. - You were a dick.

Don't worry, I'm not gonna bite. I just wanted you to hear it from me.

- Okay, and what is that? - You were right.

Yup, I said it.

You did a good thing. That Bradley stunt was brilliant.

And I want us to find a way to work together.

I think you're kind of a crazy genius,

and I like working with crazy geniuses.

Mm-hmm. [inhales]

Go fuck yourself, Cory.

Save your energy for your next kill. I'm not biting.

- You don't believe me. - No.

Oh, Alex.

I'm gonna try a little harder.

Whoa.

Everybody, can I get your attention for a second, please? Um...

I just want to take a second to acknowledge our hostess tonight.

Alex, what would we do without you? To Alex, everyone.

Wow. Thank you. That's so nice. Thank you.

- [laughs] - I dedicate this song to you, Alex Levy.

You make my job so fun. You're gonna like this one.

What are you doing?

♪ Nothing's gonna harm you ♪

- ♪ Not while I'm around ♪ - Oh, good God.

♪ Nothing's gonna harm you No, sir ♪

♪ Not while I'm around ♪

♪ Demons are prowling everywhere ♪

♪ Nowadays ♪

♪ I'll send them howling I don't care ♪

- ♪ I've got ways ♪ - Yes, you do.

- You know this is a duet, Alex Levy. - God, no. No way.

Come on. You're the musical theater nerd! You gotta get in there! Go, go!

♪ No one's gonna hurt you No one's gonna dare ♪

♪ Others can desert you Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there ♪

She knows the words, everyone!

♪ Demons will charm you with a smile ♪

♪ For a while ♪

♪ But in time ♪

♪ Nothing can harm you ♪

♪ Not while I'm around ♪

♪ Being close and being clever ♪

♪ Ain't like being true ♪

♪ I don't need to I would never ♪

♪ Hide a thing from you, like some ♪

What the fuck is going on right now?

I don't know, but it's weird and fascinating, and I'm super into it.

♪ No one's gonna dare ♪

♪ Others can desert you ♪

♪ Not to worry Whistle, I'll be there ♪

♪ Demons will charm you with a smile ♪

♪ For a while ♪

♪ But in time ♪

♪ Nothing can harm you ♪

♪ Not while ♪

♪ I'm around ♪

[cheers, applause]

Bravo, Alex!

[phone buzzes]

Yeah?

Yes, I absolutely am ready to give you that quote.

And you'll lose the Friedman quote?

What changed? Fine, fine, don't tell me.

Perfect. You ready?

Alex. Alex, what is going on?

I have to get out of here.

This is your party. What am I supposed to tell people?

Tell them to wrap it up. Tell them to stop fucking singing.

- Wait. Did something happen? - Something happens every five minutes.

I need some air. I cannot be in the same room with all those people right now.

I'm at a loss here. How is being out on the street better...

- What the fuck is going on, Alex? - I'm going to see Mitch!

All right?

I need to talk to him.

He's in the city.

We have a lot going on right now. And I just want to fucking talk to him.

I want to see my friend. Is that a fucking crime?

No, no, not a crime.

Then, please, don't turn this into something that it's not.

I won't.

Go on, off you go. I will lie for you, and take care of your party.

Thank you.

[laughter]

So, now no one can ever have a fling with someone sexy they work with?

It isn't that hard to hook up with people who you don't have to see every day.

With what free time exactly?

Celibacy has its perks.

Like?

- I do not know. - [laughter]

Oh, please. What does any of it matter?

Men put their dicks in a bunch of places they don't belong.

But who amongst us could say we wouldn't be doing the same

if we were differently equipped?

- [laughs] Hannah. - It's what being a man is all about,

and that is never really gonna change,

no matter what lies we tell ourselves, no matter what stories we do about it.

So... mazel tov!

[Mia] You're a nihilistic drunk, Hannah.

- Fucking right, babe. - And I love it!

[laughter]

It would help if the security guard could keep Mitch out of the fucking building.

[all groan]

It was so sad. His face. And he remembered about my dog.

No. What was fucking sad was all the people who tried to pretend

like they didn't know or participate in what Mitch was doing.

So, it wasn't just Mitch.

Mitch was the only one that was going...

Hold on. Who wants to know?

I'm sorry?

What Rena means is, does Bradley Jackson the truth teller want to know,

or Bradley Jackson the human being out for a night of revelry with her coworkers?

Really?

Y'all, I've worked in enough places.

I would be shocked if it was just Mitch. Shocked.

But not everyone here does live interviews trying to get to the truth.

Are you saying I shouldn't have asked her to be honest?

I think some of us just love our jobs, imperfect though they may be.

Okay, listen. I'm not trying to double or triple fuck any of y'all.

I am just a witness to history here, just like the rest of you.

Vive la révolution! Off with his balls.

No offense, Claire, but give it ten years, see if you feel the same way.

You know, maybe you have too much perspective

and too many years of being trained to enable this behavior in men.

- Jesus, Claire. - What the fuck does that mean?

No, I'm not blaming you, but I certainly hope

I'd still wanna cut off Mitch's balls in ten years.

He'll still be a fucking creep.

First of all, how old are you? What, 24?

Actually, why don't you try giving it 20 years.

And with all due respect, you've been in your job... 18 months?

What the fuck do you know about this show, what it's been, what I have seen?

What I have gone through since I've been on this show.

Okay, with all due respect, you don't have to have worked here for 20 years

to know that what Mitch did was fucked up.

Okay, let's just...

Obviously, no one is disputing that,

but it's not as black-and-white as you are stating it.

Right? 'Cause this shit is complicated. People are complicated.

Mitch was complicated.

And he was a part of this show.

And I care deeply...

for this show.

Okay. Mia, I'm really...

I'm really drunk. I'm sorry. We're all drunk and...

No, no, no, I'm sorry. I apologize to all of you, right?

This is hard for me. I feel bad for...

I feel bad 'cause, you know, that Times article is gonna be...

gonna be hard to come back from.

For us or for Mitch?

You know what? I'm gonna call myself a Lyft 'cause I need a lift. [chuckles]

I'm sorry, Mia.

No, no, it's fine. It's fine.

Forgive me.

Sorry, sorry. [laughs]

Happy birthday. Happy birthday.

Thank you.

- Bye, Mia. - Yes. See you tomorrow.

- Okay. Bye, Mia. - Okay. Bye. Bye.

I'm really sorry I said to cut off his balls.

["Dirty Work" playing on radio]

I'm glad you called. This conversation is scintillating.

God. I was literally just thinking

how nice it is to be so comfortable with someone

that you can just sit in silence and not have to talk.

You called the wrong guy.

[both laugh]

I've been making a lot of wrong calls lately.

- Yeah. I wanted to ask you about that. - Mm-hmm.

What the fuck is with this Bradley Jackson person?

- Oh, don't ask. Don't... - What, was that a network move?

That was me. That was a me move.

I sprung that on 'em at that dumb journalist event the other night.

- It was this... - No shit. Really?

- Yes, I did. - Ohh.

Oh, gosh. And you know what?

Now, there is absolutely no turning back. Nope.

The wheels really came off your world when I left, didn't they?

- They flew right off. I mean, I don't... - Whoo!

Would you like to hear my honest opinion on this?

Is that rhetorical?

- Yes, of course it is. - Of course it is.

She's not gonna last, and you have to prepare yourself for that.

Because people are so fucking stupid,

they see something that's loud and in their face, and they're,

"Wow, what's this?"

Then they realize that they don't like things that are loud and in their face,

and they move on.

So, I suggest that you just

keep your distance, lest you get chunks of Bradley Jackson

getting in your hair when she implodes.

- Oh, God, lovely. - Well...

I can see it. Okay, and then what?

Assuming that I'm not covered in Bradley Jackson remains,

which is a big assumption.

Life goes on, you know?

People continue to watch the show

'cause it helps them digest the horrors of the world,

and you are gonna come out smelling like a rose.

They are gonna love you even more after Bradley Jackson crashes and burns.

And after the debacle, known as "me,"

you're gonna be the wise one, the solid one, the smart one,

the one that they can count on,

the one who survived it all,

the one who never changed.

And then you'll find a new coanchor, probably a man.

And as ridiculous as it sounds right now, probably gonna be a straight, white man,

gonna be handsome, not too handsome, not intimidatingly so,

just sort of a...

like your best friend's father you always sort of had a crush on.

- [laughs] - And he's gonna be really smart,

and he's gonna be a journalist,

and he's not gonna be one of these just camera bimbos.

He's gonna have some real depth to him.

And the two of you are gonna get along great.

And you guys will make each other laugh, on the air and off the air.

You are not... You're not getting your job back.

- Me? I'm not talking about me. - Never. No.

I'm just talking about this nameless, other person.

This other person who lives in a house of fun mirrors.

[laughs] Oh. Oh, really? Don't we all?

Yes, I know. Fair enough.

[turns radio off]

You miss me.

Admit it. You do. I can tell.

You called me.

Would you just drive the fucking car, dipshit?

- Mm-mm. You know what? - Mm-mm.

I have an idea. We could go out.

- [gasps] - Paige is gone. And you're separated.

Oh, my gosh. Mitch, do you hear yourself?

We're unattached.

This is the first time ever that we're both unattached, so we could do this.

I mean... Yes, I'm sure it's every girl's dream

- to settle down with a sexual predator. - [laughs]

And have... just have two-and-a-half little predators of her own, and...

Okay.

But I think the world holds me to a higher standard than that.

Yeah, well, you're right. It does.

[sighs]

There's life after the show, though.

It doesn't sound half bad to me. I can think of worse things.

[Alex moans]

[Alex] Thank you.

I do miss you.

[Mitch] I really miss you, too.

I'm sorry.

[Alex moans]

[moans]

[chimes]

[phone buzzes]

Oh, Mitch. The story just dropped.

[Mitch] Oh, shit.

[sighs] Well, fuck.

[Rena] Guys. The Times piece. It's out.

Oh, shit.

Oh, my God. The papal conclave? I think I know who this was.

"The woman said Mr. Kessler asked her

to join him in the gas station bathroom." Jesus.

"In spite of Bradley Jackson's explosive interview with Ashley Brown,

no further incidents of a cover-up climate were reported."

[buzzes]

I'll be right back.

[phone rings]

Hello?

[Bradley] Hey, um, Dad?

It's me. It's... Bradley.

I hope it's not a bad time.

Why are you calling me?

Well, that's a good question.

[sighs]

I guess... I guess it's been a while. I guess...

I wasn't sure you wanted to talk to me.

Yeah. You just wanted to call and chat after 15 years?

You sound like you're at a bar.

Well, you would know.

All right, I'm sorry.

I'm just... I'm calling you because...

because I was thinking of you. I'm always thinking of you.

And I've been watching your program.

And maybe it's selfish of me, but I wanted to call,

and I wanted to tell you how proud,

how very...

How proud, how very proud I am.

I wish your grandmother could see you.

I always knew that you were so smart, Bradley.

The way you would...

you would debate politics with me when you were little.

It's not that I'm...

I'm taking credit for how extraordinary you turned out to be.

No, quite the opposite.

No. Considering where you came from and how far you've come...

I put you through hell.

Are you still there?

I put you through some hell, too.

Mm-mmm.

You did what you thought you had to do.

I did what I had to do.

Look, you can't call me.

You didn't call Mom, did you? 'Cause you know she's pretty fragile.

No, I've not called her, I'm...

I don't wanna make any trouble.

Well, then don't, okay? I gotta go.

Okay. Good night.

Take care of yourself, kiddo.

I always have.

- Hey. - Hey. Uh, can I get a drink?

It's on the house.

- One more? - Yeah. Just keep it coming.

- All right. - What's your name?

- Oh, it's Andrew. - Andrew.

- Yeah. What's your name? - I'm Bradley.

- Actually, I've run your card... - Oh, yeah?

- Which I still have, by the way. - [laughs]

[Bradley moans]

Okay. All right.

- [exhales] I gotta go. - You gotta what?

- Yeah. - You gotta be kidding me.

That... fucking asshole.

I... I really... I need to go home.

Come on, Alex. You knew all about this stuff.

I knew it, yeah.

I knew about it in theory, but just reading this

just felt really, really different.

- Can you just please... - Okay. Okay.

I need to go home, Mitch. Please.

- Okay. - Okay.

Okay.

[sighs]

I'm sorry, Ms. Jackson. I can't give you his room number.

Yes, you can. I live here. He lives here.

He's my neighbor. I have a right to know his address.

No one is disputing he stays here. I just can't give you his room number.

Then just call him and tell him that I'm down here.

I'm not gonna call 'cause I know he's not up there.

- Why do you keep saying... - Bradley.

- So sorry I'm late. - Cory.

I told him I knew you, but he wasn't listening.

Yeah, my apologies. Come with me, all right?

- So rude. - It's okay.

Don't worry about that guy. He's just doing...

[Bradley] I'm glad I found you.

I'm hearing, from that conversation, that you're living here now, huh?

- Yeah. They moved me here. - All right. What room are you in?

- I live upstairs. - Oh.

Okay.

You wanna tell me what happened?

- No. I don't know. - All right.

I do know. I did something really fucking stupid.

It's okay. Here. Hold on.

- [sighs] I fucked this bartender. - Okay, well...

And I'm not sorry that I fucked him.

I'm just worried because,

I don't know, I guess I'm famous now or something,

I don't know.

I'm so... I just don't know what I'm doing.

No, no. Hey. Hey. It's okay. Come here.

Lean on me.

It's all right. I gotcha.

- Don't you worry, okay? - I'm just embarrassed.

Don't be. I got you. It's gonna be okay.

[phone line ringing]

- Yes? - Hey, yeah, Fred. It's Mitch.

"Fred Micklen told the Times,

'He came to the studio in an emotional state.

He had to be escorted out.

It's painful to watch, but his own actions brought him to this.

He's done. He'll never work again.'"

If I'm going down, you are going down with me.

[call ends, beeps]

You are going down, motherfucker.

You could do great work here.

Don't annihilate yourself in the process

just for the sake of pushing buttons that you aren't supposed to push.

Why? 'Cause it'll kill your career?

Yeah, unfortunately, I think that death ship is sailing as we speak.

Maggie Brener wants to do a feature piece on Bradley.

That's good. That's good.

Alex. Do you think that she's up for this

Morning Show feminist revolution that you've ignited?

Especially in her own home.

I don't blame you for being worried about getting lost.

The fear that someone sitting next to you is your replacement.

Would you like to comment on that?

- And what the fuck is going on, Alex? - I'm going to see Mitch.

I have an idea. We could go out.

Paige is gone. And you're separated.

This is the first time that we're both unattached,

so we could do this.

I just don't know what I'm doing.

Hey, it's okay. Come here.

A state of emergency has been declared in California.

Just outside Los Angeles several fires are wreaking havoc,

destroying homes

and sending residents fleeing to safety.

The biggest blaze is the Huntley Fire

just outside the wealthy community of Malibu

which authorities are now likening to a war zone.

Fire crews are battling flames

in three different counties.

... residents who were in tears

as they were unable to return...

Destroying everything in its path.

It's happening as tension rises

and tragedies mount.

Hey, Fred, we're evacuating. It's mandatory.

Make sure they get all the animals.

- The horses, the little burro. - Get the fucking animals.

On it, boss.

God.

I did not need this. TMS should go to LA to cover this.

Get those fucking women to stop talking about Me Too for five minutes.

Hey, Cory. Listen, I got an idea.

Can you get ahold of Bradley?

You know, we're staying in the same hotel,

so let me see if I can connect with her.

All right, I'll call Chip on the way to the airport.

Get the girls to LA to cover these fires.

Okay.

What is happening right now?

Um, Lucky Lindy landed safely in Paris, maybe?

Whoa.

Yes, I know my face can be startling in an intimate setting.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

I feel so awful.

- I'm so sorry. I was a fucked-up mess. - Oh, no. No, no.

Please, don't be.

We laughed, we cried, we ate grilled cheese.

It was all good.

I actually did sleep in the living room.

I was a little concerned you might choke on your own vomit.

The grilled cheese didn't go down so well.

Please just shoot me.

- Hey, Bradley. Bradley? - What?

- What? - Bradley?

It's really all good. I was glad that I could be here to help.

I wouldn't have wanted you to be alone last night.

Thank you, Cory.

Being alone is highly overrated.

You're awfully nice for the head of a... President of a network.

Yeah, I'm actually really not. I just like you.

Here, have some toast.

- Hey, you got me toast? - Mm-hmm.

- And coffee. - Oh, I got coffee. Thank God.

- Yeah, there you go. - Thank you.

In other exciting news,

we're gonna be covering the wildfires in LA.

So I need you to get on a plane ASAP.

Chip has been calling your phone.

Oh, my G... Holy shit!

Yeah. But don't worry. He doesn't know that I'm here.

Um, you can call him from the car.

Okay. Even though I feel like crap, this is great news

'cause I just need to get boots on the ground.

That's what I'm good at.

I actually have to go back to LA. Pilot business, you know.

Upfronts are biting at my heels. So I'll go up.

I'll pack. I'll get you some Advil.

And then I can take you to the airport with me.

Thank you. That is so nice.

But wouldn't it be a little bit strange

if we came to the airport in the same car?

That's a good point.

I'll get you some Advil, put you in a cab.

- To LA! - LA!

Open space and Santa Anas and wildfires.

Anything can happen! Especially when it's burning down!

Oh, my God.

It's the grilled cheese.

You know it's Sunday, right?

Hey, good morning. We gotta go to LA to cover these fires.

YDA is fucking killing it with Jimmy and his tearful nonnies.

Whoa. Chip, Chip, please. It's really early. Just slow down.

Oh, it's early? I'm sorry. Yeah, we're all hungover.

But I gotta get you on a plane in a few hours. Come on.

Seriously? Fires in LA.

That sounds a little desperate.

It's not like it's 9/11 or something.

No, no, no, no. You don't get it. This is massive, okay?

We got multiple fires raging here.

We've got evacuations, homes lost.

People are dying in their fucking cars trying to escape the fires.

Oh, Jesus.

Besides, the show could use a little narrative shift.

Come on. Let's do this.

These orders are coming straight from the fucking Death Star.

Chip, I'm not... I'm not covering a fucking fire, okay?

Just send Bradley. Get her off my ass for a few days.

I am trying to reach her. But, come on, Alex!

This has got to ha... Hold on a second.

What are you...

Yes, yes, I know I'm not supposed to enter here unannounced.

Just give me that.

Hey! What...

All right, fuck you too.

I can't do this anymore, Alex.

I was up all night after you abandoned me,

left me to host your fucking fund-raiser.

Okay. Look, I... I was upset...

Yes, but you're always upset or stressed,

and I just cannot take it anymore. Okay?

I love our daughter.

But years of having a relationship with a charming narcissist

is fucking killing me.

You're not in love with me.

And... And I am not in love with you anymore.

And?

I want a divorce.

Well, no.

It's not entirely up to you, believe it or not.

Jason, this is why we are separated. Because...

Listen, we don't have to do the family calendars.

- No, no, no. - You don't have to host

- my fund-raisers with me anymore. - No, Alex.

We separated... We separated

because we argue constantly just like this.

- Mm-hmm. - Yes, we do. And because, deep down,

I am furious with you for never putting me first,

and you are furious with me because I am angry about it,

and because you believe you have a God-given right

to always have the most important problem.

Alex, I swear to God, if you answer that,

I will never speak to you again...

ever.

Fine. Fine.

Okay, um, look.

We can't get a divorce.

- I'm already on thin ice with America. - Oh, God.

A divorce will just... put me over the edge. And I can...

This is happening, Alex.

We have to tell Lizzy, you have to tell your PR people.

Because like everything else in our personal life,

it needs to be fucking handled.

But make no mistake, this is happening.

I've spoken to my lawyer. I'm gonna drive and tell Lizzy tonight.

If you wanna come, you should.

- No, I... No! No! - I'll meet you at 5:00. We'll go together.

No, Jason... Jason, I'm sorry I did that.

I'm sorry I left you at the party alo...

- We cannot tell Lizzy. - Why?

Because. Because...

I have to go to California today.

We're covering the fires. That's why Chip has been calling me.

Alex.

Please. Jason, peoples' homes are burning to the ground.

Bodies are being pulled out of cars.

This is important. Jason.

We'll tell her when I get back.

Fine. As soon as you are back, we will tell her.

But I am not fucking around, Alex.

I'm not gonna cool down and suddenly change my mind.

I'm not... I'm not thinking that.

I just have to cover the fires.

It's not my fault. I didn't light them.

Yes?

Hey, so sorry. I was sound, sound asleep.

Um... you're right.

It's... It's important. Of course, I'll be there.

Fantastic. Thank you. Plane can leave at 11:00.

Okay, I'll see you then. Oh, um, don't bring Bradley.

You just fucking told me to bring...

You know what? It doesn't matter.

She's already going. Fred wants her there. You're both going.

It's gonna be a ratings bonanza.

Pack your stuff. Car's coming in an hour.

Oh, fuck, fine!

All right, I'm here. Let's go.

Copy just came in.

Oh, thank you.

I'm glad we're getting out of town for a few days.

Yeah, we could definitely all use a change of scenery,

even if it's a deadly fire.

Which is saying something.

I'm glad you were there last night.

- You were? - Yeah.

I also didn't know half the staff doesn't trust me.

Oh.

Do I smell like tequila?

Let me smell.

Oh, wow. Nah, I'm just playing. You're fine.

Look, the staff, they barely know you. It's only been a week.

Give them some time. Okay? You're pretty likable.

Thanks.

I need some coffee. You want some?

Nah, I'm all good.

It's the travel booker.

What?

Apparently most of the hotels near the fire are full

because of the mandatory evacuations.

And the only one that's available doesn't have any suites.

Well, can't they kick out some of the displaced families?

I do need room for my diamonds.

- So that's a "yes". Got it. - Jesus.

Who's telling people that I need all these things? Hmm?

This is why celebrities get really crappy reputations.

And by being difficult to work with.

It's been two days since the Ashley Brown interview.

What's your point?

What are we doing? You have to talk to Bradley at some point.

Or... Or make some eye contact.

Chip, I don't give a fuck. Just leave me alone on it, all right?

I have this other natural disaster I have to deal with.

Okay. I'm sorry. I'm just...

All right, folks, we have just about another hour to go

before we touch down in Burbank.

I hope you guys are having a good time back there.

It's been a pleasure serving you.

Mommy!

Let's go, come on. Hold my hand. Don't let go.

Water... Here if you need 'em.

Sorry this took so long.

Jesus.

Any port in a storm, huh?

You sure about that?

Okay, guys, clock's ticking. Let's get set up.

Yanko, can you meet the helicopter, please?

Yeah.

- Alex Levy? - Hi there.

Hi.

Oh. Thank you.

We're working on the press conference with the Malibu fire chief.

Then we have the children who survived in the swimming pool.

The climate change expert. Do we have anyone from the hospital yet?

The nurse is a little skittish. I'm working on her.

I'll have a backup too.

Okay. We still need an upbeat story to wrap up with.

I'm leaning towards the Good Samaritan who rescued all the dogs.

Oh, uh... don't you think that's a little bit soft?

I mean, I like dogs. But just to end the show?

Well, maybe one of the dogs had an abortion.

Um, what'd you have in mind, Bradley?

I don't know, maybe something about the allocation

of firefighting resources,

how they prioritize which homes they wanna save.

- Hmm. - The numbers seem to show an imbalance

towards richer neighborhoods over poor neighborhoods.

And maybe that's an unconscious bias,

and maybe it's outright corruption,

but either way, it's wrong.

Claire actually found a video on Twitter.

Some celebrities hire private firefighters to protect their mansions.

Oh, that's kind of an interesting take.

All right, can you send me the link?

Yeah.

All right, it is interesting. Um...

it might look like we are denigrating first responders.

Uh, so I'm not sure it's the right tone for us.

I mean, we're a news program.

I think our tone is the truth, even when it's ugly.

Oh, my God! Are you going to do this every day?

Do what?

This I'm-so-down-with-the-people, superior journalist bullshit.

- It's really obnoxious. - Wow.

You have no respect for our show or the work that we do here.

Well, I don't need to lie to myself

about the quality of the show

that you've been producing for 15 years.

Okay, respectfully,

we are the number-one morning news program in the country.

Which is why you're an incredible platform to open people's eyes

to what's really happening in the world

instead of force-feeding them a bunch of glossy garbage

that sedates them into thinking their lives are great

'cause they saved some dogs.

Why? So we can all just fucking kill ourselves?

- Okay, all right. - Let's give that to the people!

- Okay, look. - Jesus.

We're all a little tired, a little hungover.

You cannot begrudge people for wanting to feel better.

It's part of the job, truth teller. Like it or not.

- Well, with all due respect, Alex... - Mm-hmm.

I think you and I have different ideas about what this show means.

Okay, I think that we're gonna run with the dog story for today.

We will dig in deeper on the private firefighters for tomorrow's show.

Great, thank you.

Okay, great. We gotta get home base locked up.

Let's get moving, everybody. Thank you.

Just try to get some rest.

We're gonna need a bigger trailer.

We're gonna shoot the whole show out here, whole show.

Well, you can see the devastation.

Just miles and miles of scorched earth and remnants of homes.

And this, by the way, is only miles away

from the terrible Woolsey Fire

from the fall of 2018.

And meanwhile, the Santa Anas are...

They're relentless, and the blaze is only 10% contained.

Hello, Mrs. Rosen? Wait, I lost you.

Hello? Hello? Mrs. Rosen?

Oh, fuck.

Oh, there you are.

Yes, yes. We were so deeply moved by your story.

We would love to...

Mrs. Rosen? Are you still there?

If winds pick up, there's a chance we'd have to drop signal

and go to New York.

Uh, how big of a chance?

In the mythology of most ancient cultures,

fire was imbued with magical properties.

It's referred to as a creature to be tamed.

You understand that when you see a fire like this,

I mean, the way it moves,

it seems deliberate,

like it's something with a mind that can think and plan.

Are you just telling me about the mythology,

or you want that in the copy?

No, I'm not just telling you, Joel. I want that in the copy.

Claire, give me the keys to this thing.

- Yeah. Will do. - Mrs. Rosen!

I won't pretend to know the pain you're feeling right now.

All I wanna say is, I think your story could bring awareness,

so that no other family ever has to suffer the way that yours has.

Yes, please take your time to think about it.

I'll check in with you soon. Okay. Bye.

Keep that area clear.

God, how are you so good at that?

Speaking to people that have had these terrible traumas.

You basically just don't avoid the pain.

My mom died when I was ten. It was pretty sudden.

I guess you could say I'm smart at tragedy,

which helps booking a morning news show.

But there's basically nothing anyone can say that makes it better.

Just a lot of things you can say that make it worse.

I just try not to make it worse.

By the way, we're about to be up for the next 30 hours.

I have Adderall if you want some.

Yeah. Okay.

Also, remotes are a good opportunity

to make an impression on higher-ups.

Smaller crew, more face time. People are jacked up.

There's an excitement in the air. Stuff happens on remotes.

Man, I wish this wind would die down.

Mrs. Rosen. Yes.

Yes, we're on our way. We'll be there soon.

It doesn't work.

I think they did a great job of...

Putting what was on the page up on the screen.

That is an accurate representation of what was on the page.

And it doesn't work.

But you greenlit the pilot.

That's true. I did.

So why would you do it if you hated it so much?

You follow baseball, Kate?

Do I look like I follow baseball?

Yes.

We're talking baseball.

Sometimes a guy, he bounces around the minors,

he's barely hitting his own weight,

and everybody has called him a washout.

But you, you see something in him, so you empower him.

You call him up to the majors, and the first fucking pitch he sees,

he crushes a 500-foot towering home run over the center-field wall.

It's beautiful. He's a gamer.

So when this guy or gal makes good,

it renews your faith in the game.

And in news. And in life. It puts a spring in your step.

It makes you wanna come back to the park again

'cause it may happen again.

And guess what? It does happen again,

and everything is right in the world.

Famine, poverty and pestilence are a thing of the past.

A tree grows in Brooklyn. Rainbows...

Are we still talking about the pilot?

What else would we be talking about, Kate?

Sometimes, you give a guy an at bat

to show him that baseball is just not his sport.

You knew it already. But he didn't know it.

He got a big head when he was putting up decent numbers in Triple-A.

And what do you know? He strikes out on three straight pitches.

And then it happens again. And then it happens again.

So now he knows. He's just not a big-league hitter.

But more importantly, the scout,

who had been championing this guy from here to kingdom come...

knows it too.

And that's money well spent.

So, no, I'm not picking it up. And I'm okay with it.

Charlie Black just showed up. He wants to talk to you.

Okay. Class dismissed.

Chipper. What's up? What can I help you with?

It's a little weird seeing you here with your other hat on.

Well, hats look weird on me in general. I get it.

In addition to which,

my heart is fully in the news division right now,

for better or worse.

Well, good luck with that.

She can be a cruel mistress, as they say.

Um...

speaking of which, um...

look, you know, I do understand what's happening here.

You know, if push comes to shove, I'm gonna be the first one to die.

You're not wrong. Sorry.

And maybe I shouldn't be bringing this to you,

but I have very few options and increasingly less to lose.

So, fuck it, here goes.

Look, TV, at this level, is...

It's like the Mafia, you know. Um...

We got a don in a precarious position,

and, as a result, he's gonna have me whacked.

And, you know, I need protection.

So you're coming to the underboss to propose a coup?

Somehow, you have come out of this pretty golden.

And I am sure it has crossed your mind

that, uh, Fred's left holding the bag,

and you're kicking ass,

then you could quickly find yourself in Fred's seat.

Crossed my mind.

So here's the thing. I wanna help put you there.

How would that happen?

To be honest, I've never done anything like this before, okay?

But these things have a way of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You know, they... People hint at a shake-up.

They hint that young hotshot Cory Ellison

is going to succeed Fred Micklen.

And before you know it, you know... I like your chances.

We are the press. You know?

And while I can't have the story placed at our show, obviously,

I've been around a while, I do have clout, I do have credibility.

And I got a lot of political capital saved up,

and I can spend that shit getting the story placed...

at any number of outlets.

It's intriguing.

But I don't see Fred getting taken out

unless something specific comes out on him.

- Like what? - I don't know, Chip, like what?

I gotta be honest with you, man, I don't know.

I'd have to think about that.

Organized crime is harder than it looks, isn't it?

Yeah, it is.

Think about it.

All right. Um...

Thank you for talking to me.

Yeah. Good luck with that moral compass of yours.

- Copy that. - Yeah.

That's on the C block. That's C block.

You don't have to wear the mask, but you have to take it.

- Just take it. - Yeah.

Oh, I'll help.

Take these and pass them out.

Hey, can you give one of these to Bradley? She's in her trailer.

Then we can put that in. That'll fit. Does that work for you, Yanko?

It's not about me.

- It's about the fires. - Apparently you minded about... What?

- That looks good. I like that. - Okay. All right.

That's all I can do.

Mask.

Um, Bradley, I'm supposed to give you a mask. It's network policy.

Oh, hey, thanks.

Did you find this article about the actor

that hired the private firefighters?

Yeah, that was me.

This is great stuff.

This is fascinating. Really fucked-up, but fascinating.

Thanks.

Yeah, if you find another fucked-up story like this,

don't hesitate to bring it to me.

- Oh. Okay. Yeah. - Okay.

- I will. - Thanks.

- Claire? - Yes.

What are your goals around here?

Oh, uh, well, to be completely honest, I'm still feeling it out.

I mean, I'm fascinated by so much of it.

Like, maybe on-air, maybe an EP.

I mean, also I can just see myself running an entire network.

Okay, well, um, I've been interviewing assistants.

How's that going?

You know, to be honest, not great.

They just keep sending me the same cookie-cutter, Ivy League...

Hire me! I'm extremely smart. I'm incredibly hardworking.

I already know everything about the show and how to get shit done.

But mainly, I really want to learn from you.

I realize you maybe weren't remotely going to offer me the job,

and I apologize if I just mortified myself.

But I really do mean all of that.

Did you see how many bridges I burned last week?

Yeah, and I really admire it.

Okay. You're funny, and you have questionable taste,

but I like that you just come out and say what you want.

So I think I wanna offer you the job.

- Really? - Yeah, if you want it.

Yes! Should I just start now?

I would pass out the face masks, then come back

and we can start talking about work.

Amazing. Thank you. I will not let you down.

I know you won't.

- Guess what? - Hey.

I just got promoted.

What? You did?

You are now having an affair

with Bradley Jackson's executive assistant.

Come on, Claire. Come on. Please.

Look, it's great news, no, but use your head.

Okay. I understand. I do.

I'm proud of you.

Me too.

Oh.

Yes. Yeah.

You look very sexy out here in the wild, you know.

It's unbearable.

Go away. Now.

Look up. Close your eyes.

Look, Alex, I get that you're upset at me

ever since that Ashley interview.

Oh, God, Bradley. My life is not all about you.

I'm sorry if what I asked you was rude.

- Guys, I got Mike from an old... - Rude? Rude?

Clear the set, please!

Implying that I'm part of a conspiracy of silence?

How could that be rude?

Fine. I got all heated up. It was a question.

My journalistic instinct told me to ask you.

Oh, that's so grand. Your curiosity just thrills me.

And I'm in awe of your instincts. Can we just be honest?

Please.

- I don't like you, and you don't like me. - I like you.

Oh, come on. Why? Why are we p... Stop pretending.

Because we have to work together.

Yes, I know we are in this mess now.

But doing this job well requires us to act like best friends

for exactly two hours a day.

The rest of the time, we just have to be professional adults

who can tolerate being in the same room.

And I think we can both handle those boundaries.

I know I can. See if you can.

Come on, Greg! What's happening?

Yeah, we're live in 30 seconds, everyone. Quiet on the set.

Shit.

Okay, come on, sound, mikes, let's go.

Here. Who's taking my coat?

We're live in ten.

Jesus, you can't buy this kind of production value. Holy shit.

- Which camera do we start with? - Standby, two.

- Oh, my God. - Take it, two. Cue her.

In three, two...

Good morning, and thank you for joining us.

We're coming to you live from both coasts this morning

with special coverage of the Huntley Fire

that has devastated California this week.

Alex, Bradley.

Good morning, guys. Bradley and I are currently standing

in the Santa Monica Mountains near Huntley Canyon,

where the blaze began, and the destruction is devastating.

Here's what we know right now.

Seven people are confirmed dead and dozens are injured,

including four firefighters who are being treated in area hospitals.

At least 40,000 acres have burned,

and local officials estimate that close to 1,500 homes have been lost.

And those numbers are still going up

as the fire continues to rage,

only 10% contained at this hour.

100,000 residents have been forced into mandatory evacuations.

It's difficult to wrap your mind around the human toll.

It really is, Alex. It's... It's harrowing.

Wow. So awful.

Well, we hope that both of you are staying safe out there.

Thank you, guys.

It's intense being here in the middle of all this,

but we're watching out for each other.

Yes, we are. Now let's go to a live news conference

with Los Angeles County Fire Chief, Captain Graham Sealy,

for an update on the rescue effort.

- And we're out. - All right. It's good.

Mm.

Here.

- Oh, thanks. - You okay?

Yeah. I'm fine. It's just the smoke. It's...

It's the smoke. I'm fine.

Okay. All right.

Uh, dog guy's on next, all right? Five minutes.

Okay.

Oh, come on. Okay. You gotta really get there, okay?

All right, everyone, we're live in five, four...

We are here live with Tim Eavers.

Welcome to The Morning Show, Tim.

Thanks so much for being here with us today.

Oh, it's my great pleasure.

I've been watching you for the past 15 years through

every major emergency,

and, uh, I'm a huge fan.

I watched your daughter grow up on the show.

- Oh, that's great. Thank you. - Yeah.

She's quite the grown woman these days.

Color me an empty nester, you know?

So, Tim, this is an incredible act of heroism.

How many dogs have you rescued altogether now?

- Uh, eighteen. And two cats. - Wow. That's incredible.

Wow. So, Tim, take us back to that moment.

So once I realized that

my wife had picked up my daughter from school,

and they were safely situated in a motel,

- I went home to get treasured items... - This guy Tim is great.

And to pick up our, um... our two family dogs,

Marge, who's an old Lab, and Tilly, who is her own puppy.

Oh, that's so sweet.

So you kept the mother-daughter relationship intact.

Oh, yeah, you don't wanna be busting up a family.

The smoke is really... Excuse me.

What... What was that?

Yes, there is a lot of smoke out here.

So, Tim, once you got the dogs in the car, then what happened?

Uh, well, so at that point, you know, the fires were pretty close,

so there was a lot of sirens.

And dogs were just barking everywhere.

And that's when I realized,

man, there was a lot of people like my wife and my daughter

who were at work and at school.

So I just started driving around the neighborhood

and checking all these different yards

and finding all these dogs that got left behind.

Oh, hey, Greg, let's move on to the strays now.

Okay, and now the strays.

Yes. Okay.

So, Tim, we have four of the dogs here today that you've rescued.

Let's... Tell us a little bit about these big guys.

Okay, so these guys are from a family who, sadly,

their home burnt down.

I know that nobody likes feeling alone, you know?

So, if someone out there is suffering

or in emotional pain, or needs a family,

they might want to adopt one of these little angels.

I wanna give you a home.

Greg, what the fuck is happening right now?

She's about to lose it.

It looks like this one might have found a home already.

- Isn't that right, Alex? - It's just so emotional, everything today.

What you're doing, it's just... it's beautiful.

- We're gonna get through this together. - Mm-hmm.

- And God is gonna help us. - Donny, no more close-ups on Alex.

- Go right to Bradley. Stay on her. - And cut off her mike.

Wrap it up, now. Wrap it.

If you're interested in adopting one of these incredible dogs,

you can find all of that info on our website.

Unless Alex beats you to it, of course.

Stay with us for more special coverage of the Huntley Canyon Fire,

here on The Morning Show.

Okay, and we're clear. We're clear. Clear.

Oh. Thank you.

Uh, excuse me.

She doing okay?

- That was great, okay? Thank you. - Can I get that...

Can I get that picture with her, or...

- What's going on? - You gotta get in there,

- you gotta do something. - I think she just needs five minutes.

- I don't have five minutes! - Where is she?

She's in the trailer.

Jesus.

Alex, open the door.

I literally need her on camera in, like, eight minutes.

I'm fine. What is the problem?

- You think she's fine? - She said she was fine.

No, she's not fucking fine.

- I'm going in. - Wait, you're going in there?

Yes, trust me.

I am very well-versed with people on the verge.

Oh, my God, what is wrong with you?

Honestly. I don't want you in here.

I don't want anyone in here.

What are you trying to prove? Jesus.

Oh, Jesus.

Okay. Okay. Here.

I got you. I got you.

Just let it out.

It's okay.

Come here. Come here, come here.

Come here.

Okay.

It's okay.

You're gonna be okay. You'll be all right.

Here.

Okay, breathe. Just breathe.

Okay. Oh.

Okay.

You can go now. I'm fine.

You can go now.

All right, I'm just gonna stick around for a minute.

No, no. Bradley, please.

I want you to leave now. Okay?

You got to see that. You got to see me break.

Whoo-hoo! You got a really great show.

All right? So, come on.

Please, just go.

Please, get out of here!

Okay. All right.

Yeah, I und... I need somebody on standby, so...

Hey, uh, what's going on?

She's calming down.

Just give her a few minutes and then send in hair and makeup.

I'll go cover the next segment. Beyond that, I don't know.

Okay. Um... thank you.

Yeah. Of course.

- Hey. - Mm-hmm.

Hi.

Oh, yeah. Thanks.

So. What the hell?

Jason and I are getting a divorce.

Oh, my God. I'm so sorry.

No, you know, it's been coming for a really long time.

We haven't been in a good place for years.

But just...

It's Lizzy.

That's my family, and I don't know what else I have.

Anyway, I'll handle it

so that it doesn't hurt the show any more than it has to.

I'm sure there's gonna be some fallout, of course,

but, you know, we were America's family.

Fucking bullshit.

That's good. Push that.

Hey, uh, the press is putting out all kinds of feelers

about the Alex meltdown from this morning.

Nope. No. Do not let them make a big deal out of this.

Alex Levy is not having an emotional breakdown.

She is simply moved by the fire

and the victims and all the sweet puppy dogs.

- Stick to that. - Right, copy that.

Oh, shit.

Hey, Fred.

Goddamn it, Chip.

Why the fuck is my property manager

telling me that there are investigators from TMS

trying to interview the hired firefighters working to save my home?

Yeah, that's a story that Bradley's doing tomorrow.

We didn't know one of the locations was your property.

Fred! Fred, Loki's been burned.

Look. I'm in hell here. My home might burn down.

I gotta find somewhere to put Geneva's fucking horses.

Kill the goddamn story.

Fuck.

Oh, Jesus.

Everything I brought smells like smoke.

I know. It's sexy, isn't it?

Oh, my God. Fires. Fires take it out of you.

I just gotta see what Chip wanted then I'm gonna pass out.

- Good night. - Night.

I hear you. It's not my decision.

But you're the producer.

Yeah, but it's Fred's network. There's very little I can do here.

What kind of news organization is this?

I don't fucking know, to be honest with you.

I wish I had a good answer for that. But I... I...

I know I'm an annoying pain in your ass, okay?

But if it makes you feel any better,

I've been an annoying pain in the ass

to pretty much everybody I've ever worked with.

I push. It's just my nature.

And, and... Jesus, I wish to God sometimes it wasn't.

But I've realized I can't change it,

and I guess I just... I learned to just lean into the fucking turn.

Look, I get it, okay. You don't have to apologize to me.

I'm not apologizing. I was just explaining it.

I understand, okay.

I see you in that room today, pitching me that story.

- It's a fucking good story. - It's a great story!

It is. And I'm the fucking asshole who has to shut you down.

And I used to be you.

That's what I used to do. I used to push.

But now I'm in this position where I can't push anymore

because I have to hold the middle

from being pulled to the other side

and keep the whole fucking thing from falling down the mountain.

And then you wake up one day and you're like,

"Did I used to push?

What direction did I push in when I was even a pusher?"

I don't know why I keep saying pusher right now,

but it's fucking...

Let's just be clear. You're not talking about drugs, right?

Oh, no, I was a drug dealer. That's what I was trying to tell you.

You're pretty funny for a broken person.

That's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me.

- Well... - I want that on my tombstone.

That's...

Wind's shifted, guys, and we need to pack up the site and move.

- Right now. - Okay, okay.

Right now. Come on. Cars are waiting outside.

- Hey, Bradley. - Yeah.

What if we said, "Fuck Fred" and ran the story anyway?

Can you be ready in time?

Yeah. Yeah.

- Let's do it. - Okay.

Hey. Excuse me, guys. Sir, can you talk to me for just a second?

I'm with The Morning Show.

How long have you and your team been working here

to save this private estate?

Since last night.

And do you think it's fair

that certain wealthy people can afford private firefighters

to save their homes while others are forced to brave the elements?

There is no "fair" here.

People are desperate to save their homes.

You can't blame them for doing what they can.

On the way here, I saw a whole neighborhood

very close by was burned to the ground.

Small homes, there weren't nearly as many firefighters.

People picking up the pieces of their lives.

What do you think about that?

I wish everybody had extra money to hire extra help.

We're just doing what we can here.

This is America. Money matters.

Thank you, sir.

From Malibu, I'm Bradley Jackson.

Fuck you, Fred.

Claire.

You felt too far away.

What are you doing?

Coming.

Hey.

Hi.

Um...

I just wanted you to know

that I know that I've been really erratic today.

Okay.

Um...

There's more, um...

Also, the reason that I lost my shit earlier is that, um...

I'm getting a divorce.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

It's okay. I'll live.

Is there anything I can do?

No, don't... No.

It's just, uh...

my daughter.

I don't want to lose her.

I know she is gonna blame me, and she's going to blame my job.

And...

I just can't stand the idea of my daughter...

thinking badly of me.

That's a lot to carry.

Yeah.

Okay, good night.

Alex!

- Hey. - Yeah?

Uh...

Look, life is messy. Everybody's life is messy and complicated.

Parents and kids, it's a lot.

And my... my mom is a fucking mess.

I don't know what to do with her half the time.

And it's probably because... my dad was a real bad drunk,

and... and... one time he was driving the car, and he killed a kid.

And I only say that because I was furious with my dad.

And I pushed him out of my life.

But I never stopped loving him.

And that's just how it is with parents and kids.

And I guarantee, no matter what you didn't do for your daughter,

that you think you didn't make some perfect life,

whatever the fuck that is, for her,

she loves you so much.

Thank you.

You're actually pretty lovable

when you're not acting like a wet cat.

And I want you to know that you can trust me.

You can tell me things. You can be vulnerable. It's okay.

Okay. Thank you.

- Night. - Good night.

Hey, Cory. It's Chip.

What's up?

I think I'm ready to talk.

I have an easy fall guy when all this goes to shit.

Oh, we're talking about me, right?

Chip. Mitch is here.

This is scary. I get it.

Saying things that are unpopular about

people that are unpopular in the moment.

But this is my fucking life!

Who else knew what was going on?

Who do you think?

I want a divorce.

Well, no.

Jason, I'm sorry I did that. I'm sorry I left you at the party alo...

Breathe. Just breathe.

Look, life is messy. Everybody's life is messy.

And I want you to know that you can trust me.

You can tell me things, you can be vulnerable.

It's okay.

Okay.

I am sure it has crossed your mind.

Fred's left holding the bag and you're kicking ass,

then you could quickly find yourself in Fred's seat.

I don't see Fred getting taken out unless

something specific comes out on him.

- Like what? - I don't know, Chip. Like what?

You're not impartial on this subject. You knew what Mitch was doing.

I don't ever remember you confiding in me about Mitch.

Asking me for help.

I remember you being pretty capable of taking good care of yourself.

Well, didn't I tell you? Best falafel in all five boroughs.

I read about it on Eater. You know about Eater, right?

- Yeah. Eater's a great website. - Love it.

Fuck, I love Eater too.

Can we get back to what we were talking about, please?

Oh, yeah, please continue. It was titillating.

You were saying you got your hands on some e-mails.

Yes. Evidence of transfers. Payoffs. Shuttled complaints.

And I know people who can back all this up.

- There's a former VP in HR. - Yeah.

A producer in evening news.

Unfortunately, nobody can tie this directly to Fred.

'Cause, you know, he's too fucking smart.

But of course he's at the center of all this. You know.

I mean, nobody's doing this shit in a vacuum.

Everybody's too busy just trying to fucking survive.

Including you.

Hey, look. Just... hear me out.

Let's say that I background some of

this evidence to a reporter, you know.

I know somebody at the Times or it could be somebody else,

or somebody young and hungry. I don't know,

but I could allude to a larger story about network complicity, okay.

I wouldn't give them any details,

but I'd kind of usher them towards it

and then just fucking let 'em run with it.

Let it build and build, and it turns into a fucking runaway train.

- And then we just sit back and... - Let that train crash into Fred.

Yes.

- Are you gonna... - You've seen Planet Earth, right?

The... The nature documentary?

Documentary series, but, yeah.

It's really moving, and it's educational.

You should fucking watch it. It's David Attenborough.

Anyway, there's this category of animals,

they're called ambush predators.

And they run the gamut between starfish,

cephalopods, crustaceans, spiders, snakes, cats even.

And ambush predators, they wait for the prey

to come within ambush distance before striking.

They're deliberate. They usually remain hidden,

in camouflage right up until the moment they strike.

But when they do strike, it's over before it began.

And then there is pursuit predation. It's a different strategy.

Direct. Aggressive.

But it only tends to work when the predator is faster than the prey.

Look, I'm not an amateur, all right. I'm faster than you think.

You're not as fast as Fred.

This is his wilderness, and he's been running for a long time.

He is fucking fast.

You do not chase Fred Micklen out in the open

unless you know you can take him down.

Otherwise, he's gonna turn around, attack you,

gut you and eat your innards in the middle of the fucking savanna.

And that's gonna hurt. A lot.

I mean, what the fuck am I supposed to do?

You wait, man. Were you listening to me?

Until the timing is right and we have enough ammunition.

Actual airtight evidence that links Fred to a cover-up.

Yeah. That's easy for you to say.

Fred has me fucking trained in his rifle sights, okay?

Hey, man. I just gotta point out right now you seem really desperate,

and desperation is not a strong position to make a big move.

Is that something else you learned from your nature documentary?

No. That's Sun Tzu. Art of War.

Jesus. Somebody fucking kill me right now. I just...

Look. Chippy. Come on. You're tired.

You just got back from LA.

Focus on the show.

And be patient.

Wait.

Night, Chip.

Yeah. Fuck you. Good night.

And, finally, new details have emerged

illuminating Weinstein's mind-set in the final hours before his firing.

In an e-mail that leaked to the press,

he wrote to his friends and colleagues,

"I'm desperate for your help.

Just give me the time to have therapy.

Do not let me be fired.

If the industry supports me, that's all I need."

Wow. So interesting.

Yeah, it's a real window into how he operated

and how he was able to manipulate the people around him.

Yeah, I know. It's how the culture of silence lasted so long.

What the fuck am I doing?

About a week ago,

you jumped into an elevator

to ask me who else knew about what was going on.

Yes, I did that.

Well, if you really wanna know, I can give you the whole story.

And I assure you that it is Shakespearean in scope.

The things that went down.

Who knew. Who covered.

Well, that's a bit general. I'm gonna need some detail.

Actually, there's something that I want from you,

so I'm not gonna give up the goods just yet.

What could you possibly want from me?

I want my old platform back.

To tell my story.

I want... you to interview me on the show.

Look, an interview is not gonna happen.

I will tell you that right now.

No? Why not?

The ratings would go insane.

Yeah, so would the critics.

And social media.

And... And public opinion would not be in the favor of the show.

Hmm. You don't strike me as the type of person

who gives a shit about public opinion.

Meeting me for 30 seconds in an elevator

qualifies you to know me somehow?

No.

But am I wrong?

Look, you're a journalist. I am bringing you a story.

Disgraced predator going home,

talking about his reprehensible behavior.

And also, he lifts the veil

that protects the corporate puppet masters.

Who, quite frankly, run the whole fucking country.

I mean...

come on.

You know Alex will never go for this.

Not in a million years. Or Chip, for that matter.

No, you're right. Alex would not wanna do it,

for a myriad of reasons.

The main one being, she is hardly innocent herself.

What are you saying?

Hmm, she...

She wasn't blind.

And as for Chip, he's a dead man.

There is no way he survives this.

It's in the tea leaves.

Can't fuck with the tea leaves.

I know what you're doing.

Oh, really? Please. Please tell me my motivation here.

Because everybody else is having such a good time doing that.

You're not doing this to be altruistic,

to take down the big, bad executives at UBA.

You're doing this 'cause you're hoping to get exonerated.

And I don't want any part of that.

Hmm.

Hey, Bradley.

I have proof.

And I can dig up some witnesses.

What kinda witnesses?

Off the top of my head, I can think of one.

A woman I had relations with.

She basically used me to get a career bump.

She doesn't hate me.

And I think I can get her to back me up.

I am offering you news.

This is an important story.

It matters.

It could change things. You know that.

What if that important story takes down the network,

but at the same time, it takes down the show and everybody on it?

Yeah, that could happen. That's a risk.

But you have to ask yourself, is that a risk worth taking?

Anyway, let me know.

Soon.

Because I'm going out with this, with or without you.

Oh, my God. Just tell me what is going on.

I know it's something horrible.

Is someone sick?

- No. No. No one is sick. - No, no. No.

No one is sick.

Okay, Lizzy.

We love you so much.

And nothing's gonna change.

We're a family, and we will always...

Okay. What are you saying? Just say it.

Your father and I are getting a divorce.

What?

No, no, no.

No, you told me you were separating so you could work things out.

How did this happen so quickly?

That was the reason.

It was. Honey, and... and... it was.

So you lied to me?

- No. - No.

No, we did not lie to you, honey.

And we did. We tried.

We did try.

- Did you, Mom? - Um, yes.

How? When? How did you try?

- How did you ever try, Mom? - No. Come on. Come on, Lizzy.

It's okay. It's okay.

Um...

I... I tried for years, honey.

I don't think you tried. I think you pretended to try.

Our lives have always been about your job.

And you act like that's a hardship, but you love your job. You need it.

- You need it more than you need us. - No, no. That is not fair.

That is so untrue.

Lizzy, I love you more than I love anything in the world.

You say you love us, but we are never the priority.

No, Lizzy. Lizzy. Your mother loves you very much.

Honey, I am doing the best that I can.

- I... I did what I had to do. - Yeah, for you.

And we have enabled it.

Okay. So I see the therapy's kicking in.

Don't make me feel bad about therapy.

I have never had a normal family or a normal life.

You have never been really present for me or for Dad.

And we have been your cheerleaders and your favorite assistants.

We have not been your priorities.

Okay.

Lizzy, Lizzy.

I was the one who asked for a divorce. Okay?

If that's true, it's only because she gave you no other choice.

Oh, God.

Um...

Would you go after her? She's very upset.

- I'm sorry. - Oh, come on. She had to...

She had to blame someone, you know?

Yeah, all right. Lizzy.

- Jesus. God. - Lizzy.

Oh, shit!

Okay.

Shit.

"I did abuse the power I had as president.

Or, not fulfill the totality of the oath of office."

That's the second thing.

And thirdly,

"I put the American people through two years of needless agony,

and I apologize for that."

And I say that you explained your motives...

You don't think I still look puffy?

You think I would let you go out there looking puffy?

Okay, easy.

I guess I just feel it.

- Thank you. - You got it.

Hey.

- Yeah? - Hey there. I was...

Good morning.

Just wanted to say hello.

Oh.

Yeah, um...

so glad we're out of those fires.

Oh.

Yeah. Sure.

I mean, if I had to spend another night at the Safari Inn,

I think I might've... I might've just died.

So how are you doing?

Oh.

Well, I had to tell Lizzy last night.

Actually Jason and I.

- We told her. - Oh, oh.

I'm so sorry.

Yeah.

But hopefully it was like ripping off a Band-Aid?

Oof.

Ripped.

Quick and painful.

Uh!

Do you ever just not know who you are...

or what you want?

All of a sudden you just don't feel anything?

Um, some of that. Yeah.

I don't like it.

Is there anything I can do to be helpful?

Yes. Could you please get the team photo shoot taken off the schedule?

For later today?

I beg of you. The idea of fake smiling right now...

I know what you mean.

Why do I feel like I'm having yearbook anxiety?

Oh, because you're about to have your

face plastered all over New York City.

- Oh, God. - On buses, on buildings.

I've never seen myself on a building.

Yeah.

Why is that necessary?

Well,

because they have to erase Mitch Kessler from everyone's memory.

Like he was never here.

Do you miss him?

Mm-hmm. I do.

Have you... tried to talk to him since he was fired?

I've reached out to him once or twice.

He thought hiring you was batshit crazy.

Well, he's not wrong about that.

Mm.

Yeah. Mitch has a way of not being wrong a lot.

The fucker.

- Well, I guess the show has to go on. - Mm-hmm.

- Yes, it does. - I will see you in the big teacup.

I'll see you there.

Hey, thanks for checking in on me.

Yeah.

Now, folks, if you're like me,

you used to dream of a day when robots are part of our everyday lives.

So, we are pushing the bird flu scare to the D block.

CDC hasn't even officially responded, so I don't know,

fuck them and fuck the birds.

But now we have a gap in the C block.

Gotta fill it quickly. I'm open to ideas. Go.

Bradley's pre-tape with the high school lacrosse coach

who doped up his players is in the can for tomorrow.

It's a really strong interview. She holds his feet to the fire.

It's juicy, but does it really have the impact of the bird flu?

It's provocative. It's about power, manipulation.

It has national resonance.

What about the EPA's new report on climate change?

We already cut that segment.

- Are we reconsidering? - The report's dry.

- There's nothing revelatory in it. - Fact that the human race is going

to burst into flames in 20 years feels like a pretty big story.

Really? Twenty years? I guess I missed that section.

- Maybe you read between the lines. - It's not there.

All right. Enough. Enough.

Let's pull up Bradley's interview.

Mia's right. It's strong. The story's blowing up.

Just one last thing, the climate change report is actual news.

Whoa. Let it go, Nicky.

It's connected to the fires we just spent half of the week covering.

Stop pushing. Chip is your boss.

Well, he's yours too, so pull your lips off his ass.

Everybody already knows that's your specialty.

Yes. Well, I will be sending well-wishes to the whole family.

Yes, we are. We are.

And also, we have exciting news in the world...

Sorry, that was, uh... I'm sorry, Mia.

It's okay. Let's move on.

Frank Marklan's explosive new book,

Five Days in October, was released today.

We're not moving on.

Pack up your stuff. You're done.

- What? - Chip.

Get the fuck out of my control room.

...here in the studio to discuss the controversial details

he's alleging in the book.

I am so excited for that interview, Bradley.

Thank you, Alex.

And now on to a big story...

Great. This is...

...Congress has been working on a foreign aid package to help the victims.

Awesome.

I'm being punished for saying to her face

what every single person who works here

has been already saying behind her back for 18 months?

- Really fucking great! - Get the fuck out!

Thank you.

With the president's veto,

Congress would be sent back to square one...

Stand by for live feed.

Okay. Come on. Nothing to see here.

Got a show to do. Let's get back to work.

...chief Washington correspondent, Andrea Lasson,

has more on this story...

And take it live feed.

- You have to hire him back! - Are you fucking kidding me right now?

Do you think you're helping me? Because you're not!

God, Mia, this is not just about you. I'm sorry...

You just made everything worse!

What the fuck do you want from me?

I did not fuck Mitch!

I did not make that terrible decision!

I'm the one who's fucking paying for it every day! F...

Look, I can't...

I wasn't perfect. I know that. But I can't fucking fix it all.

That's all I'm ever going to be to everyone here, isn't it?

Come on, Mia. I'm just at the end of my rope. I'm sorry. I didn't...

- I have to get back to work. - I'm sorry. Fuck.

Oh, shit.

Oh, shit.

Weather is up after tape.

Over large portions of the...

- Something you need? - Look at your e-mail.

- What? - Did you get an e-mail?

- I get a lot of e-mails. - Do it!

Okay.

Shit.

HR. They want to speak to me. Did you get the same thing?

- Do they know? - Maybe someone saw us. Someone told them.

I feel like my body is going into shock.

I feel weak. And clammy. What do we do?

Don't vomit. Just drink a little orange juice.

Yanko, I'm terrified.

Okay. Okay. Give me this.

Okay. Okay. Just listen to me, all right?

We, um... We just... We go to HR together,

and we just tell them that we're dating.

And that they should put that on the record. We get ahead of it.

Or I have another idea. We go to HR, and we deny, deny, deny.

- No, it's not gonna work. - It worked for Clinton.

Clinton was impeached, okay?

It's right. Clinton was impeached. I'd forgotten.

- Thank you for the research. - Back in 60 seconds.

- Throwing to Yanko. - You got it. Thank you.

I love you.

And I hate every moment that I have to hide it.

I wanna take you to dinner at a nice restaurant,

where we can order steak and drink wine,

and I can hold your hand and kiss you.

Make really bad jokes.

Will you go with me?

- Yanko. - Now is the time.

I'll meet you in HR.

After the photo shoot.

I can't wait.

And we're back in...

five, four, three...

Thank you, Andrea. Great reporting. That was fascinating.

Of course, Bradley was a bit of an

unknown quantity on the national stage,

but she came to us with an extensive body of work and experience.

So, any hiccups we had with her as coanchor were really because we...

I mean, let's face it,

I was slow to tailor the show to the talent, you know.

It's like we were forcing Steph Curry to play in the paint.

Which is just bad coaching, you know.

When you got a player like Bradley,

you hand her the ball beyond the three-point line

and you just give her the green light.

And now's really the fun part where we get to sit back

and really, you know, watch her do what she does.

Okay. Great. That should do it.

- That's it? - Mm-hmm. That's it.

With that basketball analogy,

this profile is practically gonna write itself.

You didn't ask me about Mitch or any of that stuff.

I don't have time for boilerplate denials.

I've got what I need.

You think you've got it.

Is that right?

Well, I'm not writing that story anyway.

Which, seems to me, should come as a major relief to you, Chip.

Mag... Maggie, Maggie, Maggie.

Can you... Can you do me a favor?

Can you fucking trust me for a second here, please?

What?

Look, I'm trying to... I can tell you...

I can share with you some things,

point you toward things

that incriminate the network to the highest level.

Primarily, the highest fucking level.

Obviously this would have to be on deep, deep fucking background.

And if you're interested, I'd want you to

get back to me sooner rather than later.

Do I understand what you're saying to me?

Yes, you understand.

This isn't like you.

You have the reputation as a good soldier.

Yeah. Well, this good soldier's not really...

Not really sure what he's protecting anymore, you know, so...

What's making you feel bold?

What if it was 15 years of complicity?

No. Sorry.

You don't grow a conscience overnight.

Not when you're in charge of the jewel asset

of a multibillion-dollar corporation.

You grow a conscience...

when someone from that corporation gives you permission to have one.

Maggie, I'm offering you a really good story here.

And I'm looking for the better one.

Okay.

Let's both think about it, and I'll call you.

Cory, my office is going to reach out to yours about setting a meeting.

Ooh. Okay.

Fun. Who with?

No. Don't tell me. I like to be surprised.

It's with Marlon Tate.

Potential EP candidate for The Morning Show.

Chip finally had that heart attack?

Damn it. Condolences.

The internal investigation will wrap up soon.

We don't know what will be in the report,

and we need to be ready with contingencies.

Marlon's good. I've known him for years.

Came up in evening news, but he gets the morning audience.

Thank you for the recommendation, Fred.

It's not a recommendation.

Marlon's the guy.

I hear you, Fred.

And as head of the news division, I'll take it under advisement.

Is there something you'd like to say to me?

Yes.

- Are you happy, Fred? - 'Scuse me?

Are you like a happy person in life?

I know you have a wife, a couple houses and a network,

but you don't seem very fulfilled by any of it.

I honestly don't think I've ever seen you smile

for more than a second or two in a row.

Which is too bad, because smiling, it's fun to smile.

It feels good.

You should spend more time doing things that you enjoy.

Maybe you'll have more time to do that soon. I sure hope so.

It's just some personal advice. Take it or leave it.

I thought I'd share...

before you find yourself left with nothing but a permanent frown.

Let me know how it goes with Marlon.

Okay. So, unfortunately, this is not the best time to get divorced.

Are you suggesting that there is a good time to get divorced?

Well, if someone has been the victim of abuse,

filing for divorce is perceived to be empowering.

It's someone taking back the reins on their own life.

Mm-hmm.

- Is there anything there? - Abuse?

Um. Oh.

Nope. No abuse. Bummer.

Yeah, cross that off.

Oh, my gosh. Are you really kidding me with this?

It's a marriage. Marriages end. I mean, my God.

Especially celebrity marriages, I mean,

they should be measured in dog years.

Jason and I would be celebrating 140 years.

Success.

That's not how people are gonna see it.

First of all, they're gonna wonder if

you were having an affair with Mitch.

- Mm. - And if you did, that's okay.

- Okay. - You just... should tell us.

- It's better to get ahead of these things. - Right.

Either way, people are definitely going to notice that Mitch's wife

filed for divorce right before your divorce was announced.

And then there's the matter of which of you files for the divorce.

If you file, people will think that it makes you look heartless.

If Jason files, people will think that he caught you with another man.

Either that or he just couldn't put up

with a high-maintenance celebrity anymore,

which makes you read pathetic.

Unless of course, Jason was cheating

on you with, let's say, a younger woman.

That plays well.

People will look at you with pity.

But it's pity mixed with sympathy,

so definitely let us know about that.

Daniel, your show is a fucking car crash.

Even I'm watching. I mean, Alex crying over that fucking dog.

Who would turn away? But it's not gonna last.

Look, you're on the winning team for now.

But the real beauty about being on the number-two show

is that they will spend whatever it takes

on talent to get them to number one.

The remuneration at UBA is not my problem.

What is your problem?

Because my problem is UBA parading around a couple of white women

to show how progressive the network is for having two female coanchors

while the brown people are left to make sure

that the trains of their dresses don't touch the ground.

I would be outraged.

This is the thing that outrages me.

TMS pulled me from a job which I actually liked,

wooed me based on my political acumen,

promised me a space to do what I love to do.

Instead, they have me doing the fucking Twist.

So while, once again, my ego loves that you're interested in me...

Mm-hmm.

My fear is that YDA would just be a lateral move

to a longer version of The Twist.

I want to do the news.

I want people to be excited about it.

And I want that to be enough.

See? This is why I want you on YDA.

Daniel, you are a beautiful, deep-feeling,

boring man who loves hard news.

- I'm not kidding. - Neither am I.

Okay, people watch YDA because it's fun.

It's light, it's poppy. And Jimmy and I, we have that covered.

Hell, I enjoy interviewing the surviving

members of the Bay City Rollers.

But we are never going to beat TMS by being fun.

We need boring. We need gravitas.

We need political credibility.

And you have that coming out the wazoo.

TMS is vulnerable right now.

There are people there that I care about,

people that would be hurt if I jump.

Alison, Yanko...

Yes. I know. Your lovely friends at the Minority Report.

- Low blow. - Accurate.

Still. It's not easy.

Well, the TMS family is broken,

and it never really included anyone whose name wasn't Mitch or Alex.

And, you know, if you've seen it on WebMD or something.

As soon as possible, but tell them I don't wanna know.

- All right. - Thank you.

Where's the rest of the family?

I don't know. Maybe they're walking the dog.

Funny kind of family.

Yep. Dysfunctional.

Just like a real family.

All right. I'm back.

All here.

Let's capture this happy shit.

- Can I talk to you for a second? - Yeah.

- Um... - Yeah.

So, apparently I have to announce my

divorce on the show sometime next week.

- Oh, gosh. I'm sorry. - That's okay.

I just wanted to give you the heads-up.

So, be prepared for some awkward airtime.

Well, awkward airtime is my specialty.

But thank you for the heads-up.

Yeah. And obviously this stays between us.

- Of course. - Okay. Thank you.

I just have to be so careful about what I say.

I mean, I just met with this PR woman who scared the crap out of me.

Reminded me that I'm walking into this land mine of speculation and...

about my marriage and my sanity and...

Mitch.

Fuck, I don't know, you and me.

Maybe you and I are in love.

God, that would be preferable.

- Well, that all sounds brutal. - Mm.

I'm here if you need anything.

- Mm-hmm. - Okay?

Wait.

Actually.

Maybe we could work on something together?

For your divorce announcement?

Yeah. I mean, you're sitting right there

- when I have to do it. - Right.

You know, we could make it into a dialogue.

And since your specialty seems to be...

um...

being human.

Couldn't hurt.

I mean, we could workshop it over dinner tonight at my apartment.

- Oh, um, that would be great. - Yeah?

No. Yeah. I would love that. Um, I'll bring some food.

Oh, you don't have to do that. I have it covered.

- Okay. - Okay, ladies.

- Yeah. - You look beautiful. And you're ready.

So, what do you say we do this?

- Ugh. - All right.

- Let's go be a family. - Oh, God.

- Pictures. - Okay, guys. Come on.

- Here we go. - Happy. Happiness.

Happy family. Good. One, two, three.

Good. Big smiles.

Tilt your hips towards me a tiny bit. Good.

- That looks good. Right there. Freeze. - Serious or smiling?

That's nice, that's nice. Right there. That's a good shot.

One, two, three. Good. Chins up a little bit.

Shift a little bit this way so you can lean in.

Good. Good. Smile. Great. Good idea.

- Beautiful. - Everybody knows this is my wrong side...

There is no wrong side for you. Stop it.

- I had caffeine. - Thank you.

Good. Bradley, chin up a little bit?

One, two, three. Good. Big smiles. There we go.

You know, Nicky was just making a joke.

He's a good kid.

Shouldn't have his life ruined over making a joke.

- I mean, he apologized. - I didn't fire him. Chip fired him.

If you say so.

Bart, drop it.

Yeah. I'll drop it.

Some other people are never gonna drop it though.

Hi, everyone.

Can I have your attention, please?

It's Mia Jordan here.

- Can I have everyone's attention? - What is that?

Hi.

I'm the scorned, oversensitive woman

- who screwed the lead anchor... - Oh, fuck.

To help her career.

And got him fired

when he didn't want to leave his wife.

And now I'm out for blood.

So, everybody with a dick better be careful

'cause she hates dicks now.

Dicks, beware!

Don't leave your home at night without an escort,

because the vengeful, slutty, feminist bitch,

Mia Jordan, is out there somewhere.

Well, should we do something here?

No, no, we should let her speak. Let her speak.

- Look, Mia, I'm sorry. - You can shut the fuck up, Bart.

Okay, everyone, I got it.

I'm well aware of what everyone is saying about me.

And now apparently,

I personally got Nicky fired, and I leaked about Mitch to the Times,

and I'm sure I'm also the Zodiac Killer,

and I probably assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

I mean, this fucking list goes on.

And I could deny a lot of that.

Most of it is lies.

Bullshit gossip. But I am just so...

fucking tired.

I don't have the energy to deny it.

What's the point, anyway?

Everybody's already decided what they believe.

Some of you hate me, some of you pity me,

some of you think I'm a victim,

some of you think I'm a slut.

Everybody's got their fucking opinions, and you know what?

Have 'em.

I just wanna move on with my fucking life.

Mia, if you wanna just put the mike...

Chip, I'm almost done here, unless you

wanna join in, make this a dialogue here.

Okay, go ahead.

We're all human.

We all have regrets.

No matter which side of that Me Too line you fall on,

we are all just people who wanna do our jobs,

do good work.

So, that's what I'm gonna focus on.

My work.

'Cause I'd like to be known in this world

for something other than fucking Mitch Kessler,

and I think I deserve that opportunity.

All right, everybody. Let's...

Let's take that good advice and, uh...

and get back to work.

Mia. Hey.

Bradley.

God, I should've told you. I wanted to be your producer.

- I didn't want you to think less of me... - Please. I don't.

I don't.

And I'm so glad you did that just now.

I'm just so sorry that you've had to deal with this by yourself.

Thank you.

Okay, so... Look, we gotta prep a show for tomorrow.

- Okay. - Meet you in your office in ten?

Yeah. Sounds great.

Now, Claire,

Mr. Flores has stated that he'd like to go

on public record about this relationship.

Well, he spoke,

but we'd both like to go on record publicly,

but ideally confidentially, if that's an option.

Well, what I need to better understand is how this relationship began.

Did you initiate an intimate relationship?

No, I did not. No. And I never would've thought of that.

No, we became friends, you know?

Claire would... She'd come in with her research,

and she was willing to listen and genuinely engage with my work.

Which is not always the case.

People rely on the weather,

but they have a problem taking it seriously.

Not Claire.

His brain is just really fucking sexy.

It didn't seem like a crime to transition that feeling into actual sex.

I never said it was a crime.

I'm merely asking how your first sexual encounter came about.

"Merely asking." That's a very polite way

to ask something that's really none of your business.

No. I was the one who stopped the kiss.

Look, of course I worried that it was inappropriate.

I was in deep denial about my own feelings.

I was. She was completely unfazed.

I mean, she told me that she liked me,

and that she liked me for a while.

And I was knocked back by that.

Yes, we had sex that night.

Yes, it was at Yanko's apartment.

But only because he's the one who actually knows how to cook,

and I like a good fucking paella.

So then I asked her to dinner,

and then we both just thought it was smarter to keep it private.

Look, I hit on him. I'm the creep here.

I never said either of you were creeps.

Mm, but that's the implication, isn't it?

That he has to have been tricking me into liking him

because of the very nature of his professional position of power.

We've thought many, many times about coming forward and...

And yet only when summoned did you actually come...

Right. And you could choose to indict us for that.

And you could choose to compare the nature of our relationship

with the despicable acts committed by Mitch Kessler.

You have to understand something, Sheila.

That was the very fear that motivated us to stay silent.

Has Mr. Flores ever asked you to do things you're uncomfortable with?

No.

Never?

Well, I suppose he asked me to come here, and now I feel uncomfortable.

Look, the work you do here in this room is noble.

Okay? And I appreciate all of the tough questions, I do.

But Claire and I hope that we can represent a new way to navigate

this kind of a workplace relationship.

Would you consider your relationship with Mr. Flores serious?

Why... Why is that relevant?

Because it's our job to examine

whether the two of you working in

the same environment is sustainable.

- Are you saying I could be fired? - Well, it's just...

But you're not going to fire the fucking weatherman.

Claire, I'm not saying that anything's gonna happen to anyone.

I really don't want to be here. This was a mistake.

Do you need a minute?

No, I need to get out of this fucking room.

Claire, it's our responsibility to ask these questions.

And I feel like I'm still entitled to a shred of privacy.

You chose to come here.

I didn't choose anything.

Claire?

What?

Do you need help getting out of this relationship?

Oh, my God.

- Oh, my God. You okay? - I'm not sure.

- What can they do? What can... - Yanko! Careful.

- I know. - People.

I know, I know. I'm just... I'm so relieved.

I think we might be okay.

How was it for you?

- Hard to describe in a... - Hi.

Oh, good night, Yanko.

Hey. I will get you that research on

the Holmes interview in an hour or so.

- Is that okay? - Yeah, yeah.

- Good night, Claire. - Good night.

- Hey. - Hey.

- How are you? - Yeah, I'm fine.

Sorry, I'm just thinking about rain, you know?

It's likely to rain tomorrow, so opt for rain boots.

Noted. Hey, um, is Claire all right?

Yeah, yeah, I think she's okay.

- All right. - Yeah. She's incredibly talented. Yeah.

I'm really glad you saw that and gave her an opportunity.

- Hey. - Oh, hey. Fancy meeting you here.

What are the odds?

It's okay. Don't be embarrassed

that you were waiting by the elevator for an hour

hoping you would catch me leaving the office.

- You're funny. - Mm-hmm.

It's sort of silly we're going back to the same place.

It's like we live in the same dorm or something.

Yeah, I got a crazy idea.

Why don't we tell our cars to fuck off and walk back to the hotel?

Why are we being driven?

We're in New York fucking City. Let's go get in it.

Wow. Someone in this building wants to get into the actual street?

- Yeah. - Let's do it.

Oh, yeah.

So, it must've been nice to be at

home last week. Sleep in your own bed?

Nah, I spent most of the time, uh, in a screening room watching pilots.

Oh. Anything good?

You know, a month ago or so I might've said yes,

but I had this very funny realization

while I was sitting there watching this expensive and amazing fiction...

- Yeah. - Which is truth is stranger than fiction.

- I mean, the shows were... They were fine. - Yeah.

Some of them were pretty good, actually.

But it's just not the same as the truth. Real life.

I'm into that shit right now, Bradley. Thanks a lot.

I like the truth.

Although it's bit me in the ass more times than I can count,

but I do like it.

Hey. Let's do something stupid.

You wanna do something stupid?

Depends on what you mean by stupid.

All right, here's what I'm thinking.

We hustle up to Central Park and find that fucking carousel.

No, no, no. We'll go for a carriage ride.

It'll be really politically incorrect and stupidly fun.

As much as, in general, I love stupid fun,

I... I kinda just need to figure some stuff out right now.

- All right. - But can I get a rain check?

Well, it's a limited-time-only offer.

Shut up. No, it's not.

- Hi, honey. - What are you doing here?

I...

I come bearing pizza.

I already ate.

Honey, I really want to talk to you.

Samantha is here.

Hey, I was just gonna run over to the library.

Hi, Sam. How are you, honey?

Hi, Alex. I'm fine.

Come in, I guess.

I should've told you that I was coming.

Yeah, maybe.

What?

Wow. Okay.

I'm sorry I broke your heart.

I'm so sorry.

Why is this happening now?

Does it have something to do with all this Mitch stuff?

No. Of course not.

Really?

Because you've been melting down ever since he left,

doing all this crazy stuff.

"Melting down"?

Is that how you characterize what I've been going through?

Announcing Bradley Jackson out of nowhere like that?

The whole Page Six thing with you

wandering through the halls at work.

Lizzy. How do you read Page Six and believe it?

Okay. Lizzy...

I know this hurts.

It doesn't hurt you. You don't care.

What?

Dad loves you so much. He does everything for you.

Why isn't he good enough?

Oh, honey, this... This has nothing to

do with your father not being good enough.

He's smart. He's handsome. He's funny.

He's a respected professor at NYU.

He's written best-selling books on world economics, for fuck's sake.

I know all of that, honey. I know all of it.

Then how can you be so selfish?

Oh, Lizzy. Honey. The thing is you're only seeing this

from the part that you can see, and that's as it should be.

But 25 years is a really long time.

We were two completely different people when we met.

And we just...

I just don't feel the same way anymore.

And I haven't for years.

And I have tried, baby. I've tried.

And I can't tell you how lonely I've been.

And I know this makes you angry and hurt.

But I just want you to try to see that there is a bigger picture here.

Well, I can't right now, Mom. I'm too fucking hurt and angry.

Okay. No, honey, let's just... Please, come on.

We've always been there for each other. Always.

You're my baby. Let's just not do this right now.

You need to leave.

I can't even believe what you're doing now.

What am... What am I doing?

I'm not going to take care of you right now.

Okay. Okay. Then I will leave.

Great. Go share it with America. They'll take care of you.

Well, fuck you, kid. Fuck you!

Did you really just say that?

Yeah, I did. I just said, "Fuck you."

And, I mean, how fucking dare you.

After all that I have done and all that I have given to you.

My life. My love. My body.

I broke my fucking vagina with that big, fucking head of yours.

And I had to be surgically sewn back together.

I bet you didn't know that, did you?

Oh, and effing just staying with your father

after all these years of him driving me

insane with his condescending "my loves."

He talked to me like I was a fucking five-year-old, and I am sick of it.

I am sick of it.

I want happiness. I earned happiness.

I'm a human being, Lizzy.

And you know what else?

Don't you dare bitch at me about my career,

little Miss I'm-So-Progressive.

Yes, I worked my ass off to get where I am.

And I wanted it.

I wanted to be something. I wanted to mean something in this world.

I didn't know that was a fucking crime.

Life isn't perfect, okay, baby?

We don't get everything we want.

You're young, you know? Go make the life that you want,

and you see how fucking easy it is.

And stop bitching and complaining and blaming me.

And you get your own fucking pizza.

This is my pizza. I'm taking my pizza. I earned this shit.

- Fuck you, Mom. - Oh, fuck you, kid.

Hello?

It's Bradley Jackson.

If you can find somebody to corroborate your story,

I might be interested.

Okay.

Hey, kiddo.

Mitch. What are you doing here?

Well, you got something out of me.

And now it's time for you to repay the favor.

Here's your coffee.

Thanks.

Two more days of being 49.

Enjoy.

Yep.

Paul, Paul, Paul, what are you doing

here in the middle of the fuckin' night?

- I don't know. Just couldn't sleep. - I get it.

And, hey, happy early birthday since I won't be seeing you Sunday.

Thank you, but I'd rather forget about this one.

It's from Alex.

Same stupid song she sends me every year.

Let's do it, boss.

She is such an idiot.

I love this song.

♪ Happy, happy birthday, baby ♪

♪ Although you're with somebody new ♪

♪ Thought I'd drop a line to say ♪

♪ That I wish this happy day ♪

♪ Would find me beside you ♪

And Chip's wondering if you'll reach out to J.Lo,

see if she's interested in talking about the situation in Puerto Rico.

- Sure. Of course. - I'll set that up this evening.

Questions for the education reform debate Tuesday.

Wait, Tuesday?

That's the same day as the wild card game. I'm doing that.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

I'll talk to Chip about it.

Hey, hey, hey!

- Happy birthday weekend, Big Daddy! - Okay!

Thank you. Thank you.

- Happy birthday! - Hi!

Oh!

- Hey, happy birthday, man. - Jake! Oh!

Man of the hour.

- Don't shortchange me there, Daniel. Hey! - There he is!

- Man of the year. - There you go.

- Hey! - Happy birthday.

Thank you. What do we have? What do we have?

Oh...

"Power's yet to be restored in Puerto Rico

following the devastation of Hurricane Maria"?

Thank you.

The perfect gift for the woman who has everything.

- Mm-hmm. - So how old does this make you?

Well, if this were Logan's Run,

they would've killed me 20 years ago.

Uh, help me out?

Old enough to have seen Logan's Run.

Hey.

Hey. Uh...

Happy birthday.

Thanks, not till Sunday.

- Oh, yeah. - But thank you.

- ♪ Happy birthday to you... ♪ - Thank you.

Oh! Um...

You got the Hurricane Maria copy there?

- I do. - Okay.

- See you in a bit. - All right.

- Hey! - Hey! It's the fuckin' birthday boy!

What's that spot?

Um, that's just a finger smudge. My bad.

Oh, my gosh. There it is.

- Wow! It's here. - Mm-hmm.

Thanks, man. Appreciate you bringing it this early.

- Hey, thanks. Wow. - That's why they call it a crotch rocket.

Oh, my God. Mitch is gonna love this.

- Which is so lame. - I agree.

Um, Chip, we have a scheduling conflict here.

You have me doing the education reform debate.

And it's the same day as the wild card game.

- Yes, about that. - Yes.

Mitch is gonna cover it.

What? Why?

It's not a big deal.

The network just wants to try Mitch on the playoffs.

But I do the playoffs.

Yeah, but I think they just wanna try it.

YDA's closing the gap. They're just throwing shit at the wall,

see if they can get more eyeballs in the morning.

You'll be back on it next year. It's fine.

Chip, people expect to see me in the

studio after the game as a tradition.

Isn't that what baseball's all about? Tradition?

It's a museum masquerading as a sport?

Look, I'm on your side, okay? It's just...

The network gets a little nervous, and they... they did a test.

What?

A test?

The network did a test?

I see. So they pay people 50 bucks to come in for a ten-cent opinion.

Exactly. It's stupid, and it's random, okay?

It's just that Mitch happened to test very well.

Mitch tests really well when he tests with me. Okay?

- I agree. - Did they test him with Alison?

Because that's when they should've tested him,

when I was away last month.

Because this party of one, this focus group, saw it and it sucked.

Look, they're gonna do more tests.

The cream is gonna rise to the top. You are gonna be fine. Relax.

Oh, my God. Chip, you used to be my producer.

Don't pull that shit on... I am still your producer, okay?

I found you. Hello. I found you.

And now you've found your golden goose?

No, you are my golden goose.

It's just that, technically, I have two golden geese.

Mmm. But now Mitch has you and Fred and Reid in his side pocket.

And I know what you guys do.

You hang out, you... you talk about girls.

You smoke cigars, you play golf.

You give Mitch more good stories, then more people love Mitch.

The more people that love Mitch, the better he's gonna test. Come on.

I get this. I'm not an idiot.

It's not that complicated.

- I know. - Come on.

- What? - Makeup's ready for you.

All right. Thank you. I'm not done with this conversation.

- Okay. Okay. - Okay?

- Seriously? - What?

Don't worry.

Do I look worried?

Worried. Jesus.

- Coffee for you. - Claire, right?

- Yes. - Okay.

- And one of these is yours. - Yes, thank you.

- And, Lay... Layla... - Thanks. I'll be fine with that.

Okay.

- Lindsey... - Yes, hi.

- Take that. - Thank you, Carla.

- And... - It's Claire, but...

And Donny. Donny...

Oh, Donny! That's yours.

And Jared...

Oh.

- Coffee. - Thanks.

Sorry to bother you, but who is Jared?

Sorry, there are just so many names to learn here.

I'm Jared. Head booker. Learn my name.

Sorry.

- Don't take it personally. He's just... - An asshole?

Well, yeah.

Sorry he's your direct superior.

It's all a learning experience.

But I have my goals I'm here to achieve,

so I just figure I'll use every part of the buffalo,

even the asshole.

- Claire? - Yes.

Go make sure Alison's dress showed up

for the birthday segment, would you?

- Will do. - Thank you.

Thank you for being human.

- Hey, Jared. Come here. - Yeah.

- What's up? - What the fuck, dude?

What do you mean "what the fuck"? What's going on?

Why is Alex talking to Owen Gorman for the Homeland Security story?

You asked me to find someone to cover the confirmation hearing.

No, I asked you to find a senator to cover the hearing.

Someone who is, I don't know, in the actual Senate.

Here you go. Thank you.

As you know, Gorman is a member of the House of Representatives.

We do not care about the opinion of Florida's second district.

Gorman is great TV.

Gorman's an attention whore.

He's also an attention whore that you book biweekly.

So from now on, there is a moratorium on booking Gorman,

unless there's a fucking atomic bomb in Tallahassee.

I had Reuben Bowen, but his press secretary just pulled...

There are 14 senators in this committee.

- One of them wants to talk. - It's late in the game.

I have some connections in Sadie Worthington's office.

I can see if I can get her.

Yes! Fuck, yes! This...

Why did you wait until now to share that information?

- Guys, who cares? - I...

- Who cares? Just go. Go. Go. - Going.

I'm gonna push the story as late as I can.

- Keep me updated. - Okay!

Jesus. Fuck.

- She's a go-getter. - Yeah. Gorgeous too.

Oh! You're so shallow. Get your head out of the gutter.

I learned by watching you, Dad.

Do you ever pinch yourself because you got

me instead of Alex? I gotta be more fun.

Gee, you think?

- Good mornin'! - Oh, well, well.

♪ Happy 5-0, Mr. Kessler ♪

Wow. Am I old enough for you yet?

Give it a couple of years. Nothing gets

my juices flowing like an AARP discount.

Oh. I will put it in my calendar.

Alison, wow. That dress is something else. Really nice.

- Alex! - Yes.

You see that dress that Alison's wearing?

That dress that was just in my immediate eyeline? Yes, I did.

- I did see it. - Why don't you wear any dresses like that?

- Oh, I'm sorry. - Hey, Chip, Chip.

Can we get some dresses like that for Alex? Is that doable?

Yeah, I'll see if I can pull some strings.

Nope. Don't pull anything, Chip. We're good.

We are live in 30 seconds.

- You know what? - Mm-mmm.

I would take you in that dress over Alison any day.

Last looks.

Oh, you're so sweet.

Because if you were wearing the dress, that would mean she's naked.

- There it is! - Right?

We had it. First of the day, guys.

- You saw that coming. - I did.

You knew. You knew I was gonna do that.

- I didn't wanna spoil your punch line. - Thank you.

- Thank you for going with me. - We are live in five, four, three...

Wow.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to The Morning Show.

Our top story today:

Puerto Rico continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria,

as criticism escalates over the federal response to the deadly storm.

We now go to Yanko Flores, who is

reporting live from Puerto Rico. Yanko.

- And take it. - Morning, Mitch.

It's been devastating to witness conditions here in San Juan today.

The power lines are down. So many homes are destroyed.

More resources from FEMA,

from the Pentagon, are expected to arrive early next week.

But until then, the recovery efforts are... They're proceeding slowly.

How is morale there, Yanko?

Resilient. Truly beautiful, the way that

people are hanging together here on...

la isla del encanto, the Island of Enchantment as it is affectionately known.

They will recover, but they could use some caring.

They've had plenty of this force of nature

that just comes through by its own will,

destroys everything and doesn't care.

You have reached the office of Senator Sadie Worthington.

Due to high call volume, we are currently unavailable to take your call.

Fuck.

- Hannah? - Christine, hi.

Thanks for calling me back.

I can't get through to Senator Worthington's office in DC...

I don't work for Senator Worthington anymore.

Could you possibly put me in touch with your...

You never even RSVP'd to my baby shower.

I'm so sorry. I'm always traveling for work.

But I do need help.

Or to my goodbye party.

I blew it.

I fuckin' blew it.

I threw myself into work, and I didn't prioritize our friendship.

I didn't prioritize any of my personal relationships,

which is clearly not healthy,

but I don't give myself time to think about that.

I never asked you to put me ahead of your work.

I only asked for a small amount of decency

from someone I considered my friend.

Listen, I know it doesn't excuse anything, but, um...

living in New York by myself without family, without support...

has been a bitch.

I moved home because I needed it too.

I've just been trying to survive, you know? It gets scary.

You really hurt my feelings.

I am so sorry.

Really, Christine, I... I feel horrible.

It's okay, Hannah. Tell me what you need.

Really?

Coming up, more of our top stories.

And later in the hour,

we sit down with the star of fall's hottest new show

that's already setting ratings records.

Elsa Hanford from UBA's own Late Bloomers is with us next.

- Supposed to be great. - Yep. Oh, wait. What's that?

Yes, yes, yes. Oh, and I also hear

that it's someone's big birthday coming up this weekend.

No, no.

- We are not going to do that, are we? - Jesus!

♪ Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you ♪

Apparently, we are going to do that.

Oh, yes, we are, my friend.

Stay tuned, everyone. We will be right back.

Oh, no.

You thought someone shot you, didn't you? 'Cause I did.

And we're clear.

- Oh, God. - Hey.

Sorry.

What bullshit has been planned for this horrible, horrible birthday?

Just the normal love wrapped in mockery.

You know it well. A cake, possibly.

God. Fifty! Kill me!

- Yeah. - Just kill me right now.

You make 50 look so good.

You really do. Happy birthday, honey.

I would not wanna spend it with anyone other than you.

Thanks, honey.

- Jesus! - God!

My God!

- Gimme that. - I hate this.

I'm sorry. It wasn't my idea.

- I gotta get it outta there. - Get it off of me.

- Here we go. - Oh, oh, oh! Don't...

Don't... What are you doing? What are you doing?

I can't get it off!

No, no. Come on. Come on. No! You can't pick up that ball.

You can't pick up that ball. No.

- Goal! - No. He got it. He got it.

Oh, no.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

You gotta go. No, he's coming in.

He's come... Don't do it.

Don't do it.

Mitch.

I thought you were getting ready.

Okay, guys. Guys.

We're supposed to meet Fred and Geneva

at the restaurant in less than an hour.

Like a herd of turtles. Oh. Come on. Get up.

Oh, good boys. Thank you.

Let me see. Whoop.

- Thanks, Mom. - Napkin on your lap. Napkin on your lap.

Mmm!

- Here. Let me cut that for you. Come here. - Thank you, Mom.

Can I use your fork? Thanks, honey.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.

There you go.

I'm sorry, Paige.

Are you kidding?

No, I'm not.

I've been thinking a lot.

Since your most recent affair broke up?

Yes.

I'm sorry.

Okay.

Paige, we've built a life together. We have two beautiful kids.

I wanna try.

It's hard for me to believe you.

I know.

Oh, shit.

Hey, Chipper.

Don't say anything uncouth. Paige is in the car.

- Hey, guys. - Hi.

So sorry to bug you on a Sunday night.

Yeah, and on my birthday, asshole.

Oh, shit. I'm an asshole.

I am so sorry, but I swear this will just take one second.

Look, pain in the ass, we gotta move

up the attorney general interviews.

I really wanna get you this research in copy

so you're not flying blind for tomorrow.

- Yeah? - Fine. Just send it to the house.

The restaurant's right by the studio.

We could just stop by in, like, five minutes and pick it up.

That would be great. You sure you don't mind?

No, it's fine. Right, Mitch?

Yeah.

Yeah, sure, we'll be late for our dinner, but that's fine.

Okay.

I will leave it with security. Have a good night.

It'll just take a second.

- Hey, Jim. - Hey, Mitch. What are you doing here?

Chip said he had some papers for me.

He didn't leave anything with me.

But I can look around and see if he

left them with Pat before I got here.

Is Chip here?

Yeah. Looks like he's in the studio.

You have to go through the control room.

They're buffing the floors outside the greenroom.

- Okay, thank you. - You're welcome.

"Buffing the floors."

- Surprise! - Surprise!

Oh, my God!

- Oh, God. Were you surprised? - Oh!

So fucking surprised.

Oh, well, buckle up, mister. This is gonna get better.

Here we go. Come on.

- Look at that! - I know.

When did you do this?

Oh, you know, all the spare time that I have.

Oh, my God!

What the fuck?

- No, no. - You're in heaven.

- You're in heaven. Come on. Look. - Oh, yes.

Look.

Sit, sit, sit. Sit, sit.

- Sit, sit. - Oh!

Let the party begin!

Ladies!

♪ When you hear the alarm Go ding-a-ling ♪

♪ So early ♪

♪ All tune in to watch The morning king ♪

♪ Oh, great one ♪

♪ When ratings come YDA stands not a chance ♪

♪ Those losers ♪

♪ Mitch Kessler turns 50 tonight ♪

♪ Privilege can't change him He's always one of us ♪

♪ Hold on now ♪

♪ Speaks truth to power Brings down the treasonous ♪

♪ Mitch Kessler? ♪

♪ He's a millionaire But he'd do it all for free ♪

- ♪ Ha, ha, ha ♪ - ♪ Mitch Kessler turns 50 tonight ♪

No, no, no.

Oh, hello!

♪ Joan of Arc made just 19 Buddy Holly, 22 ♪

♪ Old JC was 33 When we bid him adieu ♪

♪ Which brings us to the thing We ask for ♪

- ♪ This an interview ♪ - You're a dead man.

♪ If only the good die young, old man What does that say for you? ♪

No, stop it! Hang on. Stop it. Stop it. Stop the music. Enough.

Can you hear me?

Are you able to walk to your seat?

Don't do this. Please don't do this.

This man has a very delicate prostate.

So this is a long journey for him.

Ooh. Oh, boy.

Uh-oh.

♪ Wait a minute, girls No one likes a bitch ♪

♪ So just pump the brakes ♪

♪ And let's give praise to Mitch ♪

♪ But then, on second thought The girls might know you best ♪

♪ This asshole turns 50 tonight ♪

♪ He fawns on preening stars And throws them all softballs ♪

♪ Thinks his jokes deserve a curtain call They don't... ♪

♪ Fifty tonight ♪

♪ Mitch Kessler turns 50 tonight ♪

- Whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo! - All right! Yeah!

Happy birthday, baby boy.

Oh, my God. You are insane.

Thank you.

Oh!

Let's do it again!

Hey.

More please, sir.

Really. Oh, yeah.

This is where he breaks it before he rides it.

Ooh!

- That fits like a glove. - Yeah. That's it.

- I like it. - I wanna try this.

- Oh, no. - Don't do... No.

- Ready? - Okay.

- God... Put your leg over the back of it. - No, no, no.

I wanna... I'm doing sidesaddle.

Fred, why hasn't Dick done a show for the network?

Oh, I'm sorry. You might have him confused with some other Dick Lundy

who would deign to do broadcast television.

I mean, this guy is a filmmaker, damn it. He wears berets.

We should send Dick to meet with Cory Ellison.

Yeah, do a little spin-off of Late Bloomers.

I mean, after all, it is the number one show in America.

All the bus stops say so. It's gotta be true.

That's the middle-aged lesbian show?

The major hit "middle-age lesbian show."

Listen, I gotta hand it to the guy.

Only Cory would have taken that pitch, let alone put it on the air.

Oh, Jesus. And in his first development season? It's ballsy.

The guy takes chances.

- Yeah. - Now, he's a little... unusual.

- He's weird. - He does take chances.

Well, that's why he's the president of entertainment and not news.

I don't know, Reid. You might have to take some big swings.

Your Day, America's nipping at our heels.

Okay. I'll start by adding lesbians.

Good call. All right, gents, I'm gonna go check on the real cake.

Good talking to you, Chip.

How much did the Ducati cost us?

Oh, not that much really. I mean, it's a custom job. Ninety K or so.

It hardly seems enough given how much money he's made for the network.

- Yeah. - I'm glad to see him so happy.

We're lucky to have him. He just gets better with age.

Yeah.

Have you seen the last numbers on Alex?

Yeah. I can accept the scores on trustworthiness.

In this climate, every journalist has taken a hit,

but her authenticity and relatability numbers?

- Yeah. - Shit.

- Yeah. - When did that fucking happen?

People just see her as rich and powerful now.

A "girl next door" was always her magic.

Yeah. Breaks my heart.

It never would occur to me, when I hired her,

that I might still be around to put her out to pasture.

Come on. We're not there yet. We can still reinvent her a little.

Yeah. Yeah. Course. Sure.

We give it time. Let's see what happens.

Time is cruel, and youth is wasted on the young.

Excuse me, Yanko.

I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Claire. I'm the new PA.

- Oh, hey. Nice to meet you. Hi. - Hey. Nice to meet you.

Well, welcome. Welcome to the show.

It's quite a baptism into this world.

Yeah, and I plan to christen myself in gin and tonics.

- Nice. - By the way,

I really enjoyed your piece on Puerto Rico.

It was incredibly moving. You're very good.

And I can tell that doing the weather actually means something to you,

which is unusual. And nice.

Well, thank you, Claire.

You have a great deal of depth, don't you?

No. No. I'm actually incredibly shallow.

Well, I'll be the judge of that.

- Enjoy the party. - Yeah. You too.

- Here's some people. Hello, everyone. - Oh, hey. Hi.

- How are you? - I know, I know. Don't make a big deal.

Oh, hey. Hey. Nice job getting that senator Friday.

Oh, yeah. Wow. How'd you know?

Well, I kinda know everything that goes on around this place.

I know that Jared... Where is he?

Jared is lazy and complacent, and you did the right thing speaking up.

You know what you did? You made the show better on Friday.

Categorically better.

So, thank you for your efforts, and keep up the good work.

Thank you so much.

Mitch Kessler, we are lucky to have you.

I am so lucky to have you. Happy birthday, honey.

Get up here and make some wishes.

You've got about 50 of them.

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

- Here you go. - Oh, my gosh.

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday, dear Mitch ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

Uh...

I'm very, very fortunate to have friends

like this and like this in my life.

And as the last candle burns out,

I say thank you so much for coming and for being my friends. Thank you.

Cheers.

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow For he's a jolly good fellow ♪

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow ♪

♪ Which nobody can deny ♪

♪ Nobody can deny ♪

I can't believe you. You put together that whole thing.

I picked the song, I wrote the lyrics, I auditioned the dancers.

Oh, that's it. That's it. It all makes sense now.

No. Stop it. Stop it. I did it because I love you, Mitch.

- I do. - Oh, God.

It just so happens that loving you comes with certain fringe benefits.

Mm.

There are some people out there who

would vehemently disagree with you.

Oh, fuck 'em! You know?

One of the great things of getting old.

You can just say, "Fuck 'em, fuck it, fuck off."

And be at peace with it. You've nothing left to prove.

You've... You've carved out your place in the world,

and no one and nobody can take that away.

Yeah, I get that I've accomplished a lot,

but it just doesn't feel like it really matters. You know?

I mean, this is all fun, but is that all there is?

I've let down people I love. Maybe that's my legacy.

At the end, maybe that's it.

Please. Please, please, please, please.

Look, I don't know what you've done,

and you certainly don't have to tell me, but, trust me,

- they're gonna get over it. - Mm.

They will.

Although Penny...

Penny never got over it.

What did you do?

I married Rita.

- And that was a big success, wasn't it? - Yeah.

Jesus Christ. How do I even have any money at all?

I don't know.

You know what? Here's the thing.

You are Mitch Kessler.

That matters. Don't forget that.

Doesn't really feel like it matters.

You know, you do all of this stuff,

you achieve all of these things, and then, at the end of the day,

you're just looking at it through a car window as you drive by.

Just doesn't fill you up.

You have your films.

Oh, please.

Dick Lundy films will be around forever.

I am ephemeral. Nobody re-watches the news,

unless it's a plane flying into a

building or assassination or something.

Thank God those things don't happen very often.

But...

nobody re-watches "Fall Fashion Trends 2006."

So you say. Where do you think I got the idea for this outfit?

Mm.

Well, I have had too much to drink.

So you're heading out?

Nah. I have to be here in a couple of hours.

I'll sleep when I'm dead.

Fuck it.

Fuck it!

That's my boy.

- Chip. - I'm up. What happened?

There's a shooting in Las Vegas, happening as we speak.

Oh, fu... Holy fuck. Okay, I got it.

It's active. Outside a concert near Mandalay Bay.

The police have been dispatched to the hotel.

Wait, someone's firing into a fucking concert?

Rena, get in here.

I mean... Is it still active? How many are dead? Jesus Christ.

It's not clear.

Someone is saying that there are multiple shooters in multiple hotels.

I saw that, but it's unconfirmed.

Let's get... Let's get somebody from LA to cover it right now.

- Go get Mitch and Alex and tell 'em we... - Mitch is still here.

Get him! Make sure he gets on a plane as soon as fucking possible.

- Got it! - I'll call Reid, get the jet approved.

Get Mitch and Alex on that plane fucking five minutes ago.

Copy.

Oh, Mitch. Good, you're ready.

Car is waiting outside, and Alex is already on her way to the airport.

We're sending Alex too? You think that's necessary?

I mean, this is huge.

We're doing the whole show from there, so I need you both.

Okay. If that's your call, Captain.

Chip, I can't get ahold of Jared. I'm still trying...

Oh, you know what? Fuck Jared. He's slipping.

Send that junior booker, Hannah. She's excellent.

Yeah, that's a good idea.

- Let's find Hannah, and find Mia for me. - Okay.

Hey, I've been meaning to talk to you about Mia.

I think maybe you should take her off my team, put her on Alex's team.

It's just kind of uncomfortable right now.

She's great, but it's not a good situation.

Mitch wants to move you off his team.

Why?

I think it's... it's just too awkward.

He's punishing me for breaking things off.

- No, he is not. - Yeah, he is. Come on.

Do not take this personally, okay?

Things got messy, okay?

It's nobody's fault, but

he does have a right to say who he wants on his team.

And I'm sorry. It's...

Where you gonna put me?

- On Alex's team. - Oh, my God.

It's gonna be best, all things considered. I'll speak with her about it.

So I'm not going to Vegas?

No.

You get to stay back here with me.

Listen. I really need your help on this one.

Okay, boss.

I'll get on social, figure out everything I can.

Shit.

It's gonna be a block of rooms. Fifteen people.

At least two suites, as close to the scene as possible.

- You're looking for me? - Yeah.

You're going to Vegas to do the booking.

- Me? - Yeah, you're leaving now.

What about Jared?

Mitch wants you. So...

Congrats. Now get the fuck out of here. Please.

Thank you.

All units, we have shots fired at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

Shots are coming from the higher floors.

Details are extremely limited at

this time, but here's what we do know.

There is one, possibly two shooters

that began opening fire from the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino...

- Oh, my God. - ...on one of the top floors.

They're firing into the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

We'll feed you updates as we get 'em.

- Concert performer Jason Aldean... - Okay.

- ...had just taken the stage. - All right. Let's go.

The concertgoers thought they were hearing fireworks.

Sick.

Why do people keep doing this?

I wish I knew.

It's just so overwhelming.

- You can't cry right now. - I know. I know.

- Think of something else. - Okay, okay, okay.

- Do Kegels. - Oh, God.

- Okay. We're live in five... - I'm sorry.

...four, three...

We're coming to you from Las Vegas,

where over 50 people are confirmed dead and hundreds injured

in what will go down as the deadliest mass shooting in US history.

Last night, a gunman opened fire from the window of a guest room

at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino into a sea of concertgoers

at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

A motive has yet to be determined.

As a city and a nation mourn in the wake of this horrific tragedy,

we will be with you to try to make sense

of an act that cannot be made sense of.

Yes, okay. Of course.

All right, see you soon.

- Hey, Greg. Um... - Yeah.

I'm gonna meet a girl whose friend was killed last night.

Um, she thinks she might be willing to go on the show tomorrow.

Good work, Hannah.

Okay.

Do you think we're dead inside?

I think we're in an induced coma.

How long can we keep doing this?

It's just not natural to face this kind of pain...

this often... on this level.

Yeah, I don't know. It's awful.

But it might be the most natural thing there is.

Pain is the most innate part of the human experience I can think of.

Oh. It's very depressing.

It's funny, because, really,

the unnatural part is having this much money.

Part of being this successful is having

enough money to not have to see the pain.

That's why everybody wants to live in these really nice,

upscale, safe neighborhoods.

So they don't have to see the realities of life.

The world is unfair and sad.

It's ugly.

And we hide from it in our wealth.

But then the way you and I make our money,

is we put ourselves right in the middle of everybody else's pain.

But here we are,

with no escape hatch on this very lucrative,

highly visible hamster wheel from hell.

I don't know how I would do all of this every day if I didn't have you.

I really don't.

Well, Alex...

you are my best friend, and all bullshit aside,

you're like a part of me.

You always will be.

Me too, honey.

Okay. We should get back to the hotel.

No. No, no, no, no. Don't go.

There's a bar somewhere with our name on it, calling to us.

We should... We should go drinking.

You have barely slept in 48 hours.

It's time to put you to bed.

- I know. You're right. - I know.

- You're always right. - Yeah.

Will you always tell me what to do?

I can do that.

- Hey, man. What's up? - Hey.

Hey. Hiya.

How you doing?

Oh, I'm... I'm fine.

Really?

You shouldn't be. There's nothing fine about this.

Let's walk back to the hotel.

This is tough. This one especially.

You know, you can't beat yourself up over not being a robot.

Sometimes you just have to feel sad as shit and live with it.

Okay then. I'm sad as shit.

That-a-girl.

I don't think I've ever learned so much in a single day.

Yeah, you're a sponge, aren't you?

You just absorb stuff. Absorb all sorts of information.

That's what makes you smart.

And you really care about your job.

That's why I wanted you to be here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Chip, this doesn't make any sense.

I was just with him. He didn't mention a word about this.

Does he honestly think I'm...

No, I'm not... I'm not taking Mitch's hand-me-downs.

Alex, Mia is not a hand-me-down.

So, he's not comfortable with her on his team?

Well, I'm not comfortable with her on my team. You know what?

He can shit where he eats all that he wants,

but I am not his fucking trash can.

Okay. Hold on. Okay. Mitch has done

really, really well with Mia on his team.

And maybe with her on your team, you know, she might help you...

Are you really trying to tell me that

Mia on my team will help me test better?

No, Alex, all I am saying is you...

No, that's it. I'm done.

I'm hanging up on you. I'm over this.

Alex... Come on.

Fuck.

Great.

You know what I think about when I'm sad as shit...

- What? - ...and trying not to kill myself?

Stupid things.

Like this one time, I was younger than you, just getting started.

KQWK in Sacramento,

ten minutes before 6:00, the anchor's appendix burst.

That's... No. That's not... That's not the funny part.

So, none of the fill-ins were available, so they came to me.

Now, I assure you, I was way, way down on their list.

I bet that they went to the janitor before they came to me.

They asked him, he turned it down,

and then they came knocking on Mitch Kessler's door.

And I was scared shitless.

My shit had left town on a bus.

Um...

But I just figured, you know, I want this.

This is my opportunity to show the people who make the decisions

that I got the goods.

So, I gathered myself,

I put on my very finest tie,

and I went and I assumed my place at the anchor desk.

And then I passed out.

And I went right over the back of the chair.

And I woke up in an ambulance.

The EMTs told me that I kept throwing to them for sports and weather.

Twenty-seven stitches. Look at that. Right there.

- Oh, my God. - Yep.

I am very happy that I don't have Daniel's hair.

You...

You didn't fall out of a chair. You're doing great.

I know that this is a really dark day to associate with your big break,

but that's the gig.

Sometimes it's strange, sometimes downright awful, but you're doing it.

And you are helping to bring the news to the world,

and you should be proud of that.

- Thank you. - Oh, yeah. I'm a font of wisdom.

I appreciate the pep talk.

Yuck. Thank you. Thank you.

Oh!

Actually, when I'm really depressed,

there is one thing that I do have in my arsenal.

Why don't you improve your lie a little, sir?

Yes, yes. Winter rules. Right.

I can't believe you've never seen this.

Double farts!

- Fore! - Fine shot.

- Oh! - I shoulda yelled "two."

- Wow. Is it really that bad? - Why don't you walk this off, sir?

- You hate it. - I'm sorry.

Hey, what do you got in here? Rocks?

Are you kidding? When I was your age,

I would lug 50 pounds of ice up five...

It's just... I'm not an expert at shoving it down just yet. I'm sorry.

- I'll try... - No, no, no, no.

You're probably healthier than I am.

Maybe I'm just tired, and it's catching up with me.

Yeah.

I should go.

I know you have to be up early, 'cause I do too.

No, it's okay.

Thanks.

You smell good.

I like you.

I like you too.

This isn't what I expected when I came up here.

I know.

It's a nice surprise though, isn't it?

You know?

Hey.

It's okay. Just wanna feel good.

You're so beautiful.

It's okay.

Uh...

Um...

- Push that story in. - Yes, sir.

- Yeah, everything's up and ready. - Right.

- Ready to go. - Yeah.

We just need to come up with...

No, that's exactly what he said.

So we're just gonna put that up front now.

We're turning to something a little bit more...

Hannah.

Hannah.

Here are the Springsteen tickets

that Jared needed for the mother of the septuplets.

- Oh, right. Yeah. - Yeah.

I'll get those to him.

Hey.

How was Vegas?

- It was really sad. - Yeah.

- Hey, Mitch. Welcome back. - Thank you.

Hey, Hannah.

Hey. You can't go in there right now.

I work downstairs. I need to speak to you.

- I'm sorry. I told her... - No, it's fine, James. Give us a moment.

I just got back from Las Vegas with The Morning Show.

What is it, dear?

Mitch Kessler invited me to his room

to watch a movie, and he wound up...

He...

He wound up...

He...

You don't have to say it.

You don't have to say anything.

What's your name?

Uh...

I'm Han... I'm Hannah Shoenfeld. I'm a junior booker.

Hannah Shoenfeld.

I've heard about you. I hear you're doing some great work.

Hannah Shoenfeld,

I heard head booker...

might be in your future.

So...

So this is how it happens?

Absolutely. People do fantastic work, and they get promoted.

That is absolutely how it happens.

So...

I'm head booker now?

Yes.

Okay.

The Times article details shocking allegations against Weinstein

from eight different women,

ranging from workplace harassment to sexual abuse,

including unwanted physical contact,

promises of career advancement in exchange for sexual favors,

and claims that the Hollywood mogul threatened retaliation

if his sexual advances were rejected.

The story also alleges that Weinstein

has been paying off his accusers for over three decades...

Wow, what a creep.

...including actor Rose McGowan.

In 1997, the Scream star reportedly received a $100,000...

I'm gonna finish our pretape for tomorrow.

- Okay. - ...during the Sundance Film Festival.

Harvey Weinstein now intends to sue

the New York Times for defamation,

- allegedly for $50 million. - What a pig.

A spokeswoman for the Times states that Mr. Weinstein and his lawyer

have confirmed the essential points of the story

and that Mr. Weinstein has not pointed to any errors

or challenged any facts in the story.

This comes after the Oscar-winning producer

first issued an attempted conciliatory statement saying,

"He came of age in the '60s and '70s

when all the rules about behavior at workplaces were different.

That was the culture then."

Weinstein went on to say he's brought on therapists

and plans to take a leave of absence from his company

and deal with his issues head-on.

You ever wonder why they call it that? El Niño.

It starts with something so small and so insignificant: an anchovy.

See, the anchovy, it prospers most in temperate waters.

So when equatorial trade winds, when they brought cold water westward,

it slowly broiled under the beating sun.

And by the time it reached Chimbote, Peru,

which is the anchovy capital of the world,

the warming waters were completely uninhabitable for the anchovy.

That's so sad.

Oh, no. Gets worse.

The economy suffered.

I mean, everything suffered, not just the fish.

The aquatic seabirds that fed on the anchovies,

from the gannets to the cormorants to the pelicans, they all died.

And then so did the animals that fed on them.

And because this phenomenon would, without fail,

coincide with the celebration of the birth of Christ,

they called it El Niño de Navidad. "The Christmas Boy."

Come on. You gotta hand it to the Peruvians.

I mean, something so destructive in such

harmless packaging. "El Niño de Navidad."

I mean, this thing that seems so insignificant,

winds that make the water too hot for

this tiny little fish to live, but no.

It's a harbinger of something that throws everything out of whack.

I mean, droughts, floods, storms. I mean, huge global events.

But there's nothing you can do to stop the wind from blowing.

So what can you do when you see all these

little anchovies belly up in the water?

You just keep on moving. And you brace yourself for the shitstorm.

Come on, pal! Hurry up!

Hello, everyone. Come on in.

Thank you for coming.

I ordered some food. Hope you like Thai.

- Alex Levy. - Oh.

Marlon. Nice to meet you.

I'm honored. Truly.

Oh, that's nice.

Meeting you to discuss taking over The Morning Show

is the highlight of my career.

Well, you're too kind.

Please, come on in.

It's an amazing place.

It's all part of the same bullshit. Fred knew.

We would drink together and play golf and hang out

and just reveal the most personal aspects of our lives,

and he fucking knew everything.

Look, we know that he knew, but we're talking about proof here, okay?

You said you had evidence,

someone who could corroborate Fred's direct complicity.

So here we are. We're listening.

What, who is it?

Hannah.

Shoenfeld?

Fuck, Mitch. When did you sleep with her?

In Vegas.

- Did you know about this? - No.

No, not explicitly.

I mean, look, Fred, he pushed me to

promote her and to fucking fire Jared,

which I thought was a little odd, but I didn't...

Didn't want to question it 'cause that's hard to do, right?

Why don't you go fuck yourself, Mitch?

We're not talking about any of this if it wasn't for fucking you.

Let's take a time-out here.

Chip, let's keep our eyes on the prize, please.

I understand you worked with Charlie a long time.

And I want you to know I think he's a great guy.

I have a lot of respect for him. I do.

But here's what I think, Alex.

Sometimes people outgrow each other.

You can stop seeing someone clearly

when you're with them for too long.

And I'm seeing you pretty clearly right now.

And I think The Morning Show needs to show America a new Alex Levy.

Alex Levy 2.0.

I thought that maybe what had happened

between us was just human, but it wasn't.

I didn't realize she was working me.

You're a real victim, Mitch. Yeah.

Does she know anything about this, or that I'm the one who's doing it?

I only said someone was doing a piece on it.

All right. You guys, this is not ready for air.

This is too delicate and too important to rush it.

No. There's no rush. We're ready.

- We got these fuckers dead to rights. - Mitch, this is my interview, not yours.

Listen. We have no idea

when they're gonna fucking drop this internal investigation bullshit,

but when they do, I'm done. I'll never work again.

Chip is right about this.

This has to happen as soon as possible.

There are four of us in this room right now

who all know about this super-top-secret plan to take over the airwaves

of one of the four major networks during its most profitable show.

And you did tell Alex that you met with Mitch,

- I know. - so she knows and she isn't happy.

So with every day that goes by,

the odds that somebody else is gonna find out about this increase.

So this has to happen now or it's not gonna happen at all,

and we'll all end up in the gulags for our trouble.

But I have to talk to Hannah. None of this lands without her story.

So unless I get to a place with her that we need to be at,

it's not happening.

Period.

- Maggie. - Hey, Fred.

So good to see you.

Thank you for taking time to meet with me.

Always. What do you want?

- I'll have a vodka tonic, please. - Okay.

- Scotch and soda. - Thank you.

I always have time for you. You know that.

Aw.

You know, I've been worried about you. I heard you got evacuated.

Did you come through it all okay?

Yes. Yeah, thank God.

Although, uh, I got some heat from my neighbors

about a piece that TMS ran on

hired firefighters in wealthy neighborhoods.

I saw that piece. I'm impressed you didn't try to stop it.

It's very self-aware of you.

News is news. I'm here to help deliver it, not stop it.

I'm glad you feel that way.

Feels like there's more to that thought.

I'm down the road on an investigative piece

looking into the upper levels of UBA.

Really, Maggie?

I'm sorry, Fred.

Off the record. You're stabbing me in the back?

You of all people?

My goal is not to stab you at all.

But if I do, I don't want it to be in the back,

and I don't want it to be a surprise.

Maggie, haven't I done enough for you?

I always had your back, always supported you.

And I've always supported you, Fred. Always.

Look, if it's not me, it's gonna be somebody else.

A 30-billion-dollar media conglomerate in distress

over its handling of sexual misconduct?

These stories don't stay buried anymore.

I threw it away over a dozen times.

But it always found its way back to the foot of my bed,

a little bit riper each time.

At least you know I'll be giving you a fair shake.

I'm not interested in your fair shake.

I'm interested in you doing right by me.

Hey. I'm writing the piece, Fred.

Whether it's good for you or bad for you, I don't know yet.

But there's nothing you can do about it either way.

History's already been written.

All that remains is to commit it to the page.

I'll be in touch.

Take care, Fred.

Jesus, Vicki. How did you miss it?

Maggie Brener, for fuck's sake, is doing this story.

Yeah, um, I'm at the...

It doesn't fucking matter. Just wrap up your little investigation.

Deliver your findings to me by Tuesday morning.

Yes, absolutely.

That gives you a day and a half to write something

I could've written for you on day fucking one.

Mm.

I can't really eat that anymore.

- Hey, hi. Good morning. - Hi.

So, Isabella made some calls to The Rock's

people about promoting the new movie.

Yeah. He'd like to get on the phone with you

and just talk to you about a few things he wants to bring up.

What? Um...

Okay. Yes. I just need a minute.

Will you just give me a minute? I'll be right there.

Hello.

Alex.

Just wanted to...

check in and see how you're doing.

- I have no answer for that. - Really?

That's the question that's gonna foil

your never-ending quest for truth?

Um...

I'll see you out there.

God.

- Oh! Sorry. Hi. - Sorry. Hey.

- Did you have a good weekend? It was fun? - Yeah. Same. You? Good?

- Yeah, same stuff, yeah. It's good. - See you later.

- I've got Cory for you. - I gotta call him back.

Bye. I gotta give these to Joel, so...

- Joel. - Yeah?

Oh, perfect. Thanks.

- This is for today, right? - Yeah.

I was thinking this would work well tomorrow.

Can we just get through today before we worry about tomorrow?

Okay.

Hannah Shoenfeld.

Hi there. This is Derek Colby. I'm the EP of UBA 365.

Oh, hi.

I know you're busy, so I'm gonna get right to it.

We have a producer leaving,

and UBA HR is recommending you for the job.

Now, we work out of LA, so obviously you would need to move,

but we're very excited to meet you.

This is an upper-level position. It's an exciting opportunity.

Wow. Thank you so much for considering me. Um...

I'm in the middle of something. Can I call you back?

Yeah, yeah. Of course.

My assistant is gonna e-mail you my contact info,

- so let's talk soon, okay? - Okay.

Hannah.

And then we go...

So we're pushing up the hazing tragedy.

- Okay. Thank you so much. - Hey.

So the last thing is the cooking segment with Emeril.

Oh, um, what's he cooking?

Oh, geez. Let's see...

Can you excuse me just a second?

- Hannah... - Okay.

Can I talk to you maybe after the show?

I just wanna run something past you.

- Yeah, sure. - Okay, great. Uh...

In my dressing room?

- Okay. - All right.

- Anything up? - Oh, no. Just something personal.

But you were saying something about Emeril?

He's making carbonara.

- Oh, great. Great. The carbonara. - Have a great show.

- Bradley. - Hi, Alison.

- Hi, Daniel. - Hey there.

How you feeling?

Me? Never better.

Same here.

We're live in 30 seconds.

- You okay? - Yeah.

- You need water? - No. I'm good.

Okay.

- Does she know? - Soon.

Okay, we're live in ten seconds.

I revised your copy.

- Thank you, dear. - Yeah.

Okay, people. Clear.

Quiet, please.

And in five, four, three, two...

Good morning, everyone.

So glad you could join us.

And here's our top stories for this morning.

Yeah.

- Is now a good time? - Hey. Yeah. Come on in.

Is anything wrong?

- No. Um, do you wanna have a seat? - Sure.

I just wanted to talk to you about something.

What?

So, I... I'm working on an interview... with Mitch.

And it's about the culture at this network that...

allowed his sexual misconduct to go unaddressed for so long.

Uh, wait.

You mean this interview is happening on this show?

You're doing it?

Well, first of all, none of this is happening without your consent.

I want you to know that.

And now you're talking to Mitch.

Yes.

And you're all having conversations about me behind my back?

No. It is not all of us. It's only me.

You can't use my name.

Well, I would make sure that you were kept anonymous.

Something's happening.

First, Mitch comes to me.

Then Maggie Brener magically got my number...

- What? - ...and wants to talk to me.

And someone from UBA 365 all of a sudden is offering me a job in LA.

Can I tell you the truth?

I'd like to get the fuck out of here, leave all this behind me.

Wait, wait, wait. UBA is offering to

move you and promote you? Holy shit!

Yes! I'm telling you, there's a hurricane

swirling around me, and I don't know why.

Why now? But I don't like it, and I don't want it.

I don't want any part of it.

Look. Hannah, I understand. I would feel the exact same way.

But UBA is trying to silence you here.

And we have the opportunity to change that.

You know what? That's not my fucking job.

My life is not a tool to service your agenda on your schedule.

Maybe you're comfortable stabbing people in the back, but I'm not.

I just wanna fucking live my life.

I don't wanna be the poster child for your cause. Leave me out of it.

Charlie Black's office.

Fred wants to meet Chip at 4:00 p.m.

He's got something at 4:00. Can we do it another time?

Rena, I think what Fred wants to meet about

is going to be clearing up his schedule.

I'm sorry.

Come on, Chip. It wasn't that bad.

Really? You think that wasn't sloppy?

Then we got a real fucking problem. Okay?

'Cause I'm gonna notice this shit when this happens next time.

And everybody else is gonna notice,

and we are not gonna be the fucking sloppy show.

And who the fuck took my coffee?

And why... why are you hovering?

What? What are... What?

Meeting at 4:00 with Fred.

Okay.

Okay.

So, I wanna nip it in the bud...

because you guys are my guys, and I...

You're my unsung heroes,

and that is my fault that you are unsung, and I'm sorry about that,

but I am not a fucking singer.

And it... it doesn't mean that you're not my guys.

Do you know what I'm saying?

Let's say it was an off day.

You know? 'Cause you guys aren't sloppy.

And I'm looking at you, Rich.

I know that you know that the word

"pushy" has an H in it and not two S's.

So, next time, on the teleprompter, please. Thank you.

I'm sorry I yelled.

I was laughing on the inside.

Um...

The thing is, guys...

Well, you got this.

You know? You're my guys.

Thank you.

So, what made you change your mind?

Guilt, I guess.

- Thinking of other people in my position. - Well, I appreciate it.

- Yeah. - Um...

Do you mind if I record this? It's only for me.

I guess.

Okay.

So, what do you wanna know, exactly?

Well, let's start with your experience with Mitch and the aftermath.

When the Vegas shootings happened,

I was at the studio while they started

putting the team together to go cover it.

Chip told me to go.

I was a junior booker at that point. I was thrilled.

It was hard. Tough thing to be in the middle of.

I was getting in a very dark place, so I went for a walk on the strip.

I ran into Mitch.

He was kind, and he cheered me up.

We walked and talked a while.

It felt very comfortable and familiar.

And it actually distracted me,

'cause I felt really special to be walking

and chatting in public with Mitch Kessler.

Like I really landed on the planet.

It was incredibly special.

He invited me up to his suite to watch a comedy.

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Now when I look back, I don't know what I was thinking.

We watched the movie for a while.

And then I just started thinking about everything in Vegas...

and my mom.

And I was remembering so clearly when she died.

Where I was, what I was wearing, how it felt.

I couldn't stop thinking of it.

Tears started falling out of my face.

I said I should probably go.

Mitch came over and hugged me.

He seemed so kind.

Paternal, really.

I needed some parenting.

I hadn't had any in a long time.

Then he said he liked me and...

put his hand between my legs.

Uh,

I don't know what happened next.

I was on the bed, his head was between my legs.

I didn't know what to say.

I figured I'd just do it.

It didn't kill me.

I saw him at work when we got back.

He barely acknowledged me.

I don't know what possessed me.

This is so unlike me. But I just exploded inside.

This wasn't okay.

I barged into Fred's office, and I told him.

He offered me a promotion.

Said I'd been doing a great job.

He had no idea who I was.

I'm so sorry you had to relive that.

Like I said, I lived. But I'm pretty tough.

You are tough.

Strong.

Um...

Can you talk a little bit about how this affected your job,

your... your self-image, your life?

You don't want too much, do you?

I just don't want this to happen to other people.

Are you getting any help processing this, Hannah?

No. No. I... I don't need any help. It's done. It's over.

Is it?

What are you getting at? I'm not Ashley Brown, okay?

I'm not gonna give you some tearful

"I'm so broken" reveal for your fucking interview.

How am I? I'm fucking fine.

Fucked-up shit happens to people all day, every day

that they don't know how to deal with.

Why dwell on it? You got what you needed.

You got something on the head of the network.

I'd just like to accept this new job

before you do this interview, okay?

- I wanna get out of New York. - I understand, Hannah. Take a breath.

Quit telling me what to do, how to feel! I'm done.

How do I get you to leave? What do I have to say?

I was violated?

I was scared?

I was powerless?

That I think about it every day...

hundreds of times every day?

That this is what has defined me, how I got a promotion, who I am?

How it feels to have someone you love and

respect and look up to on top of you...

using you, using your body...

and wanting you and not caring about you all at once?

Wanting a parent and having a cock shoved up you,

and then living with that eternal noise

in your head for the rest of your life,

the noise that says you are dirty, you caused this, this is your fault.

To see people lose their jobs and worlds fall apart

because I couldn't find the words to say no.

- Okay, Hannah... - Get away from me.

Okay. I'm just... I'm just... I'm... I'm... I'm worried about you.

No. Don't be. Like you said, I'm tough.

Yeah. This was a mistake. I'm sorry.

I don't have to go through with it.

No. No. Do it. It's important. Do it. Do what I couldn't.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

Okay.

Look.

Please call me anytime.

I'll have my phone right by my bed.

I'm fine. Do what you're gonna do.

You know this wasn't your fault, right? You know that?

With all due respect, Bradley, please

just take your rhetoric and just fuck off.

How'd you like him? He's great, right?

Um...

Yeah, he's good.

He's good. He sure is passionate.

- And Marlon loves you. - Oh, yeah.

I mean, he loved you before.

He called me after the meeting. Said he loved you even more.

Mm-hmm. Well, that's the passion I'm talking about.

Listen. Just gotta give me a minute, all right?

This is gonna take a little getting used to.

Well, I hope you two hit it off, because you say the word,

and his deal is closing.

Oh. Okay. I know, I know. Okay.

Look, I know it's gonna take some getting used to,

that there will be a "getting to know you" period.

But Greg will still be your guy.

You'll have the full support of the network,

including a huge fucking contract to prove it.

After all the back-and-forth a couple of weeks ago,

you're even getting coanchor approval in writing.

Right? You win.

God.

Oh, I really just wish I could close my eyes

and blink and the last three weeks would just go away.

Alex, these pieces were set in motion years ago.

There's no amount of wishing or maneuvering that can change that.

Chip made his bed, and Mitch fucked the whole office in it

while we obliviously stood outside the bedroom door.

Hey. Listen. Fuck Mitch.

There's gotta be a way that we can put Chip on an administrative leave.

Hire Marlon temporarily, and then when

this all blows over, we bring Chip back.

No. Absolutely not.

- "Absolutely not"? - We have to send a message

that this behavior will not be condoned at UBA or on The Morning Show.

We have to show that there are consequences for our actions.

You said it so eloquently, as a woman,

there often aren't enough of them.

How did you say it?

"I am proud to be on a network

and live in a country that upholds consequences."

You are the truth teller, Alex.

Oh, God. Okay.

Okay.

Wonderful! Done.

And I hope you don't feel so bad about fucking Bradley Jackson.

I mean, she's getting a hell of a payoff

for a lunatic who put in a couple of

weeks' work trying to kill our brand.

Yeah, okay. Well, that might be the case,

but whatever happens to that girl for

the rest of her life, that's on me. Okay?

I plucked her out of obscurity, and I tossed her right into infamy.

- God. - It's 3:55. The meeting starts at 4:00.

Okay. Thank you.

All right. I gotta go.

I gotta figure out a way to tell Bradley that Daniel's coming in.

This is all good, Alex.

All of it.

For the show... and for you.

Oh.

Have a seat.

I'm good.

Stern and Young has returned its

findings in their internal investigation.

Well, don't keep me in suspense.

They found you responsible for the permissive environment.

There are pages and pages of evidence that back that up.

Wow. You must've had some pretty good

fiction writers put that together for you.

A little better than the people who write your prime-time lineup.

Have some decency, Charlie. This is a serious matter.

Oh, it's serious something, Fred. For sure.

You know it gives me no pleasure.

It gives me no pleasure to know that someone

that worked for me for years

exhibited such gross negligence and endangered my employees.

Are you fucking kidding me?

You better get this over with fast

before I lose it and drop-kick your ass right on Fifth Avenue.

Have it your way. You're fired effective immediately.

We're announcing it officially when

the report's released tomorrow morning.

James has a box for your things outside.

Take what you can carry. The rest we'll have sent to your home.

Great. Is that all?

No, one more thing.

Fuck you for not killing that private firefighter story like I asked.

That fire came a pussy hair away from my house.

Yeah, my show bought you that fucking house,

and I will burn it to the fucking ground if I feel like it!

Fuck.

- Hey, Bradley. - Hey, I just talked to Hannah.

It was really hard.

I'm sorry. Did you get enough for the interview?

Probably, yeah.

Okay, good. We do it tomorrow.

Tomorrow? That's fast.

No. It has to be tomorrow, early in the show.

Bradley.

Yeah. Okay.

Okay, good. I'll let Mitch and Cory know it's on.

Okay. I'll let Hannah know. They offered her a job in LA.

Jesus. They're fucking shameless.

Yeah. I'll start working. Bye.

You've reached Hannah Shoenfeld.

Please leave a message, and I'll get right back.

Hannah, it's Claire.

Look, I... I feel awful.

I'm really sorry that I got so upset with you.

I think that it all just took me a bit by surprise.

And I know that you were probably just looking out for me.

Can we talk?

I will not take no for an answer.

If you don't call me back,

I will wait outside your building,

and I'll follow you to work in the morning.

I will stalk you until you accept my apology.

I'll bring coffee.

Please, Hannah.

I'm really sorry.

Okay, bye.

Are you getting

any help processing any of this, Hannah?

No. No. I don't need any help. It's done. It's over.

Is it?

What are you getting at? I'm not Ashley Brown, okay?

I'm not gonna give you some tearful

"I'm so broken" reveal for your fucking interview.

How am I? I'm fucking fine.

Fucked-up shit happens to people all day, every day

that they don't know how to deal with.

Why dwell on...

- Hey. - Hey.

Come in.

I'm glad you're here. I could really use your help.

You wanna have a seat?

Uh, yeah. Thanks.

Yeah, I'm not gonna lie.

I'm getting kinda nervous that this is actually happening.

Yeah, I get it. It's a nail-biter.

So, look, uh, before we get started, I have to tell you something.

- What? - I'm not gonna be there tomorrow.

What are you talking about? You have to be there.

Bradley, I got fired today.

- When? - Right before you called.

You're gonna announce the internal

investigation findings on air tomorrow.

Marlon Tate, the new EP, is gonna start tomorrow.

Okay.

Well, I guess we're done.

No. No, no, no. Bradley, this is all still doable.

"Still doable"?

I'm supposed to be sneaking somebody into the studio,

hijacking a segment without Alex knowing,

and doing that without your help.

How's that doable?

That's what we're gonna figure out. But you have to do this.

In part because nailing Fred's ass to

the fucking wall is the right thing to do,

and in part because this is gonna blow up the broadcast tomorrow, okay?

They're gonna have to pull the plug at a certain point,

and through all of that fallout,

those fucking bullshit investigation findings

- will never get released 'cause... - That's what this is about for you.

You wanna bury that investigation.

Okay, nobody's motives are 100% pure, okay?

You know that. Let's be honest, okay?

If you get this right, you're gonna be an iconic part of history.

That's a huge part of why you're doing this.

Really? Part of history? Maybe. Maybe not.

But that's definitely not why I'm doing this.

More likely is I'm just trying to blow up

the only decent job I ever had

because I'm a fucking destructive maniac.

Jesus Christ. Who fucking gives a shit, okay?

Is it selfish? Is it altruistic?

We'll fucking figure that out in the old folks home later.

Right now, we have a chance to attach

ourselves to a fucking moral cause, okay?

We have to do this. We have to.

"We." You keep saying "we." But this is basically me, okay?

You're not there anymore. You got fired.

- I'm the one putting my ass on the line. - Okay. Just...

That's fucking insane.

It was insane before, but now it's off-the-chart batshit nuts.

- You get that, right? - Yes, I hear you.

You want me to do this by myself,

and I'm not even qualified to do this.

I don't even know how I got this fucking job.

I mean, I certainly didn't earn it.

- And I'm pretending half the fucking time. - Calm, calm.

And I'm just doing the best I goddamn can,

but I feel like a reality television show in a goddamn pantsuit.

- It's okay... - And let me tell you something,

that I dragged this girl into this, and she's breaking.

I mean, she's... she's really suffering,

and Mitch is telling the truth about Fred,

- but nobody cares! - You need to fuckin' breathe.

Nobody cares that this poor girl is feeling broken inside!

Hey, Bradley, you need to relax.

God damn it! Please don't hug me right now.

What the hell is that gonna fix?

- I'm sorry, I'm sorry. - No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry. I...

Can I get one of those?

- Here. - Thank you.

So, how are we doing this now?

Oh, now that, uh, Chip is fired?

Well, leave that to us. You just show up looking pretty.

Okay. Thanks for coming over to tell me that.

Oh, no. I came by to tell you not to mess with Bradley.

What are you talking about?

I saw the way that you spoke about Hannah... playing you.

So, I'm still not confident that you get it.

So, I'm talking about things including, but not limited to...

you getting on air and acting like you're the innocent victim

and making Bradley seem like she's the enabler.

Mmm. Mm-hmm.

Well, I gotta get to work then.

I have to figure out a way to manipulate Bradley tomorrow.

You know, Mitch, if I was you,

I might be thinking of tomorrow's interview

as the beginning of my road to redemption comeback tour.

And if that is in fact the case,

it's time for you to hange your fucking set.

Full disclosure, I've never been a big fan of your stuff.

It was... It's really more my dad's cup of tea,

and he was a dick, and he's dead.

Truth be told, when that genre of music comes on,

I gotta change the channel for fear

that I might break the fucking radio.

But you're a smart guy. A really smart guy.

So, you might find yourself a new audience.

So, make sure you don't blow your first show back.

And, if I could extend the metaphor,

if everything goes as planned, in about three days...

I think I'm gonna be running some of the biggest concert venues

in God's great Earth,

and I plan on playing the music that I want to hear.

What the fuck are you talking about?

Tomorrow is your shot.

Confess, or you're done.

Hi, this is Hannah Shoenfeld.

I've been thinking it over,

and I'm actually very interested in

coming to meet you in LA about the job.

Please give me a call back. Thank you.

So, look, I wanna ask you to do, uh,

one last thing, but it's... it's a thing.

Okay.

Um...

I want you to sneak Mitch into the studio today.

Bradley's gonna interview him live on air. Alex doesn't know about it.

Oh, my God. You've fucking lost it.

I get why they fired you.

Mitch has evidence that Fred has been covering up sexual misconduct

at the fucking network level, and we're gonna expose his ass live.

- Holy shit. - Yeah.

Look, I'm gonna be honest with you.

You might wanna start looking for a new job.

I've been looking for a new job for years.

How is this happening?

At 7:40, Alex is gonna rush downstairs

to do the taxi-versus-ride-share segment.

As soon as she gets in that elevator,

you rush down the back stairwell, open up the loading dock door.

Like when we snuck Jagger in for Alex's birthday.

Yes. You'll come upstairs, deliver Mitch to Bradley on the stage.

Alex is gonna do her segment as planned,

but we are not gonna broadcast it.

That is exactly when Bradley is gonna be interviewing Mitch.

Cory's gonna take over the control room,

make sure the camera's pointed exactly where we want it,

at least until UBA freaks the fuck out and shuts the whole thing down.

You really trust Cory?

I don't... I don't know. But I... I have to.

Well, then I guess I'll have to trust him too.

I'm sorry I had to drag you into this.

I would've been insulted if you hadn't.

Better get in there.

Hey, Rena?

Sic semper tyrannis.

Questionable reference. But, yeah, I get your point.

Sic semper tyrannis.

I'm not really sure how long it's been.

Could you just get down here?

Yes. Yes, it's 103 Wooster Street.

Yes.

Please stay on the line with me until they arrive.

This is a first for me.

What's happened?

You know her?

I was supposed to meet up with her last night.

I know her.

Hannah.

It's always difficult to lose someone

with whom you've worked so closely.

I know that's all of you.

Chip's strength was how hands-on he was.

But being so hands-on also means, as we have sadly come to learn,

he was aware of Mitch's reprehensible

behavior, and he allowed it to continue.

That is inexcusable.

Now, Chip didn't corner the market on great producing.

You will come to find that out very soon.

But this is about more than a job...

or making money for the network

or broadcasting the news.

This is about your well-being.

And Marlon Tate is someone under whom you

can feel safe coming to work every day.

Thanks, Fred.

That's right. I was a PA once myself on Rise and Shine Seattle.

So, anything that I ask you to do, I've done before myself.

Then after Seattle, I had this epiphany.

I said to myself, "Marlon, dreams..."

Hey. What's wrong?

Bradley.

- I... - Claire, what's the matter?

I have to... tell you something.

I don't know how to say this.

It's Hannah.

She's dead. She's dead.

She overdosed.

There wasn't a note.

Maybe it was an accident. I don't know.

Bradley?

I'm still gonna come into work.

Just do what you have to do.

Okay.

People...

let's take a moment to honor...

and remember Hannah...

our dear colleague.

We have... We have some bad news.

Yeah. About Chip?

No.

What?

Hey. So, we're good to go.

You know, Rena's gonna help Mitch, and...

The interview's off.

What are you talking about? We have to do this today.

This is not an option.

No, Chip. Hannah's dead.

She OD'd.

This is our fault, Chip.

I can't.

I can't go through with it over her poor, dead body.

I just can't.

I understand. Yeah.

I'll let Mitch know.

Thank you.

I just need a minute, please.

I need to talk to you right now.

What are you... Where are you going?

I'm leaving. I don't know where the fuck I'm going, but I'm leaving.

I was gonna interview Mitch behind your back, on air, today.

Even though you told me not to.

Actually, especially 'cause you told me not to.

Wh... What?

And Mitch was gonna tell me what happened after his night with Hannah.

Hannah? Hannah?

Yeah, Hannah.

Fred promoted her to protect Mitch, to keep her quiet.

Quiet from what?

What do you think, Alex?

So I went to her apartment to corroborate Mitch's story.

To get the truth.

But that wasn't good enough for me. So, I wanted to annihilate Fred.

I wanted to blow up the fucking network.

I wanted to do anything to get the best story I possibly could.

And I could see she was avoiding it, but I pressured her.

Because I'm a special kind of asshole.

And I made her relive every minute of it.

And it opened up something in her that she

couldn't handle, and she killed herself.

I might as well have just taken a gun and gone in and shot her.

- So, I'm leaving. - Bradl...

Oh, my...

Oh, no. Oh, God.

Oh, God. No. No, no.

Bradley! Bradley!

Bradley, come on. Slow down, please.

Bradley, this is not your fault.

You cannot take this on yourself.

You had the best intentions. I know you did.

Fuck me and fuck my intentions, Alex.

Part of my intention was to blow you up in this process.

Okay, well, you know what? Maybe I deserve to be blown up.

'Cause you know what I just did, 'cause I'm this kind of an asshole?

I basically just went to Fred,

that asshole Fred, and I begged him for help.

Specifically to... to get you fired.

So, that's what I did. That's the kind of asshole that I am.

Well, I'm sorry you lowered yourself to

beg the patriarch, because I'm leaving.

No, but you can't.

- Bradley, please don't leave. - Yes, I can! Watch me!

No. You can't. Please don't leave. We have to fix this problem.

Oh, please. Fix this? How are you gonna fix this?

Bradley, I did not know about Hannah,

I didn't know about Mitch, and I didn't

know about Fred covering. I didn't know...

What about the boys' club that you told me would never change?

What about that?

I don't... I don't know.

I didn't...

I said it. I didn't realize how fucked up... I just...

- Goodbye, Alex. - No. Bradley, I cannot do this.

I need you to get me through today.

- I just need you. - I can't do it.

- I just need you for today. - Hey, Morning Show!

- Can I take a selfie with you? - It's not a good time. I'm sorry.

Hey! Fuck off!

- I said no! Give me your fucking camera. - Alex!

Give it to me, you fucker! What, do you think you own me?

You think I'm available 24-7 because

I'm in your living room every morning

trying to make you feel better about this miserable world?

Well, I'm not! Guess what?

- Alex. - I'm empty! This is empty!

- Stop it. Alex. - I'm empty!

You know what empty looks like? It looks like this.

When I say "no," it means no.

- Alex! Will you just calm the fuck down? - What?

I will go upstairs if you shut the fuck up

and just give him his phone back.

- Yes. - Give him his phone back!

Here's your fucking phone, sir.

Come on. Come on.

- Piece of shit! - Leave him!

Jesus Christ. Just today. I'm doing this for just today.

- I know. Just today. I know. - Come on.

Alex, Bradley, where you been?

We're cutting it kinda close here, guys.

Oh. I got Alex. She's fine. Okay.

- You're staying, right? - Sure.

Okay.

You missed the announcement,

but I've arranged to have grief counselors available.

Hey. Hey, where're you going?

I'm out of this place. I'm done.

Listen to me. I understand how horrible

this is, but you can't walk off the show.

Can't you just let me go?

I can't sit next to her. I can't pretend anymore. I just...

You have evidence against the guy who's the head of this company,

and you're gonna walk out?

You cannot keep yourself pure

just by moving on every time someone disappoints you.

You think people in one town over are gonna be any better?

No.

Human nature, it's surprisingly universal,

and it's universally disappointing.

So, you might as well stay and fight the fight, Bradley Jackson.

No, no, no, no. I didn't need a personal escort.

We're not doing this.

Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, but you're not EP anymore.

Mitch, Hannah's dead. She OD'd.

What?

After she told Bradley about what happened with you and Fred.

Mm-hmm.

You wanna say something now? You wanna... You wanna justify...

You fucking... Fucking asshole!

Fucker!

It was me. I was the one who leaked it to the Times.

So fuck you, Mitch! Fuck you!

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Come here.

I'm so sorry.

Hey, Alex. Uh, it's me.

Um...

You're probably gonna hear something soon.

They were investigating Mitch, but they were getting rid of you.

Leaking to the Times, it...

it was a last resort.

I didn't know what it was gonna do.

I just knew that if they didn't have Mitch,

then they needed you.

And I needed you.

Um...

Anyway, it was always for you.

Always.

There. Thank you.

- Thank you for staying. - Mm-hmm.

And we're live in 30 seconds.

I can't imagine how hard this is for you,

and I want you to know how much I appreciate your professionalism.

Let's do this one for Hannah.

Get the fuck out of my face.

- Oh, my God. - Thank you. Add a little up there.

Are you okay?

Yeah. No, I'm good. It's good.

No, leave it! Who gives a fuck?

We're just gonna do this.

Five, four, three, two...

Welcome, everyone.

Thank you for joining us.

In our...

In our top s...

story today...

- Bradley, can you take this one? - Yes. Of course.

A Papua New Guinea-bound Golden Trident Cruise luxury liner

carrying over 5,000 passengers is in its fourth day of quarantine.

Over two-thirds of its passengers and...

Alex, you okay?

Stay on three. Stand by, one.

- What the fuck is she doing? - I don't know.

Stay on copy, Bradley.

The ship sits moored more than 600 nautical miles from Honolulu.

A rescue ship is expected to arrive this afternoon

- with antibiotics... - Fucking people.

...and medical supplies to treat the sick passengers on board.

A spokesperson for the cruise line

says that they are working day and night

to get all of the infected people back to the safety of their homes

as soon as possible...

- What's your name? - ...and that they are, quote...

- Joe. - Joe?

Fifteen years, I never met Joe.

- Oh, my God. - What the hell?

All of the ship's passengers will

get a full refund due to the outbreak.

Stay on three.

Stand by, one. What do you wanna do?

Just get her ass back in the chair!

I... Alex, what...

- Alex, please sit down. - Nope. I don't wanna sit down.

I'm not sitting down.

- Oh, wow. - Fuckin' jerks.

- Its estimated time of arrival was... - Listen. Can I interrupt?

Yeah. Yes.

Hi. Sorry.

We haven't been honest with you.

I mean, not, like, with the news.

I'm not... I'm not talking about that.

I'm actually talking about ourselves.

What the fuck are they doing? Get ready to go to tape early.

- Ready tape. - We don't tell you everything,

even a little bit.

I mean, this whole place... This, uh...

It's really different than what you...

than what it may appear to you.

And there are some really bad things going on here.

Some really bad things. Some really bad... There are bad people and...

Are we doing this?

Yeah, you wanna?

We should tell the truth quickly. They're gonna cut us off.

- We have one minute. - Yes. Let's do it.

- Roll the fucking tape. - Ignore that, Donny. Do not roll tape.

- Stay on the teacup and get everything. - Okay.

Push in, Gene. Get it all.

We would like to share some information about our network.

We believe Fred Micklen to have been central in creating an environment

- that silenced women who came forward... - No. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

- ...to complain about sexual misconduct. - Those motherfuckers! No!

UBA is about to release an internal investigation

saying that they have been cleared.

This is not true.

It is mostly bullshit.

It is all bullshit. It's bullshit,

and I'm not gonna lie to you anymore.

None of us are gonna lie to you anymore.

Because I'm as culpable as anyone in

terms of not calling out or helping

to end the sexual misconduct that goes on in this fucking building.

On October 1, 2017, Mitch Kessler traveled to Las Vegas

to cover the horrible massacre.

While he was there, he slept with a female colleague.

She was young. He was her boss.

Corporate culture comes from the top down.

And Fred Micklen dictated a culture of fear and silence...

and paranoia and pain.

And it permeated everything, including The Morning Show.

I saw it.

I saw how it affected the women, and I never stopped it.

'Cause I was succeeding.

And I know that it's not enough...

but I apologize to many people.

To one person in particular...

I was so unfair to you, and I am deeply sorry.

And I will do everything that I can to make it right.

The abuse of power, the corporate corruption, it has to end.

We cannot accept a culture of silence, here or anywhere.

Come here. Camera two, get over here. Come closer.

Donny, I want a tight two-shot.

Come closer, please.

As many Fred Micklens are out there,

there are billionsmore people like me,

and like Bradley, and like you.

So get loud.

We hope the Freds and the Mitches...