George Clooney Makes Broadway History with Live CNN Broadcast of Good Night, and Good Luck

In a bold and unprecedented move, George Clooney has made theatrical and broadcast history. The Oscar-winning actor’s Broadway debut in Good Night, and Good Luck was aired live on CNN and CNN.com Saturday night, marking the first time a Broadway play has ever been broadcast in real time on national television.

The play, staged at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City, stars Clooney as legendary CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow—a role he also helped write for the stage alongside longtime collaborator Grant Heslov. For Clooney, 64, the moment was not only about breaking records but bringing a timely message to a wider audience.

“I can’t tell you how exciting it is to do something that’s never been done,” Clooney said ahead of the broadcast. “Live TV. No net. Buckle up, everyone.”

A First in Broadway and Television History

CNN confirmed that no live Broadway production had ever been simultaneously televised, a testament to the increasing convergence of news media and the performing arts. For CNN CEO Mark Thompson, this wasn’t just about entertainment—it was a reaffirmation of journalism’s foundational role in democracy.

“Good Night, and Good Luck is not just a celebration of a golden age in TV journalism,” Thompson said. “It’s about the importance of the free press and the role of strong news organizations in reporting facts fairly. That’s something CNN still cares deeply about.”

The live broadcast brought the penultimate performance of the show to millions across the country, transcending the traditional theater audience and allowing the power of Murrow’s voice to reach beyond Broadway’s walls.

Breaking Records on and off Stage

The production has proven to be a box-office powerhouse. Nominated for five Tony Awards, Good Night, and Good Luck is now the highest-grossing play in Broadway history, earning over $4 million in a single week—an unprecedented feat in the world of live theater.

Directed by Tony Award-winning director David Cromer, the show has been praised for its tight script, minimalist yet evocative stage design, and its unflinching portrayal of Murrow’s battle against Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist crusade during the 1950s.

Clooney’s casting as Murrow—his first-ever Broadway role—adds a personal layer to the performance. He previously directed and co-starred in the acclaimed 2005 film version, which earned multiple Oscar nominations. The film, and now the play, dramatizes Murrow’s historic takedown of McCarthy on national television—an act of journalistic bravery that still resonates in today’s polarized media landscape.

Clooney, Murrow, and the Power of Truth

For Clooney, this project is clearly a passion piece—one that ties his personal political advocacy to a larger historical narrative. At a time when misinformation, political extremism, and press freedom are daily headlines, Murrow’s legacy serves as both a caution and a call to action.

“We live in a time where facts are under attack,” Clooney said in a recent interview. “This story isn’t just about the 1950s. It’s about now.”

His performance as Murrow has drawn critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising Clooney’s ability to inhabit the journalist’s measured but powerful voice. It’s a performance that feels urgent, yet restrained—a testament to both Murrow’s ethos and Clooney’s respect for the material.

A Bit of Humor in the Midst of History

Despite the serious themes, Clooney brought a touch of levity to the week leading up to the broadcast. During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on June 2, he joked about his appearance, hiding under a hat to cover his awkward hair dye grow-out.

“It’s bad,” Clooney laughed. “It’s still dark on top, but gray at the bottom. So you get that really nice-looking grow-out of gray.”

Though known for his charisma, Clooney was modest about his chances of winning a Tony for Best Leading Actor in a Play, for which he is nominated.

“I’m not thinking very positively about winning a Tony,” he admitted.

Other nominations include Best Scenic Design, Best Sound Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Lighting Design. Win or lose, the play’s impact is already historic.

A Grand Finale Approaches

The limited-run production ends Sunday, June 8, with tickets already sold out for the final performance. For fans and theatergoers, the live CNN broadcast served as a rare opportunity to witness Broadway magic without needing to travel to New York.

This experiment in live theater broadcasting may also be a harbinger of things to come. As audiences demand more accessible, innovative content, the fusion of stage and screen could become more common—especially when anchored by big names like Clooney and socially relevant stories.

Whether you watched it from a velvet seat at the Winter Garden or from your couch at home, Good Night, and Good Luck stands as a powerful reminder: the fight for truth never goes out of style.