"NewsRadio" was one of the funniest shows of the '90s. It was critically acclaimed and did decent in the ratings for the first couple of seasons before NBC decided to move it around their schedule. It had comic greats such as Dave Foley, Stephen Root and of course Phil Hartman. It's not a show that necessarily dated (though a couple Clinton jokes were made but that was more so Hartman could do his Presidential imitation). The show had a nice run with 97 episodes and yet it seems like it's not a hit in reruns.

Is it because Hartman's murder cast a pall over the show? Is it because of Andy Dick and all the bad things he's done since the show ended (and some stuff during its run)? I can understand someone not wanting to watch the show because they hate Andy Dick but he really is funny in this show, even if he isn't funny in anything else he does. I don't know. I figured it would be a bigger show in reruns. At least all the episodes are on DVD. So I'm always able to watch it. It would just be nice if when I say my favorite show is "NewsRadio" people actually know what show I'm talking about and agree with me that it's a great show.

There are three friends of mine that never even heard of "NewsRadio" before and I loaned them my DVD set of the entire series and all three friends fell in love with the show. Obviously not everyone who watches will love it but I think more people need to give it a chance.

I think shows that have run in syndication on A&E have some kind of curse of them. Besides Newsradio, Night Court, Northern Exposure, Crossing Jordan and Third Watch have received little, if any play on popular cable channels since being on A&E. The only exception I can think of is Law & Order.

I think Newsradio was too smart and too fast for the average tv fan to enjoy in syndication at the time, like a lot of those single cam comedies made today that never do good in syndication. Another problem was they only made 97 episodes and only 75 with Phil Hartman. I know a lot of people say the show was never the same after he died.

I think Newsradio was too smart and too fast for the average tv fan to enjoy in syndication at the time, like a lot of those single cam comedies made today that never do good in syndication. Another problem was they only made 97 episodes and only 75 with Phil Hartman. I know a lot of people say the show was never the same after he died.

https://jacksonupperco.com/2018/10/16/the-ten-best-newsradio-episodes-of-season-five/

It’s almost as if the show had given up (and indeed, the Johnny Johnson arc’s fidelity to both November and February Sweeps seems awfully network-friendly). That wouldn’t be a surprise; Hartman’s death was demoralizing (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125344/http://www.jumptheshark.com/n/newsradio.htm) and some of the company even doubted the decision to continue. But another year of episodes guaranteed a future in syndication, and even though Paul Simms had already relinquished the day-to-day writers’ room duties, the renewal by NBC, prior to Hartman’s death, was a gesture of good will. Additionally, after moving the show back to Wednesdays (following 3rd Rock From The Sun) to make way for Encore! Encore!, the network, after a few months, returned NewsRadio (https://jacksonupperco.com/tag/newsradio/) to its Tuesday at 8:30 slot, where it remained for the rest of the year. Unfortunately, both 3rd Rock and NewsRadio lost viewers, and the choice was made to keep only one: the newer series that had a slightly better track record. For many at NewsRadio, this seemed merciful — the final year without Hartman was a chore, and once this year pushed them into syndication, there was little incentive to continue. Quality eroded, morale eroded, ratings eroded. And, in fact, the show seemed to be more aware than ever the end was nigh, for this is the only year that narratively offers closure — with the departures of everyone, except Dave and Matthew, for New Hampshire. (Yes, this was designed to suggest a posited relocation, should there be a renewal, but isn’t the conscious desire for a change of setting evidence of a known problem within the status quo?) These last episodes are adequate — more grounded than most — but the spark of rebellion that gave the series its raison d’être is gone. And NewsRadio ends not with a bang, but with a whimper… a disappointing final year for a series that sought to brand itself as the iconically dissident underdog. Truthfully? It was a solid Workplace comedy with a great sense of humor, a strong cast, and an appreciated desire to reject convention. It didn’t play by the rules, and suffered for it — by the network, yet perhaps more so at its own hands — but is remembered triumphantly today for standing out…

I think Newsradio was too smart and too fast for the average tv fan to enjoy in syndication at the time, like a lot of those single cam comedies made today that never do good in syndication. Another problem was they only made 97 episodes and only 75 with Phil Hartman. I know a lot of people say the show was never the same after he died.

NewsRadio may have also suffered from the idea that the cast for the most part, are primarily known for something else. For instance, Phil Hartman is likely more known for his work on SNL first and foremost, than NewsRadio. Likewise, Dave Foley is likely more known to the general public for The Kids in the Hall than NewsRadio. And it goes much further than that such as Maura Tierney and ER, Joe Rogan and The Joe Rogan Experience, and Stephen Root from every Coen Brothers movie.

I liked it, at least until Phil Hartman departed. With only 97 episodes, it might be a challenge for a sitcom channel like Cozi or Laff to air it during the week, but perhaps it could be put on the weekend schedule.

The show was never released in Italy, and never heard of it until Adamantium mentione dit on the Mom subforum.
I started watching it last evening, and I hope to enjoy the ride! :)

I feel like with the way the show turned in the 4th season, that it was destined to be cancelled even if Hartman had lived. Season 1-3 are awesome, Season 4 is alright (once they re-hire Matthew and get rid of Andrea), but Season 5 is just a different show. In my mind, the series finale is "Bill Moves On".

I feel like with the way the show turned in the 4th season, that it was destined to be cancelled even if Hartman had lived. Season 1-3 are awesome, Season 4 is alright (once they re-hire Matthew and get rid of Andrea), but Season 5 is just a different show. In my mind, the series finale is "Bill Moves On".

Season four is actually my favorite season. I like how zany it is.

I also feel that if Phil Hartman had lived that season five would still have been the final season. As it turns out, the fifth season was actually higher rated than the fourth. But because it had been low rated since season three (the move to Wednesdays killed it), maybe Sony did what they could to keep it on the air for a better syndication deal. I don't know. I know that Sony helped keep 'til Death on for four seasons even though it was very low rated.

The only thing that would have changed if Hartman was alive and in the fifth season is that we would have had a better final season than the one we got.

The show was never released in Italy, and never heard of it until Adamantium mentione dit on the Mom subforum.
I started watching it last evening, and I hope to enjoy the ride! :)

Did you end up liking it?

I have the book covering Hartman's death, though I haven't read it yet. I dunno, knowing what happened to him made me sad to try to watch the shows in recent years. I do plan on getting back to the series, I liked it well enough.

I think Newsradio was too smart and too fast for the average tv fan to enjoy in syndication at the time, like a lot of those single cam comedies made today that never do good in syndication. Another problem was they only made 97 episodes and only 75 with Phil Hartman. I know a lot of people say the show was never the same after he died.

That show may have financial supremacism scandal in the entire crewmember group, that's why.

with the departures of everyone, except Dave and Matthew, for New Hampshire. (Yes, this was designed to suggest a posited relocation, should there be a renewal

Green Acres/Newhart

10 Great '90s TV Shows You Forgot Existed (https://www.cbr.com/forgotten-90s-tv-shows/)

BY
DANIEL KURLAND
PUBLISHED 17 HOURS AGO

Television in the '90s spawned classics like The X-Files and Senfield; however, these often-forgotten shows deserve more attention.

Television is currently in a golden age where there are more diverse options available than ever, yet all of this revolutionary content would not be possible without groundbreaking series from the '90s. There is no shortage of revolutionary programming that predates the decade. However, some of television's greatest achievements like Seinfeld, Twin Peaks, The X-Files, and Friends are all products of the '90s that left permanent marks on the industry.

It's easy to celebrate the decade's biggest hits that are still popular on modern streaming services. However, there are some equally innovative and exceptional '90s TV shows that aren't nearly as successful. These overlooked '90s gems deserve just as much attention as their more popular peers, whether they're being revisited or discovered for the first time.

NewsRadio
5 Seasons, 97 Episodes

https://static1.cbrimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/phil-hartman-newsradio.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5

NewsRadio features an all-star cast that includes the likes of Dave Foley, Phil Hartman, Stephen Root, and Maura Tierney, yet it was perpetually NBC's sitcom underdog during the '90s (https://www.cbr.com/90s-sitcoms-should-be-rebooted/). NewsRadio wasn't afraid to tackle taboo subject matter with flawed characters and an overall energy that was substantially darker than the other NBC comedies of the era.

Many consider NewsRadio to be one of the great workplace sitcoms of all time, but it was constantly moved around the schedule during its initial run and difficult to find. Even now, NewsRadio isn't on any major streaming service, and it was only just recently added to The Roku Channel.

Even now, NewsRadio isn't on any major streaming service, and it was only just recently added to The Roku Channel.

Not true. It's on Prime commercial free.

I think one small problem is the episode names, which sometimes have nothing to do with the episode, for instance, the names of Led Zeppelin albums. Makes it hard to talk about them.

it was only just recently added to The Roku Channel.

It's been on The Roku Channel for a really long time.

The show was never released in Italy, and never heard of it until Adamantium mentione dit on the Mom subforum.
I started watching it last evening, and I hope to enjoy the ride! :)

Damn, 2 years :blush:

Anyway, I finally found "continuity" and am officially on board in watching it.
Yesterday I finished season 1.
Really a nice group of characters, and in this first batch of episodes my favorite is the owner mr. James.
What impressed me is how fast-paced the whole thing is.
Hope to enjoy the rest of the ride!

10 Great '90s TV Shows You Forgot Existed (https://www.cbr.com/forgotten-90s-tv-shows/)

10 TV Shows That Deserved To Become Cult Hits (That Didn't) (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-tv-shows-that-deserved-to-become-cult-hits-that-didnt-2?page=3)

8. NewsRadio (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031125344/http://www.jumptheshark.com/n/newsradio.htm)

https://cdn4.whatculture.com/images/2023/03/2495e607b429fe62-600x338.jpg

Long before (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/newsradio-turns-20-here-are-20-episodes-that-114098413185.html) he was sitting behind a UFC commentators desk or nodding along to his guests on the Joe Rogan Experience, the star found himself acting (https://www.thethings.com/joe-rogans-forgotten-sitcom-newsradio-canceled/) as one of the key players in NBC hit sitcom (https://www.google.com/search?q=recent+datalounge+%22NewsRadio%22&sca_esv=dfbdc3300e18911d&sxsrf=ACQVn0-Ug4NhMyVVDlQOmiQVO9eOlRtwoA%3A1711166610983&ei=klT-ZaLSO5uRwbkP67GxuAs&ved=0ahUKEwii4_6vwImFAxWbSDABHetYDLcQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=recent+datalounge+%22NewsRadio%22&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiHXJlY2VudCBkYXRhbG91bmdlICJOZXdzUmFkaW8iMgUQIRigATIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigAUi2RlDGBFiHQnAGeAGQAQeYAdoCoAHwOKoBCDAuMjUuMy43uAEDyAEA-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&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#ip=1) NewsRadio (https://web.archive.org/web/20140330005522/http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/topic/1101309-newsradio-refidgamator-so-so-messy/?view=getnewpost).

This workplace comedy show (https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/in-celebration-of-the-genre-bending-newsradio) centered around the staff working on a New York City news radio station, and saw the likes of Rogan, Dave Foley, Stephen Root, Maura Tierney, and Jon Lovitz having the time of their lives cracking wise and regularly clashing in hilarious fashion.

Yet, despite bringing (https://www.looper.com/963497/the-best-episodes-of-newsradio-ranked/) a whopping 97 episodes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NewsRadio_episodes) of shenanigans and lunacy to NBC fans (https://uproxx.com/tv/newsradio-oral-history/) over the course of its five-year run (https://jacksonupperco.com/tag/newsradio/), the show (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Series/NewsRadio) has since all but evaporated (https://wfumediaphiles.wordpress.com/2020/08/06/a-forgotten-gem-newsradio/), with it often flying under-the-radar (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx-Hy8LtuQE) on streaming services (https://www.cbr.com/newsradio-space-titanic-nbc/) and not being the sort of series folks are quick to flick on in the background after work.

Which is a bit of a shame, as the often chaotic and charming half-hour delights unquestionably had all the hysterical elements (https://www.google.com/search?q=reddit+%22NewsRadio%22&sca_esv=dfbdc3300e18911d&sxsrf=ACQVn08zKQJt4vp6BHbQ0yNCNiA1KEFbEQ:1711166812508&udm=18&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwja64qQwYmFAxVKtoQIHYr7AJ4Q8poLegQICRAC&biw=1600&bih=773&dpr=1#ip=1) regularly found in eventual cult sitcom hits like Parks and Recreation and Community. But it just hasn't quite been able to keep from becoming one of the '90s greatest forgotten comedies (https://www.quora.com/Which-great-TV-Show-seems-to-be-largely-forgotten-by-the-mainstream) in the years since its initial acclaimed run.

I am halfway through season 3 now!
About 90s work-place sitcom I still give the edge to Spin City, but I'm having a lot of fun and it promises to get better (while Spin City will crush definetely after its third season): the conviction is because yesterday I've seen the episode s03e07 Daydream, which is pretty unconventional and shows how the writers are starting to dare. I expect to see more of this kind of episodes in the future.

As a work-place environment sitcom, it lacks some "heart". I find the characters funny (above all Jimmy and Beth), but I'm not attached to any of them, and sometimes I miss the presence of a heartwarming storyline or message.
I guess it's a problem of the genre and the reason why I prefer family focused sitcoms.

Anyway, it is defineely good and entertaining, I'm watching an episode every night!

I feel like with the way the show turned in the 4th season, that it was destined to be cancelled even if Hartman had lived. Season 1-3 are awesome, Season 4 is alright (once they re-hire Matthew and get rid of Andrea), but Season 5 (https://www.reddit.com/r/newsradio/comments/vghbzp/i_simply_cant_watch_season_5/) is just a different show. In my mind, the series finale is "Bill Moves On".

I know that this may sound cliched but Phil Hartman's murder shortly after Season 4 (https://www.looper.com/963497/the-best-episodes-of-newsradio-ranked/) just sets a really dark cloud over the series. And the episode (https://decider.com/2018/09/23/newsradio-phil-hartman-death/) that deals with his character's death (http://www.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/2018/04/avsepod-episode-43-newsradio-bill-moves.html), "Bill Moves On" (https://tvobsessive.com/2020/05/28/bill-moves-on-newsradios-emotional-goodbye-to-phil-hartman/) can be really sad (https://www.reddit.com/r/newsradio/comments/lfn8hc/bill_moves_on/) and depressing (especially since, you could tell that the rest of the cast weren't really "acting" that much (https://www.reddit.com/r/newsradio/comments/nndmzw/phil_hartman_remembered/)) if you aren't in a certain frame of mind.

It's sort of like on 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (https://www.quora.com/Whats-the-saddest-episode-of-a-comedy-TV-show/answer/Jennifer-Tegan-1) a few years down the road after John Ritter died in real life and they too had to address his own character's death on the show. It too seemed like the rest of the cast didn't have to put much effort into showing their grief on screen.

News Radio isn't remembered because it was a middle of the road sitcom that was in a crowded field of sitcoms about whiny middle class Yuppies in the workplace. People are not remembering that there were tons of shows in and around that time that were interchangeable with this show, like Suddenly Susan, Caroline in the City, Just Shoot Me, etc. On top of everything else, it didn't break any new ground. Phil Hartman was basically playing the 90s version of Ted Baxter.

Another thing about this show is that radio is pretty much a dead format, and no's going to care about a show that is based around a dead, dated medium.

I am halfway through season 3 now!
About 90s work-place sitcom I still give the edge to Spin City, but I'm having a lot of fun and it promises to get better (while Spin City will crush definetely after its third season): the conviction is because yesterday I've seen the episode s03e07 Daydream, which is pretty unconventional and shows how the writers are starting to dare. I expect to see more of this kind of episodes in the future.

As a work-place environment sitcom, it lacks some "heart". I find the characters funny (above all Jimmy and Beth), but I'm not attached to any of them, and sometimes I miss the presence of a heartwarming storyline or message.
I guess it's a problem of the genre and the reason why I prefer family focused sitcoms.

Anyway, it is defineely good and entertaining, I'm watching an episode every night!

I'm glad you're watching the show all the way through. Season four is my favorite season.

No, it's not really a heartfelt show. It just goes for laughs with a couple of nice moments here and there. I liked in season two where Bill kept getting on Dave for not having an emotions (during the rat funeral episode).

I am halfway through season 3 now!
About 90s work-place sitcom I still give the edge to Spin City, but I'm having a lot of fun and it promises to get better (while Spin City will crush definetely after its third season): the conviction is because yesterday I've seen the episode s03e07 Daydream, which is pretty unconventional and shows how the writers are starting to dare. I expect to see more of this kind of episodes in the future.

As a work-place environment sitcom, it lacks some "heart". I find the characters funny (above all Jimmy and Beth), but I'm not attached to any of them, and sometimes I miss the presence of a heartwarming storyline or message.
I guess it's a problem of the genre and the reason why I prefer family focused sitcoms.

Anyway, it is defineely good and entertaining, I'm watching an episode every night!

Unfortunately, in the end instead of winning me over it lost me.
I suffered the lack of a connection with the characters, and a few of them became even a bore to watch. I also missed an underlying storyline to link together the episodes.

Sorry Adamantium :(
We have similar tastes, maybe I'll give another try in the future.

Unfortunately, in the end instead of winning me over it lost me.
I suffered the lack of a connection with the characters, and a few of them became even a bore to watch. I also missed an underlying storyline to link together the episodes.

Sorry Adamantium :(
We have similar tastes, maybe I'll give another try in the future.

I'm sorry to hear this. I had assumed since you made it this far, you were enjoying it.

As for the underlying storyline, the show really didn't do that by choice. Creator Paul Simms said in the DVD commentary that he loved shows like Barney Miller and Taxi which weren't serialized but rather had self-contained episodes. NBC constantly wanted him to do storylines, so it would be easier to promote the show, but he refused. They also wanted Dave and Lisa to be like Sam and Diane and string out the possibility of them getting together in a will they/won't they situation. But Paul felt that had already been done on Cheers, and while it also worked for Friends and Frasier, he liked the idea better of them getting together right away and dealing with that.

Paul Simms did give in a little during season four. There's a storyline where an efficiency expert (played by Lauren Graham in 4 episodes) comes in and shakes up the office. She fires Matthew (although he continues to hang around the office trying to get his job back), makes Lisa the News Director and demotes Dave to Bill's producer, making Bill Dave's boss. Those are some of the funniest episodes in my opinion. But I don't think any of that is what you're looking for. As for the most part, the episodes still feel self-contained. NewsRadio was very much its own thing and didn't try to be like other shows, which in your case, works against it, lol.

Thank for the reply that's interesting!
I'm intrigued especially by the Lauren Graham part, being a Gilmore Girls fan!

Yes the Dave/Lisa not doing any of the Rachel/Ross Sam/Diane was definetely a plus.

Thank for the reply that's interesting!
I'm intrigued especially by the Lauren Graham part, being a Gilmore Girls fan!

Yes the Dave/Lisa not doing any of the Rachel/Ross Sam/Diane was definetely a plus.

https://jacksonupperco.com/2018/10/16/the-ten-best-newsradio-episodes-of-season-five/

Others have said (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1pdde4y/comment/ns4eo7r/) that watching NewsRadio with Phil Hartman after what ultimately happened to him (https://www.reddit.com/r/sitcoms/comments/1pdde4y/comment/ns6nx3o/) is so hard. :(