The NewsRadio Story - Chapter 3: A Successful Season Two (1995-1996)

[Adamantium]

Chapter 3: A Successful Season Two (1995-1996)

NewsRadio’s short first season was a success for NBC, coming in 39th out of 142 network shows . The comedy was scheduled to return September 19, in its familiar Tuesday timeslot for season two. The entire cast returned as did Paul Simms and his band of writers (Isaacs, Furey & Lieb). However, it was evident that more writers would be needed to deal with a much larger season. So Simms went out and hired some new blood. Lewis Morton, Andrew Gordon, Eileen Conn, Brian Kelley, Dawn DeKeyser, Leslie Caveny, Alan J. Higgins, Sam Johnson & Chris Marcil were all brought in for season two.

Dave Foley had a photographic memory. He would read a script once and have it memorized. That would annoy his cast members, who all tried their best to keep up with him. Foley had a sharp wit, and would constantly come up with funny lines to add to the scripts for all the characters. In a way, he could be considered a non-credited writer. His personal life, however, left something to be desired. He was going through a messy divorce and so he often enjoyed the kissing scenes with Maura, as it was the most romance - fake though it may be - he was getting.

For the most part, everyone got along. That’s not to say they didn’t get on each other’s nerves from time to time. Andy Dick was there, so of course there would be situations. Andy and Joe had a tough time getting along at first. Rogan couldn’t stand all the weed Andy would smoke and Andy felt Joe was a bully. Of course the writers took notice of this and made an episode where Matthew and Joe have troubles getting along. Despites their squabbles, the two men ultimately liked one another and really enjoyed shooting scenes together.

Phil Hartman always stayed out of the drama on set. He also didn’t go partying with the others when they’d go out clubbing or whatnot. Phil was the oldest cast member and the others looked up to him. He had a great job and a bunch of hobbies. He knew how lucky he was and wasn’t about to get mixed up in the behind the scenes mishaps. After all, Phil had enough troubles at home with his wife Brynn. She was a struggling actress and although the two loved each other, they had lots of difficulties.

An episode early in the season titled “Injury” had trouble getting on the air. In the plot, Bill McNeal says the word “penis” on-air a few times after he is appalled by another radio personalities’ use of the word. Paul Simms checked with the network and they said the show could say it so many times, so it was written in that many times. However, they changed their mind and decided not to air the episode until it was edited. The show didn’t air at all during the second season.

Also concerning the storyline of the show, the October 31 episode, “The Breakup” saw Dave and Lisa’s secret affair finally revealed to the rest of the staff. This led to them being mocked for their relationship but it also opened the show up to new story ideas. It also helped out when the couple broke up later in the season and the staff could take sides and give out their own warped advice.

One of the dramatic behind the scenes moments would cost a writer his job. It had been a stressful week and not everybody was happy with Paul Simms, so some of the writers (Brad Isaacs, Josh Lieb, Joe Furey and newbie Brian Kelley) started to bitch about him. Little did they know, he was napping on a couch in the next room, woke up and heard everything. Simms briefly confronted them and everybody felt horrible. So horrible, that Brad Isaacs felt his time on the show should end. None of the cast and crew wanted to see Isaacs go, especially Vicki Lewis who had had a brief affair with him. This situation was turned into an episode later in the season called “Bitch Session,” in which Dave overhears the staff making fun of him.

After airing ten episodes in the second season, NBC decided it was time to move NewsRadio to a new night and time. They were starting a “Must See TV” block on Sundays and needed shows. NBC President Warren Littlefield felt confident that the move would be a good thing for both the show and the surrounding shows. He was right, as NewsRadio brought a new audience to Sundays.

It’s ideal for a comedy that’s still finding its legging to have a constant director sitting in the chair, however, this show didn’t have that. While all four season one directors each helmed at least one episode this season, seven other directors filled the chair during the year. It was a point of contention for Simms and the cast. It was hard enough being funny each week but to have a constant change of directors made things much worse. Everybody’s favorite director, Tom Cherones, came in the middle of the year and signed on to direct two episodes. Cherones was best known for directing the first five seasons of the immensely popular sitcom Seinfeld.

Joining the writing staff in the middle of the second year was Drake Sather. He was a rather cynical writer who penned one of the best episodes that year - the last one. Sather became the cast’s favorite writer because he was just a cool, laid-back guy who spent a lot of time with the actors since he was good at handling them.

Once again coming in at 39th place out of 160 network shows, NewsRadio was getting picked up for a third season but it wouldn’t be in its comfy Sunday slot anymore. It was decided to have the show anchor their new “Must See TV” night -- Wednesday.