The newsroom-set Apple TV+ series, The Morning Show, starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, is back for a fourth season. Since its 2019 premiere, the series has become renowned for its outlandish plot lines and high-stakes drama.
Apple TV+ launched in November 2019, boasting a lineup of original content from some of the world’s greatest storytellers. Among these was its flagship drama, The Morning Show, a glossy portrayal of the cutthroat world of morning television. The series drew significant attention due to its A-list cast, including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell, with Aniston and Witherspoon reportedly earning $2 million per episode.
The Evolution of a Flagship Drama
Initially inspired by Brian Stelter’s 2013 book Top of the Morning, the series was set to explore the behind-the-scenes antics of a New York-based media company. However, real-world events soon influenced its narrative direction. The firing of NBC news anchor Matt Lauer amid sexual misconduct allegations prompted a rewrite, focusing the show on a #MeToo storyline involving sexual assault allegations at the fictional UBA network.
The series was praised for its nuanced approach to these sensitive topics, resonating with audiences when it first aired. Beyond the #MeToo plotline, the show also incorporated real-world events, such as the Los Angeles wildfires and the Las Vegas mass shooting, making it timely and relevant.
From Realism to the Absurd
As the series progressed, it began to embrace more extravagant storylines. In one memorable scene, Alex Levy (Aniston) live-streams herself during a feverish Covid broadcast, capturing the nation’s attention. Meanwhile, Bradley Jackson (Witherspoon) navigates a surprise lesbian relationship and embarks on a space journey with a tech billionaire.
Critics have been both baffled and entertained by the show’s narrative choices.
“The most ridiculous show on TV,”
declared The Guardian’s Adrian Horton, while Vulture described the third season as “crazy,” noting its “sniffs of plot coke [cocaine].” The New Yorker’s Inkoo Kang called it “a uniquely destabilizing viewing experience,” yet questioned why viewers couldn’t stop watching.
Viewer Engagement and Escapism
Despite—or perhaps because of—its outlandish plots, The Morning Show has maintained a devoted audience. Although Apple TV+ does not disclose viewing figures, reports indicate that the series became its most-watched show by December 2023, with viewership increasing by 20% between seasons two and three.
Entertainment journalist Rhiannon Evans attributes the show’s appeal to its unpredictable plot twists and moral dilemmas.
“It’s definitely a wild ride,”
she says.
“It’s a glossy show that doesn’t really want you to hate any of its beautiful A-listers, so it has to do some handbrake turns to get out of them.”
Evans also highlights the series’ visual appeal, describing it as a “no-scroll” show.
“Everyone is beautiful and slick and smart and dressed like your dreams,”
she adds, underscoring the escapism it offers viewers.
Season Four: More Chaos and Star Power
The upcoming fourth season promises to continue the show’s tradition of chaotic entertainment, featuring new star additions like Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, William Jackson Harper, and Aaron Pierre. Following the merger between the UBA and NBN networks, viewers can expect more power struggles, a live-on-air plane crash, and improbable romantic entanglements.
In one particularly surreal episode, presenter Yanko (Néstor Carbonell) performs a song-and-dance number to Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up, surrounded by doves. While the show’s melodrama sometimes clashes with its references to real-life events, such as the Ukraine war or Roe v. Wade’s repeal, it remains compelling.
Kevin Taft, a US entertainment journalist, appreciates the show’s incorporation of real-life events.
“It really is more interesting to see how they work in what’s truly happening,”
he says.
“Lots of shows and movies during the pandemic just ignored that it was happening, and I’m thinking, ‘This isn’t just a small blip in daily life. This is a moment in history.'”
With its blend of reality and absurdity, The Morning Show continues to captivate audiences, offering both timely commentary and escapist entertainment. As the series embarks on its fourth season, fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in its unpredictable narrative.
