Ah, The Morning Show. More than just a television series, it’s a unique vibe—filled with outdated plotlines, timeless actresses, and never-ending chaos that engulfs you like a gentle rain. Does it make sense? Not at all. While there are other shows to watch, none compare to the likes of Jennifer Aniston’s masterful frown-acting, Reese Witherspoon’s listless anger, and Billy Crudup’s devilish charisma. The new season kicks off with Alex Levy (played by Aniston) watching her own televised obituary, and ends with Bradley Jackson (Witherspoon) tearfully weeping in zero gravity over the war in Ukraine. Where else can you find such grand, purposeless creativity? Truly, this show is a gift.
And yet, The Morning Show comes so close to greatness. The new episodes showcase the show’s strengths—brilliant one-liners and the absurdity of a morning program that seamlessly transitions from pie-eating contests to discussions on racism. However, it is hindered by its stars. Originally, the show was a prized possession for Apple TV+, featuring a fictionalized adaptation of Brian Stelter’s book on the ruthless world of morning news, pitting two beloved actresses against each other for ratings.
But when #MeToo allegations emerged against news anchor Matt Lauer, the show shifted its focus to workplace misconduct, clashing with its dramatic, All About Eve-esque setup and leaving the central characters adrift. The first season, for me, was a jumbled mix of excess and sincerity, never finding a true balance. The second season leaned towards campiness but also made the odd choice of rewriting Steve Carell’s character as a flawed victim of cancel culture. Characters lacked depth, and promising storylines were discarded in favor of more enticing plots.
After watching all of Season 3, I’ve come to the conclusion that the problem with the show’s leads is not just their inability to deliver lines with animation after 30 episodes. For The Morning Show to truly succeed, Alex and Bradley—or both—need to embrace their antihero personas. But the actors playing them are so famous and likable that portraying explicit villainy is beyond their range. The new season, set in March 2022, establishes where the two women now stand: Alex has turned her experience surviving COVID into a successful streaming show called Alex Unfiltered, while Bradley has become the country’s top evening news anchor by covering controversial stories that the network tries to suppress. (Don’t try to rationalize Bradley’s sudden rise to national fame—just accept it and move on, as it will only confuse you.)
Season 3 brings a new showrunner, a fresh team of writers, and a fascination with the business side of television. This focus may be influenced by the popularity of Succession, but it also stems from Billy Crudup’s brilliant portrayal of Cory Ellison, an executive at United Broadcast Association (UBA). Cory embodies the show’s true essence: deranged ambition, unnerving charisma, and extreme self-awareness. As UBA faces financial struggles, Cory hatches a plan to merge with billionaire Paul Marks’ company, infusing the series with intrigue and ruthlessness.
While the season touches on serious issues like the murder of George Floyd and the overturning of Roe v. Wade, its true focus lies in creating moments that allow Cory’s offbeat magnetism to shine. Whether he’s striding into a network presentation to the tune of the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” or sharing an emotionally charged reunion with his mother, Cory captivates us in ways no other character can. The conflicts between other characters—Bradley and her Trump-supporting brother, Alex and the profit-driven board—pale in comparison. The addition of a new presenter, played gracefully by Nicole Beharie, adds some freshness to the season.
You can feel the writers’ relief in having a character as fiendish as Cory to work with. Imagine if every character in the show had his level of peacocking, naked self-interest, and sheer fun. Another new character introduced in Season 3 is an unnamed anchor from a rival network, who obsessively covers the turmoil at UBA with more dynamism and interest than anyone on The Morning Show. Even as Bradley makes one poor decision after another, Witherspoon’s performance keeps us sympathizing with her. Alex comes close to revealing her lust for power, but Aniston resists showcasing her moral complexity. People will watch The Morning Show due to the star power, but perhaps it’s also a curse. After all, there are so many other engaging stories this show could tell.
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