Product Description
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Tune in for another sidesplitting look behind the scenes at
radio station WNYX. In the final season of the series, on-air
newsman Max Louis joins the staff after the unexpected death of
beloved anchor Bill McNeal. Regulars Dave Foley, Stephen Root,
Andy Dick, Maura Tierney, Vicki Lewis and Joe Rogan welcome Jon
Lovitz to the wackiest news team in New York and deliver all the
on-the-air/off-the-wall hilarity you've come to expect. Includes
every episode from the hysterical fifth and final season,
featuring very special guest appearances by Patrick Warburton,
Adam West and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen.
.com
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"We're not going be here forever together," billionaire and WNYX
station owner Jimmy James (Stephen Root) says at one point to the
cracked NewsRadio team. "Eventually, we're going to have to move
on with our lives." That time came too soon for this endearingly
goofy series, which could not overcome the shocking and tragic
murder of perhaps its most beloved ensemble member, nor network
indifference and low ratings. The fifth was News Radio's last and
least season, but only by this series' own high loopy standards.
In fact, many years on, these episodes have aged surprisingly
well. The heartbreaking season opener, which takes place
following the funeral of news anchor Bill McNeal (said to be
felled by a heart attack), honors the memory of the irreplaceable
Phil Hartman with genuine affection and humor. Andy Dick, in
particular, is movingly understated as Matthew, who idolized Bill
and is in denial about his death. The second episode introduces
Jon Lovitz, who costarred with Hartman on Saturday Night Live, as
the hess Max Lewis, who has been fired from 37 different
stations, but was a friend of McNeal's. "It's not about
qualifications, it's about chemistry," James advises news
director Dave (Dave Foley). "Maybe hiring a friend of [Bill's]
will help us ease over this rough patch." It's true, as one
character states, that "no one can replace Bill," but after a few
episodes, Lovitz becomes a seamless member of the ensemble.
Some of this season's most memorable episodes subvert these
singularly weird characters. In "Flowers for Matthew," a new
"smart drink" transforms Matthew, the office's "silly little
monkey," into "Smart Matthew" (or "Smathhew"). In "Noise,"
high-strung Dave mellows out after Joe (Joe Rogan) builds him a
white-noise machine. A story arc that will reverberate throughout
the season finds Jimmy James on the lam after the FBI accuses him
of being the legendary hijacker D.B. Cooper. Patrick Warburton,
who like Lovitz simply sounds funny, guest stars as James' arch
nemesis, Johnny Johnson, who has designs on his business empire,
and later, on reporter Lisa (Maura Tierney). Another memorable
guest star is Tiffani-Amber Thiessen as Lisa's bombshell new
assistant, who devastates brainy Dave and brawny Joe. NewsRadio
deftly melded physical comedy, out-of-left-field situations,
sparkling dialogue, and bizarre grace notes (the wacky outfits of
Vicki Lewis's "red-haired temptress," Beth). What makes this set
especially News-worthy are the extras, including 10 entertaining
commentaries with cast and crew members and a generous gag reel.
To quote Bill McNeal: "Salut!" --Donald Liebenson