On November 1, 2019 The Morning Show released on Apple TV and the storyline is already causing a lot of controversy. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell, the show is an absolute must-watch. Warning: you’ll be hooked.
Based on the book Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV by Brian Stetler, the series’ plotline bears many similarities to Matt Lauer’s scandalous fall from grace (he was accused of harassment and was fired overnight). Here’s how reel life alludes to the real sordid deal:
1. Matt Lauer was terminated the same way as Mitch was on The Morning Show
On November 27, 2017, a colleague came forward with allegations against Matt Lauer for misconduct towards her. NBC’s HR and Legal department met with lawyers to file the complaint. A day later, Lauer was informed that he was fired after 20 years of anchoring Today. Steve Carrell’s character was fired from the The Morning Show in the exact same way. Spookily similar? We think so!
2. Mitch’s co-anchor was as clueless as Matt Lauer’s
Lauer’s co-anchor, Savannah Guthrie, was informed about the scandal mere hours before she had to announce it LIVE on TV. Thankfully, she didn’t have to do it alone. Hoda Kotb had her back. Poor Jen’s character (Alex), on the other hand, took on the drama solo. Reel life drama always trumps the real!
3. Jen got a new FEMALE co-anchor just like Savannah
In early January, 2018 Hoda Kotb replaced Lauer and for the first time in history, two ladies anchored a morning show! Big shocker (sarcasm, in case you didn’t get that): Reese, whose name is strangely male (umm, I don’t know anyone female named Bradley. Do you?), comes on board to make a smokin’ hot team with Jen.
The basic similarities end there. The aftermath of the Matt Lauer scandal was pretty awful with tons of ladies coming forward with allegations of their own, some of which were ghastly (exposure, infidelity, forcing himself… you know, the works). If real life is anything to go by, The Morning Show has lots of drama coming and with a cast as star stacked as Reese, Jen and Steve bringing it all to life, we know it’s all going to be awesome. Bring. It. On.