'Good Night, and Good Luck' Revisits History in Upcoming Release

For the first time ever, a record-breaking Broadway production called "Good Night, and Good Luck" will be broadcast live on CNN and CNN International. The play stars George Clooney as veteran CBS newscaster Edward R. Murrow, who stands against the anti-communist activities of the 1950s, based on the 2005 film of the same name.

In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Clooney connected Murrow's era of questioning Senator Joseph McCarthy to today's political climate, emphasizing the pervasive fear present in society now compared to McCarthyism.

During the McCarthy era, Senator McCarthy exploited the fear of communism to accuse political adversaries in various sectors as communists or sympathizers.

The play's exploration of historical issues serves to remind people of the country's resilience during challenging times, according to Clooney and Glenn Fleshler, who plays Murrow's producer Fred Friendly in the production.

Clooney expressed concerns about President Trump's impact on news organizations but believes that the era of "Trumpism" will eventually come to an end, leading to a search for a charismatic messenger to replace him.

Special live coverage of the Broadway production will be hosted by Pamela Brown outside the Winter Garden Theatre on CNN at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday. The Tony Award-nominated play will air live on CNN, CNN International, and stream live on CNN.com/GoodNightGoodLuck, connected TVs, mobile apps, and HBO Max.