George Clooney’s ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’ Returns: Why the Oscar-Winning Drama Is Suddenly Back in the Spotlight

George Clooney is bringing “Good Night, and Good Luck” from Broadway into living rooms worldwide this Saturday, June 7, when CNN airs a live, commercial-free telecast of the play’s penultimate performance from the Winter Garden Theatre. H2: Clooney’s First Time on the Great White Way Nearly two decades after directing and starring in the 2005 Oscar-nominated film, Clooney has stepped onto the Broadway stage for the first time, reprising the role of legendary CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow. The limited engagement opened on April 3 and has played to sold-out houses, quickly becoming one of the hottest tickets of the spring season. H2: Why the 1950s Story Feels Urgent in 2025 Set against the Red Scare and Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist crusade, the drama examines how truth can be weaponized—or protected—by the media. Clooney has said the revival “couldn’t be timelier,” drawing explicit parallels between Murrow’s battle for facts and the current climate of political intimidation during the run-up to the 2026 U.S. midterms. H2: A Live Television Experiment Broadcasting a Broadway play live is rare, and Clooney acknowledged that “some networks aren’t really up for doing this right now,” but believes the immediacy of real-time TV will amplify the show’s call for journalistic courage. The telecast will stream for free on CNN.com and the CNN app while airing simultaneously on the cable network. H2: Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team Directed by Tony winner Bartlett Sher, the stage adaptation co-stars Carey Mulligan as Murrow’s producer Janet Friendly, David Oyelowo as CBS president William Paley, and an onstage newsroom ensemble performing live Foley effects to recreate 1950s broadcast ambience. Clooney and co-writer Grant Heslov have added new dialogue that links Murrow’s sign-off—“Good night, and good luck”—to today’s debates over disinformation. H2: How to Watch • Date & Time: Saturday, June 7, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT • Where: CNN cable channel, CNN.com, CNN Max, and the CNN mobile app • Cost: Free; no subscription or login required H2: Early Buzz and Box-Office Impact Critics have praised the production’s kinetic staging and Clooney’s “quietly combustible” performance, and advance ticket searches spiked 240 percent after CNN announced the telecast, according to ticket-seller data. Industry observers predict the live event could push the show’s limited run to extend into the fall, echoing the post-broadcast bumps enjoyed by “Hamilton” and “Come From Away.” H2: The Bottom Line Whether you’re a theater lover, a journalism junkie, or simply curious about Clooney’s Broadway bow, Saturday’s live broadcast offers a front-row seat to a play that argues responsible media is democracy’s first line of defense. Tune in, watch events unfold in real time, and decide for yourself whether Murrow’s famous farewell still resonates: “Good night, and good luck.”