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<i>Great News</i> – “Boardroom Bitch” Recap. Fake News.

GREAT NEWS -- Pictured: "Great News" Logo -- (Photo by: NBCUniversal)

Season 2, Episode 1

Air Date: Thursday, September 28, 2017, 8/7c on NBC

Rating: ★★★★★

 

“Moments like these define us as journalists.” – Chuck

 

Meet the new boss.

For those of you who missed the freshman season of Great News, the series revolves around a fictional news show, “The Breakdown,” and the relationships among the various characters. Check out my review of the show’s “Pilot” for more information.

In the season two premiere, the MMN Network looks to rebuild following the Biscuit Blitz scandal involving the news station’s owner, who just happens to be executive producer Greg’s (Adam Campbell) estranged grandmother, Mildred (Christina Pickles). Seeking new leadership, the station hires Diana St. Tropez (Tina Fey), a no-nonsense woman and author of the female empowerment book, “Boss Bitch.” Diana has big plans to bring The Breakdown’s  outdated   news show into the 21st century.

Great News is no stranger to unique and often off-the-wall characters but with “Boardroom Bitch,” I couldn’t help but feel the writers are trying to outdo themselves in writing Diana. Fey, who also serves as the show’s executive producer, is a welcome addition but at times, Diana’s quirky behavior seems a little out of place with the rest of the characters – which, believe me, for this show is hard to do. This especially rings true during Diana’s scenes with Katie (Briga Heelan).

It’s great to see the writers create a strong female character for Katie to look up to but the dynamic doesn’t always connect. It’s hard not to laugh at Katie’s enthusiasm for her new boss. It sets up some interesting moments for Katie’s mom Carol (Andrea Martin), who isn’t thrilled with how easily her daughter is influenced by Diana. Carol is particularly distraught over Diana advocating career over family life. But instead of laughing at Diana’s scenes with Katie or Carol, I felt a tad uncomfortable  with the dialogue. Hopefully, the writers will find the right balance for Fey’s comedic talents over the course of the seven-episode arc for the Emmy award-winning actress.

The debate over whether Katie becomes romantically involved with Greg continues this season as the two try to find time to discuss the kiss they almost had during the height of the Biscuit Blitz scandal  . Great News has already been compared  to the hit ‘90s series News Radio and jumping into a relationship similar to the one between Dave Nelson (Dave Foley) and Lisa Miller (Maura Tierney) on that show would only further those comparisons. It’s not that I don’t want to see the two together, but in my own mind, I’m the only Greg good enough for Katie – sorry, small crush on the character. My point is, I want their relationship to be earned rather than assumed and so far, the writers are having them work for it.

Staff getting a feel for their boss.

Meanwhile, news veteran Chuck (John Michael Higgins) has difficulties adapting to Diana’s panel segments from his usual hard-hitting anchoring. Higgins is hilarious in “Boardroom Bitch;” I love it when the writers create situations that make Chuck uncomfortable and self-conscious.

Given the atmosphere towards the press these days, it’s entertaining to watch Great News poke fun at today’s mainstream media, where civil discussion has been replaced by panelists who thrive on animosity towards each other. Frankly, I think many will appreciate Chuck’s longing for a different time when news was more cut and dry.

While the news stories on the “The Breakdown” are fictional, the writers for Great News appear to be injecting an increased number of real life topics into the dialogue this season. References to Hillary, the election, and other pressing issues are sprinkled throughout “Boardroom Bitch” and are sure to garner reactions, both good and not-so-good.

“Boardroom Bitch” isn’t one of my favorite Great News episodes but it’s wonderful to see the second season airing so early in the 2017 fall schedule. One of my biggest complaints about the first season was by airing episodes back-to-back , the 10-episode run felt rushed and was over before you knew it. With season two airing single episodes weekly, along with the addition of two more episodes, I hope Great News is allowed to marinate longer for viewers to enjoy.

Tweet me @Staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “Boardroom Bitch.”

 

Tune in to Great News Thursdays at 9/8c, only on NBC.

 

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Photos © 2017 NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

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Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.

Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.