Good Night, and Good Luck viewers make surprise discovery while tuning in to see George Clooney live on CNN

Telecast marks the first time in history a Broadway show has been broadcast live on national television

Viewers tuning in to see George Clooney star in Good Night, and Good Luck live on CNN were surprised to recognize another actor in the production.

CNN aired the production live from the Winter Garden Theatre in New York City. The telecast marked the first time in history a Broadway show was broadcast live on national television. More than 20 cameras were positioned throughout the theater to bring the play to audiences at home, CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper said during pre-show coverage.

Clooney, nominated for a Tony Award for his Broadway debut performance, played legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow. The play — adapted from the 2005 film of the same name which Clooney directed, co-wrote the screenplay for, and starred in as television producer Fred Friendly — followed Murrow’s historic on-air showdown with Senator Joseph McCarthy.

In addition to Clooney — who dyed his hair for the role to the dismay of fans — the cast also featured comedian Ilana Glazer, Mac Brandt, Will Dagger, Christopher Denham, Glenn Fleshler, Clark Gregg, Paul Gross, Georgia Heers, Carter Hudson, Fran Kranz, Jennifer Morris, Michael Nathanson, Andrew Polk, Aaron Roman Weiner, R. Ward Duffy, Joe Forbrich, Imani Rousselle, Greg Stuhr, JD Taylor, and Sophia Tzougros.

Many fans didn’t realize Glazer was in the production and were pleasantly surprised by the discovery when they tuned in. Glazer, known for co-creating the Comedy Central show Broad City, played producer and writer Shirley Wershba.

George Clooney appears at the ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’ Broadway opening night on April 3, 2025, in New York (Invision/AP)

“Oh wow Ilana Glazer is in this Good Night & Good Luck play ? that’s awesome,” one fan wrote on X.

“Since when is ilana glazer in good night and good luck on broadway?????????????“ another questioned.

“How’d i not know ilana glazer was in the george clooney play,” a third wrote.

But fans were also surprised by the relevance the story — specifically Clooney’s dialogue as Murrow calling out McCarthy for his actions — has today.

“You need to stop whatever you are doing and watch :Good Night and Good Luck” right now. So much of this dialogue perfectly ensconce the current Trump administration,” one viewer wrote on X.

“Excellent social commentary. Thank you CNN. And thank you George Clooney,” someone else shared.

“Beautiful moment from George Clooney on Good Night and Good Luck! Certainly, the speech is so relevant today!” another noted.

“George Clooney for President ! How ironic his live broadcast tonight re Edward Murrow. Is he trying to wake up Americans to the craziness of Trump ?“ someone else asked.

“Watching CNN playing “Good Night, Good Luck” right now. Take note America — this is going on again right now in this country. The new McCarthyism is well and alive today. Be very vigilant,” another viewer shared.

When CNN announced the live broadcast, Clooney said: “I can’t tell you how exciting it is to do something that’s never been done. CNN is the perfect place to bring this story of courage to so many more people than we could have ever hoped. Live TV. No net. Buckle up everyone.”

Fans seemed to echo that sentiment and applaud the history-making moment as the broadcast began, commenting on the accessibility factor of bringing Broadway to living rooms across the country.

“Really enjoying watching Good Night, and Good Luck on CNN. I think it’s such a great thing to make theater, to make Broadway, more accessible to everyone. And this play is so relevant to what’s happening in the world, especially here in the US, right now,” one person wrote on X.

“This live broadcast of Good Night and Good Luck is great so far, and i hope it leads to even more Broadway on TV. smartly timed for the end of a limited run that’s well beyond recoupment, and accessible to those who are outside NYC and/or couldn’t afford those ticket prices,” another said.

“Watching Good Night and Good Luck live is genuinely so cool! Love when live theater is made accessible!!!” a third chimed in.

“Good Night, and Good Luck Live is just proving that theatre SHOULD be regularly broadcasted or made available to stream ... I would love to watch something from the west end or Broadway every other Saturday like DO THIS MORE,” someone else wrote.

Directed by Tony winner David Cromer, Good Night, and Good Luck opened April 3 on Broadway for a limited run. The production, which earned five Tony nominations, closes June 8. Since it opened, it has become the first play in Broadway history to surpass a gross of $4 million in a single week.

Saturday night’s live broadcast was executive produced by Clooney, Grant Heslov, Deena Katz, Todd Wagner, and Jeff Skoll.