George Clooney’s ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’: A Timely Tale of Journalism in Troubled Times
On Tuesday evening’s episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Hollywood star and renowned liberal George Clooney graced the stage to promote his upcoming Broadway play, "Good Night, and Good Luck." The play, a stage adaptation of Clooney’s 2005 film of the same name, centers around the legendary CBS News anchor Edward Murrow’s courageous reporting during the McCarthy era and the anti-communist investigations that permeated the U.S. government at the time.
While Clooney cautiously refrained from explicitly invoking the Trump era during the interview, the play’s relevance to the current political climate was thinly veiled. Colbert sparked the connection by sarcastically inquiring, "Why do you think it’s a good idea to bring back a play right now about a man in journalism who is standing up against both corporate and political interests?" Clooney responded with a wry smile, "Yeah, it’s a weird thing, isn’t it?"
Clooney’s personal experiences during the Iraq War fueled his initial motivation to create the film version of "Good Night, and Good Luck." He recounted being labeled a "traitor" for opposing the war, an experience that left an enduring impact on him. "I was being called a traitor to the country for being against the war in Iraq. And they put me on a deck of cards and called me a traitor and stuff… Yeah, that was a deck of traitors, remember?" Clooney recalled, his words met with laughter from the studio audience.
The actor emphasized the critical role of the press in a democratic society, especially during times when the government exhibits hostility towards it. "Forever, we’ve had this issue which is power kind of hates the Fourth Estate. It hates journalism," Clooney stated. He celebrated the play’s portrayal of Americans at their finest, as journalists tirelessly strive to uncover the truth despite formidable opposition.
Colbert interjected, "Well, sometimes you are at your best when it is a very dark time, because that’s when you have to be your best, and this was in the height of McCarthyism." Clooney concurred, adding, "You’re never at your best when it’s easy. That’s why it’s called courage."
Acknowledging the gravity of the moment, Clooney remarked, "Being on the right side of history is not fun in the moment when you do it. It’s nice later…" Colbert added, "And everyone thinks they know how they’d behave during rising fascism… until the pressure’s on them."
Finally addressing the Trump era explicitly, Clooney noted how prosecutors had recently voiced strong opposition to the Trump administration. He confessed to having deliberately avoided mentioning Trump in the context of his Broadway production, telling Colbert, "We’re kinda talking around what’s sort of the giant elephant in the room."
The conversation shifted to the 2024 election, prompting Colbert to inquire about Clooney’s thoughts on the upcoming race. Poking fun at hardcore MAGA supporters, the actor quipped, "Well, I don’t know. What am I supposed to do? Storm the f—— Capitol? It didn’t work out. That’s what happens," Clooney said, adopting a conciliatory tone. "It’s part of democracy."
In conclusion, George Clooney’s appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" served as both a promotion for his upcoming Broadway play and a timely examination of the importance of journalism in challenging times. The play’s resonance with the current political climate is undeniable, showcasing the enduring struggles between power and the Fourth Estate. As Clooney aptly noted, courage and fortitude are tested when darkness descends, and it is through these trials that true character emerges.
