Chaos Is the New Cocaine
Alex names Bradley co-host as Mitch seeks allies.
"Chaos Is the New Cocaine" is the third episode of the American drama television series The Morning Show, inspired by Brian Stelter's 2013 book Top of the Morning. It was written by co-executive producer Erica Lipez, directed by David Frankel, and released on Apple TV+ on November 1, 2019, the same day the service launched. The episode earned Billy Crudup the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
Quick Facts
- Series
- The Morning Show
- Released
- 1 November 2019
- Length
- 53 minutes
- Director
- David Frankel
- Writer
- Erica Lipez
- Photographer
- David Lanzenberg
- Editor
- Vikash Patel
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Producer Mia Jordan asks Chip to assign her as Bradley's producer and announces the role before it is officially offered. Network president Fred Micklen is furious, but Cory explains Bradley will boost ratings and clean the network's image, after which they plan to fire Alex Levy during the May Sweeps. Alex faces the UBA board, calls them out, and warns she cannot be fired because the country will support her, insisting things will now be done her way. After his staff quits, Mitch Kessler works on a documentary examining the MeToo movement from the perspective of accused men. He enlists disgraced director Dick Lundy, who has his own history of sexual misconduct, but Mitch is disturbed when Lundy complains about consent after revealing he had sex with a minor. Mia prepares Bradley for her first screen test, while Chip promises Daniel he will get the co-host position when either Alex or Bradley leaves. Bradley underwhelms in camera tests, and Cory picks out a new wardrobe for her. Alex prepares to interview Ashley but is told it is inappropriate given her history with Mitch; she relents after pressure from Mia. Bradley confronts Alex, who reassures her. On Bradley's first day, Alex whispers, "Don't fuck it up."
Development
The episode was written by co-executive producer Erica Lipez, marking her first writing credit, and directed by David Frankel, his first directing credit. It introduces a button in Mitch's dressing room that shuts the door, inspired by Matt Lauer, who had a similar button and was fired from Today after sexual misconduct accusations. Series creator Kerry Ehrin said the team debated the button but ultimately included it because many people have had such buttons in their offices. Martin Short noted his character Dick Lundy is not modeled after a specific person; he sought a basis but never specified which directors he used, imagining how an accomplished director who is a predator might feel if brought down.
Critical reviews
The episode received mixed reviews. Maggie Fremont of Vulture gave it 3 out of 5 stars, calling the final moment exciting. Jodi Walker of Entertainment Weekly wrote that the episode faces the fallout of Alex's announcement, noting that Alex may share Cory's sentiment that "chaos is the new cocaine." Esme Mazzeo of Telltale TV said the episode heads in an interesting direction but she was not confident enough to use the word "exciting." Joel Keller of Decider found the show funny and well-paced, with compelling performances from the three A-listers, calling it the only Apple TV+ show introduced so far he would watch all the way through. Billy Crudup submitted the episode for his Emmy nomination and won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards. Martin Short was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series but lost to Ron Cephas Jones for This Is Us.
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