Please join us for a screening of Great News followed by a Q&A with Andrea Martin.
Moderated by Kristen Baldwin, Yahoo TV!
SYNOPSIS:
Getting along with office colleagues can be rough, but working with your mom? That’s a whole different story, and it’s the headline for Katie Wendelson (Briga Heelan, “Ground Floor,” “Undateable Live”), a smart, ambitious news producer at “The Breakdown,” a national cable news show that shoots in Secaucus, NJ.
Katie was raised by an overly-involved mom who always told her she was destined for greatness. But now at thirty and feeling stuck in her career, Katie is starting to have some doubts. Meanwhile her mother, Carol (Andrea Martin, “SCTV,” “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “Hairspray Live!”), is also looking for a change. After thirty years of being a stay-at-home mom, Carol decides that it’s never too late to follow your dreams and lands an internship at her daughter’s news show. This is Katie’s worst nightmare, until she comes to realize that with her biggest cheerleader at her side, she and her mom both might just make it after all.
It takes a village to deliver the news day in and day out, and “The Breakdown” team does it with their own special flair. Sitting in the co-anchor chair is Chuck Pierce (John Michael Higgins, “Pitch Perfect,” “Best in Show”), the blowhard, difficult-to-please news desk veteran. Once a well-respected network newsman, Chuck intimidates everyone on staff except for Carol, who uses her polished mom skills to deal with him. Together this odd duo forges an unlikely friendship. Alongside him is Portia (Nicole Richie, “Candidly Nicole,” “The Simple Life”), the young, very hip co-host who brings a different perspective to old-fashioned journalism. Sometimes a shrewd social media genius, other times a bit checked-out, Portia is always butting heads with Chuck.
Leading the news team is Greg (Adam Campbell, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Mixology”), the dashing, young executive producer. Energetic and a little uptight, Greg is constantly putting out fires and managing the co-hosts’ whims and tantrums. Katie’s closest friend at the office is Justin (Horatio Sanz, “Saturday Night Live,” “The Dictator”), the laid back video editor. Having spent years editing horrific news footage, Justin has seen it all and is always more than happy to dole out his zen-like advice. Rounding out the newsroom is Beth (Tracey Wigfield), the creepy resident meteorologist who is far from your stereotypical weather girl.
The laughs hit close to home in this new office comedy from Wigfield (“The Mindy Project,” “30 Rock”), who serves as creator and executive producer. Tina Fey (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “30 Rock”), Robert Carlock (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “30 Rock”), Jack Burditt (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “The Mindy Project,” “30 Rock”) and David Miner (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Master of None,” “The Good Place,” “30 Rock”) also executive produce. Beth McCarthy-Miller directed the pilot. “Great News” is produced by Little Stranger, Inc., Bevel Gears, Big Wig Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment, Inc. and Universal Television.
PANELIST BIO:
Andrea Martin stars as Carol, Katie’s (Briga Heelan) well-meaning but way-too-involved New Jersey mom, in NBC’s new comedy series “Great News.”
Carol never went to college and gave up her career to raise her now adult daughter. But galvanized by an inspirational eulogy at a friend’s funeral, Carol decides it’s not too late to follow her dreams and lands an internship in her daughter’s newsroom. She’s gonna make it after all! Just 40 years later.
Martin, a multi-talented award-winning actress, had a busy 2016. She co-starred as Aunt Voula in the long-awaited sequel “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” and earned a Tony Award nomination for her turn as Dotty Otley in the successful Broadway run of “Noises Off.” She also starred as Marilyn in the second season of Hulu’s hit comedy series “Difficult People” and ended the year on a high note in NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” in the role of Prudy Pingleton, Penny’s (Ariana Grande) mother.
Martin received two Emmy Awards for writing and got a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Variety Series for her work on the legendary sketch comedy show “SCTV.” She also received a special Emmy for her contributions on “Sesame Street.” Her other television work includes “Nurse Jackie,” “30 Rock” and her own Showtime special, “Andrea Martin, Together Again.” She also starred in “Working the Engels,” which garnered her ACTRA and CSA nominations.
Martin’s film appearances include “Club Paradise,” “Wag the Dog,” “The Producers,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “All Over the Guy,” “Night at the Museum 3” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” which earned her a SAG Award nomination for Best Ensemble and a People’s Choice Award.
For her show-stopping performance as Berthe in the 2013 Broadway Revival of “Pippin,” Martin won the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Eliot Norton awards for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She quickly followed this by receiving the Outer Critics Outstanding Featured Actress Award for her work in James Lapine’s Broadway adaptation of Moss Hart’s “Act One,” where she portrayed three different roles as various influential women in Hart’s life.
Previously, Martin received both Drama Desk and Outer Critics Award nominations for her role as Juliette in the Broadway production of “Exit the King,” opposite Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon. She also received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for each of her Broadway performances as Frau Blucher in Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” and Aunt Eller in “Oklahoma,” for which she also earned an Outer Critics Circle nomination. Her turn as Alice in “My Favorite Year” at Lincoln Center garnered her Tony, Drama Desk and Theatre World awards. Additionally, she starred as the Old Lady in “Candide” on Broadway and tours North America with her one-person show, “Final Days! Everything Must Go!!”
Martin’s critically acclaimed book “Lady Parts” was released by Harper Collins.
