Probably not - although Darren McDonald admitted to reading on TV3 NZ while high on meth/ice/P whatever you want to call it
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I reckon it probably did happen in the 70s or 80s.
Didn’t Willesee go on drunk once?
Anyway, it’s fiction 
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And once in the US on NBC
Just copied Karl’s incident probably. I mean he was a writer for The Wrong Girl.
I just finished the season. Loved it. It was a great ending to all the characters involved.
I really do think they could create a spin of serious set in the mid 90s. Witt new characters created. The 90s was just as toxic as the 80s in television news.
Well done to everyone involved in this production.
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My mind went to this. And also wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a little of Network’s Howard Beale’s meltdown in there too.
I really enjoyed this series overall, but my god - the William McInnes character and all the yelling was just way too much at times.
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Today is episode 3 of season 3. It’s extraordinary. Aussie TV history in drama! Totally brilliant the scene of Helen Norville and Dale Jennings at home! I can only think I heard on a podcast saying A generation best series drama!
Well done Australia well done Team The Newsreader!
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I reckon tonight’s episode was the most controversial of the series, because it included the student protests in Beijing, China, and the resultant Tiananmen Square massacre. As far as I know, since that fateful day in June 1989, The Newsreader is one of very few TV shows and movies in the world to include the incident and news footage in the storyline.
To this day, the Tiananmen Square massacre is still a taboo subject in mainland China. And with the passing of national security law in Hong Kong in 2020, any foreign shows and movies that mention the massacre are banned from screening in the city, as it is still regarded as subversion movement targetting the Chinese government.
(You may remember that in December last year, Cathay Pacific removed an episode of Family Guy from its inflight entertainment system, after someone raised on social media that the episode could breach the national security law, as that episode made an reference to the “tank man” scene the day following the massacre)
It will be interesting to see if there are any reactions from the Chinese Embassy, or the local Chinese community, in the next few days.
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Binged all three seasons on iView the past few days. Loved it, but definitely fell into the trap of wrapping everything up in a neat little package (particularly with Dale’s storyline) rather than coming to a more likely ending
Former ABC foreign correspondent Max Uechtritz reflects on his experience covering Tiananmen Square in 1989, remembering China’s bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators, as well as witnessing the ‘Tank Man’ alongside ABC cameraman Willie Phua who captured the famous image.
Series 3, Episode 6 of 6 – The Fall - Series final episode
Sunday 9 March 8.30pm
Final Episode
Dale is falling apart and Helen’s working relationship with Bill deteriorates. As news breaks of the Berlin Wall falling, Dale and Helen turn to each other for support through their personal and professional challenges.
Dale (Sam Reid) is falling apart, leaning heavily on alcohol to get through his day, pushing ever closer to a breakdown. When Helen’s (Anna Torv) relationship with Bill (Daniel Henshall) deteriorates, her ability to produce her show is questioned.
Ultimately, as news breaks of the Berlin Wall falling, Dale and Helen turn to each other for support through their personal and professional challenges.
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The Age Green Guide interview with Marg Downey (Evelyn)
She is fabulous in The Newsreader. Can’t wait to see more of her drama acting chops
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Erin posted on social media during the week that she and her mother’s cameos would feature on episode 5 this Sunday.
Huh? Are we supposed to know who that it is?
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They both play librarians at News at Six. These are non-speaking roles.