Viewers who tuned in to CNN’s live broadcast of Good Night, and Good Luck expecting to see George Clooney were surprised to spot a familiar face among the cast.The live telecast aired from New York City’s Winter Garden Theatre, marking a historic first: a Broadway production broadcast live on national television. According to CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper, over 20 cameras were strategically placed throughout the venue to capture the performance for home audiences.Clooney, making his Broadway debut in the role of iconic journalist Edward R. Murrow, earned a Tony nomination for his performance. The play, based on the 2005 film of the same name — which Clooney directed, co-wrote, and starred in as producer Fred Friendly — dramatizes Murrow’s famous confrontation with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare era.ALSO READ: Will Donald Trump ban X if his nasty feud with Elon Musk escalates? AI Guru's big predictionWhile Clooney’s transformation for the role — including dyeing his hair — caught attention, many viewers were delighted to unexpectedly see comedian Ilana Glazer among the ensemble. Best known for co-creating and starring in Broad City, Glazer played Shirley Wershba, a writer and producer.The cast also included 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.George Clooney's Broadway Debut goes live on CNNOn June 7, 2025, his Broadway adaptation of Good Night, and Good Luck was broadcast live from New York’s Winter Garden Theatre, marking the first-ever live telecast of a Broadway non-musical ensemble on network television via CNN. Clooney made his stage debut portraying iconic CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow in a co-written script (with Grant Heslov), directed by David Cromer. The production earned five Tony nominations, including Best Actor.CNN aired the live performance (starting 7 p.m. ET, with a pre-show at 6:30 p.m. ET) and streamed it globally—free to cord-cutters via CNN.com, CNN International, and on Max.ALSO READ: California unrest: How Los Angeles immigration protests turned ugly after citywide ICE operationsThe play shattered Broadway records by earning over $4 million in a single week, becoming the highest-grossing non-musical Broadway production ever. Clooney’s portrayal digs into Murrow’s 1954 confrontation with Senator McCarthy. The broadcast underscores themes of journalistic integrity and free press—echoing in today’s media landscape. Clooney joked about dyeing his hair for the part and reverse it post-show. The play closes June 8—a day before the Tony Awards on June 8, 2025.How to watch 'Good Night, and Good Luck' Good Night, and Good Luck airs on June 7 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. on CNN apps and CNN.com. Viewers may also stream it on Max.The cast for the 'Good Night, and Good Luck' Broadway play includes:George Clooney as Edward R. MurrowMac Brandt as Colonel AndersonWill Dagger as Don HewittChristopher Denham as John AaronGlenn Fleshler as Fred FriendlyIlana Glazer as Shirley WershbaClark Gregg as Don HollenbeckPaul Gross as William S. PaleyGeorgia Heers as EllaCarter Hudson as Joe WershbaFran Kranz as Palmer WilliamsJennifer Morris as Millie GreenMichael Nathanson as Eddie ScottAndrew Polk as Charlie MackAaron Roman Weiner as Don Surine