Most professionals I know aren’t looking for another TV show to add to their personal line-up, and I’m no exception. Yes, I have my favorites. Some are just fun escapes, but I always jump in with both feet – imagining I went to medical school and was saving lives (Grey’s Anatomy); cracking up at my own punny family memories (Modern Family); relishing the value of my incredible best friendships (A Million Little Things). One that came and went – Scandal – made me thankful I had more fun and less crisis in my PR campaigns over the years. But I’d often “Olivia Pope” a situation – hey, it’s handled – and smirk like a true Gladiator. I even had the thrill of meeting the cast and creator of Scandal in D.C., and THAT was incredible.

Celebrity moment with Scandal’s Tony Goldwyn

Also, most people I know aren’t anxious to add another TV option or device to their rapidly expanding menu. Between cable (would love to divorce it, but can’t yet), Netflix, Prime, YouTube, etc., I recently ordered Tile stickers to keep track of the ridiculous number of remotes that seem to develop legs in our house.

But…after devouring Apple’s latest headline, The Morning Show, I’m not only hooked, but could care less that we added another remote, another monthly charge, and another hour a week to slip into couch potato mode. Between exploring the Me Too movement from every angle, watching Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carrel in some really serious roles (peppered with their signature slapstick humor to take the edge off the drama), and exploring the behind-the-scenes of broadcast news, I am hooked.

Show’s trailer in case you haven’t seen it:

Fun fact – The Morning Show’s trailer soundtrack is also a song Steve Carell sang (karaoke style) in The Office during Toby’s sendoff. Apparently, this was mere coincidence, but hey, it’s funny too, right?

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Producers (and co-stars) Aniston and Reese Witherspoon were asked, “Why Apple?” I’m thinking, yea, Why Apple? They could’ve saved me another remote, monthly fee, and tech addition to our too big lineup here. Aniston basically said that Apple does so much right, that they allowed the producers the creative freedom to do what they want, and that it’s working. In that same interview, the reporter wondered if “Apple product placement” was in play since Aniston in particular spends a lot of time on her phone. Great response, though, from Aniston – everyone is on their phone a lot…Handled!

I love it. Having worked in PR, media, and storytelling myself for 25 years as a journalist, publicist, parenting reporter, and essay coach, I think it’s phenomenal to show the public the intricacies of bringing the news to the public. They make it look so simple, but it’s indeed a complex, time-consuming, 24/7 process that just isn’t easy. I’ve done my share of media training, and teaching clients to face interviews with poise, preparedness, and tone, is fun. It makes sense to me, and I love to help make sense of it for clients. Talking points and prep are key; soundbites are critical; and a deep breath right before…helpful. There’s more to it, of course, but those are some of my headlines on that topic.

I remember a few years ago coaching a really timid client, and I literally had my hand on the small of his back, pushing him forward so he would engage with the reporter. People are nervous when being interviewed, especially if they don’t do it often.

I learned a lot about media training when I was in front of the camera myself, with local news for my parenting blog, reviewing my notes in front of a mirror over and over again, convinced I’d never get it right. My “Take Your Kid to Work Day” highlight was saying “yes” to ABC National News…to come to my kitchen to interview me and my son about how kids are giving their parents social media boundaries. Fun, yes; cleaning your house for a news crew, not so much 🙂

And my lucky charm, being on The Today Show for my contribution to Knowing Pains, was a huge opportunity, and sure, I was excited, but…I didn’t sleep a wink the night before and was truly petrified. Scared the alarm wouldn’t go off, scared I’d talk too fast like I often do, scared I’d smile too much when I’m really happy or pumped up, and my teeth get dry from all that air and stick to my upper lip (trust me, it’s awkward). Bottom line, scared I’d mess up a big opportunity. No amount of professional make-up can totally erase being up all night.

So I love, love, love The Morning Show. I think it’s so important that we put ourselves in other people’s shoes in a variety of situations. I did it myself with the media, and I learned a ton in the process. I applaud this show for bringing light to some really important issues, for introducing America to the behind-the-scenes world of broadcast journalism that we often take for granted, and for entertaining me for an hour a week. And apparently, I’m not the only one. Looks like the Award Shows are already sending nods their way. Signing off in 3, 2, 1…

Author: Amy Kossoff Smith, Founder/President of Write Ideas, Inc., a PR firm, has been asking clients “So what’s your story?” for 25 years. She helps companies find and tell their stories to the media through Write Ideas, Inc.; authors parenting articles at her Mom Blog, The MomTini Lounge; and helps students find and tell their best stories at Power Hour Editing. And yes, she watches some TV, but it’s gotta grab her attention fast and have some relevance to her already busy life!