November 15 - Where Are They Now? Wednesday - NewsRadio Cast

Originally pre-empted by the John Kerry flap, this week’s WHERE ARE THEY NOW? WEDNESDAY is the cast from NewsRadio.

"NewsRadio" was a sitcom that explored office politics, relationships, and crises through a group of co-workers at WNYX NewsRadio, New York's #2 news radio station. It was a more topical version of WKRP in Cincinnati. It started to be syndicated this fall.

Dave Foley stars as the haggled news director, Phil Hartman and Khandi Alexander portray sniping anchor people, Maura Tierney is the ambitious supervising producer, Stephen Root is the station's eccentric owner, Vicki Lewis does wacky secretary, and Joe Rogan is a tech-happy electrician. Andy Dick was type cast as the office loser. The cast and their episode participation is below.

Dave Foley Dave Nelson (71 episodes) (1995-1999)
Stephen Root Jimmy James (71 episodes) (1995-1999)
Andy Dick Matthew Brock (71 episodes) (1995-1999)
Maura Tierney Lisa Miller (70 episodes) (1995-1999)
Joe Rogan Joe Garrelli (70 episodes) (1995-1999)
Vicki Lewis Beth (68 episodes) (1995-1999)
Phil Hartman Bill McNeal (63 episodes) (1995-1998)
Khandi Alexander Catherine Duke (53 episodes) (1995-1998)


So, Where Are They Now?

David Foley now appears on a BRAVO TV Series about Celebrity Poker. He has put on some weight, but other than Nicole Ritchie, who hasn’t?

Stephen Root has remained busy. He played Richard Clarke in “The Path to 9-11” and was in that Dodgeball movie with the multi-talented thespian, Vince Vaughn.

Andy Dick last appeared in an E! Network, True Hollywood Story about his decline into drugs, poor driving, and abnormal behavior. It was a short trip.

Maura Tierney has been a regular on ER since 1999 or 149 episodes at the start of this season.

Joe Rogan has been the host of Fear Factor since 2001.

Vickie Lewis has done animated voices in movies like Finding Nemo. The interesting thing is that she graduated from my local High School.

Phil Hartman was probably the MOST talented member of the NewsRadio cast. A seasoned veteran of Saturday Night Live, Hartman was married to Brynn Hartman. Her claim to fame was that she shot Phil three times: in the forearm, neck, and head. Brynn left the house and later came back with a friend to show him the dead body. When her friend went to call 911, Brynn locked herself in the bedroom with Phil's lifeless body and stuck a second gun in her mouth and shot herself. Not much of a second act.

Besides Tierney, Khandi Alexander is probably the most prolific ex-NewsRadio cast member. She was on ER for a few years and is a charter member of the CSI-Miami, having appeared in every episode. Having to be in the same scene with David Caruso should garner her some award.

In summary, the cast from NewsRadio has enjoyed overwhelming post cancellation success. To a person, they have all moved on and for the most part upward, except for that Dick guy.

I’m happy to see the series in syndication. Although it only lasted 5 seasons, many of the plots are timeless.

It is one of my 5 all time favorite comedy series. If you think you know the other 4, guess again.