Live Film Special: Good Night, and Good Luck w/Helen Lewis

Live Film Special: Good Night, and Good Luck w/Helen Lewis

From Past Present Future by David Runciman

May 24, 2026 · 1h 2m · Season 16 · Episode 294

About this episode

David Runciman discusses George Clooney's film Good Night, and Good Luck with Helen Lewis, exploring themes of journalism and McCarthyism.

Today’s episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Regent Street Cinema in London: David talks to the writer and broadcaster Helen Lewis about George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck (2005). A film about the golden age of journalism and the grim years of McCarthyism, it tells the story of Ed Murrow’s attempt to take down scaremongering and conspiracy theories. Where is McCarthyism at work today? What’s happened to cancel culture? How was early TV like podcasting? And is George Clooney a hero for our times? You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of all episodes including PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com Next Time in Great Political Fictions: Brave New World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: David Runciman

Guest: Helen Lewis

Topics covered

  • journalism
  • McCarthyism
  • cancel culture
  • film analysis
  • media
  • politics

Keywords

  • Good Night and Good Luck
  • Helen Lewis
  • David Runciman
  • journalism
  • McCarthyism
  • cancel culture
  • George Clooney
  • media

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Good Night, and Good Luck, Brave New World

Places: London

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