When I first saw James L. Brooks‘ Broadcast News I had this thought about Jack Nicholson‘s performance as Bill Rorash, a network news anchor in the classic tradition. My thought was that Nicholson was fine, but that if Brooks wanted to be nervy and outside-the-box he could’ve gotten Roger Mudd to play the part. Mudd, who was 58 or 59 when the film was made, really was “that guy” — a certain steady and settled vibe, an Eastern establishment, Ivy League bearing. good-looking. Plus an authentic, real-deal reporter. He could have also played an ad agency or baseball team owner.
