The Loudest Voice (2019): Season 1, Episode 5 - Episode #1.5 - full transcript
♪ up-tempo, dramatic music ♪
[static]
[indistinct chatter]
[knock on door]
Oh. Hey, Roger.
I was just, uh, getting ready
to come see you.
Yeah, well, I thought
I'd come and see you first.
What did you want to talk about?
Well, uh...
I was thinking I'd like
to branch out a little.
You know, polish the brand.
I feel like
I could do better.
What does that mean?
-Well, I-I don't mean better...
-You know, Fox & Friends
is the golden ring
of breakfast television.
You should be very,
very grateful
you got a hand
on that coattail.
Oh, I am.
You see, it's just, um...
[chuckles]
The View called me.
-Hmm.
-Asked if I'd like
-to guest host, so...
-Hmm.
[inhales deeply]
Let's not be naive about this.
That's how they audition
for new people, right?
Well, I-I don't want
another job, Roger,
just a chance
to build my profile.
Are you happy here, Gretchen?
Yeah. Of course I am.
Sure.
Do The View.
-All right?
-Okay.
-That make you happy?
-Mm.
Great.
At the very least, you know,
we'll learn something.
You know, it could well be
you fit in better over there.
I have a lot of people
saying to me all the time,
they say, "Gretchen, she's
not really a Fox girl.
She's a little too
smarty pants, and you know."
I mean, I've always
believed in you. Always.
But they might be right.
I don't know.
Well, I could try harder
to connect.
Your voice.
I can help you with that.
You know,
help you keep it
in a more attractive
tonal range.
Yeah. You know I was
a Broadway producer, right?
Hot L Baltimore.
That was my show.
It was a big deal
at the time.
It was a big success.
I learned a lot
about breath control.
And I have helped actors
and political candidates
harness that power, you know?
Hey.
Come on, let's you and me
talk breathing techniques.
-[laughs] Oh, come on, Roger.
-Get up. Come on.
-I know-- I know how to breathe.
-This is gonna be great.
That's what they all say
till they meet an expert.
-[Gretchen inhales deeply]
-Yeah. Okay.
Now...
Oh...
Just breathe
into my hands.
-Come on.
-Roger...
Right where my hands are.
Just breathe into my hands.
-Uh... [sighs]
-Come on, I want to feel it.
Breathe.
-And again.
-[inhales]
Uh-huh.
-Breathe into my hands.
-[inhales]
Now what we have to work on
is rhythm, relaxation
and control.
-Breathe into my hands.
-Roger, I...
-Breathe into my hands.
-[inhales]
You know, in television,
the audience,
they want you to be
their friend, their mother
and their lover,
all at the same time.
You've got to give
all of that.
You know,
I think we should
spend more time together,
you and me.
You need some
one-on-one mentoring,
maybe over a bottle of wine.
You know, I know
how busy you are.
-I wouldn't want to
take up your time.
-No, no, no.
Come on,
it's no trouble.
Anything for my people.
Judy'll make the arrangements.
Yeah.
[sighs]
[door opens]
[whispers]
Motherfucker.
[Brian]
Yeah, that situation
is no longer a situation.
Yeah, I blew a Scud up his ass.
[laughing]
[knock on door]
Oh, hang on.
So, Gabe,
what can I do for you?
[static]
I'm doing a book
about Fox News.
A book?
Isn't that something.
I'd really love the opportunity
to interview Roger.
I'll call you back.
Gabe, I know your work.
We both know you're not exactly
a fan of what we do here.
I want this to be well rounded.
The rise of Fox,
from fighting underdog
to cable behemoth.
Tell it from all sides,
all perspectives.
Hence Roger-- it's not Fox's
story without Roger's story.
You know how many people want
to write about Roger and Fox?
Look, I'm not a hack, Brian.
I'm gonna do a real book,
and a real book is good
for both of us.
[scoffs]
Gabe, we both know
there is no book
without Roger.
Absolutely.
That's why I'm here.
There would have to
be ground rules.
Of course. Understood.
But you can't vet it.
I write what I write.
All right, let me talk to Roger,
see what I can do.
I'd really appreciate that.
-Well, you should.
-[both laugh]
Thank you. All right.
[clears throat]
[Brian] So I'm talking
to Gabe Sherman
over at
New York Magazine.
He wants to write a book
about Fox.
Well, I think we should
control the story.
I think you should sit down
with him, off the record,
charm him, push
the narrative we want.
I'd rather go down
on a five-dollar whore.
Roger, we have to get ahead
of these kinds of things.
This is...
I don't want anybody
poking around. Period.
You talk to Gretchen
lately?
[scoffs]
Not if I don't have to.
She's gonna
guest host The View.
-I didn't know that.
-Exactly.
I think she's getting
too big for her britches.
She doesn't appreciate
what I've given her.
You want me to call over there?
Work some magic?
Already did that. Called the EP.
I said just make sure
he allows extra time
for makeup,
use the calmest
wardrobe person you have,
expect lateness, and don't
make things too complicated
-because she doesn't
respond well to that.
-Perfect.
Put a little stink
on that pretty face.
[laughs] Sure.
[Laurie]
Roger was thrilling.
From the moment that
I introduced myself to him
on the Bush campaign in '88,
he... he listened to me,
gave me advice.
He got me a job at Fox.
Booking.
It was exciting.
I was at the center
of everything.
It was a great
opportunity for me.
Well, sounds like
he was your mentor.
That's what I wanted him to be.
You know, I-I shouldn't be
talking about any of this.
None of it.
That's what
therapy is for.
To talk about it.
That would... [sighs]
That would make Roger
very, very angry.
-Roger's not here.
-You don't know that.
You do not know that.
What about this,
write it down.
Like a, like a letter to Roger.
All the things you feel
you can't say out loud,
just write it down.
The point is to bring
all that darkness
out into the light.
Can you do that?
[footsteps approaching]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[footsteps approaching]
[refrigerator opens]
-Where's your bread?
-Top left.
-Top left.
-Oh, yeah.
Okay. Whew.
You know, Beth says I should
only eat at mealtimes,
but a man's got to eat
when a man's hungry.
I like that, uh, editorial
you did on Romney.
-Liked it a lot.
-Thanks.
But I think it's time
to back off, you know?
He's our guy now.
Our guy?
You hate Romney.
You called him a blow-dried
Mormon cult leader.
Well... he is.
[chuckles] He is.
He's our only chance
of getting that Muslim
out of the White House,
so let's not make perfection
the enemy of the good, Joe.
Oh, come on, eat.
-Come on.
-You know...
-You want me to cut it? Okay.
-No.
You know, I-I've
been working 24/7.
I was thinking about
taking some time off,
going to see my sister.
That's a great idea. Yeah.
Family is the
most important thing.
You know.
The absolute foundation
of our society.
-Mm.
-Mm.
Why don't you invite her
to come stay here?
Beth and I would love to meet
her. It's a much better idea.
Thank you for that.
Good night.
Good night.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[phone ringing]
Hello?
[ringing continues]
Hello?
[Beth]
Let them quit.
We don't need them if they
can't support what we're doing.
We will hire new staff.
Sure.
[chuckles]
I guess so, right?
[Beth]
People will betray you, Joe.
They will work against you.
They will fight
to keep a status quo.
Roger and I are prepared
for that fight.
We have to be.
You can't let moments
like this
bring you down.
And you must always
truly prepare for the worst.
Come with me.
I have something
I want to show you.
Come on.
[quietly]
This way.
You see?
We're prepared
for whatever happens.
Natural disaster,
political turmoil,
terrorism.
We need to be protected,
we need to be safe.
So you're just gonna
hide out here and wait?
Of course not.
There's a tunnel that leads
straight to the Hudson.
Quick getaway.
Roger...
has enemies, Joe.
People hate him.
Al-Qaeda targeted him
for assassination,
did you know that?
Our CIA source told him.
Well... sure
there are people who don't like
Roger and what he does,
but isn't this
a bit much? I mean,
they're not gonna come at the
house with fire and pitchforks.
They're out to get us, Joe.
You see that.
Um, liberals,
welfare cheats, jihadists,
they want what we have,
and one day
they're gonna
try and take it.
And, until then,
we need your help
to reclaim this country
for the real Americans.
Don't you
want that, too?
Of-of course.
Roger believes
in you.
And so do I.
And when he's gone...
...you're gonna have some
awfully big shoes to fill, Joe.
♪ dramatic music ♪
♪♪♪
Kids are out.
[static]
It's just you and me.
Oh, you got to stop
watching that.
I know how much
you wanted it.
Yeah.
My agent talked to every outlet
in town, and nothing.
Gretchen, you can't go there.
Roger made me toxic.
Poisoned the well.
Babe, you got to let it go.
You're on the highest rated
morning show on cable.
You make great money.
You are a success.
At Fox, and only at Fox.
-Honey...
-You're a success right here.
-I'm gonna head back up.
-Okay.
[Kat]
Are you sure there's nothing
-I can do to help?
-[Beth] That's sweet of you,
but we're almost ready.
Young lady, why don't you
tell us a story
about when Joe
was a young man.
Oh, something we don't know.
I don't think there's...
Shh.
Um... Oh!
In high school,
Joe broke the state record
in the mile,
-close to four minutes.
-[Roger chuckles]
-I was a runner, too.
-Joe, that's amazing.
-Well, not really.
-[Roger] Joe.
Don't denigrate yourself.
Celebrate your accomplishments.
Be proud.
You won, that's
the important thing.
[Joe]
Honestly,
I wasn't the best runner.
I could just tolerate more pain.
[laughter]
Join the club, son.
Join the club.
[chuckles]
-[Kat whispering]
-[Joe] Okay...
[Beth] Bless us,
O Lord, and these,
Thy gifts which
we are about to receive
through Christ,
our Lord.
-Amen.
-[others] Amen.
Let's eat.
[chuckles] Joe,
did you see
the polls?
Two weeks out and Romney
is ahead by a point.
Yeah.
-Good news.
-[Roger] Good? It's great.
Four more years of this
anti-American socialist,
unthinkable.
We'll just have to wait and see.
[chuckling] No, no, Kat,
that's not what we do,
we don't wait and see.
Every single day
is a battle between
good and evil.
[Kat] I can't say
that Obama is evil.
He's a good family man,
loves his wife, his daughters.
Well, he may well
love his family,
but he sure don't
love this country.
He's not even from this country.
He was born in Hawaii.
Joe,
I thought you told me
your sister was smart.
[laughter]
[Joe]
Roger,
she's on our side.
Yeah? Could've fooled me.
You could've fooled me.
You know, this is exactly
the problem in this country,
the so-called conservatives
have no idea the danger
the country is in.
It's just ignorant.
Plain ignorant.
Uh, Mr. Ailes, I...
It's okay, you don't have to
apologize. It's fine.
I wasn't going to.
You know, I'm surprised that
you can sit here at my table
and propound these
kind of views.
Did you vote
for Obama?
Did you fall for
the sob story?
The poor, white mommy
and the missing black daddy?
Welfare hustlers, all of them.
You know there's
gonna be a revolution.
Armed IRS goons
kicking down doors.
Tell her, Joe.
It's-it's a dangerous time.
[Roger] You have any idea
what four more years
of this Kenyan means?
A socialist police state.
It's gonna be a disaster,
but you're okay with it
because he loves his wife.
You know, Hitler,
he loved Eva Braun.
Didn't do much for the Jews,
did it now?
Am I right, Joe?
Yes, Roger,
-you're right.
-Goddamn right
I'm right.
You think about it,
young lady.
You're either
part of the solution,
or you're part of the problem.
Hear, hear.
[Joe]
You don't have to leave.
You've got to be kidding me.
After that?
[Joe]
Just used to being the boss,
-being listened to.
-I was talking about you.
You live with him,
you agree with everything
he says, you even
look like him now.
It's like you're in a cult.
[engine starts]
[Roger]
I'm sorry about that, Joe.
When family disappoints,
I know it's hard.
Sometimes you just got to
cut the apron strings.
I think I'm gonna turn in.
Good night, son.
...that loyal Americans
must vote.
You either respect America
or you don't.
[newsman]
When they see President Obama
vulnerable with national polls
showing him below 50%...
[newsman 2]
Pennsylvania is now in play
for the Republicans.
[newsman 3]
It's all about the economy.
Pushing his vision of lower
taxes and cutting spending.
The math doesn't work,
but he continues to claim
that he's gonna do it.
He then wants to spend another
$2 trillion dollars...
[static]
And we're on in five, four...
Welcome back to Fox & Friends.
Let's talk a little
about President Obama's
campaign slogan,
"Hope and Change."
We decided to take a look back
at the president's first term
to see if it lived up
to "Hope and Change."
[Obama]
When you decide
it's time for change to happen,
guess what? Change happens.
Roger would like to see you
after the show.
Jobs must be our
number one focus.
[reporter 1] Instead of
concentrating on job creation,
President Obama is concentrated
on growing government.
[reporter 2]
We are becoming
a society that makes poverty
more comfortable.
We can't just drill
our way to lower gas.
The price of gas is going up.
That's the change we seek.
Instant pushback, White House
and all the networks
are calling it
-Republican propaganda.
-Surprise, surprise.
[chuckles]
Brian's drafting a release:
upper management didn't know.
Blames it on a rogue,
low-level producer
-who didn't clear it with us.
-Good.
You know what matters?
It aired.
-[knock on door]
-Yeah?
Roger, I have Gretchen.
[Roger]
Thank you, Suzanne.
Gretchen, come in.
Come in, sit down.
Bill Shine, you're a patriot.
-You're not wrong.
-[laughs]
Sit down, come on.
I watched you on The View.
[door closes]
You looked right at home
with those ladies.
[chuckles softly]
And it got me thinking,
you know, maybe you're right.
Maybe you're ready
for your own show.
You're right.
I've been ready.
You are gonna shine
at two o'clock in the afternoon.
-An afternoon show?
-Mm-hmm.
Now, some would say
it's a graveyard shift,
but you can work your magic,
and everyone who has
ever become big
in their own right,
here at Fox,
they all proved their value
in the afternoon.
A little "thank you"
is always nice.
-[laughs]
-Thank you, Roger.
Now, we've got
a lot to do
to get you ready.
Your, uh, audience connection
still needs work.
You got to find a way
of giving them more of you.
But this is an opportunity
to build your own thing,
very different from
having Doocy and Kilmeade on
the couch there to temper you.
But I tell you what,
nobody's gonna tune in
to watch an
ice queen all alone.
You happy?
It's what you
wanted, right?
-Yeah.
-Your own thing.
-Are you happy?
-Yeah.
Are you happy,
little Gretchen?
-Yeah, Roger.
-That's nice, that's nice.
Congratulations.
Mm-hmm.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[static]
We're closing in
on the first results
in the battle
for the White House.
It is gonna be an exciting
night and how close it will be.
[reporter 1]
Ohio and Wisconsin,
President Obama leading
in those states...
[reporter 2]
The Obama team
have built a real machine
to try to get out their vote.
[Obama] We feel confident.
We've got the votes to win.
And I expect that, uh,
we'll have a good night.
How do you think
it got this tight?
Demographics are changing.
It's not a traditional
America anymore.
The white establishment
is now the minority.
♪ somber music ♪
♪♪♪
[Joe]
Um, Roger, hi.
I know you're getting ready
for the election party,
so I just wanted to say...
I'm not sure what
I'm doing here.
I don't know
what the paper's doing,
what I'm doing.
I just feel like
I need some time,
some space.
So I'm taking some time off
to think about it,
to pray about what
the best thing for me to do...
[phone rings]
Joe?
Allied Security? No,
I'm-I'm not there at the moment.
What?
All right.
Where's Beth?
-She went home?
-Zac's parent-teacher night.
Get me the Putnam County
Sheriff's Department.
[key clicks]
[door closes]
♪ suspenseful music ♪
♪♪♪
[ringtone playing]
Um...
Roger?
I got your message.
[Joe]
I-I know, I'm sorry,
I ju-- I just, I-I need some--
I just wanted to...
Something's gone wrong
at the house.
I think somebody
tried to break in.
I need you to get over there
and check it out for me.
What...
Roger, I'm on the road.
-I, uh...
-Joe, this is an emergency.
I need you to go
and check out the house.
[exhales]
Okay.
[tires screeching]
[knocking on door]
[Shine]
Pennsylvania went blue,
Romney carried North Carolina
and, uh, CNN is waiting
on Ohio to call.
What did Rove say?
Ohio could go
either way.
So we wait.
We wait.
[door closes]
[alarm blaring]
[alert plays over TV]
If Mitt Romney loses in Ohio,
the president is reelected.
[alarm blaring]
-Freeze!
-Hands in the air!
-Who are you?
-I'm telling you, I'm family!
-Family reported there was
a break-in.
-Said no one was home!
Who are you?!
Joe. I'm Joe Lindsley.
[knocking on door]
Listen, the decision desk
wants to call it for Obama.
Not until we're sure.
They're sure.
This is happening.
Tell them to go make
some lemonade. Get Megyn
to interview the decision desk.
Tell Rove to stall.
-Roger...
-I just need a fucking minute!
I just need a fucking minute.
[line ringing]
[Joe]
I need time, Roger,
to think about my future.
What, so, you...
You're gonna go
to church and pray,
and you're gonna
ask God what to do next?
-Yes.
-Well, God's not home, Joe.
He doesn't have time
for your problems.
What did you say?
If you're looking
for someone powerful,
who can change your life
or send you straight to hell,
you're talking to him.
I treated you like a son.
I gave you everything.
Everything you asked for.
You will find your salvation
in me, boy.
[panting quietly]
[dial tone]
♪ dramatic music ♪
♪♪♪
All right.
Call it for Obama.
This disaster...
is on us.
Next time, I'm picking
the fucking candidate!
We need someone who can win.
[newswoman]
...projecting that Barack Obama
has been reelected as president
of the United States.
[static]
It's been
my long game, Roger.
You know this. But...
Donald's noncommittal?
He doesn't like to lose.
[static]
[Roger] Come on.
Who's out there? Rubio?
Bush three?
If he commits, and you put
the right team around him,
he can win the nomination.
So I've said.
He doesn't like his odds.
You just let him know
Fox News has his back.
So you'll push him?
Or just give him equal airtime?
If he gets serious,
he will have
the full support of Fox News.
[laughs]
Fucking in the White House.
Ha.
He'll like that idea.
Yeah, but who is he gonna be
fucking? That's the question.
-Anyone but his wife.
-[both chuckle]
Just keep me posted.
You know that
you can count on me.
Always have, Roger.
[Beth] The headline
isn't punchy enough.
[staffer]
What should I change?
[Beth]
Make it punchier.
How can I help you?
Hi. Mrs. Ailes, uh,
my name's Gabe Sherman.
I'm a journalist
and I'm doing a book
about your husband
and the building of Fox News.
I wondered if you would have
-a minute to speak with me.
-No. No, no.
-No, no, no.
Get him out of here.
-Mrs. Ailes.
Get him out of here. I will call
the police if you don't get out.
-Mrs. Ailes.
-Get him out of here. No.
-Sir, you need to leave.
-All right.
Thank you.
[door closes]
[horn honking]
-Gabe.
-Hey.
-You fucked up, big time.
-What?
You keep poking
into Roger's personal life,
and I will rip off your head
and shit down your neck.
-You got me?
-I'm-I'm a reporter,
-Brian, I'm following a story.
-Roger's not a story, okay?
Abusive father, overbearing
mother and hemophiliac
who spent his childhood
in and out of hospitals?
-That-That's a story.
-I'm just telling you,
you keep digging down
this rabbit hole,
and things
are not gonna go well for you.
Is that a threat?
[Brian]
All I'm saying is,
if you keep talking
to unreliable sources,
if you keep writing
biased stories,
it's only gonna get messier
for you, I promise.
-Yeah?
-You go after Roger,
and there's gonna
be hell to pay.
I'm not going after anyone,
I'm reporting.
Bullshit.
You have an anti-Fox,
anti-Roger agenda,
and you know it.
No, the truth is my only agenda.
You're reporting
on his demeanor in meetings,
you're reporting
on his temper.
I'm reporting what I'm hearing
from credible witnesses
to Ailes's abusive behavior.
These-these are
two-faced insiders
with an axe to grind, okay?
You're not gonna get the truth
from disgruntled employees.
Why don't you tell me who
you're talking to? All right?
Oh, Jesus, you know I'm not
giving up my sources, Brian.
All right.
But if you're gonna
get personal,
we're gonna get personal, too.
Wait a minute,
you're going to?
-Yeah.
-I... I thought it was
bad enough someone's been
following me
the last two days.
[chuckles]
Follow-- what are you--
you-you're paranoid,
you realize that?
No, I'm not.
I'm not paranoid.
And what is, what is with
the online smear shit?
Hannity tweeting is not a smear.
No, no. What is this?
What is that?
This...
This-- I have no idea
who's behind this.
People with nothing to hide
don't push back this hard.
-[elevator chimes]
-Whoa.
[static]
-Thanks.
-Yeah. 17?
Yeah.
[Brian]
I talked to Gabe.
He's not gonna
be a problem anymore.
I hope you're right this time.
[elevator chimes]
Hey.
You're not running
anything on him, are you?
-No.
-Anything online?
-Guys on him?
-No. Nothing. You'd know
if we were.
-Of course.
-Sorry. Got to meet Roger.
♪ suspenseful music ♪
♪♪♪
[quiet chatter nearby]
[keyboard clicking]
[quiet chatter continues]
[Roger] How the fuck is Laurie
Luhn even conscious enough
to be writing me a letter?
[Peter] Well, I told you
she was unstable, Roger.
[Roger] Like a fucking
two-legged table.
Now this has just got to stop.
-Now.
-Okay.
Roger, are you running an op
on Gabe Sherman
-that I don't know about?
-What op?
The smear sites.
I've seen them.
I don't know what you're
talking about, Brian.
-I saw the 14th floor.
-[Roger] Yeah?
Well, they tell me
that the demolition
is coming along.
We should be able
to move up there soon.
That's not what I mean.
Yeah? Well, what do you mean?
I'm talking about the office
up there,
with a team working on
the smear sites against Gabe.
I saw them.
You know what
he's talking about?
-No, no.
-What-- you're gonna
lie to my face now, too?
You didn't stop Sherman.
Somebody had to.
And you can tell
your little Saturday boy
if he writes his book,
I'm gonna fucking bury it,
and I'll fucking bury him.
My Saturday-- Roger,
he's not my anything.
Just because you didn't
pay for his breakfast tab
doesn't mean you're not
working together!
Wait, wait--
you're having me followed?
[Peter] Did you
or did you not
just meet with
Gabe Sherman?
I am the head
of media relations.
It is my job
to relate to the media.
Who the fuck are you
to tell me
how to do my job, Peter?
You were supposed
to make the book go away.
You go after this guy
and he is gonna be on
-a fucking crusade against you.
-He already is!
He's a Soros shill.
Roger, you made that up!
For God's sake,
be smart about this.
Get in front of it--
look, just sit down with him.
All right? You can dismantle
these guys better than anyone.
[chuckles]
Sit down with the guy?
What are you,
fucking crazy?
He'll probably wear
a suicide vest.
[laughs]
Why won't you trust me?
Have I ever
let you down?
In all the years
that we've worked together?
Or have you really lost
your fucking mind?
I would've hit you.
If I wanted
to hit you,
I would've fucking hit you.
♪ quiet, atmospheric music ♪
♪♪♪
Look.
[panting]
Just make Luhn an offer
that shuts her the fuck up
and gets her out of my life!
[siren wailing]
[attorney] The NDA means that
you can never talk publicly
about your time at Fox.
Or about anyone
you knew at Fox.
You waive the right to sue,
the right to testify
to law enforcement.
Do you understand?
[Laurie]
Yes.
I'll keep quiet.
But they are not allowed to
talk about me, either, right?
Not Diane,
not Suzanne.
Not Bill Shine.
Not Roger.
Especially
not Roger.
♪ tense, dramatic music ♪
♪♪♪
[Roger]
How much is she getting?
[Peter]
3.15 million.
Could've locked it down
for a lot less than that.
That's Rupert's money.
What do you care?
[Roger]
Ah, you're right.
What are we gonna do
about Brian?
Brian is
a loose end, Roger.
He understands
how we do what we do.
And why we do what we do.
I can't really imagine
Fox without him.
It's up to you.
It always is.
[knocking on door]
[Peter]
Roger's upset about the way
things went the other day.
I mean, we both know he's not
the same as he once was,
-but, uh...
-[door closes]
he's still Roger.
-Is he?
-Of course.
We're the sons he never had.
But he does have a son.
You know what I mean.
Anyway, he wants
to see us. Yeah?
You forgot the plastic tarp.
You know,
so you can catch the mess
when you blow my brains out.
It's a good deal, Brian.
One year's salary
and a lifetime NDA.
Are you fucking kidding me?
After I gave you
17 years of my life.
Did you forget, Roger?
I know everything.
I got five bombs that can
blow up in your fucking face.
Extortion, phone tapping,
payoffs, slush funds.
And the women.
Oh, my God, can't forget
the women, can we?
You think you can just
get rid of me
like some fucking
two-bit whore?
I know where all your fucking
skeletons are, you cocksucker.
I will ruin you.
I will bring you down,
I will talk.
No, you won't.
Because I have...
eight million reasons
for you to keep
your mouth shut.
You won't talk
to anyone
about Fox News
or me, ever.
♪ tense, atmospheric music ♪
♪♪♪
You're Brian fucking Lewis.
I know you'll make
the right move.
Judy.
[scoffs]
Really,
Roger?
Brian?
I have to admit,
you're the best I ever saw.
But I'm still better.
You got me?
[door closes]
[Brian]
Gabe, it's Brian Lewis.
Listen, I was wrong
about the smear sites.
It is Fox.
It's Roger.
I think you should be careful.
You should be very careful.
Also...
...Roger's going
to destroy your book.
There's no one
to talk sense into him now.
[indistinct chatter]
-[laughter]
-[Roger] Go on and write about
-something you know,
you little asshole.
-That's right.
"There are so many citations
of 'author interview
with a person familiar
with the matter'
that The Loudest Voice
in the Room may set a record
for blind items
and the untrustworthiness
they engender."
[Shine] You give Janet Maslin
the bullet points
or did you just dictate
the whole review, Pete?
[laughter]
[static]
I was nervous to appear
without makeup
on the show today.
I'm the first host to do so.
But I thought
there was no better way
to celebrate International
Day of the Girl--
to show that what matters
isn't how women look,
but the way
they live their lives.
We'll see you tomorrow.
[sighs]
[Roger]
What kind of a horseshit stunt
was that? What did you think
you were doing?
I'm broadening my audience,
trying to appeal
to a bigger demographic.
I hired you because
you're a beauty queen.
This no-makeup,
Feminazi shit?
You want to go around looking
like a lesbian Teamster,
do it on your own time.
[scoffs]
This is my job, Roger.
I'm a journalist.
And a woman.
And that is what
a woman looks like.
Oh, no, that's not what
they look like on Fox News air.
-Uh--
-No, it's not.
I'm using my public platform
to empower girls,
like my daughter,
so they have a chance--
Look, look, look,
save the speeches
for the ladies'
Junior League luncheon.
This is not about
your daughter.
You don't care
about your daughter.
-Oh, really?
-You're using her.
-No. Roger, if you don't mind--
-You're using--
You're using her
to bring attention to you.
And I'm not sure
I'm comfortable with that.
I groom you,
I train you,
I give you
your own show.
This is what you do with it?
This is how you repay me?
So you're just gonna pretend?
I'm gonna what?
What are we talking about?
That you're not
intentionally trying
to undercut me.
Using Megyn to get at me?
Moving me to that shitty office?
Moving me to the afternoon
2 p.m. show, Roger!
Do you think
I fucking want to do that?!
Do not talk to me
like that, missy!
Since you brought her up--
Megyn Kelly--
yeah, smashed the fuck
out of this time slot.
Smashed it out of the park!
Made herself a franchise player.
It's time you took a little
responsibility, Gretchen.
Is it my fault
that your ratings are not
as good as they could be?
No, it's not.
Is it my fault
you walk around here
with a stick up your ass,
thinking you're
better than everyone?
No, it's not.
You think of yourself
as a victim in this life,
you will become a victim.
You want the network
to support you?
Then you support the network,
support me, every fucking day!
Are you done?
Am I done?
Fuck off.
♪ soft, dramatic music ♪
-♪♪♪
-[dialogue inaudible]
-♪♪♪
-[dialogue inaudible]
[sighs]
[Casey]
Hey.
Hey.
You okay?
Nope.
It's Roger.
We had a... a blowup.
What happened?
He's a fucking asshole.
That's what happened.
What else is new?
Yeah, well, it's getting worse.
♪♪♪
It's just
so fucking humiliating.
Now you see, Gretchen,
everything works
so much better
when we're on the same team.
Okay, Roger.
Look, babe, I know
Roger is... Roger.
[sighs]
But it's your job.
Either you go along
to get along...
Or?
I can't help it, you know.
That ass of yours.
Or maybe it's time
to leave Fox.
-It's a hand magnet.
-I suppose I'll take that
-as a compliment.
-Well, you should.
And do what?
No one else'll hire me.
[Roger]
You should very much take it as
a compliment.
That's how it's intended.
So let Roger
have the win.
Oh.
Right? And just move on.
It's not worth it.
♪♪♪
-No fucking way he wins.
-Hey.
[Roger]
Sure you got to go?
Ah.
Judy.
Gretchen.
♪♪♪
♪ music intensifies ♪
♪♪♪
[Roger]
You see, Gretchen,
everything works
so much better
when we're on the same team.
[Gretchen]
Okay, Roger.
[Roger]
I can't help it.
That ass of yours...
it's a hand magnet.
♪ up-tempo, dramatic music ♪
♪♪♪
[static]
[indistinct chatter]
[knock on door]
Oh. Hey, Roger.
I was just, uh, getting ready
to come see you.
Yeah, well, I thought
I'd come and see you first.
What did you want to talk about?
Well, uh...
I was thinking I'd like
to branch out a little.
You know, polish the brand.
I feel like
I could do better.
What does that mean?
-Well, I-I don't mean better...
-You know, Fox & Friends
is the golden ring
of breakfast television.
You should be very,
very grateful
you got a hand
on that coattail.
Oh, I am.
You see, it's just, um...
[chuckles]
The View called me.
-Hmm.
-Asked if I'd like
-to guest host, so...
-Hmm.
[inhales deeply]
Let's not be naive about this.
That's how they audition
for new people, right?
Well, I-I don't want
another job, Roger,
just a chance
to build my profile.
Are you happy here, Gretchen?
Yeah. Of course I am.
Sure.
Do The View.
-All right?
-Okay.
-That make you happy?
-Mm.
Great.
At the very least, you know,
we'll learn something.
You know, it could well be
you fit in better over there.
I have a lot of people
saying to me all the time,
they say, "Gretchen, she's
not really a Fox girl.
She's a little too
smarty pants, and you know."
I mean, I've always
believed in you. Always.
But they might be right.
I don't know.
Well, I could try harder
to connect.
Your voice.
I can help you with that.
You know,
help you keep it
in a more attractive
tonal range.
Yeah. You know I was
a Broadway producer, right?
Hot L Baltimore.
That was my show.
It was a big deal
at the time.
It was a big success.
I learned a lot
about breath control.
And I have helped actors
and political candidates
harness that power, you know?
Hey.
Come on, let's you and me
talk breathing techniques.
-[laughs] Oh, come on, Roger.
-Get up. Come on.
-I know-- I know how to breathe.
-This is gonna be great.
That's what they all say
till they meet an expert.
-[Gretchen inhales deeply]
-Yeah. Okay.
Now...
Oh...
Just breathe
into my hands.
-Come on.
-Roger...
Right where my hands are.
Just breathe into my hands.
-Uh... [sighs]
-Come on, I want to feel it.
Breathe.
-And again.
-[inhales]
Uh-huh.
-Breathe into my hands.
-[inhales]
Now what we have to work on
is rhythm, relaxation
and control.
-Breathe into my hands.
-Roger, I...
-Breathe into my hands.
-[inhales]
You know, in television,
the audience,
they want you to be
their friend, their mother
and their lover,
all at the same time.
You've got to give
all of that.
You know,
I think we should
spend more time together,
you and me.
You need some
one-on-one mentoring,
maybe over a bottle of wine.
You know, I know
how busy you are.
-I wouldn't want to
take up your time.
-No, no, no.
Come on,
it's no trouble.
Anything for my people.
Judy'll make the arrangements.
Yeah.
[sighs]
[door opens]
[whispers]
Motherfucker.
[Brian]
Yeah, that situation
is no longer a situation.
Yeah, I blew a Scud up his ass.
[laughing]
[knock on door]
Oh, hang on.
So, Gabe,
what can I do for you?
[static]
I'm doing a book
about Fox News.
A book?
Isn't that something.
I'd really love the opportunity
to interview Roger.
I'll call you back.
Gabe, I know your work.
We both know you're not exactly
a fan of what we do here.
I want this to be well rounded.
The rise of Fox,
from fighting underdog
to cable behemoth.
Tell it from all sides,
all perspectives.
Hence Roger-- it's not Fox's
story without Roger's story.
You know how many people want
to write about Roger and Fox?
Look, I'm not a hack, Brian.
I'm gonna do a real book,
and a real book is good
for both of us.
[scoffs]
Gabe, we both know
there is no book
without Roger.
Absolutely.
That's why I'm here.
There would have to
be ground rules.
Of course. Understood.
But you can't vet it.
I write what I write.
All right, let me talk to Roger,
see what I can do.
I'd really appreciate that.
-Well, you should.
-[both laugh]
Thank you. All right.
[clears throat]
[Brian] So I'm talking
to Gabe Sherman
over at
New York Magazine.
He wants to write a book
about Fox.
Well, I think we should
control the story.
I think you should sit down
with him, off the record,
charm him, push
the narrative we want.
I'd rather go down
on a five-dollar whore.
Roger, we have to get ahead
of these kinds of things.
This is...
I don't want anybody
poking around. Period.
You talk to Gretchen
lately?
[scoffs]
Not if I don't have to.
She's gonna
guest host The View.
-I didn't know that.
-Exactly.
I think she's getting
too big for her britches.
She doesn't appreciate
what I've given her.
You want me to call over there?
Work some magic?
Already did that. Called the EP.
I said just make sure
he allows extra time
for makeup,
use the calmest
wardrobe person you have,
expect lateness, and don't
make things too complicated
-because she doesn't
respond well to that.
-Perfect.
Put a little stink
on that pretty face.
[laughs] Sure.
[Laurie]
Roger was thrilling.
From the moment that
I introduced myself to him
on the Bush campaign in '88,
he... he listened to me,
gave me advice.
He got me a job at Fox.
Booking.
It was exciting.
I was at the center
of everything.
It was a great
opportunity for me.
Well, sounds like
he was your mentor.
That's what I wanted him to be.
You know, I-I shouldn't be
talking about any of this.
None of it.
That's what
therapy is for.
To talk about it.
That would... [sighs]
That would make Roger
very, very angry.
-Roger's not here.
-You don't know that.
You do not know that.
What about this,
write it down.
Like a, like a letter to Roger.
All the things you feel
you can't say out loud,
just write it down.
The point is to bring
all that darkness
out into the light.
Can you do that?
[footsteps approaching]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[footsteps approaching]
[refrigerator opens]
-Where's your bread?
-Top left.
-Top left.
-Oh, yeah.
Okay. Whew.
You know, Beth says I should
only eat at mealtimes,
but a man's got to eat
when a man's hungry.
I like that, uh, editorial
you did on Romney.
-Liked it a lot.
-Thanks.
But I think it's time
to back off, you know?
He's our guy now.
Our guy?
You hate Romney.
You called him a blow-dried
Mormon cult leader.
Well... he is.
[chuckles] He is.
He's our only chance
of getting that Muslim
out of the White House,
so let's not make perfection
the enemy of the good, Joe.
Oh, come on, eat.
-Come on.
-You know...
-You want me to cut it? Okay.
-No.
You know, I-I've
been working 24/7.
I was thinking about
taking some time off,
going to see my sister.
That's a great idea. Yeah.
Family is the
most important thing.
You know.
The absolute foundation
of our society.
-Mm.
-Mm.
Why don't you invite her
to come stay here?
Beth and I would love to meet
her. It's a much better idea.
Thank you for that.
Good night.
Good night.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[phone ringing]
Hello?
[ringing continues]
Hello?
[Beth]
Let them quit.
We don't need them if they
can't support what we're doing.
We will hire new staff.
Sure.
[chuckles]
I guess so, right?
[Beth]
People will betray you, Joe.
They will work against you.
They will fight
to keep a status quo.
Roger and I are prepared
for that fight.
We have to be.
You can't let moments
like this
bring you down.
And you must always
truly prepare for the worst.
Come with me.
I have something
I want to show you.
Come on.
[quietly]
This way.
You see?
We're prepared
for whatever happens.
Natural disaster,
political turmoil,
terrorism.
We need to be protected,
we need to be safe.
So you're just gonna
hide out here and wait?
Of course not.
There's a tunnel that leads
straight to the Hudson.
Quick getaway.
Roger...
has enemies, Joe.
People hate him.
Al-Qaeda targeted him
for assassination,
did you know that?
Our CIA source told him.
Well... sure
there are people who don't like
Roger and what he does,
but isn't this
a bit much? I mean,
they're not gonna come at the
house with fire and pitchforks.
They're out to get us, Joe.
You see that.
Um, liberals,
welfare cheats, jihadists,
they want what we have,
and one day
they're gonna
try and take it.
And, until then,
we need your help
to reclaim this country
for the real Americans.
Don't you
want that, too?
Of-of course.
Roger believes
in you.
And so do I.
And when he's gone...
...you're gonna have some
awfully big shoes to fill, Joe.
♪ dramatic music ♪
♪♪♪
Kids are out.
[static]
It's just you and me.
Oh, you got to stop
watching that.
I know how much
you wanted it.
Yeah.
My agent talked to every outlet
in town, and nothing.
Gretchen, you can't go there.
Roger made me toxic.
Poisoned the well.
Babe, you got to let it go.
You're on the highest rated
morning show on cable.
You make great money.
You are a success.
At Fox, and only at Fox.
-Honey...
-You're a success right here.
-I'm gonna head back up.
-Okay.
[Kat]
Are you sure there's nothing
-I can do to help?
-[Beth] That's sweet of you,
but we're almost ready.
Young lady, why don't you
tell us a story
about when Joe
was a young man.
Oh, something we don't know.
I don't think there's...
Shh.
Um... Oh!
In high school,
Joe broke the state record
in the mile,
-close to four minutes.
-[Roger chuckles]
-I was a runner, too.
-Joe, that's amazing.
-Well, not really.
-[Roger] Joe.
Don't denigrate yourself.
Celebrate your accomplishments.
Be proud.
You won, that's
the important thing.
[Joe]
Honestly,
I wasn't the best runner.
I could just tolerate more pain.
[laughter]
Join the club, son.
Join the club.
[chuckles]
-[Kat whispering]
-[Joe] Okay...
[Beth] Bless us,
O Lord, and these,
Thy gifts which
we are about to receive
through Christ,
our Lord.
-Amen.
-[others] Amen.
Let's eat.
[chuckles] Joe,
did you see
the polls?
Two weeks out and Romney
is ahead by a point.
Yeah.
-Good news.
-[Roger] Good? It's great.
Four more years of this
anti-American socialist,
unthinkable.
We'll just have to wait and see.
[chuckling] No, no, Kat,
that's not what we do,
we don't wait and see.
Every single day
is a battle between
good and evil.
[Kat] I can't say
that Obama is evil.
He's a good family man,
loves his wife, his daughters.
Well, he may well
love his family,
but he sure don't
love this country.
He's not even from this country.
He was born in Hawaii.
Joe,
I thought you told me
your sister was smart.
[laughter]
[Joe]
Roger,
she's on our side.
Yeah? Could've fooled me.
You could've fooled me.
You know, this is exactly
the problem in this country,
the so-called conservatives
have no idea the danger
the country is in.
It's just ignorant.
Plain ignorant.
Uh, Mr. Ailes, I...
It's okay, you don't have to
apologize. It's fine.
I wasn't going to.
You know, I'm surprised that
you can sit here at my table
and propound these
kind of views.
Did you vote
for Obama?
Did you fall for
the sob story?
The poor, white mommy
and the missing black daddy?
Welfare hustlers, all of them.
You know there's
gonna be a revolution.
Armed IRS goons
kicking down doors.
Tell her, Joe.
It's-it's a dangerous time.
[Roger] You have any idea
what four more years
of this Kenyan means?
A socialist police state.
It's gonna be a disaster,
but you're okay with it
because he loves his wife.
You know, Hitler,
he loved Eva Braun.
Didn't do much for the Jews,
did it now?
Am I right, Joe?
Yes, Roger,
-you're right.
-Goddamn right
I'm right.
You think about it,
young lady.
You're either
part of the solution,
or you're part of the problem.
Hear, hear.
[Joe]
You don't have to leave.
You've got to be kidding me.
After that?
[Joe]
Just used to being the boss,
-being listened to.
-I was talking about you.
You live with him,
you agree with everything
he says, you even
look like him now.
It's like you're in a cult.
[engine starts]
[Roger]
I'm sorry about that, Joe.
When family disappoints,
I know it's hard.
Sometimes you just got to
cut the apron strings.
I think I'm gonna turn in.
Good night, son.
...that loyal Americans
must vote.
You either respect America
or you don't.
[newsman]
When they see President Obama
vulnerable with national polls
showing him below 50%...
[newsman 2]
Pennsylvania is now in play
for the Republicans.
[newsman 3]
It's all about the economy.
Pushing his vision of lower
taxes and cutting spending.
The math doesn't work,
but he continues to claim
that he's gonna do it.
He then wants to spend another
$2 trillion dollars...
[static]
And we're on in five, four...
Welcome back to Fox & Friends.
Let's talk a little
about President Obama's
campaign slogan,
"Hope and Change."
We decided to take a look back
at the president's first term
to see if it lived up
to "Hope and Change."
[Obama]
When you decide
it's time for change to happen,
guess what? Change happens.
Roger would like to see you
after the show.
Jobs must be our
number one focus.
[reporter 1] Instead of
concentrating on job creation,
President Obama is concentrated
on growing government.
[reporter 2]
We are becoming
a society that makes poverty
more comfortable.
We can't just drill
our way to lower gas.
The price of gas is going up.
That's the change we seek.
Instant pushback, White House
and all the networks
are calling it
-Republican propaganda.
-Surprise, surprise.
[chuckles]
Brian's drafting a release:
upper management didn't know.
Blames it on a rogue,
low-level producer
-who didn't clear it with us.
-Good.
You know what matters?
It aired.
-[knock on door]
-Yeah?
Roger, I have Gretchen.
[Roger]
Thank you, Suzanne.
Gretchen, come in.
Come in, sit down.
Bill Shine, you're a patriot.
-You're not wrong.
-[laughs]
Sit down, come on.
I watched you on The View.
[door closes]
You looked right at home
with those ladies.
[chuckles softly]
And it got me thinking,
you know, maybe you're right.
Maybe you're ready
for your own show.
You're right.
I've been ready.
You are gonna shine
at two o'clock in the afternoon.
-An afternoon show?
-Mm-hmm.
Now, some would say
it's a graveyard shift,
but you can work your magic,
and everyone who has
ever become big
in their own right,
here at Fox,
they all proved their value
in the afternoon.
A little "thank you"
is always nice.
-[laughs]
-Thank you, Roger.
Now, we've got
a lot to do
to get you ready.
Your, uh, audience connection
still needs work.
You got to find a way
of giving them more of you.
But this is an opportunity
to build your own thing,
very different from
having Doocy and Kilmeade on
the couch there to temper you.
But I tell you what,
nobody's gonna tune in
to watch an
ice queen all alone.
You happy?
It's what you
wanted, right?
-Yeah.
-Your own thing.
-Are you happy?
-Yeah.
Are you happy,
little Gretchen?
-Yeah, Roger.
-That's nice, that's nice.
Congratulations.
Mm-hmm.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[static]
We're closing in
on the first results
in the battle
for the White House.
It is gonna be an exciting
night and how close it will be.
[reporter 1]
Ohio and Wisconsin,
President Obama leading
in those states...
[reporter 2]
The Obama team
have built a real machine
to try to get out their vote.
[Obama] We feel confident.
We've got the votes to win.
And I expect that, uh,
we'll have a good night.
How do you think
it got this tight?
Demographics are changing.
It's not a traditional
America anymore.
The white establishment
is now the minority.
♪ somber music ♪
♪♪♪
[Joe]
Um, Roger, hi.
I know you're getting ready
for the election party,
so I just wanted to say...
I'm not sure what
I'm doing here.
I don't know
what the paper's doing,
what I'm doing.
I just feel like
I need some time,
some space.
So I'm taking some time off
to think about it,
to pray about what
the best thing for me to do...
[phone rings]
Joe?
Allied Security? No,
I'm-I'm not there at the moment.
What?
All right.
Where's Beth?
-She went home?
-Zac's parent-teacher night.
Get me the Putnam County
Sheriff's Department.
[key clicks]
[door closes]
♪ suspenseful music ♪
♪♪♪
[ringtone playing]
Um...
Roger?
I got your message.
[Joe]
I-I know, I'm sorry,
I ju-- I just, I-I need some--
I just wanted to...
Something's gone wrong
at the house.
I think somebody
tried to break in.
I need you to get over there
and check it out for me.
What...
Roger, I'm on the road.
-I, uh...
-Joe, this is an emergency.
I need you to go
and check out the house.
[exhales]
Okay.
[tires screeching]
[knocking on door]
[Shine]
Pennsylvania went blue,
Romney carried North Carolina
and, uh, CNN is waiting
on Ohio to call.
What did Rove say?
Ohio could go
either way.
So we wait.
We wait.
[door closes]
[alarm blaring]
[alert plays over TV]
If Mitt Romney loses in Ohio,
the president is reelected.
[alarm blaring]
-Freeze!
-Hands in the air!
-Who are you?
-I'm telling you, I'm family!
-Family reported there was
a break-in.
-Said no one was home!
Who are you?!
Joe. I'm Joe Lindsley.
[knocking on door]
Listen, the decision desk
wants to call it for Obama.
Not until we're sure.
They're sure.
This is happening.
Tell them to go make
some lemonade. Get Megyn
to interview the decision desk.
Tell Rove to stall.
-Roger...
-I just need a fucking minute!
I just need a fucking minute.
[line ringing]
[Joe]
I need time, Roger,
to think about my future.
What, so, you...
You're gonna go
to church and pray,
and you're gonna
ask God what to do next?
-Yes.
-Well, God's not home, Joe.
He doesn't have time
for your problems.
What did you say?
If you're looking
for someone powerful,
who can change your life
or send you straight to hell,
you're talking to him.
I treated you like a son.
I gave you everything.
Everything you asked for.
You will find your salvation
in me, boy.
[panting quietly]
[dial tone]
♪ dramatic music ♪
♪♪♪
All right.
Call it for Obama.
This disaster...
is on us.
Next time, I'm picking
the fucking candidate!
We need someone who can win.
[newswoman]
...projecting that Barack Obama
has been reelected as president
of the United States.
[static]
It's been
my long game, Roger.
You know this. But...
Donald's noncommittal?
He doesn't like to lose.
[static]
[Roger] Come on.
Who's out there? Rubio?
Bush three?
If he commits, and you put
the right team around him,
he can win the nomination.
So I've said.
He doesn't like his odds.
You just let him know
Fox News has his back.
So you'll push him?
Or just give him equal airtime?
If he gets serious,
he will have
the full support of Fox News.
[laughs]
Fucking in the White House.
Ha.
He'll like that idea.
Yeah, but who is he gonna be
fucking? That's the question.
-Anyone but his wife.
-[both chuckle]
Just keep me posted.
You know that
you can count on me.
Always have, Roger.
[Beth] The headline
isn't punchy enough.
[staffer]
What should I change?
[Beth]
Make it punchier.
How can I help you?
Hi. Mrs. Ailes, uh,
my name's Gabe Sherman.
I'm a journalist
and I'm doing a book
about your husband
and the building of Fox News.
I wondered if you would have
-a minute to speak with me.
-No. No, no.
-No, no, no.
Get him out of here.
-Mrs. Ailes.
Get him out of here. I will call
the police if you don't get out.
-Mrs. Ailes.
-Get him out of here. No.
-Sir, you need to leave.
-All right.
Thank you.
[door closes]
[horn honking]
-Gabe.
-Hey.
-You fucked up, big time.
-What?
You keep poking
into Roger's personal life,
and I will rip off your head
and shit down your neck.
-You got me?
-I'm-I'm a reporter,
-Brian, I'm following a story.
-Roger's not a story, okay?
Abusive father, overbearing
mother and hemophiliac
who spent his childhood
in and out of hospitals?
-That-That's a story.
-I'm just telling you,
you keep digging down
this rabbit hole,
and things
are not gonna go well for you.
Is that a threat?
[Brian]
All I'm saying is,
if you keep talking
to unreliable sources,
if you keep writing
biased stories,
it's only gonna get messier
for you, I promise.
-Yeah?
-You go after Roger,
and there's gonna
be hell to pay.
I'm not going after anyone,
I'm reporting.
Bullshit.
You have an anti-Fox,
anti-Roger agenda,
and you know it.
No, the truth is my only agenda.
You're reporting
on his demeanor in meetings,
you're reporting
on his temper.
I'm reporting what I'm hearing
from credible witnesses
to Ailes's abusive behavior.
These-these are
two-faced insiders
with an axe to grind, okay?
You're not gonna get the truth
from disgruntled employees.
Why don't you tell me who
you're talking to? All right?
Oh, Jesus, you know I'm not
giving up my sources, Brian.
All right.
But if you're gonna
get personal,
we're gonna get personal, too.
Wait a minute,
you're going to?
-Yeah.
-I... I thought it was
bad enough someone's been
following me
the last two days.
[chuckles]
Follow-- what are you--
you-you're paranoid,
you realize that?
No, I'm not.
I'm not paranoid.
And what is, what is with
the online smear shit?
Hannity tweeting is not a smear.
No, no. What is this?
What is that?
This...
This-- I have no idea
who's behind this.
People with nothing to hide
don't push back this hard.
-[elevator chimes]
-Whoa.
[static]
-Thanks.
-Yeah. 17?
Yeah.
[Brian]
I talked to Gabe.
He's not gonna
be a problem anymore.
I hope you're right this time.
[elevator chimes]
Hey.
You're not running
anything on him, are you?
-No.
-Anything online?
-Guys on him?
-No. Nothing. You'd know
if we were.
-Of course.
-Sorry. Got to meet Roger.
♪ suspenseful music ♪
♪♪♪
[quiet chatter nearby]
[keyboard clicking]
[quiet chatter continues]
[Roger] How the fuck is Laurie
Luhn even conscious enough
to be writing me a letter?
[Peter] Well, I told you
she was unstable, Roger.
[Roger] Like a fucking
two-legged table.
Now this has just got to stop.
-Now.
-Okay.
Roger, are you running an op
on Gabe Sherman
-that I don't know about?
-What op?
The smear sites.
I've seen them.
I don't know what you're
talking about, Brian.
-I saw the 14th floor.
-[Roger] Yeah?
Well, they tell me
that the demolition
is coming along.
We should be able
to move up there soon.
That's not what I mean.
Yeah? Well, what do you mean?
I'm talking about the office
up there,
with a team working on
the smear sites against Gabe.
I saw them.
You know what
he's talking about?
-No, no.
-What-- you're gonna
lie to my face now, too?
You didn't stop Sherman.
Somebody had to.
And you can tell
your little Saturday boy
if he writes his book,
I'm gonna fucking bury it,
and I'll fucking bury him.
My Saturday-- Roger,
he's not my anything.
Just because you didn't
pay for his breakfast tab
doesn't mean you're not
working together!
Wait, wait--
you're having me followed?
[Peter] Did you
or did you not
just meet with
Gabe Sherman?
I am the head
of media relations.
It is my job
to relate to the media.
Who the fuck are you
to tell me
how to do my job, Peter?
You were supposed
to make the book go away.
You go after this guy
and he is gonna be on
-a fucking crusade against you.
-He already is!
He's a Soros shill.
Roger, you made that up!
For God's sake,
be smart about this.
Get in front of it--
look, just sit down with him.
All right? You can dismantle
these guys better than anyone.
[chuckles]
Sit down with the guy?
What are you,
fucking crazy?
He'll probably wear
a suicide vest.
[laughs]
Why won't you trust me?
Have I ever
let you down?
In all the years
that we've worked together?
Or have you really lost
your fucking mind?
I would've hit you.
If I wanted
to hit you,
I would've fucking hit you.
♪ quiet, atmospheric music ♪
♪♪♪
Look.
[panting]
Just make Luhn an offer
that shuts her the fuck up
and gets her out of my life!
[siren wailing]
[attorney] The NDA means that
you can never talk publicly
about your time at Fox.
Or about anyone
you knew at Fox.
You waive the right to sue,
the right to testify
to law enforcement.
Do you understand?
[Laurie]
Yes.
I'll keep quiet.
But they are not allowed to
talk about me, either, right?
Not Diane,
not Suzanne.
Not Bill Shine.
Not Roger.
Especially
not Roger.
♪ tense, dramatic music ♪
♪♪♪
[Roger]
How much is she getting?
[Peter]
3.15 million.
Could've locked it down
for a lot less than that.
That's Rupert's money.
What do you care?
[Roger]
Ah, you're right.
What are we gonna do
about Brian?
Brian is
a loose end, Roger.
He understands
how we do what we do.
And why we do what we do.
I can't really imagine
Fox without him.
It's up to you.
It always is.
[knocking on door]
[Peter]
Roger's upset about the way
things went the other day.
I mean, we both know he's not
the same as he once was,
-but, uh...
-[door closes]
he's still Roger.
-Is he?
-Of course.
We're the sons he never had.
But he does have a son.
You know what I mean.
Anyway, he wants
to see us. Yeah?
You forgot the plastic tarp.
You know,
so you can catch the mess
when you blow my brains out.
It's a good deal, Brian.
One year's salary
and a lifetime NDA.
Are you fucking kidding me?
After I gave you
17 years of my life.
Did you forget, Roger?
I know everything.
I got five bombs that can
blow up in your fucking face.
Extortion, phone tapping,
payoffs, slush funds.
And the women.
Oh, my God, can't forget
the women, can we?
You think you can just
get rid of me
like some fucking
two-bit whore?
I know where all your fucking
skeletons are, you cocksucker.
I will ruin you.
I will bring you down,
I will talk.
No, you won't.
Because I have...
eight million reasons
for you to keep
your mouth shut.
You won't talk
to anyone
about Fox News
or me, ever.
♪ tense, atmospheric music ♪
♪♪♪
You're Brian fucking Lewis.
I know you'll make
the right move.
Judy.
[scoffs]
Really,
Roger?
Brian?
I have to admit,
you're the best I ever saw.
But I'm still better.
You got me?
[door closes]
[Brian]
Gabe, it's Brian Lewis.
Listen, I was wrong
about the smear sites.
It is Fox.
It's Roger.
I think you should be careful.
You should be very careful.
Also...
...Roger's going
to destroy your book.
There's no one
to talk sense into him now.
[indistinct chatter]
-[laughter]
-[Roger] Go on and write about
-something you know,
you little asshole.
-That's right.
"There are so many citations
of 'author interview
with a person familiar
with the matter'
that The Loudest Voice
in the Room may set a record
for blind items
and the untrustworthiness
they engender."
[Shine] You give Janet Maslin
the bullet points
or did you just dictate
the whole review, Pete?
[laughter]
[static]
I was nervous to appear
without makeup
on the show today.
I'm the first host to do so.
But I thought
there was no better way
to celebrate International
Day of the Girl--
to show that what matters
isn't how women look,
but the way
they live their lives.
We'll see you tomorrow.
[sighs]
[Roger]
What kind of a horseshit stunt
was that? What did you think
you were doing?
I'm broadening my audience,
trying to appeal
to a bigger demographic.
I hired you because
you're a beauty queen.
This no-makeup,
Feminazi shit?
You want to go around looking
like a lesbian Teamster,
do it on your own time.
[scoffs]
This is my job, Roger.
I'm a journalist.
And a woman.
And that is what
a woman looks like.
Oh, no, that's not what
they look like on Fox News air.
-Uh--
-No, it's not.
I'm using my public platform
to empower girls,
like my daughter,
so they have a chance--
Look, look, look,
save the speeches
for the ladies'
Junior League luncheon.
This is not about
your daughter.
You don't care
about your daughter.
-Oh, really?
-You're using her.
-No. Roger, if you don't mind--
-You're using--
You're using her
to bring attention to you.
And I'm not sure
I'm comfortable with that.
I groom you,
I train you,
I give you
your own show.
This is what you do with it?
This is how you repay me?
So you're just gonna pretend?
I'm gonna what?
What are we talking about?
That you're not
intentionally trying
to undercut me.
Using Megyn to get at me?
Moving me to that shitty office?
Moving me to the afternoon
2 p.m. show, Roger!
Do you think
I fucking want to do that?!
Do not talk to me
like that, missy!
Since you brought her up--
Megyn Kelly--
yeah, smashed the fuck
out of this time slot.
Smashed it out of the park!
Made herself a franchise player.
It's time you took a little
responsibility, Gretchen.
Is it my fault
that your ratings are not
as good as they could be?
No, it's not.
Is it my fault
you walk around here
with a stick up your ass,
thinking you're
better than everyone?
No, it's not.
You think of yourself
as a victim in this life,
you will become a victim.
You want the network
to support you?
Then you support the network,
support me, every fucking day!
Are you done?
Am I done?
Fuck off.
♪ soft, dramatic music ♪
-♪♪♪
-[dialogue inaudible]
-♪♪♪
-[dialogue inaudible]
[sighs]
[Casey]
Hey.
Hey.
You okay?
Nope.
It's Roger.
We had a... a blowup.
What happened?
He's a fucking asshole.
That's what happened.
What else is new?
Yeah, well, it's getting worse.
♪♪♪
It's just
so fucking humiliating.
Now you see, Gretchen,
everything works
so much better
when we're on the same team.
Okay, Roger.
Look, babe, I know
Roger is... Roger.
[sighs]
But it's your job.
Either you go along
to get along...
Or?
I can't help it, you know.
That ass of yours.
Or maybe it's time
to leave Fox.
-It's a hand magnet.
-I suppose I'll take that
-as a compliment.
-Well, you should.
And do what?
No one else'll hire me.
[Roger]
You should very much take it as
a compliment.
That's how it's intended.
So let Roger
have the win.
Oh.
Right? And just move on.
It's not worth it.
♪♪♪
-No fucking way he wins.
-Hey.
[Roger]
Sure you got to go?
Ah.
Judy.
Gretchen.
♪♪♪
♪ music intensifies ♪
♪♪♪
[Roger]
You see, Gretchen,
everything works
so much better
when we're on the same team.
[Gretchen]
Okay, Roger.
[Roger]
I can't help it.
That ass of yours...
it's a hand magnet.
♪ up-tempo, dramatic music ♪
♪♪♪