The Loudest Voice: Roger Ailes and the Rise of Fox News
Media Mogul's Controversial Legacy
The Loudest Voice chronicles the controversial ascent of Roger Ailes and Fox News. This Showtime miniseries stars Russell Crowe as the media mogul who shaped conservative television. The show explores how Ailes built Fox News into a powerhouse that influenced American politics and culture.
The series delves into Ailes' career, his partnership with Rupert Murdoch, and his impact on presidential elections. It also addresses the sexual harassment allegations that ultimately led to his downfall. Featuring a star-studded cast including Sienna Miller and Naomi Watts, The Loudest Voice offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most influential figures in modern media.
By dramatizing real events, the miniseries aims to shed light on the strategies and personalities that drove Fox News to prominence. It examines the network's role in shaping public opinion and its lasting effects on the media landscape.
Origins and Background
Fox News emerged as a pivotal force in American media, shaped by Roger Ailes' vision and backed by media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The network's creation and Ailes' prior experience in media and politics laid the groundwork for its rise to prominence.
Creation of Fox News
Fox News launched on October 7, 1996, as part of Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox media empire. Murdoch saw an opportunity to enter the cable news market, believing there was demand for a conservative-leaning network. He recruited Roger Ailes to lead the venture, impressed by Ailes' media savvy and political connections.
Ailes positioned Fox News as an alternative to what he perceived as liberal-biased mainstream media. The network quickly gained traction with its "Fair and Balanced" slogan and opinion-driven programming. Fox News adopted a more patriotic stance after 9/11, which resonated with many viewers and boosted ratings.
Roger Ailes' Media Career
Roger Ailes built a career at the intersection of media and politics before founding Fox News. He started in television, producing "The Mike Douglas Show" in the 1960s. This led to a meeting with Richard Nixon, launching Ailes into political consulting.
Ailes advised several Republican presidents, including Nixon, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. He gained a reputation for crafting effective media strategies and understanding the power of television in shaping public opinion.
In 1993, Ailes became president of CNBC, revamping the network's programming. This experience in cable news proved invaluable when creating Fox News. Ailes applied his political and media expertise to develop a distinct brand and loyal viewer base for the new network.
Development of the Miniseries
The Loudest Voice miniseries emerged from Gabriel Sherman's book and articles, with Showtime and Blumhouse collaborating to bring the story of Roger Ailes and Fox News to television. The project attracted high-profile talent both behind and in front of the camera.
Adaptation from the Book
The Loudest Voice drew inspiration from Gabriel Sherman's 2014 book "The Loudest Voice in the Room" and his New York magazine articles. Tom McCarthy and Alex Metcalf developed the series, adapting Sherman's extensive research on Roger Ailes and the creation of Fox News. The adaptation focused on key moments in Ailes' career, including the founding of Fox News and the sexual harassment allegations that led to his downfall.
Production by Showtime and Blumhouse
Showtime partnered with Blumhouse Television to produce the seven-part miniseries. The production aimed to capture the controversial and complex nature of Ailes' life and career. Filming took place in New York, with careful attention to recreating the Fox News offices and other significant locations. The series premiered on June 30, 2019, marking a significant addition to Showtime's lineup of politically charged dramas.
Casting of Key Figures
The casting process for The Loudest Voice attracted notable talent. Russell Crowe underwent a remarkable transformation to portray Roger Ailes, using prosthetics and gaining weight for the role. Sienna Miller took on the part of Elizabeth Ailes, Roger's wife. Naomi Watts joined the cast as Gretchen Carlson, whose sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes led to his resignation. Annabelle Wallis portrayed Laurie Luhn, another key figure in the Fox News story. The ensemble cast helped bring depth and nuance to the complex narrative of power and misconduct.
Main Narrative and Character Exploration
The Loudest Voice delves into the complex world of media and politics through the lens of Roger Ailes' career. It explores key relationships, political dynamics, and the controversial figure at the center of Fox News' rise to prominence.
Roger Ailes as the Protagonist
Roger Ailes emerges as a multifaceted central character in The Loudest Voice. The series portrays him as a media visionary with a keen understanding of television's power to shape public opinion. Ailes' strategic acumen and political savvy are highlighted as he builds Fox News into a conservative media juggernaut.
His combative personality and ruthless tactics in pursuing his goals are also brought to the forefront. The show doesn't shy away from depicting Ailes' darker side, including allegations of sexual harassment that ultimately led to his downfall.
Key Relationships and Alliances
Ailes' interactions with influential figures form a crucial part of the narrative. His relationship with Rupert Murdoch is portrayed as a complex alliance of mutual benefit and occasional tension. The series explores how Ailes leveraged this partnership to gain unprecedented autonomy in running Fox News.
Gretchen Carlson's role is pivotal, evolving from a trusted anchor to the whistleblower who exposed Ailes' alleged misconduct. The show also depicts Ailes' mentorship of rising stars like Sean Hannity, illustrating how he shaped Fox News' on-air talent.
Donald Trump's emergence as a political figure is shown to align with Ailes' vision for the network, though their relationship is portrayed as both symbiotic and fraught.
Representation of Political Context
The Loudest Voice frames Ailes' story against the backdrop of shifting political landscapes. It showcases how Fox News' coverage evolved during the Obama administration, with Ailes positioning the network as the voice of opposition.
The series illustrates Ailes' influence on Republican politics, portraying him as more than just a media executive but a kingmaker within the party. His strategy of blending entertainment and news to create a potent political message is a central theme.
The show also touches on how Ailes' approach to news coverage impacted public discourse and political polarization in America. It presents a narrative where media and politics become increasingly intertwined under Ailes' leadership at Fox News.
Themes and Real-life Events
"The Loudest Voice" explores Roger Ailes' influence on American politics and media through Fox News. It delves into controversies surrounding the network's reporting practices and Ailes' personal misconduct.
Political Influence and 'Fake News'
Fox News, under Ailes' leadership, became a powerful force in shaping political discourse. The network's conservative-leaning coverage often faced accusations of bias and misinformation. Critics argued that Fox News blurred the lines between news and opinion programming.
Ailes cultivated close relationships with Republican politicians, giving them a platform to reach conservative viewers. This symbiotic relationship raised questions about the network's objectivity and its role in polarizing American politics.
The term "fake news" gained prominence during this era, with Fox News both using the label against other media outlets and being accused of spreading misinformation itself.
Sexual Harassment and the #MeToo Movement
Allegations of sexual harassment against Roger Ailes became a pivotal moment in the #MeToo movement. In 2016, former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit against Ailes, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation.
This sparked a wave of similar accusations from other women at Fox News, including high-profile anchors like Megyn Kelly. Laurie Luhn, a former booker at the network, also came forward with allegations of long-term abuse by Ailes.
The scandal led to Ailes' resignation and highlighted the pervasive issue of sexual misconduct in media and corporate environments. It paved the way for broader discussions about workplace harassment and accountability.
Fox News' Role Post-9/11
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Fox News played a significant role in shaping public opinion and political discourse. The network adopted a strongly patriotic stance and supported the Bush administration's "War on Terror."
Fox News' coverage often emphasized national security threats and promoted military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan. This approach resonated with many viewers but also drew criticism for potentially stoking fear and xenophobia.
The network's post-9/11 strategy solidified its position as a dominant force in cable news, attracting a loyal conservative audience. It also deepened the partisan divide in American media consumption.
Reception and Impact
"The Loudest Voice" generated significant attention and sparked discussions about media influence, political polarization, and workplace culture. The miniseries drew both praise and criticism for its portrayal of Roger Ailes and Fox News.
Critical Response and Ratings
Critics offered mixed reviews of "The Loudest Voice." Many praised Russell Crowe's performance as Roger Ailes, highlighting his transformation into the controversial figure. The show's production values and attention to historical detail also received positive mentions.
Some reviewers felt the series provided valuable insights into the creation and rise of Fox News. Others criticized it for being one-sided or overly dramatic in its portrayal of events.
Ratings for "The Loudest Voice" were modest compared to other high-profile Showtime series. The premiere episode drew approximately 299,000 viewers, with subsequent episodes maintaining similar numbers.
Cultural and Social Reception
"The Loudest Voice" sparked conversations about media ethics, political influence, and workplace harassment. The series reignited public interest in Roger Ailes' career and the allegations against him.
Social media buzzed with discussions about the show's portrayal of Fox News' early days and its impact on American politics. Many viewers expressed shock at the behind-the-scenes machinations depicted in the series.
The miniseries also drew attention to the ongoing debates about media bias and the role of cable news in shaping public opinion. It prompted reflections on the changing landscape of television news over the past two decades.
Impact on Viewers and Industry
"The Loudest Voice" had a notable impact on how viewers perceived Fox News and cable news in general. It shed light on the network's strategic positioning and its influence on political discourse.
The series prompted industry discussions about power dynamics in media organizations. It highlighted issues of workplace culture and sexual harassment, contributing to ongoing conversations about accountability in the entertainment and news industries.
Some cable news competitors used the series as an opportunity to differentiate themselves from Fox News' approach. The show's depiction of news manipulation tactics led to increased scrutiny of cable news practices across networks.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Roger Ailes faced significant scandals during his tenure at Fox News. These controversies centered around allegations of sexual misconduct and resulted in multiple lawsuits against both Ailes and the network.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Roger Ailes was accused of sexual harassment by several women at Fox News. In July 2016, former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit against Ailes, alleging he had sexually harassed her and retaliated when she refused his advances.
Following Carlson's suit, other women came forward with similar claims. Megyn Kelly, one of Fox's most prominent anchors, reported that Ailes had made unwanted sexual advances toward her early in her career.
Laurie Luhn, a former booker at Fox News, alleged that Ailes had sexually harassed and "psychologically tortured" her for over 20 years. These accusations painted a pattern of behavior spanning decades.
Lawsuits and Settlements
The sexual misconduct allegations led to multiple lawsuits against Ailes and Fox News. Gretchen Carlson's lawsuit was settled for $20 million in September 2016.
Fox News' parent company, 21st Century Fox, paid out numerous settlements to women who accused Ailes of sexual harassment. These settlements reportedly totaled tens of millions of dollars.
The network faced additional legal challenges related to its workplace culture. In 2017, Fox News reached a $10 million settlement to resolve several racial and gender discrimination lawsuits filed by former employees.
Legacy of Roger Ailes and Fox News
Roger Ailes left an indelible mark on American media and politics through his creation and leadership of Fox News. His vision shaped the network into a powerhouse that revolutionized cable news.
Fox News became the most-watched cable news network under Ailes' guidance. It consistently outperformed competitors like CNN and MSNBC in ratings, attracting a large conservative audience.
The network's influence extended beyond viewership. Fox News played a significant role in shaping political discourse and public opinion, particularly among conservative voters.
Ailes' programming strategy emphasized opinion-based content and charismatic personalities. This approach set Fox News apart from traditional news formats and proved highly successful.
The network's close relationship with conservative politicians and causes raised questions about its objectivity. Critics argued that Fox News blurred the line between journalism and partisan advocacy.
Ailes' legacy is complex and controversial. While praised for his media acumen, he faced serious allegations of sexual harassment that ultimately led to his departure from Fox News in 2016.
Despite Ailes' exit, the network he built continues to be a major force in American media. Fox News remains a key player in the cable news landscape and maintains significant influence within conservative circles.
