Ep 21. The Real Deal

The Real Deal is the 21st episode of season 3 of NewsRadio, a sitcom that aired from 1995 to 1999 on NBC. The show takes place in a fictional radio station, WNYX, and follows the staff's daily shenanigans.

In this episode, Dave, the news director, is feeling concerned about the quality of the show, as an investigation by a media watchdog organization is imminent. He fears that the station will be exposed as a sham, and he wants to fix any problems before the investigation. So, Dave hires an outside consultant, Lydia, who is known for being brutally honest, to evaluate the show and offer some suggestions on what needs to be improved.

As Lydia starts her evaluation, the staff becomes nervous about her findings and begins to prepare themselves for the worst. However, to their surprise, Lydia's assessment is quite positive, and she praises the staff for their hard work and dedication to journalism. She believes that the show is the real deal, and there's no reason to worry about the investigation.

As the staff members rejoice, they realize that their celebration may have been premature. Just as Lydia is finishing her evaluation, they receive an unexpected visit from a man named Larry, who claims to be a former WNYX employee and is looking for a job. He is also carrying some sensitive information about the station that he threatens to disclose if he doesn't get hired.

The staff members are taken aback by Larry's brazen behavior, and they try to avoid him. However, he manages to corner Dave and demands to speak to him privately. Dave initially tries to reason with Larry and convince him to leave, but the situation quickly escalates, and they end up having a physical altercation.

Meanwhile, Bill, the station's eccentric engineer, is celebrating his birthday and has invited his mother to come to the station for a visit. However, things don't go as planned, and his mother ends up insulting everyone who crosses her path.

As the episode progresses, the situation with Larry becomes increasingly complicated, and the staff members find themselves in a desperate situation. They try to come up with a plan to get rid of him, but nothing seems to work.

In the end, the staff members manage to overcome their problems and avoid a disaster. They also learn some valuable lessons about the importance of honesty, hard work, and loyalty.

The Real Deal is a classic episode of NewsRadio that showcases the show's witty humor, sharp writing, and excellent cast. It's a must-see for fans of the show and anyone who enjoys smart and funny sitcoms.