The relationship between NBC’s primetime drama The Morning Show and the network’s long-running morning talk show Today is one of branding rather than direct production or on-air continuity. While both carry the NBC name and target broad daytime and early evening audiences, The Morning Show is a scripted entertainment series filmed in Los Angeles with an independent creative team. Today is a live, news‑ and lifestyle‑focused morning program produced from Studio 1A in Rockefeller Center. The connection is corporate and historical, not operational, and there is no evidence of cross‑casting or format adoption between the two shows.
The Morning Show at a glance
Launched in 2019 on Apple TV+, The Morning Show is a scripted drama that follows the inner workings of a fictional morning television program. Created by Jeannie Susman and starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and later Billy Crudup, the series is produced by Apple Studios and ~hello monday~. It focuses on workplace dynamics, ethical challenges, and the personal lives of hosts Alex Levy and Bradley Jackson, emphasizing behind‑the‑scenes drama rather than daily news.
Today at a glance
Debuting in 1952, NBC’s Today is a live, multi‑segment morning program airing weekdays and Saturdays from Rockefeller Center. Blending news, interviews, weather, lifestyle features, and entertainment, it anchors NBC’s morning block and has evolved through multiple formats, sets, and hosts while maintaining a live, news‑driven structure.
Key facts at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Format of The Morning Show | Scripted drama; 2 seasons on Apple TV+ | Apple/Press releases |
| Format of Today | Live morning talk/news program | NBC press/airings |
| Production hubs | Los Angeles vs. Rockefeller Center | Public production records |
| Talent overlap | None identified | Official cast lists |
| Corporate parent | Apple Studios vs. NBCUniversal | Company disclosures |
Format differences at a glance
- Scripted vs. live unscripted: The Morning Show is a fictional drama; Today is live with real news.
- Location: Los Angeles production versus Rockefeller Center broadcasts.
- Distribution: Streaming‑first on Apple TV+ versus linear broadcast and streaming on Peacock.
- Host structure: Fictional leads in a workplace narrative versus a rotating anchor team in a news‑talk hybrid.
- Tone and goals: Character‑driven storytelling versus informative morning service journalism.
Corporate and brand lineage
Both shows sit under the NBCUniversal umbrella in terms of brand heritage, as Today is an NBC flagship and The Morning Show leverages the recognizability of the morning‑show archetype. However, NBCUniversal does not produce or directly influence the creative direction of Apple TV+’s series. The title invokes the cultural familiarity of morning television rather than signaling a joint production or direct spin‑off.
Notable talent and production separation
There is no publicly confirmed talent crossover between the two programs. Today anchors and correspondents appear on NBC News broadcasts and related specials, while The Morning Show maintains its own cast and crew. Production teams are distinct, with Today rooted in NBC’s long‑running morning infrastructure and The Morning Show built within Apple’s independent development pipeline.
Audience and scheduling contrasts
Today airs in the morning as part of a live news‑and‑talk block, serving viewers starting their day. The Morning Show releases full seasons on Apple TV+ at varying times, targeting streaming viewers who engage with premium, scripted content on their own schedules. This difference in platform and time‑of‑day further limits operational overlap.
Bottom line
Is The Morning Show based on the Today show? In the practical sense—no. They are distinct in format, production, talent, and purpose. The connection exists in name, genre familiarity, and corporate branding, but not in shared production, hosts, or on‑air content. Viewers interested in a scripted, behind‑the‑scenes look at morning television will find The Morning Show compelling, while those seeking live news, weather, and lifestyle segments should turn to Today.
Common questions
- Does Today appear in The Morning Show? The series occasionally references iconic morning shows as cultural touchstones but does not directly recreate Today on screen.
- Is there any collaboration between hosts? No; there are no verified joint appearances or shared segments.
- Does Peacock carry The Morning Show? No; it is an Apple TV+ exclusive, whereas Today streams in part on Peacock.
Quick comparison table
| Aspect | The Morning Show | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Scripted drama | Live morning talk/news |
| Platform | Apple TV+ (streaming) | NBC broadcast + Peacock |
| Location | Los Angeles | Rockefeller Center, New York |
| Hosts | Fictional (Aniston, Witherspoon, Crudup) | Live anchors/special correspondents |
| Primary goal | Character storytelling | Inform, entertain, and serve morning routines |