NewsRadio/Big Day

Big Day
Season 1, Episode 5
Airdate	April 18, 1995
Production Number	105
Written by	Joe Furey & Brad Isaacs & Josh Lieb & Paul Simms
Directed by	Alan Myerson
← 1x04 The Crisis	1x06 → Luncheon at the Waldorf
NewsRadio — Season One

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Big Day is the fifth episode of the first season of NewsRadio.

Starring: Dave Foley (Dave Nelson), Stephen Root (Jimmy James), Andy Dick (Matthew Brock), Maura Tierney (Lisa Miller), Vicki Lewis (Beth), Joe Rogan (Joe Garrelli), Khandi Alexander (Catherine Duke)

and Phil Hartman (Bill McNeal)

Co-Starring: Albie Selznick (Copy Guy), Joe Wein (Delivery Guy)

Plot Overview

Dave is given the unenviable task of handing out annual bonuses and deciding who gets the "big bonus" and who gets "the shaft."

Trivia

Allusions and References

• Shaft: The staff at the station quotes lyrics from Isaac Hayes's theme from 1970's "blaxploitation" film Shaft.

Quotes

• [On figuring out the annual bonuses]

Mr. James: It used to be the hardest part of my job.

Dave: Oh, what changed it?

Mr. James: I made it the hardest part of your job.

Dave: When did that happen?

Mr. James: Just now.

• Mr. James: I'd also like to give one person a bonus of zero dollars.

Dave: Zero?

Mr. James: Yeah, zero dollars, or as I call it, the shaft.

• Dave: I take it you've gotten the shaft before?

Matthew: Three times David. I've been working here three years, and I have been thrice shafted.

• Mr. James: (on a cell phone) Hang on. No hang on. No I think the reception's much better out here. No there you go. Okay now say something. Uh-huh. That's better. That's better. That's better. Yeah, that's almost... that is perfectly clear, yeah, that's great! Okay I gotta go.

• Beth: Why don't you just give me the big bonus Dave? I'll get you a cup of coffee.

Dave: Okay, you've got a deal.

Beth: You called my bluff.

• Beth: (to Dave) I assume you're giving Lisa the big bonus, right? I mean in addition to the one you give her on a semi-nightly basis?

• Bill: This idea is both fair and democratic.

Dave: Yes it is.

Bill: And I want no part of it.

• Dave: Sir, are there any of my bonus decisions that you do agree with?

Mr. James: What did you give yourself again?

Dave: The shaft.

Mr. James: Good work.