On July 28, 2024, actress Jennifer Aniston was doused in a thick, black substance while filming a scene for the fourth season of The Morning Show in Manhattan. The incident, which involved an unknown assailant throwing what appeared to be black oil from a paint bucket, caused confusion among onlookers and online viewers, many of whom mistakenly believed it was a real attack.
The dramatic scene, filmed as part of the show's first episode of the new season titled “My Roman Empire,” shows Aniston's character, Alex, a morning news program host, being covered in the dark liquid during a protest.
The scene was designed to depict a chaotic moment where Alex, who is covering a social movement, becomes a target of an angry crowd.
The The Morning Show premiered on Apple TV+ in November 2019 and has gained significant viewership despite mixed critical reviews. The series, which reflects on contemporary issues such as the pandemic and the #MeToo movement with a satirical lens, is set to continue with its fourth season following a successful run in 2023.
Images of the incident quickly circulated online, leading to a mix of reactions. Some netizens were caught off guard, with comments ranging from confusion and disbelief to mockery.
One user expressed satisfaction, saying, “It’s Karma. Her support of woke nonsense upset me yesterday. Today I got to laugh at her,” while others were critical or dismissive, assuming the attack was real.
However, many viewers soon realized that the scene was part of the show, leading to comments clarifying the situation. “It’s obviously part of the script if they had cameras rolling,” said one user, while another noted, “No one can get within 50 feet of the shot on a movie set.”
The The Morning Show continues to be a major draw for Apple TV+, becoming the most-watched program on the platform by the end of 2023.
Despite its mixed approval rating—66% overall on Rotten Tomatoes with a recent improvement to 72%—the show remains a significant success in terms of viewership.
As the controversy surrounding the scene subsides, the focus shifts back to the upcoming season, which promises to offer more insight into the tumultuous world of morning television and the personal lives of its characters.
