Ep 3. The Hoax

Lou Grant season 1 episode 3, "The Hoax," follows the staff of the Los Angeles Tribune as they cover a story about a young man who claims to have survived a plane crash in the mountains. The episode dives into the idea of journalistic integrity and how far reporters will go to get a good story.

At the beginning of the episode, the staff is excited about the potential of the plane crash story. However, Lou Grant (played by Ed Asner) is skeptical and urges caution. As the story develops, doubts begin to arise about the authenticity of the survivor's story. Lou and the rest of the staff must grapple with the idea of potentially damaging the man's reputation if his story is indeed a hoax.

Throughout the episode, tensions rise as the Tribune staff races to get the scoop on the story while also trying to verify its authenticity. The episode explores the pressure that journalists face to break a big story and how that pressure can sometimes lead to hasty decisions. It also delves into the idea of journalistic ethics and the importance of upholding them, even in the pursuit of a good story.

As the story comes to a head, the Tribune staff must decide whether or not to run the survivor's story. Lou takes a stand for journalistic integrity and refuses to publish the story until they can verify its authenticity. The episode ends with the staff reflecting on their role as journalists and the importance of truth in their work.

Overall, Lou Grant season 1 episode 3, "The Hoax," is a thought-provoking episode that explores the idea of journalistic ethics and the pressure that reporters face to get a good story. The episode is a reminder of the importance of truth in journalism and the responsibility that reporters have to uphold that truth, even in the face of pressure to break the next big story.