Albert Brooks revealed that when he first read the script, the scene where Aaron does a weekend broadcast simply noted "Something bad happens to Aaron on the air." Albert was watching CNN when a reporter he'd never seen before (and hasn't seen since) began sweating badly. Albert phoned writer and director James L. Brooks at three in the morning, and stated that Aaron HAD to start sweating profusely.
Jane Craig was inspired by CBS News producer Susan Zirinsky. Before filming began, Holly Hunter spent time job shadowing Zirinsky to see how things worked in a real newsroom. Hunter also cut her hair into a "bob" style haircut to resemble Zirinsky.
John Cusack is credited as "Angry Messenger". During the staff firings, a young man yells "sons of bitches!", and angrily throws a messenger bag to the office floor. The character's face isn't seen, but the voice sounds like Cusack's.
Was selected for preservation in The National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2018, for being culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.