Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Ken Finkleman

Ken Finkleman is a Canadian , , actor, producer, and novelist, born in 1946 in , , renowned as a for his sharp satirical works critiquing media, society, and human folly. Best known for creating, writing, , and starring in the series The Newsroom (1996–1997, 2003–2005), where he portrayed the cynical news producer George Findlay, a character he first portrayed in the 1995 series Married Life, Finkleman has built a career blending with innovative Canadian television that often explores themes of ambition, ethics, and absurdity. His oeuvre includes acclaimed series such as More Tears (1998), Foolish Heart (1999), Foreign Objects (2000–2001), Good Dog (2011–2012), and Good God (2012), alongside his debut novel Noah's Turn (2010), which delves into personal and moral dilemmas. Finkleman's early career began in Canadian television with writing for CBC's The Frankie Howerd Show in 1976, after briefly studying law in the 1970s and abandoning it to pursue writing, influenced by his experiences of anti-Semitism in that informed his satirical edge. He gained prominence in during the as a and for films including (1982, screenplay), Airplane II: The Sequel (1982, writer and director), (1985, writer and director), and Who's That Girl (1987, screenplay), showcasing his comedic flair in mainstream features before returning to to develop more auteur-driven projects. Throughout his work, Finkleman frequently stars in his own productions, embodying flawed protagonists that mirror his incisive commentary on contemporary issues. His contributions have earned significant recognition, including six (now part of the Canadian Screen Awards), five Writers Guild of Canada Awards, two Directors Guild of Canada Awards, and an International Emmy Award in 2005 for Best Comedy for The Newsroom. The Newsroom in particular received praise from outlets like the and as a landmark in media , cementing Finkleman's status as a pivotal figure in Canadian and drama.

Personal Life

Early Life

Ken Finkleman was born in 1946 in , , . He grew up in the city's South End as part of a Jewish family, the son of optometrist Sid Finkleman and Dorothy Finkleman, alongside his older brother . During childhood, Finkleman encountered anti-Semitism in , including incidents at a local pool hall where he adopted the alias "Ken Findlay" to evade harassment. His brother began a broadcasting career with the in 1967, hosting shows that offered early familial exposure to radio and media production. In , Finkleman showed initial interests in writing and performance, which later manifested more prominently during his law school years in the , when he prioritized comic pieces for the school newspaper over his studies.

Family

Finkleman has a brother, Danny Finkleman, a longtime host who retired in 2005 after two decades leading the music program Finkleman's 45s. Finkleman was married to Marion L. Cohen, a appointed to the in 1993, and the couple had two children before their divorce. Finkleman has long been based in , where he raised his family.

Professional Career

Early Work

Ken Finkleman's entry into the Canadian entertainment industry occurred in the mid-1970s through writing and performing comedic sketches for . His earliest writing credit was for the CBC variety series The Frankie Howerd Show (1976). He began contributing as a writer and performer on the 90 Minutes Live, where he collaborated with on irreverent sketches, including a notable segment satirizing in 1978. In the late , Finkleman co-developed several pilot projects for , focusing on formats. One such pilot, Midweek, aired in 1978 as a review of social, political, and cultural events, featuring Finkleman and Moranis alongside performers like and Judy Marshak. Another pilot, titled and directed by Finkleman, was produced in 1979 as a satirical send-up of current-affairs programming, again starring Finkleman and Moranis in mockumentary-style segments. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Finkleman took on initial roles as a and in Canadian , building on his sketch work to critique sitcom conventions in interviews and contributions to programs. By the early 1980s, seeking broader opportunities, he relocated to to pursue scriptwriting in , where he secured assignments for major studios like .

Television Productions

Ken Finkleman's television productions are characterized by his multifaceted role as creator, writer, director, and star, often portraying variations of his signature character, George Findlay, a self-absorbed and manipulative media professional. His series frequently employ sharp to critique media operations, interpersonal relationships, and societal hypocrisies, drawing from his earlier collaborations in Canadian broadcasting that shaped his minimalist, character-driven style. His breakthrough series, The Newsroom (1996–1997, 2003–2005), aired on and satirized the absurdities of television news production through the lens of a chaotic newsroom. Finkleman created, wrote, directed, and starred as George Findlay, the egotistical news director whose ethical lapses and interpersonal manipulations drive the narrative. The show ran for three seasons totaling 39 half-hour episodes, with the later seasons addressing media dynamics. Produced in partnership with , it highlighted themes of media and professional duplicity, with Findlay's character embodying the moral ambiguities of . Preceding The Newsroom, Married Life (1995) was a four-episode comedy-drama series co-produced by Atlantis Films for and , parodying reality television's intrusion into personal lives. Finkleman wrote, directed, and appeared as a filmmaker shadowing a young couple's engagement and marriage, using the format to satirize and domestic relationships. The episodes were later re-edited into a feature-length . Following The Newsroom, Finkleman continued exploring Findlay's persona in shorter series. More Tears (1998), a four-episode seriocomedy, depicted as a unscrupulous on a traveling crew, delving into darker to mock exploitation and human greed. Foolish Heart (1999), a six-episode dramatic , featured interconnected stories of love and betrayal with Finkleman as a peripheral , shifting focus to relational while maintaining Woody Allen-inspired . Foreign Objects (2000), another six-episode , centered on Findlay as a maker confronting global issues like and , using episodic vignettes to probe societal ills through ironic detachment. In later works for HBO Canada, Finkleman revived George Findlay in contemporary settings. Good Dog (2011), a 13-episode comedy-drama, followed the neurotic navigating a reality show about his volatile , including a budding romance, while satirizing modern media demands and commitment phobias. Good God (2012), a 10-episode series, portrayed George managing a right-wing network, lampooning , ideological hypocrisy, and broadcast ethics in a post-partisan era. Across these productions, Finkleman's oeuvre consistently uses George's flawed perspective to dissect media's on relationships and , blending humor with incisive commentary on ethical erosion in entertainment.

Film Contributions

Ken Finkleman's entry into feature films began with his screenplay for (1982), a musical to the 1978 hit Grease. Tasked with crafting a new story after the original writer departed due to John Travolta's absence, Finkleman flipped the gender dynamics of the first film, centering on a shy British exchange student, Michael (), who navigates Rydell High in 1961 and learns to embrace the "cool" biker lifestyle from the school's top girl, Stephanie (), amid a backdrop of songs and teen romance. The production faced significant challenges, as Finkleman was hired on short notice to rewrite from scratch while filming had already commenced under director , leading to inconsistencies like the abrupt disappearance of Frenchy () halfway through. Despite these hurdles, the film premiered to mixed reviews and grossed approximately $15.2 million worldwide against a $13 million budget, marking it as a commercial disappointment compared to the original's blockbuster success. That same year, Finkleman expanded his Hollywood role by writing and directing Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) for , his feature directorial debut. The film parodies sci-fi disaster movies, shifting the setting from a troubled to a malfunctioning lunar shuttle commanded by the hapless Captain Clarence Oveur (), with returning characters like Ted Striker () attempting a heroic save amid rapid-fire visual gags and non-sequitur humor. Finkleman's script, co-written with and , leaned into absurd one-liners and sight gags echoing the original Airplane! (1980), though critics noted it recycled jokes without the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker's precise timing, resulting in a more uneven comedic style. The movie earned about $27 million domestically, underperforming relative to its predecessor's $83 million haul and contributing to Paramount's decision against further sequels. Finkleman's subsequent film work included directing and writing the satirical comedy (1985), which lampooned corporate and greed through the story of a senator's unqualified son () rising in a corrupt conglomerate. He also co-wrote the screenplay for Who's That Girl (1987) with Andrew Smith, a starring as an escaped convict entangled with a straight-laced lawyer () in a madcap adventure. These projects, while minor in his oeuvre, showcased Finkleman's penchant for ironic humor targeting institutional absurdities. Disillusioned by the constraints of the , Finkleman transitioned back to Canadian television in the late 1980s, where he could exercise greater creative control over satirical projects like The Newsroom. His brief foray into features highlighted a consistent vein of , though the commercial setbacks prompted a return to more independent, TV-focused endeavors.

Literary Works

Ken Finkleman's debut novel, Noah's Turn, was published by Canada in August 2010. The 224-page book follows Noah Douglas, a middle-aged television writer grappling with professional failure, financial ruin, and personal decline following his and job loss. The novel explores themes of family dynamics through Noah's strained relationship with his dying aunt, whom he visits in hopes of inheritance, highlighting isolation and dependency. It delves into regret and the consequences of impulsive violence, as Noah's act of revenge against a successful rival author leads to guilt, , and further moral decay, evoking comparisons to Dostoevsky's . Personal reinvention emerges in the narrative's close, where Noah confronts his hubris and vanity amid a mid-life crisis and downward mobility, satirizing the literary world's jealousy and self-absorption. Critics praised the book's darkly satiric tone and sharp wit, akin to Finkleman's television work, with its quick pace and economical prose delivering humorous insights into existential angst and inner turmoil. Reviews highlighted the engaging first half's compelling voice and visceral character portrayal, though some noted the second half's stylistic shifts felt forced and clichéd, weakening the resolution. Overall, it was received as an impressive, concise debut that prioritizes character study over plot. No further literary projects by Finkleman have been published since Noah's Turn.

Awards and Recognition

Canadian Honors

Ken Finkleman has been recognized with multiple prestigious honors from Canadian institutions for his contributions to and drama, particularly through his satirical series. He secured six between 1997 and 2005, primarily for directing, writing, and performance in The Newsroom and Foolish Heart. These include a win for Best Direction in a , or Program or Series for The Newsroom episode "Meltdown Part 3" at the 12th in 1997, as well as three awards at the 13th in 1998: Best Writing in a or Program or Series, Best Direction in a , or Program or Series, and Best Performance by an Ensemble in a Program or Series, all for The Newsroom. For , he won Best Writing in a Television Program or Series for Good Dog in 2011. The Writers Guild of Canada has honored Finkleman with several awards for outstanding achievement in , including for episodes of The Newsroom in 1997, 1998, and 2004, as well as Foolish Heart in 2000 and Foreign Objects in 2002. He also received two Directors Guild of Canada Awards for direction: one for The Newsroom in 2005 and one for Good Dog in 2012. These accolades underscored Finkleman's innovative approach to satirical television, elevating his profile within the industry and facilitating subsequent projects on networks like and The Movie Network.

International Awards

Ken Finkleman's work has garnered significant recognition beyond , particularly through U.S.-based awards that highlight his contributions to writing and directing. In 1977, he received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Series for his work on the special Van Dyke & Company, shared with co-writers Allan Blye, George Burditt, , and Garry Ferrier. This early accolade underscored his emerging talent in American television during his time working in . His series The Newsroom achieved broader international acclaim, winning the International Emmy Award for Best Comedy in 2005 at the ceremony in , recognizing the show's satirical portrayal of media and workplace dynamics across its three seasons. This award, presented by the of Television Arts & Sciences, affirmed the series' appeal to global audiences. Earlier, in 1995, Finkleman earned a CableACE Award nomination for Directing a Comedy Special for the CBC miniseries Married Life, which aired on in the U.S. and explored interpersonal relationships with his signature ironic style. The CableACE Awards, honoring excellence in cable programming, highlighted his ability to blend with in a format that resonated with American viewers. Additionally, an episode of The Newsroom titled "Walking Shoe Incident" won a Silver Spire Award at the 1997 in the Television - Comedy category, further evidencing the cross-border impact of his television productions.

References

  1. [1]
    Ken Finkleman
    ### Biography of Ken Finkleman
  2. [2]
    Canadian productions win International Emmys - The Globe and Mail
    Nov 23, 2005 · At a ceremony Monday night in New York, Ken Finkleman's The Newsroom (launched on CBC-TV in 1996) won the International Emmy Award for comedy.
  3. [3]
    Danny Finkleman – more than just “Finkleman's 45's”
    The name Dan Finkleman comes to mind as someone who carved out a career stemming from his curiosity and interest in music.
  4. [4]
    B-Side Hipster - Maisonneuve
    Ever since he announced his retirement—rather ceremoniously on January 1, 2005—he warned his listeners not to complain to the CBC or write begging him to stay.
  5. [5]
    Noah's Turn book launch - The Globe and Mail
    Sep 8, 2010 · Noah's Turn book launch ; Brothers Danny and Ken Finkleman, guest of honour and author of Noah's Turn · 1 of 12 ; Erik Steinberger and actor Lauren ...
  6. [6]
    Ken Finkleman (Profile)
    ### Summary of Ken Finkleman's Personal Life, Family, Marriage, Children, Residence
  7. [7]
    Novel direction for Ken Finkleman - Toronto Star
    Aug 28, 2010 · In the early stages, Finkleman received encouragement from his ex-wife, Marion Cohen. And Jennifer Lambert, his editor at HarperCollins ...
  8. [8]
    90 MINUTES LIVE - Network - 1978-02-22 - 23:35:00 - SAUL ...
    90 MINUTES LIVE - Network - 1978-02-22 - 23:35:00 ... E) Comics Ken Finkleman and Rick Moranis perform a sketch about cable television. ... 90 MINUTES LIVE - ...
  9. [9]
    90 Minutes Live (TV Series 1976– ) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Rick Moranis in Splitting Heirs (1993). Rick Moranis · Rick Moranis · Self ... Self. 26 episodes • 1977–1978. Ken Finkleman · Ken Finkleman · Self. 24 episodes<|separator|>
  10. [10]
    MIDWEEK - Network - 1978-02-03 - PILOT - Aircheck/Program holding
    A pilot for a sketch comedy show featuring Ken Finkleman, Rick Moranis, Jackson Davies, Judy Marshak, Alex Willows. "Midweek" is a review of the social, ...
  11. [11]
    1980 (TV Movie 1979) - IMDb
    1980: Directed by Ken Finkleman. With Ken Finkleman, Rick Moranis, Steven Kampmann, Phil Givner. 1980 is a CBC television comedy pilot satirizing ...
  12. [12]
    Ken Finkleman, TV writer | CBC.ca
    Apr 6, 1977 · Fresh from a stint with American television in 1977, TV writer Ken Finkleman tells Peter Gzowski what's wrong with the sitcom.Missing: childhood influences brother Danny
  13. [13]
    Ken Finkleman (Profile) | The Canadian Encyclopedia
    Mar 17, 2003 · Ken Finkleman is the creator and star of the television shows The Newsroom and More Tears (courtesy Maclean's). Finkleman, Ken. Ken Finkleman is ...Missing: filmmaker biography
  14. [14]
    Ken Finkleman | The Canadian Encyclopedia
    Jul 14, 2013 · Ken Finkleman, screenwriter, director, actor, producer (born 1946 in Winnipeg, Manitoba). Ken Finkleman is a maverick auteur renowned for ...Missing: filmmaker biography
  15. [15]
    Ken Finkleman explains Good Dog's George - The Globe and Mail
    Mar 4, 2011 · Ken Finkleman (who plays George and is his real-life alter ego) has reincarnated this commitment-phobic curmudgeon in half a dozen TV shows.
  16. [16]
    Newsroom, The - The History of Canadian Broadcasting
    Apr 1, 2021 · A satiric comedy about a local TV newsroom. Written, produced and directed by Ken Finkleman. Original cast: Ken Finkleman, Jeremy Hotz, Mark ...
  17. [17]
    Ken Finkleman - CBC.ca - Program Guide - Personalities
    The Newsroom (Host). As a writer, director and producer, Ken Finkleman brings a unique quality to what he considers to be the infinitely malleable medium ...Missing: production details
  18. [18]
    On set: More Tears - Playback
    Feb 9, 1998 · Although Finkleman's latest creation is another satire on the media, the six-ep, half-hour series – working title More Tears – is stylistically ...
  19. [19]
    Married Life (TV Series 1995– ) - IMDb
    Rating 7.2/10 (16) Ken Finkleman is a genius. (That's a freebie.) The three seasons (plus one movie) of "The Newsroom" establish him as one of the greatest minds ever to work in ...
  20. [20]
    More Tears - Ken Finkleman, 1998 TV VHS rip, complete series
    Feb 19, 2014 · Here is a poor quality TV-to-VHS-to-VHS rip of Ken Finkleman's More Tears as aired on CBC in 1998. All four episodes are in one video.
  21. [21]
    Foolish Heart (a Titles & Air Dates Guide) - Epguides.com
    Jun 23, 2020 · Foolish Heart is a series of interconnected stories of love and betrayal. Minor background characters from one episode turn out to be major ...
  22. [22]
    On set: Foreign Objects - Playback
    Aug 21, 2000 · Foreign Objects is the first Finkleman series to be farmed out by the cbc (due to lack of funding). Written, directed and exec produced by and ...Missing: count | Show results with:count
  23. [23]
    Foreign Objects - CBC.ca - Program Guide - Programs
    Anthology series by the award winning Ken Finkleman. The episodes are connected by George (Ken Finkleman), a documentary filmmaker with commercial taste.
  24. [24]
    Good Dog (a Titles & Air Dates Guide) - Epguides.com
    Feb 12, 2021 · Episodes: 13 eps. Genre(s): Comedy. Credits: Ken Finkleman as George Findlay; Lauren Lee Smith as Claire; Jason Weinberg as Doug; Ieva Lucs as ...
  25. [25]
    https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/43971-good-god
  26. [26]
    Ken Finkleman spoofs the aging white guy's burden
    Mar 4, 2011 · From the gentle joking about marriage, divorce and professional disappointments among three middle-class buddies on Men of A Certain Age to the ...Missing: themes | Show results with:themes
  27. [27]
    Good night and good TV - Salon.com
    Jul 1, 2008 · “The Newsroom” centers on a news director named George Findlay (played by the show's creator, Ken Finkleman) ... satire packs a surprising punch.Missing: themes | Show results with:themes
  28. [28]
    Grease 2 - Scripts.com
    Read, review and discuss the entire Grease 2 movie script by Ken Finkleman on Scripts.com.Missing: contributions challenges
  29. [29]
    Greased lightning - NOW Magazine - NOW Toronto
    May 20, 2004 · ... Ken Finkleman (of The Newsroom fame), who wrote the original screenplay, meant it as such. Flipping the plot line of the 1978 musical, in Grease ...
  30. [30]
    Why Frenchy Disappears Halfway Through Grease 2 - Screen Rant
    Aug 9, 2020 · On top of that, comedian Ken Finkleman was asked to write a whole new script from scratch on short notice, with filming starting before he ...
  31. [31]
    Grease 2 (1982) - Box Office and Financial Information - The Numbers
    Opening Weekend: $4,645,411 (32.5% of total gross). Legs: 3.08 (domestic box office/biggest weekend). Domestic Share: 100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide).
  32. [32]
    Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) - IMDb
    Rating 6.2/10 (60,080) Director. Ken Finkleman. Writers. Ken Finkleman · Al Jean · Mike Reiss · All cast & crew · Production, box office & more at IMDbPro. User reviews177. Review.Full cast & crew · Trivia · The Sequel · Parents guide
  33. [33]
    'AIRPLANE II: SEQUEL' FOCUSES ON LUNAR SHUTTLE
    Dec 10, 1982 · ''Airplane II,'' written and directed by Ken Finkleman, is set in ''the future.'' This time it documents the first flight of something called '' ...
  34. [34]
    Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) - Box Office and Financial Information
    Director. Ken Finkleman, Screenwriter. You need a Frames Capable browser to ... All Time Domestic Sequel Box Office (Rank 601-700), 631, $25,009,494. Top ...
  35. [35]
    Head Office (1985) - IMDb
    Rating 5.4/10 (1,889) Head Office: Directed by Ken Finkleman. With Judge Reinhold, Lori-Nan Engler, Eddie Albert, Merritt Butrick. Lazy, womanizing Jack gets employed at the NYC ...Missing: Girl | Show results with:Girl
  36. [36]
    Who's That Girl credits - Metacritic
    Ken Finkleman; screenplay. Cast. Madonna; Nikki Finn. Griffin Dunne; Loudon Trott ... Assistant: Head of Feature Film Production. Clay Tave; Chief Madonna ...
  37. [37]
    Ken Finkleman and the Art of Being Derivative - Vulture
    Nov 12, 2014 · Findlay's first appearance in a Finkleman series was Married Life, a clear descendant of Real Life (itself a comic takeoff on An American Family): ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  38. [38]
    Noah's Turn - Quill and Quire
    Ken Finkleman doesn't stray far from his roots as a television and film writer in his debut novel, the story of Noah Douglas, a TV writer going through a ...Missing: background | Show results with:background<|separator|>
  39. [39]
    Book Review: Noah's Turn, by Ken Finkleman | National Post
    Sep 4, 2010 · Finkleman not only captures Noah's voice note perfectly, he makes it compelling. There is a visceral thrill to his hatred and his obnoxiousness, ...Missing: themes | Show results with:themes
  40. [40]
    Review: Noah's Turn, by Ken Finkleman - The Globe and Mail
    Aug 27, 2010 · Ken Finkleman's first novel concentrates on inner turmoil and existential angst, not plot.Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
  41. [41]
    Books by Ken Finkleman (Author of The Newsroom) - Goodreads
    Ken Finkleman has 4 books on Goodreads with 121 ratings. Ken Finkleman's most popular book is The Newsroom: The Complete Scripts.
  42. [42]
    12th Gemini Awards - Wikipedia
    Best Direction in a Variety, Comedy or Performing Arts Program or Series · Ken Finkleman – The Newsroom – Meltdown Part 3 (CBC) · Henry Sarwer-Foner – The Best of ...
  43. [43]
    Finkleman on Foreign Objects - Playback
    Sep 30, 2002 · It has been six years since Finkleman's CBC series The Newsroom made him a name with Canadian TV audiences. And since then the Winnipeg-born ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  44. [44]
    Canadian comedy feted at annual awards | CBC News
    Oct 18, 2011 · Best Writing, Television Program or Series: Ken Finkleman (Good Dog); Best Television Performance, Male: Jason Priestley (Call Me Fitz); Best ...
  45. [45]
    Ken Finkleman - Awards - IMDb
    Primetime Emmy Awards. Van Dyke and Company (1976). 1977 Nominee Primetime ... The Newsroom (1996). 2005 Nominee WGC Award. Comedy & Variety. The Newsroom.
  46. [46]
    Van Dyke & Company | Television Academy
    Outstanding Writing In A Comedy-Variety Or Music Series - 1977. Van Dyke & Company. NBC. Allan Blye George Burditt Bob Einstein Garry Ferrier Ken Finkelman ...Missing: Finkleman | Show results with:Finkleman<|separator|>
  47. [47]
    [PDF] aab-6. - World Radio History
    Sep 25, 1995 · CableACE Awards, which will be pre- sented Dec. 1 -2 in Los Angeles ... Ken Finkleman- Married Life /Come- dy Central. Anthony Morina ...
  48. [48]
    The Newsroom (TV Series 1996–2005) - Awards - IMDb
    2005 Nominee Gemini. Best Comedy Program or Series. Ken Finkleman · 2005 Winner Gemini. Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Program or Series. Ken Finkleman.