If you were a TV fan in the late 1990s, chances are you remember Early Edition — that quirky, heartfelt CBS drama about a man who got tomorrow’s newspaper today. Long before spoiler culture took over the internet, Gary Hobson (played by Kyle Chandler) was living it — receiving the next day’s Chicago Sun-Times on his doorstep every morning, delivered by a mysterious orange cat.
But have you ever wondered why the show’s magical paper wasn’t, say, The Tribune or a fictional newspaper altogether? Why the Chicago Sun-Times? Let’s rewind and look at how a real newspaper became a co-star in one of TV’s most imaginative series.
A Newspaper With Personality
The Chicago Sun-Times was chosen for a simple reason — it felt like Chicago. The show’s creators wanted a newspaper that was part of the city’s identity, with grit, humor, and a touch of heart — much like Gary Hobson himself. Compared to its rival, the more buttoned-up Chicago Tribune, the Sun-Times had a reputation for being scrappy, accessible, and people-focused. That tone fit perfectly with a story about an ordinary guy who quietly becomes a hero.
In many ways, the Sun-Times was the perfect symbol for the show’s central theme: the power of local news and the idea that one person (or one headline) could change the course of a day.
Chicago: A Character of Its Own
The decision to set Early Edition in Chicago wasn’t just a backdrop choice — it was a storytelling one. Chicago’s unique mix of Midwestern authenticity and big-city energy gave the series a grounded, relatable feel. From the L trains and riverfront shots to the neighborhood diners and the ever-iconic skyline, the show captured a city that was alive and unpredictable — the same city that shaped the Sun-Times itself.
The newspaper’s real-life offices and recognizable masthead gave Early Edition a sense of realism. For local viewers, it felt like a love letter to their city; for everyone else, it was a glimpse into Chicago’s pulse.
When Fiction Meets Reality
Interestingly, the Chicago Sun-Times actually embraced its role in the show. The producers worked with the paper to recreate front pages for each episode — full of fictional headlines that Gary would use to avert disasters or save lives. Many of those mock-ups were created with astonishing accuracy, right down to the fonts and layout of the real paper.
Some longtime staffers even got cameos or behind-the-scenes shoutouts. And for a brief period, the Sun-Times became a TV celebrity — readers wrote in asking if they could “subscribe to Gary’s edition” of the paper!
The Legacy of the “Magic Paper”
While Early Edition only ran from 1996 to 2000, its premise has stuck with fans. The Chicago Sun-Times wasn’t just a prop — it was the show’s moral compass. Every time Gary scanned those front pages, the paper served as both a warning and a call to action.
And maybe that’s the secret reason the Sun-Times was chosen. In a city built on real people, hard work, and daily stories of triumph and tragedy, it was the paper that felt like it belonged to the people — just as Gary belonged to the people he helped.
A Timeless Partnership
Today, reruns of Early Edition remind us of a simpler media age — when newspapers still landed with a satisfying thump on your doorstep, and the future came one headline at a time.
The Chicago Sun-Times might not print tomorrow’s news anymore, but thanks to Early Edition, it forever holds a place in pop culture as the newspaper that knew what was coming next.
Fun fact: The famous “McGinty’s Pub,” Gary’s hangout in the series, was also a real Chicago location — O’Neil’s on Wells Street. Like the Sun-Times, it was pure Chicago: unpretentious, warm, and full of stories waiting to be told.
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