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The Newsroom - Sorkin, Daniels, and Mortimer drama about cable news - Sundays on HBO
- Thread starter Cornballer
- Start date
- Status
LumpOfCole
Member
I'm as far from a Munn fan as can be, and I hate how she whistles out words, but at least her role isn't at all defined by "oh noes relationship woes"
Yeah, instead her role is non-existent.
LumpOfCole
Member
Her screen time is just as much as the roles of the other women in the show so far, if you cut out the time spent on relationship woes for each of the other women. Which is minuscule.
Cornballer
Member
-Pyromaniac-
Member
If anyone thought this show was too preachy, good lawd tonight was taking that to the next level.
velvet_nitemare
Member
Better episode tonight i thought. Bit of a change in format, was refreshing. Romance angle looks like it'll be dialed up to 11 next week.
KingsMessenger
Banned
Show is so good.
As a Republican, I really must say that Sorkin perfectly captured the insanity of the war between the Tea Party and the rest of the Republican party... Seriously, the Tea Party was/is the absolute epitome of non-sense politics wrapped around good rhetoric. Did so much damage to the Republican party that we have actually elected Romney as our presidential candidate...
The show also perfectly captured the internal war within Broadcast Journalism. There are some that want to fight the good fight, but fighting the good fight means getting nuked by network executives that don't want anything to do with "the good fight." Anyone enjoying this show needs to watch Network. As far as prophecies of the future, no movie is more horrifyingly accurate than Network.
As a Republican, I really must say that Sorkin perfectly captured the insanity of the war between the Tea Party and the rest of the Republican party... Seriously, the Tea Party was/is the absolute epitome of non-sense politics wrapped around good rhetoric. Did so much damage to the Republican party that we have actually elected Romney as our presidential candidate...
The show also perfectly captured the internal war within Broadcast Journalism. There are some that want to fight the good fight, but fighting the good fight means getting nuked by network executives that don't want anything to do with "the good fight." Anyone enjoying this show needs to watch Network. As far as prophecies of the future, no movie is more horrifyingly accurate than Network.
What part reminds you of Natalie? Natalie was always extremely good at her job, which is what made it ok (and so endearing) when she acted ridiculous at work.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
firehawk12
Subete no aware
Wow, am I crazy, or was episode 3 tolerable?
I still want to be on #hatewatch...
I still want to be on #hatewatch...
PastorOfMuppets
Banned
All I'm going to say about this week's episode is thank fucking Christ that Breaking Bad is back next week because now I'll have something to watch for the summer. I'm off this wagon. Good luck to the rest of you guys.
Better episode but still has a lot of problems.
Nice to see some Sorkin script tropes reappear. The friend left on the phone. Fast forwarding through dates. Broadway reference. The meeting on the 44th floor, split throughout the show, was the highlight with the build up to the eventual opening of Meryl's mouth (which was great).
The dialogue was a lot, lot better in this episode too. Not so fast-forwarded.
I agree that Olivia Munn has been good in the small chunks she has been handed. If she is continually eased in like this then, who knows, it may work.
The thing is though the background, the actual news, is doing nothing for me. It was neat in the pilot but now I'm already bored of it. I'm already thinking they would've been better off making it all fictional.
Interesting characters, dull situation. Where have I seen this before....
Nice to see some Sorkin script tropes reappear. The friend left on the phone. Fast forwarding through dates. Broadway reference. The meeting on the 44th floor, split throughout the show, was the highlight with the build up to the eventual opening of Meryl's mouth (which was great).
The dialogue was a lot, lot better in this episode too. Not so fast-forwarded.
I agree that Olivia Munn has been good in the small chunks she has been handed. If she is continually eased in like this then, who knows, it may work.
The thing is though the background, the actual news, is doing nothing for me. It was neat in the pilot but now I'm already bored of it. I'm already thinking they would've been better off making it all fictional.
Interesting characters, dull situation. Where have I seen this before....
Tim the Wiz
Banned
Might just be me, but I thought Munn and her character was one of the better things about this episode. Waterston, too. (Jack motherfucking McCoy!) And the interspersed meeting on the 44th floor.
Souldriver
Member
Weird how everyone seems to like this episode better, because it's the first episode where the flaws of this show really start to bother me.
Everything is so melodramatic, it's cringe worthy to watch. I fast forwarded the panic attack scene between the destined-to-be lovebirds. I thought the apology speech at the beginning of the show was ridiculous. The dialogues are completely unrealistic and everyone's doing monologues. ...
But most off all I just hate the melodrama that's omnipresent in this show. In that regards, the terribad opening music of the show is a perfect omen of what's to come.
Will continue to watch (for now) though.
Everything is so melodramatic, it's cringe worthy to watch. I fast forwarded the panic attack scene between the destined-to-be lovebirds. I thought the apology speech at the beginning of the show was ridiculous. The dialogues are completely unrealistic and everyone's doing monologues. ...
But most off all I just hate the melodrama that's omnipresent in this show. In that regards, the terribad opening music of the show is a perfect omen of what's to come.
Will continue to watch (for now) though.
ChiTownBuffalo
Either I made up lies about the Boston Bomber or I fell for someone else's crap. Either way, I have absolutely no credibility and you should never pay any attention to anything I say, no matter what the context. Perm me if I claim to be an insider
Munn looks like a mature adult on the show. So that's a start.
As a bleeding heart liberal, I loved the show last night. As someone interested in the news and journalism, I loved the show.
As far as I'm concerned, it is good entertainment with some outsized characters. And I have always loved Jane Fonda, I thought her character was great and will be interested in seeing how they develop her as the series goes on.
All that said, I can see this series only going 2 seasons. Probably not a big audience for it.
But if Entourage lasted as long as it did, there is hope for this series.
As far as I'm concerned, it is good entertainment with some outsized characters. And I have always loved Jane Fonda, I thought her character was great and will be interested in seeing how they develop her as the series goes on.
All that said, I can see this series only going 2 seasons. Probably not a big audience for it.
But if Entourage lasted as long as it did, there is hope for this series.
Weird how everyone seems to like this episode better, because it's the first episode where the flaws of this show really start to bother me.
Everything is so melodramatic, it's cringe worthy to watch. I fast forwarded the panic attack scene between the destined-to-be lovebirds. I thought the apology speech at the beginning of the show was ridiculous. The dialogues are completely unrealistic and everyone's doing monologues. ...
But most off all I just hate the melodrama that's omnipresent in this show. In that regards, the terribad opening music of the show is a perfect omen of what's to come.
Will continue to watch (for now) though.
Do you watch the news? Thats how news anchors talk.
Cornballer
Member
Is there an online version of that somewhere?
dead souls
Member
True. I wonder how many people changed the channel during that godawful 'apology' at the beginning of the episode. So over the top. What a creative misfire for HBO.
I really can't stand Mackenzie. I don't know if it's the writing or Mortimer, probably both. The way she looks at Will during the show; you'd think she was a parent watching her newborn sleep. The way she talks to his dates; you'd think you are watching a cheap, over-the-top sitcom. I know it's all for the sake of comedy, but she clearly comes off as a deranged person. The melodrama/romance elements are so by-the-number that it almost always feels tacked on, inorganic.
Souldriver
Member
When I talk about the dialogues and monologues, I'm talking throughout the series. Little example: I like the Fonda character, but I could've done without the Jesus/Moses story. Everyone is just too eloquent and full of themselves when they talk.
And about the apology and news broadcasts in particular; it sort of goes against what their purpose is. In my opinion, giving this long self important speech about how the news will be better from now on, is just as unprofessional as the news they're trying to separate themselves from. Professional approach? They could not mention their new approach and just do it. Or, keep it short and say "We've done some changes in the newsroom, as to give you viewers better and more informative news from now on. Now here's the todays news.". But instead the main guy sounds like the typical douches that are "new anchors" in the US.
In short: their mission is to make the news less about themselves and less dramatic, but they're being all self-important and dramatic about it.
BenjaminBirdie
Banned
They parrot, in identical rhythm, "I wanna know about the guy who's job he took!"?
That was maybe the worst writing of Sorkin's career right there. Worse than writing Straight Bashing plot into Studio 60. That's how bad it was.
I don't understand the 'real people don't talk like that' complaint, what TV dramas are you watching where the characters talk like real people?
If TV dramas contained 'real people' every episode of every workplace based TV drama ever would be 95% platitudes and the only episode worth watching would be the christmas special where they all get shit faced and finally express their real opinions.
If TV dramas contained 'real people' every episode of every workplace based TV drama ever would be 95% platitudes and the only episode worth watching would be the christmas special where they all get shit faced and finally express their real opinions.
I don't even know how to respond to this.
Yeah...
Does anyone complaining about the dialogue watch Bill Maher (or Rachel Maddow or Jon Stewart for that matter)?
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
It's called hate watching dear.
War Peaceman
You're a big guy.
Mostly, I enjoy it. It isn't realistic - or even trying to be, really - but it has flow, rhythm and sometimes wit. Shakespeare isn't realistic to listen to at all, yet it is a dream to listen to (See: The Hollow Crown for the most recent evidence for this) and this isn't Shakespeare, but it is enjoyable.
However sometimes the dialogue gets a little too cute - Jim's recollection of Army Manual FM 2251 or whatever was awkward.
Also, the female characters in this continue to be absolutely awful. Panic attacks and love triangles right off the bat, ugh. Olivia Munn's character seems quite good though (In so much as actually appearing competent).
Maher or Maddow? That apology at the beginning and the way it was structured was classic Keith Olbermann.
The time Sorkin spent on Countdown was clearly apparent last night.
Wuthering_Heights
Banned
Yeah, gotta clock out of this one.
First episode was mediocre, second was terrible, third was the worst yet.
I'll probably wait until the season is over and see what people say, then HBO Go it if it somehow gets any better.
First episode was mediocre, second was terrible, third was the worst yet.
I'll probably wait until the season is over and see what people say, then HBO Go it if it somehow gets any better.
Lactose_Intolerant
Member
When Olivia Munn has the best female character on a show, you know you have failed at writing.
much better episode, as good as the pilot which is encouraging given the critical talk about it going downhill after episode 1. warming to most of the characters.
i have a bit of a problem with the politics of the show right now though, the west wing was presenting an idealized democratic regime working at the best of its ability, so its political bias is natural because of the focus on the show. however idealized news at the best of its ability is different and the newsroom isn't very good so far at delivering the idea of this ideal high brow, high quality broadcast that appeals to everyone interested in real news as the shows issues and framing seems to come directly from liberal blogs' coverage from 2010.
now i agree with waterson's comments that news shouldn't present each "side" as being equal for balance and that truth is the centre etc etc, but nearly as important as truth is what truths you choose to focus on and here the show lets itself down.
i have a bit of a problem with the politics of the show right now though, the west wing was presenting an idealized democratic regime working at the best of its ability, so its political bias is natural because of the focus on the show. however idealized news at the best of its ability is different and the newsroom isn't very good so far at delivering the idea of this ideal high brow, high quality broadcast that appeals to everyone interested in real news as the shows issues and framing seems to come directly from liberal blogs' coverage from 2010.
now i agree with waterson's comments that news shouldn't present each "side" as being equal for balance and that truth is the centre etc etc, but nearly as important as truth is what truths you choose to focus on and here the show lets itself down.
I agree. Still hugely problematic and overly explicit (I agree with the AV Club review that there's basically no subtext) and the melodrama feels way too broad for HBO. But it kind of found its political voice with the tea party thing. I'm sticking with it for a couple more episodes, at least.
RatskyWatsky
Hunky Nostradamus
No?
Cornballer
Member
dead souls
Member
Yeah, television critics don't make cable news shows.
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