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[Cornballer]

About the show:

From the mind of Aaron Sorkin, creator of The West Wing and screenwriter of The Social Network and Moneyball,  comes The Newsroom,  a behind-the-scenes look at the people who make a nightly cable-news program. Focusing on a network anchor (played by Jeff Daniels), his new executive producer (Emily Mortimer), the newsroom staff (John Gallagher, Jr., Alison Pill, Thomas Sadoski, Olivia Munn, Dev Patel) and their boss (Sam Waterston), the series tracks their quixotic mission to do the news well in the face of corporate and commercial obstacles-not to mention their own personal entanglements.

Cast:

• Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy
• Emily Mortimer as Mackenzie MacHale
• Sam Waterston as Charlie Skinner
• John Gallagher Jr. as Jim Harper
• Alison Pill as Maggie Jordan
• Thomas Sadoski as Don Keefer
• Dev Patel as Neal Sampat
• Olivia Munn as Sloan Sabbath

Trailers:

• Season 1: Promo #2
• Season 1 Promo
• Trailer #1
• Trailer #2

Reviews:

• The New Yorker review

  “The Newsroom” is the inverse of “Veep”: it’s so naïve it’s cynical. Sorkin’s fantasy is of a cabal of proud, disdainful brainiacs, a “media élite” who swallow accusations of arrogance and shoot them back as lava. But if the storytelling were more confident, it could take a breath and deliver drama, not just talking points. Instead, the deck stays stacked.

• Tim Goodman's review for THR

  And what might be the most alluring part of The Newsroom is that it’s clear Sorkin wants the show to be enormous, filled with characters of all stripes and able to take on innumerable storylines as it looks at journalism, politics, romance, the workplace and America itself. Whether you go along on that ride with him has everything to do with whether you like his style. Because -- cue the orchestra and step onto the soapbox -- Sorkin is always true to himself and doesn’t try to cover his tendencies or be embarrassed by them.

• Chuck Barney @ SJ Mercury News

  I'd rather spend time with an edgy show that aims high and sometimes falls short, than one that doesn't. And I'd rather be in the company of a great screenwriter than a run-of-the-mill one. So welcome back, Mr. Sorkin. It's a pleasure to have you.

• Ostrow: Aaron Sorkin's "Newsroom" is clever but overwrought

  "The Newsroom" wants to be both a madcap rom-com and a serious lecture on what's wrong with cable TV news and journalism. The preachy high-mindedness, as when lashing out at reality TV and tabloid gossip columns, clashes with the implausibly childish antics, as when a mistaken mass e-mail causes humiliation. The extremes of smart and wacky writing styles have never been so much at odds.

• Aaron Sorkin's New HBO Show Gets Almost Everything Wrong

  A show in which paper-thin characters spend so much time congratulating themselves for "speaking truth to stupid" is always going to have an uphill climb in the hearts and minds of viewers used to more subtle delights, but when "The Newsroom" isn't obvious and self-congratulatory, it's manipulative and shrieky.

• Variety reviews The Newsroom

  Plunging into "The Newsroom" essentially presents viewers with two options: Lament how the series doesn't match the lofty crests of Sorkin's finest work, or admire the show's ambitions and embrace of serious ideas, and grudgingly roll with its uneven tides.

Other media:

• NY Magazine Interview: TV’s Best Talker: Aaron Sorkin on The Newsroom, Sorkinism, and Sounding Smart
• Sepinwall Interview: 'The Newsroom' creator Aaron Sorkin on Keith Olbermann and his return to TV

Promo pictures:

 

[PantherLotus]

I'd watch this.

 

[gdt]

The critical response is murdering me .

 

[Cornballer]

The critical response is murdering me .

Eh, I'll watch a few episodes and see how it is. Doesn't sound promising, though:

About HBO's Newsroom, which I review in the new People: True Blood is better written. Arguably more believable.

 

[gdt]

This just seemed so perfect for Sorkin. I'll watch too, for sure. But damn.

 

[DrBo42]

How did Olivia Munn land this?

 

[brianjones]

Eh, I'll watch a few episodes and see how it is. Doesn't sound promising, though:

wow

not a big sorkin fan but was hoping this turned out good

 

[MisterNugNug]

Will watch regardless of reviews.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

I'll watch this, but my expectations are now non existent.

Eh, I'll watch a few episodes and see how it is. Doesn't sound promising, though:

Whoa.

 

[HP_Wuvcraft]

This is what I was afraid of.

A show that is less West Wing and more Studio 60.

Maybe Sorkin's time with TV has passed. It's just movies now.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Based on the previews it looks preachy, self-righteous, and insufferable, so basically typical Aaron Sorkin television.

 

[LProtag]

Every time the preview for this show would play before Game of Thrones I'd constantly yell "ANGRY NEWS MAN!" for some reason.

I wish that was the title of this show.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

The critical response is murdering me .

Yep. They are calling it unbearable.

This review got to me: http://m.newyorker.com/arts/critics/television/2012/06/25/120625crte_television_nussbaum

The pilot of “The Newsroom” is full of yelling and self-righteousness, but it’s got energy, just like “The West Wing,” Sorkin’s “Sports Night,” and his hit movie “The Social Network.” The second episode is more obviously stuffed with piety and syrup, although there’s one amusing segment, when McAvoy mocks some right-wing idiots. After that, “The Newsroom” gets so bad so quickly that I found my jaw dropping. The third episode is lousy (and devolves into lectures that are chopped into montages). The fourth episode is the worst. There are six to go.

 

[Amagon]

I hope this will be good. Emily Mortimer is probably the sole reason I'm watching this. Just love her.

 

[dead souls]

I was looking forward to watching this, now I'm looking forward to hate-watching it. HBO gets my money either way so they won't mind.

That True Blood comparison quote cornballer posted is brutal.

 

[Supermanisdead]

Is that guy Dumb or Dumber?

 

[Lactose_Intolerant]

I hope this will be good. Emily Mortimer is probably the sole reason I'm watching this. Just love her.

Allison Pill and her are my only reasons for watching this. Looks like there's too many stories revolving around the younger cast.

 

[cartoon_soldier]

I was looking forward to watching this, now I'm looking forward to hate-watching it. HBO gets my money either way so they won't mind.

That True Blood comparison quote cornballer posted is brutal.

I am sure though The Newsroom is better acted than True Blood.

I will watch this. A good cast can make up for story telling issues.

 

[anaron]

Shocked at the reception to this. Watching regardless but yikes.

 

[faceless007]

"Sorkin wants the show to be enormous, filled with characters of all stripes and able to take on innumerable storylines as it looks at journalism, politics, romance, the workplace and America itself."

"wants to be both a madcap rom-com and a serious lecture"

"preachy high-mindedness"

"paper-thin characters spend so much time congratulating themselves for "speaking truth to stupid""

Fuck. He just rehashed Studio 60.

FFS Sorkin, you know why Sports Night was actually good? Because the characters didn't try to change the world or put on the most important thing in the history of broadcasting! They were good at their jobs, yes, and the show was important to them, but the show was just the prism through which to watch the characters act around each other and test them. The fucking fate of the world didn't depend on it. Argh.

 

[jakershaker]

It can't be that bad can it? Seems impossible with Sorkin and that cast.

 

[Cornballer]

- Sepinwall: Aaron Sorkin's 'The Newsroom' too sanctimonious for its own good

I will say this for Sorkin: he doesn't do things halfway. "The West Wing" is among the best dramas to ever air on network television, while "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" is among the most riveting failures I've ever seen. His scripts for "The Social Network" and "Moneyball" didn't feel exactly like everything else he's written, and I'd hoped the time away from television might have recharged his creative batteries. Instead, "The Newsroom" is a mess — albeit a fascinating, and at times genuinely entertaining, mess.

"The Newsroom" is convincing as a faux newscast. It's less convincing as good television.

- Salon.com: Aaron Sorkin does “The Daily Show”

"West Wing" and "Social Network" mastermind returns to TV with wit, rapid-fire dialogue and brutal condescension

 

[BertramCooper]

So how many horses will die in the production of this show?

 

[Subterranean]

Going to block out what the critics are saying and go into Newsroom with a open mind. I am looking forward to watching.

 

[Emerson]

Damn. I wanted this to be good but was only cautiously hopeful based on trailers.

 

[BertramCooper]

I will watch this. A good cast can make up for story telling issues.

That didn't seem to be the case for Studio 60.

 

[dave is ok]

I didn't mind Studio 60, at least the first few episodes. But yeah... I'll keep up with this thread just for the trainwreck that will inevitably ensue.

 

[Clevinger]

About HBO's Newsroom, which I review in the new People: True Blood is better written. Arguably more believable.

I doubt this show's going to be good, but that's pure silliness. True Blood is one of the most dumb, worst written cable shows in existence.

I didn't mind Studio 60, at least the first few episodes. But yeah... I'll keep up with this thread just for the trainwreck that will inevitably ensue.

I remember really liking the Studio 60 pilot and I was pretty hyped about the show. Then with each episode it got worse, and worse, and worse, somehow managing to keep outdoing itself in terribleness.

 

[brucewaynegretzky]

- Sepinwall: Aaron Sorkin's 'The Newsroom' too sanctimonious for its own good
- Salon.com: Aaron Sorkin does “The Daily Show”

Anyone who calls Studio 60 a failure is dead to me. It was only a failure in the sense that the network chose the wrong SNL-esque show to keep. And I really like 30 Rock.

 

[dead souls]

That didn't seem to be the case for Studio 60.

Yeah, that's true. It seems like this show may end up suffering the same fault. For critics to be this down on an HBO show from Aaron Sorkin with this cast it must be really terrible.

 

[HP_Wuvcraft]

So how many horses will die in the production of this show?

Just one, but it will continuously beaten.

Anyone who calls Studio 60 a failure is dead to me. It was only a failure in the sense that the network chose the wrong SNL-esque show to keep.

That and it was preachy, every episode was Religion vs. Reality, Matt Perry's character was an asshole and his only good line was his last one, and Steve Webber's character did a complete turn-around for no reason at all.

The episode whereTom's parents basically were the audience was fucking horrible.

 

[Angry Grimace]

Sorkin is still the god of hitting his audience over the head with anvils, so I'm not exactly surprised by the reaction.

 

[Cornballer]

A couple more reviews:

- NY Post: ‘News’ kid in town

Newsroom is both entertaining and irritating. The info is important and good, but the quipping banter with which it's delivered, isn't. News junkies will be hooked.

- Washington Post: HBO’s ‘The Newsroom’: Aaron Sorkin has an on-air meltdown

This makes “The Newsroom” an exponentially tedious undertaking for the viewer, when really all the show needs to be is slightly sardonic, occasionally frantic and mildly amusing. By episode four, you can feel some tardy recognition of the overwriting, some adjusting of the show’s knobs. The haranguing soliloquies are reduced by 30 percent and become slightly more like the romantic banter we crave; some villains are established; some wan love connections are presented for our consideration. By then, however, you already dislike the characters too much to care.

 

[Cornballer]

- Time.com: Blowhardball: The Not-So-Special Comment of HBO’s The Newsroom

You may argue that you could make many of the same arguments—about the sanctimony, the deck-stacking, the too-perfect stylized dialogue, etc.—against The West Wing. I agree, and I made them when The West Wing was on. But I also included The West Wing in my list of the 100 All-TIME TV Shows, because it also gave us rich characters, a sense of proportionality and an infectious feeling of romance with the country and the people who want to make it better. The Newsroom, after four exhausting, smug episodes, gives us none of that: just Aaron Sorkin writing one argument after another for himself to win.

- Philly.com: Aaron Sorkin returns to TV with "The Newsroom" on HBO

And it's from that place of boundless optimism that I'll argue it's possible to enjoy "The Newsroom" — which is both wonderful and terrible — without necessarily believing a bloody word of it.

 

[Maddocks]

ill watch 1-2 episodes, if munn has lots of screen time, im out.

 

[Invisible_Insane]

I caught Jeff Daniels' interview on Fresh Air yesterday and I'd actually become kind of interested, but these are some pretty brutal reviews. I'll probably watch the first couple of episodes anyway.

 

[The Elite]

ill watch 1-2 episodes, if munn has lots of screen time, im out.

What if she is good?

 

[Busty]

The critical response is murdering me .

I was expecting a critical response like this.

It feels that people are dishing out some post Social Network backlash to Sorkin.

The piece these reviewers seem to be attacking just seems like pure Sorkin to me. What exactly were they expecting?

 

[Tim-E]

Sounds like an Aaron Sorkin show, then, which means I'll probably like it anyway.

 

[zroid]

the hell is up with these reviews

well I'm still giving it a shot regardless, at least for the first handful of episodes.

 

[Apath]

I'm actually pretty excited for this show.

How did Olivia Munn land this?

Ugh, hype deflated (slightly).

 

[ConfusingJazz]

While I liked the trailer, I was very wary of it because I could see how it fell down the Studio 60 hole really quickly. Sounds like it did even faster then Studio 60 did.

Sorkin really needs someone to rein his ass in sometimes. I like the filter of a director for his feature film scripts but I don't know how you're supposed to do that for a TV series where he swings the biggest stick.

 

[JGS]

Sounds like a Sorkin show. A little of him goes a long way and rarely do I watch repeats of his material.

Sounds like the critics are tired of him.

 

[Stephen Colbert]

Studio 60 was excellent, especially the episodes with John Goodman in them.

Sports Night was solid but not nearly as entertaining as Studio 60.

The West Wing like Studio 60 featured some of the very best dialogue to ever grace television.

All three shows were criticized with much of the same complaints by professional reviewers when they debuted.

Needless to say, I'll be watching this and ignoring the reviews.

 

[Therion]

For a minute there I thought this was some kind of remake of the Canadian show. I'm not sure whether I'm relieved or disappointed at being wrong.

 

[Agnostic]

I'm in for the whole season. This is the only summer television that I'm going to watch.

 

[LegendofJoe]

Is it any wonder that critics employed by the news media would hate this show? If the show is true to its marketing it is aimed directly at their failings as an industry. Of course they hate it, I'd be shocked if they didn't.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Is is any wonder the critics employed by the news media would hate this show? If the show is true to its marketing it is aimed directly at their failings as an industry. Of course they hate it, I'd be shocked if they didn't.

This is sarcasm, right?

 

[LegendofJoe]

This is sarcasm, right?

If the show is close to what it has been presented as, no I am not being sarcastic. I like Sorkin's anvil approach. IF he is attempting to write about serious issues with this show, the harder he hits people over the head with it the better I say.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

If the show is close to what it has been presented as, no I am not being sarcastic. I like Sorkin's anvil approach. IF he is attempting to write about serious issues with this show, the harder he hits people over the head with it the better I say.

Because that worked exceedingly well on Studio 60.