Author Topic: The Newsroom (Aron Sorkin's new show) (Read 5997 times)

Antics · « **Reply #40 on:** June 25, 2012, 11:36:14 PM »

We've already had the "whom" correction in the pilot!

Alphaville · « **Reply #41 on:** June 26, 2012, 02:35:03 AM »

First show and I'm seduced by it, although I know it's no more than a really big shiny ball of hot air.

Redcap · « **Reply #42 on:** June 26, 2012, 03:50:10 AM »

I didn't particularly like it.

I found myself not really warming to any of the characters so far, which has never been a problem for me in a Sorkin show. The dynamics there are all just way too obvious (particularly between Emily Mortimer and Jeff Daniels) and every character seems to be an extremely keen version of another Sorkin character from another show. None of them appear to have a laid back side.

If you want a show that lambasts the dearth of quality journalism, just watch The Daily Show.

Harinder · « **Reply #43 on:** June 26, 2012, 04:55:27 PM »

I really liked it

Had me in stitches when the ACN boss (old fella) says

"I'm a marine Don and I will beat the sh*t out of you no matter how many protein bars you eat"

SalisburyRed · « **Reply #44 on:** June 26, 2012, 10:46:48 PM »

Generally speaking, I liked the first episode. It certainly wasn't an hour of television that made me vow not to waste my time with the remainder of the series. There was a fair amount of classic Sorkin in there - quick dialogue, heavy doses of liberalism, although not much walk and talk yet. That won't be to everyone's tastes, but as someone who was a big fan of Sports Night and The West Wing, and who thought that Studio 60 was, by and large, pretty good, it doesn't bother me.

I agree with Redcap's comments about the dynamics though. The Jeff Daniels-Emily Mortimer relationship seems set to become a will-they-won't-they-oh-yes-they-probably-will affair throughout the season, which would be a bit of a shame. Then there's new guy/old producer/nice-but-ditzy blonde girl triangle. At some point you're expecting a network executive to become uncomfortable with the show and start ordering changes which will be resisted, and that tension will run for at least a few episodes. Then there'll likely be something personal for at least one of the characters to deal with. You'd like to think that the show won't descend into cliché and the unimaginative, and Sorkin's clearly clever and talented enough to manage this, but the danger is definitely there.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out. A tentative thumbs up from me for now.

Harinder · « **Reply #45 on:** June 27, 2012, 12:55:43 AM »

Quote from: SalisburyRed on June 26, 2012, 10:46:48 PM

Generally speaking, I liked the first episode. It certainly wasn't an hour of television that made me vow not to waste my time with the remainder of the series. There was a fair amount of classic Sorkin in there - quick dialogue, heavy doses of liberalism, although not much walk and talk yet. That won't be to everyone's tastes, but as someone who was a big fan of Sports Night and The West Wing, and who thought that Studio 60 was, by and large, pretty good, it doesn't bother me.

I agree with Redcap's comments about the dynamics though. The Jeff Daniels-Emily Mortimer relationship seems set to become a will-they-won't-they-oh-yes-they-probably-will affair throughout the season, which would be a bit of a shame. Then there's new guy/old producer/nice-but-ditzy blonde girl triangle. At some point you're expecting a network executive to become uncomfortable with the show and start ordering changes which will be resisted, and that tension will run for at least a few episodes. Then there'll likely be something personal for at least one of the characters to deal with. You'd like to think that the show won't descend into cliché and the unimaginative, and Sorkin's clearly clever and talented enough to manage this, but the danger is definitely there.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out. A tentative thumbs up from me for now.

I'm looking forward to Dev Patel being called "Punjab" again

eAyeAddio · « **Reply #46 on:** June 27, 2012, 01:39:25 AM »

Quote from: Ray K on June 25, 2012, 10:13:38 PM

HBO are streaming the pilot on youtube in the US. Doesn't appear to be available this side of the pond yet...

In the UK it airs on Sky Atlantic sometime in July.

Barefoot Doctor · « **Reply #47 on:** June 27, 2012, 11:04:38 AM »

Feels like an apt video for this thread.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/S78RzZr3IwI" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/S78RzZr3IwI</a>

Fontaine · « **Reply #48 on:** June 27, 2012, 12:09:37 PM »

Sorkin's not really evolving as a writer/creator is he? as someone earlier in the thread said it feels like a cross between West Wing and Studio 60, I can see myself getting very tired of the Daniels/English bird's back story. And as for that whole cupid line... that was retarded! there's another relationship I'm already cringing about. I'll watch on but it's not looking too promissing.

Ray K · « **Reply #49 on:** June 27, 2012, 02:45:06 PM »

Quote from: Barefoot Doctor on June 27, 2012, 11:04:38 AM

Feels like an apt video for this thread.

It would be if I hadn't posted it bottom of the first page

Barefoot Doctor · « **Reply #50 on:** June 27, 2012, 03:44:30 PM »

Quote from: Ray K on June 27, 2012, 02:45:06 PM

It would be if I hadn't posted it bottom of the first page

Yes, but reposting it was my way of aping Sorkin's repetition...honest

Ray K · « **Reply #51 on:** June 27, 2012, 04:18:13 PM »

Quote from: Barefoot Doctor on June 27, 2012, 03:44:30 PM

Yes, but reposting it was my way of aping Sorkin's repetition...honest

Nicely done.

OsirisMVZ · « **Reply #52 on:** July 2, 2012, 07:58:47 PM »

Any thoughts on ep 2?

Barefoot Doctor · « **Reply #53 on:** July 2, 2012, 08:18:53 PM »

Quote from: OsirisMVZ on July 2, 2012, 07:58:47 PM

Any thoughts on ep 2?

I enjoyed it, in spite of the awful sexism. Maggie incapable of getting by without a man showing her what to do, then the same man taking the fall for her. Mackenzie incapable of sending an email properly, constantly fawning over Will. And Sloan, hired because she looks good. Sorkin's always struggled with female characters (CJ Cregg in TWW being a rare exception) and it's really at its worst here.

HBO have just announced that The Newsroom is getting a second season. I'm glad, but I think Sorkin has his work cut out for him. A lot of things need improvement.

Corrie · « **Reply #54 on:** July 4, 2012, 02:09:10 AM »

Quote from: Barefoot Doctor on July 2, 2012, 08:18:53 PM

I enjoyed it, in spite of the awful sexism. Maggie incapable of getting by without a man showing her what to do, then the same man taking the fall for her. Mackenzie incapable of sending an email properly, constantly fawning over Will. And Sloan, hired because she looks good. Sorkin's always struggled with female characters (CJ Cregg in TWW being a rare exception) and it's really at its worst here.

HBO have just announced that The Newsroom is getting a second season. I'm glad, but I think Sorkin has his work cut out for him. A lot of things need improvement.

Totally agree with the female characters part.Mac keeps making me nervous in this episode and Maggie is a little bit irritating.Mac's talking about Sloan's legs is awkward.
What makes me the most uncomfortable is Will's being unprofessional.How can a super anchor who managed to handle an whole hour live without any script suddenly became so childish and screwed up his show?
But still a good watching and I always love the way all Sorkin's characters speak.Sometimes a bit hard for me to catch up though.

Alphaville · « **Reply #55 on:** July 4, 2012, 02:23:17 AM »

Terrible episode. Sorkin has dialed his characters' frenzy to 11, turning them into childish savant simpletons, juggling simplistic and anachronistic plot machinations. I'm going to keep watching, because incredibly shitty Sorkin is still fun to watch, but I think this episode is an expected step in the wrong direction.

Barefoot Doctor · « **Reply #56 on:** July 8, 2012, 08:44:05 PM »

I see episode three is centred on the Tea Party. Can't say I'm looking forward to seeing how Sorkin handles that one!

Going back to episode two, how bad was the last scene where they randomly put in a shot of the Statue of Liberty?

I'm going to criticise the hell out of this show, but I am enjoying it. Sorkin is a genius, but a massively flawed one.

Sort out the sexism, stop preaching, and he might have a hell of a show on his hands.

helmboy_nige · « **Reply #57 on:** July 8, 2012, 09:54:39 PM »

Loving the show. The fact that its pissing off the critics just makes me like it more. Sorkins shows are always full of liberal idealism and I don't see what the problem with that is. Already renewed for a second season, thanks to it being on HBO rather than a main network.

Trada · « **Reply #58 on:** July 9, 2012, 09:00:46 AM »

Love the latest one top viewing.

b_joseph · « **Reply #59 on:** July 9, 2012, 12:55:57 PM »

First episode that I was disappointed with. It just seemed like they were trying to hard to point out something that could have taken 5 minutes...I think the folks who really like this show dont need to be spoon-fed to get each and every point.

Overall, its been much better than the critics would let on to it being. Seems like there has been a few HBO shows recently that the critics have attacked but have turned out to be pretty good.

Redcap · « **Reply #60 on:** July 9, 2012, 01:58:40 PM »

Thought episode 2 was atrocious. Not sure if I could be bothered with episode 3.

Trada · « **Reply #61 on:** July 9, 2012, 06:24:47 PM »

Quote from: Redcap on July 9, 2012, 01:58:40 PM

Thought episode 2 was atrocious. Not sure if I could be bothered with episode 3.

You should do it really kicks ass it's starting to kick into gear.

I would love to know what Fox news thinks of it.

I doubt the Tea party liked it much they took a bit of a mauling.

dave 5516 · « **Reply #62 on:** July 9, 2012, 06:47:48 PM »

Quote from: Trada on July 9, 2012, 06:24:47 PM

You should do it really kicks ass it's starting to kick into gear.

I would love to know what Fox news thinks of it.

I doubt the Tea party liked it much they took a bit of a mauling.

Fox would lie and say how much they like it if past history's anything to go on.

It was good then? I'll watch it later.I'm enjoying it,it's better to have a Sorkin show to watch than most of the stuff pumped out in the US and here.

As for the critic's not liking it well I'm a big fan of making my own mind up.

Cleary · « **Reply #63 on:** July 9, 2012, 06:51:30 PM »

Cant watch it without imagining Dumb and Dumber

Trada · « **Reply #64 on:** July 9, 2012, 07:53:00 PM »

Quote from: dave 5516 on July 9, 2012, 06:47:48 PM

Fox would lie and say how much they like it if past history's anything to go on.

It was good then? I'll watch it later.I'm enjoying it,it's better to have a Sorkin show to watch than most of the stuff pumped out in the US and here.

As for the critic's not liking it well I'm a big fan of making my own mind up.

I don't really know a lot about the tea party but it spends a lot of show looking at their finances, policies and what they stand for and ripping them apart.

75% of this one seems to be the News show and Jane Fonda is also great in it.

And a great opening speech he does to the viewers about the state of news coverage today.

dave 5516 · « **Reply #65 on:** July 9, 2012, 07:59:51 PM »

Quote from: Trada on July 9, 2012, 07:53:00 PM

I don't really know a lot about the tea party but it spends a lot of show looking at their finances, policies and what they stand for and ripping them apart.

75% of this one seems to be the News show and Jane Fonda is also great in it.

And a great opening speech he does to the viewers about the state of news coverage today.

Thank's Trada,I'm just going to watch it.

Agger · « **Reply #66 on:** July 9, 2012, 08:16:06 PM »

Liked the first two episodes, gonna watch the third later tonight.

Corrie · « **Reply #67 on:** July 9, 2012, 08:43:05 PM »

Just watched ep 3.
After watching the trailer I thought it was about the Tea party but it was not what I imagined.It's BETTER
I'll keep the story to myself as I don't know whether you've watched it or not.
In this episode there are 2 lines woven together,which is no surprise from Sorkin.Perhaps his favorite way of telling a story I guess.And I enjoyed this kind of parallel processing as always.
The best part for me is the debate between Sam Waterston and Jane Fonda,or,allow me to say,the appearance of Jane Fonda.She's hilarious!!Beautiful,fantastic,and sparkling as ever,if not better.
The opening speech is sharp but the last scene is sort of...brutal.Leona,played by Jane Fonda,is a real boss,whom you want to kill but whom you know you can rely on.And you'll want to work under someone like Charlie played by Sam Waterson,the reason why Will and Mac and the whole newsroom can do real news reporting.
However,the relationship between Will and Mac is still bothering me and the mess of Maggie and Don and Jim...Jesus Christ please Mr Sorkin just put Jim and Neal together then the problem solved!!!!

Barefoot Doctor · « **Reply #68 on:** July 9, 2012, 10:41:37 PM »

So, that was episode three. It's still not quite doing it for me. I've enjoyed each episode, but there's too many issues holding me back from saying it's quality TV.

Things I liked:

Jane Fonda's media mogul character. Great decision to have her sit in silence for most of the episode, really built her up well and made you anticipate what was coming.

Jeff Daniels speech at the beginning was very well delivered, have been very impressed with his performance.

Things I disliked:

Two love triangles? Neither are doing it for me at all. And Sorkin, you've done the Will/Mac/Wade love triangle before on Sports Night. Bit tiresome for those who are fans of your earliest TV show. And I pretty much hate the Maggie/Jim/Don triangle so far.

Charlie, Will's boss, is great fun. But they need to tone down his outbursts, they're a bit too frequent for my liking.

Hated the way Mackenzie turned into a total wreck because Will was going on a date. Typical of the way Sorkin writes females, but still very grating.

While I liked how Daniels delivered Will's speech, it was just more o

I don't know, all the ingredients are there for a great show. But they're just not being mixed properly. I think Sorkin is spending too much time trying to lecture the audience instead of crafting a good story.

Fontaine · « **Reply #69 on:** July 9, 2012, 11:55:35 PM »

Center me bollix, this is really just a party political broadcast for the democratic party... Coincidentally coming just before an election.

They need to balance it up a bit.

Trada · « **Reply #70 on:** July 10, 2012, 01:27:48 PM »

Aaron Sorkin has said that Fox News is the "worst culprit" in modern US TV news.

The writer of The Newsroom told Metro that market forces meant that all stations had to attract viewers, leading to important but boring stories being trumped by "more entertaining news".

"I think, in America, Fox News is the worst culprit but the best depends on what hour of the day it is," Sorkin said.

"My problem with Fox is not the Republican aspect - the 'redness' of it - my problem with Fox is, I think, that it lies. They consistently mislead their viewers."

He added: "A recent poll showed that Fox News viewers are less informed than people who don't watch any news at all.

"On the day the US invaded Iraq, 67% of Americans thought the country had been attacked by Iraq on 9/11."

Sorkin continued: "I was in London during Hurricane Katrina and watched the BBC news coverage. That was the first time I ever really watched news about America at length while away in a foreign country.

"I could not believe the difference in the coverage compared with US news - it was night and day. The BBC is fantastic and, saying this doesn't make me a member of al-Qaeda, so is Al Jazeera."

Sorkin has explained that The Newsroom is set in a fictional cable newsroom, rather than being based on MSNBC, Fox or CNN

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a392517/newsroom-writer-aaron-sorkin-fox-news-lies-and-misleads-viewers.html

Trada · « **Reply #71 on:** July 10, 2012, 01:29:35 PM »

Quote from: Fontaine on July 9, 2012, 11:55:35 PM

Center me bollix, this is really just a party political broadcast for the democratic party... Coincidentally coming just before an election.

They need to balance it up a bit.

Yeah like Fox News catch phase "Fair and Balanced"

dave 5516 · « **Reply #72 on:** July 10, 2012, 01:44:06 PM »

Quote from: Fontaine on July 9, 2012, 11:55:35 PM

Center me bollix, this is really just a party political broadcast for the democratic party... Coincidentally coming just before an election.

They need to balance it up a bit.

Why?

What did you expect from Sorkin? It's not a news channel,it's a show about a newsroom.

Fontaine · « **Reply #73 on:** July 10, 2012, 04:21:19 PM »

Quote from: dave 5516 on July 10, 2012, 01:44:06 PM

Why?

What did you expect from Sorkin? It's not a news channel,it's a show about a newsroom.

In episode 3 Jane Fonda accuses Sam Weston of coming too far from the left to which he countered saying it was dead centre, they were clearly trying to say the premise of the show itself is to deliver a centred view. If that was true maybe in episode one or two he might have had a pop at Obama's handling of the Oil spill? I predict there wont be one major blow landed on the on the democratic party all season which is rubbish really given what the show is supposed to represent.

dave 5516 · « **Reply #74 on:** July 10, 2012, 04:31:06 PM »

Quote from: Fontaine on July 10, 2012, 04:21:19 PM

In episode 3 Jane Fonda accuses Sam Weston of coming too far from the left to which he countered saying it was dead centre, they were clearly trying to say the premise of the show itself is to deliver a centred view. If that was true maybe in episode one or two he might have had a pop at Obama's handling of the Oil spill? I predict there wont be one major blow landed on the on the democratic party all season which is rubbish really given what the show is supposed to represent.

In episode 3 it's the Tea Party that's attacked not the GOP.I'll agree with you that the show's not centralist it's Hollywood liberal,but you've watched other Sorkin show's what else did you expect?

As to the Democrat's being taken to task,we'll both have to wait and see.

I'm not digging the love triangle between Maggie,Don and Jim though.

Fontaine · « **Reply #75 on:** July 10, 2012, 04:55:35 PM »

Quote from: dave 5516 on July 10, 2012, 04:31:06 PM

In episode 3 it's the Tea Party that's attacked not the GOP.I'll agree with you that the show's not centralist it's Hollywood liberal,but you've watched other Sorkin show's what else did you expect?

As to the Democrat's being taken to task,we'll both have to wait and see.

I'm not digging the love triangle between Maggie,Don and Jim though.

Ye not the GOP, a dig all the same at what the Tea Party has become with the likes of Koch pulling strings.

I could accept the Bias in The West Wing, it was after all about a democratic term in the Whitehouse

it just bugs me so far in this, it feels too much like the Hollywood Liberal's have rolled this out just as they're heading into what will be a tough Election in the states. I'm not arguing with what they're saying either it's the truth after all, just a wee bit of balance though is all I'm hoping for before the seasons out.

Incidentally but not important I'd be centre left myself in my views, so if I lived in America I'd be voting for Obama

Yep 100% percent agree on that triangle, how fcuking lame. Daniels and yer one not far behind!

Crackerjack Sam · « **Reply #76 on:** July 10, 2012, 05:21:14 PM »

It's OK. It's a typical American show where everyone speaks articulately and intelligently at 90 miles an hour. So what? Best thing so far about the show has been McAvoy (Daniels) monologue about 'Why America isn't the greatest country in the world anymore', in the first episode. Daniels is excellent as is Sam Waterston. Emily Mortimer is a talented actress but her character is probably the most annoying. I'd prefer the role be given to Edie Falco or Alsion Janney from the West Wing.
The supporting cast are passengers.

I'll give it a few more episodes and I'll see.

Corrie · « **Reply #77 on:** July 10, 2012, 05:50:30 PM »

Quote from: Crackerjack Sam on July 10, 2012, 05:21:14 PM

It's OK. It's a typical American show where everyone speaks articulately and intelligently at 90 miles an hour. So what? Best thing so far about the show has been McAvoy (Daniels) monologue about 'Why America isn't the greatest country in the world anymore', in the first episode. Daniels is excellent as is Sam Waterston. Emily Mortimer is a talented actress but her character is probably the most annoying. I'd prefer the role be given to Edie Falco or Alsion Janney from the West Wing.
The supporting cast are passengers.

I'll give it a few more episodes and I'll see.

CJ from The West Wing isn't a typical female character from Sorkin
I love Emily Mortimer a lot but Sorkin has some strange thoughts about her character.She went to Afghanistan&Pakistan,she produced news reporting during the war.But she can't send a mail correctly.And her relationship with Will...what a disaster!The problem is how Sorkin thinks about Mac not the actress.Even Alsion would be annoying if she played as Mac.

Agger · « **Reply #78 on:** July 10, 2012, 09:03:18 PM »

Still don't know what to say about this, but I've been looking forward to every episode since the first one, so I must like something about it.

Mr F · « **Reply #79 on:** July 11, 2012, 01:13:40 AM »

Just finished watching the first ep on Sky Atlantic. A decent enough pilot and will definitely be tuning into this regularly. As has been said before, the Mortimer/Daniels relationship could become painful. I've been trying not to read any of the posts that mention ep 2/3 so will be interested to see how they handle future episodes as presumably they won't have big news stories every week to report on.