HBO’s The Newsroom and Our Previous Chats

Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom debuted on HBO last night. As a fan of Sorkin’s writing, I loved the first episode. It was full of the witty and snappy dialogue that he’s known for. The show also reminded me of several discussions we’ve had about the news — particularly broadcast news. Whether it was on here or on G4tv.com, I recall several instances of discussing with y’all what television news reporting was and what it has become.

For most of television history, the news was about reporting facts and putting them in context for the viewers. I suppose that’s still the case, but networks like Fox News and MSNBC have taken a more heavy-handed approach to contextualizing news, sometimes (often?) to the point where the facts are misrepresented. Back in the day, nightly news shows were a service and more often than not lost money for networks. These days, they’re profit-driven and agendas are often shaped by advertisers.

One of the themes in The Newsroom is taking the news back. The characters in the show want to make a modern news program with old-school sensibilities. The show’s protagonist laments that people choose the facts they want to hear these days, not just the opinions. Isn’t it funny that it takes a fictional news show to make things “right”? Has news reporting gotten so biased that the idea of a mainstream news program that’s balanced seem unbelievable? Perhaps I’m being cynical, but I think the days of broadcast news defined by people like Edward Murrow, Walter Kronkite, and Dan Rather are gone forever.

Anyway, I thought this would be a great time to discuss The Newsroom and broadcast news in general. More importantly, do you think The Newsroom will take a turn for the worse when Olivia Munn’s character debuts next week?

Author: RPadTV

https://rpad.tv

19 thoughts on “HBO’s The Newsroom and Our Previous Chats”

  1. Oh i wanted to see it but then they kept showing munn 's character in the trailers it turned me from giving the show a chance. Maybe i will since she isnt in the 1st one and not watch the episodes she's in so her character gets killed off.

  2. I watched it this morning. Typical Aaron Sorkin banter and well written.

    Actors don't make for great TV, writers and directors do. However, I think Jeff Daniels' performance could easily make up for any lack of chops Munn could throw our way. Also, I'd love for her to surprise me, I just doubt that will happen.

  4. Since its HBO maybe she'll take the G out of GHM.

    Didn't Rather resign over omitting/falsifying a report on Bush?

      1. Simply the beginning of the end. Or that might have been Connie Chung lying to Gingrich's mother lol.Sent from a device with horrible AT&T service.

  5. I'm ridiculously bummed about Jim Carrey and now Jeff Daniels both dropping out of the sequel for Dumb and Dumber that had been green lit.

    Just when I think that you couldnt possibly be any dumber…you go and do something like this…

    1. After the atrocity that served as the last iteration of "Dumb & Dumber", I don't blame them for wanting to stay far, far away from that franchise.

      “When Harry Met Lloyd” is somewhere between “Freddy Got Fingered” and “Batman & Robin”.

      -M

      2. The crippled nymphomaniac? Pleasuring the elephant?

        I might have to watch it again to remind myself of it.

  6. Just watched this on YouTube. Great pilot and I'll watch the new episodes. I thought it was neat how they used an event 2 years ago.

    I love WIlliam MacAvoy's character. His demeanor and speech in the beginning echo how I feel. I've said many of those same words at different times to different people lol.

      2. Im actually looking forward to seeing more of emily mortimer. She is my eye candy in this show.

  7. Rip Torn is a great man. My favorite movie of his was the one when he got drunk and tried to enter a bank because he thought it was his home. Oh wait, that actually happened. Torn killed it on Larry Sanders.

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