As a diehard fan who has followed Aaron Sorkin‘s TV journey since his days on “The West Wing,” I must say that “The Newsroom” holds a special place in my heart. Yes, it was a rollercoaster of emotions – from the brilliance of Sorkin’s witty dialogue to the cringe-worthy moments that made us question our loyalty. But isn’t that what makes a good drama?
Prior to “The Morning Show” earning Emmy recognition (with 16 nominations for its ongoing third season, including outstanding drama series), “The Newsroom” had caught the TV Academy’s eye by delving into the bustling environment of prime-time cable news. The Aaron Sorkin production, airing on HBO for three seasons from 2012, adopted a “West Wing”-like style in portraying television journalism, tackling the difficulties of reporting actual events such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the Boston Marathon bombing.
Jeff Daniels starred as Will McAvoy, the host of the fictitious nightly news show News Night. His team, composed of Emily Mortimer, Sam Waterston, and Olivia Munn among others, were dedicated to delivering news in an intelligent and impartial manner, regardless of ratings. The series’ tone was set by McAvoy in its inaugural scene with a speech explaining why he believes “America is not the best country in the world.”
Although Sorkin’s signature quick-witted dialogue was present, the show didn’t receive universal acclaim. A THR review pointed out that it was both excellent and problematic, causing frustration beyond simply disliking something for being poor, absurd, or incompetent. One scene, featuring several News Night employees stranded on a plane who couldn’t assist with the live broadcast of Osama bin Laden’s death, announced the news to the pilot and fellow passengers instead, resulting in congratulatory handshakes and hugs. This moment underscores the show’s sometimes uncomfortable self-importance (and has since been used humorously as a meme when significant news events occur).
During a 2014 THR Showrunner Roundtable, Aaron Sorkin acknowledged that critics often preferred The West Wing to his latest production. He likened his ongoing work to that of a golfer who struggles on the course most of the day, but occasionally manages to hit a stunning shot, which is why viewers continue to watch. Despite some challenges, Newsroom still managed to secure six Emmy nominations across its three seasons, with Jeff Daniels winning for Best Lead Actor in 2013.
Originally featured in a solo edition of The Hollywood Reporter’s magazine during August, you can get this magazine by clicking here to subscribe.
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2024-08-21 00:25