The Political Drama Sorkin Made After The West Wing That’s Even Better (And Almost No One Watched)

A writer and filmmaker has had a remarkable television career that’s lasted for several decades, during which they have contributed to and produced numerous outstanding programs. Among these, their most acclaimed and celebrated work is the political drama, “The West Wing.” Airing from 1999 to 2006, this show depicted a fictional presidency while tackling real issues in American and international politics. Critics applauded its writing and acting, and it remains one of the most highly regarded series ever made. Interestingly, another production by Sorkin was as noteworthy or even more so, but received much less recognition.

Debuting on HBO in 2012, “The Newsroom” aired for three seasons, amassing just 25 episodes. Despite receiving numerous praises from critics, it didn’t last long and has since faded from the consciousness of mainstream viewers. Set in a distinct environment from “The West Wing,” this series was produced during a unique era in American politics. Yet, it retained all the signature elements of a Sorkin production, with rapid-fire dialogue and eccentric characters. To many devoted fans, “The Newsroom” surpasses its predecessor as a political drama.

HBO’s The Newsroom Shifted the Focus

The Main Characters Were Outsiders and Observers

In contrast to “The West Wing,” which centered around the President, his cabinet, and staff, exploring the intricacies of policy-making and tough decisions, “The Newsroom” places journalists at the forefront. Unlike the White House drama where characters hold significant political power, the employees in this fictional newsroom are experts in their respective fields, but lack the ability to directly impact politics. Instead, it provides a view from the outside looking in.

This shift in viewpoint offered distinct hurdles to the show’s characters. A significant portion of The West Wing‘s drama stems from characters shouldering the responsibility for the nation. Martin Sheen portrayed President Bartlet exceptionally well, constantly grappling with decisions that affected millions and could mean life or death for some. Similarly, his advisors were aware they had a hand in shaping these choices, sharing part of that heavy burden.

In The Newsroom, characters like Will McAvoy, MacKenzie McHale, Charlie Skinner, and the rest of the ACN team frequently grappled with feelings of impotence. With limited control over policy-making and often finding their voices overshadowed by more forceful but less truthful networks, they would question if their efforts truly mattered or had any positive impact whatsoever.

This transformation resonated with a sentiment shared by many Americans, who frequently feel powerless in shaping the future of the United States, despite being a democracy. It can seem as if one individual’s actions have little impact on the larger forces that dictate our destiny. However, when even high-profile media figures acknowledged this same feeling, it provided some reassurance and a sense of empathy to their audience. If the heads of a prominent news network could feel powerless yet strive to improve the world, it served as a beacon of hope for ordinary people.

Removing the theatrics from the corridors of authority opened up room for deeper discussions about moral and ethical dilemmas that were previously overshadowed by practical considerations of what was feasible within Congress or through Executive orders. Instead of focusing on policy debates, The Newsroom delved into questions of right versus wrong, envisioning an ideal version of American politics and the aspirational goals for our society in the years to come. This shift provided a unique twist on political drama that remained captivating.

The Newsroom Captured a Tumultuous Moment in History

Fictional Characters Addressed Real Events

The show “The Newsroom” primarily centered around observers, commentators, and reporters, which allowed it to portray real-life events authentically instead of dramatizing them. Since the characters weren’t directly involved in shaping history, they had the opportunity to witness significant historical moments as they truly unfolded, making the series a valuable snapshot of a specific era that was captivating when initially released and even more intriguing to revisit today.

The timeframe portrayed in The Newsroom, starting from 2010, was marked by significant political events both domestically and internationally, and the series captures this turbulence remarkably well. In the debut episode of Season 1, the team at ACN focuses on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, an incident where a British Petroleum-operated offshore rig exploded, claiming the lives of eleven people. The subsequent explosion released billions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in extensive environmental damage.

The initial season delved into significant global occurrences that transpired during President Obama’s first term, including the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the Arab Spring uprisings, Japan’s Fukushima nuclear disaster, and the killing of Osama bin Laden (which reportedly took place in Turkey). Although today’s younger audience may not personally recall these events, they were pivotal happenings at the time, and some, such as the Arab Spring and the death of bin Laden, are likely to be extensively covered in history books for many years.

In Seasons 2 and 3, the storyline progressed through time and delved into various significant historical occurrences such as the emergence of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements, the Syrian Civil War, Barack Obama’s second term, and the Boston Marathon bombing. Additionally, The Newsroom scrutinized transformations within the news industry, examining how major events were reported and debating questions about journalists influencing public opinions and politicians manipulating media for their benefit.

As a movie connoisseur, I must say that “Newsroom” transcended the realm of political dramas, becoming an integral part of a significant cultural movement. The series’ thought-provoking narrative, tackling real-life events with keen insight, was delivered by compelling and relatable characters crafted by Aaron Sorkin. Even in its somber moments, addressing grim events, the show managed to instill hope and create something worth rooting for among viewers. Beyond the political landscape and historical context, the fictional personalities of “The Newsroom” kept audiences captivated, eagerly awaiting each episode’s resolution.

The Newsroom Ended Before it’s Time

The Final Season Felt Rushed and Contrived

Instead of getting prematurely canceled by its network like some exceptional shows, The Newsroom was intentionally ended by its creator, Aaron Sorkin, after three seasons. Despite garnering positive reviews from critics, the show concluded too soon due to low viewer turnout. This outcome left Sorkin disheartened and reluctant to invest so much effort into such brief seasons, ultimately deciding to wrap up the storyline with a compact third season consisting of just six episodes.

Working against the clock resulted in hastily developed storylines intended to conclude all character journeys and unresolved aspects, but left viewers feeling unsatisfied due to a sense of haste. Additionally, it leaned on incongruous plot devices that seemed discordant within an otherwise intelligent and skillfully crafted series. From the unexpected acquisition of ACN by a wealthy tycoon, the renewal of Jim Harper and Maggie Jordan’s relationship, to the revamping of the network under fresh management, there were simply too many events occurring at an excessive pace, frequently without adequate prelude or explanation.

The series devoted significant time to character developments and dramatic scenes, which might have detracted from its core strength – analyzing real-life events through the lenses of skilled journalists. These choices likely impacted the final season negatively, affecting both its viewership and long-term reputation, ultimately leading to a decline in audience interest and a swift disappearance from the spotlight post-conclusion. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the show is not worth watching now.

Regardless of the challenges presented in Season 3, “The Newsroom” remains a compelling and outstanding political drama. It is characterized by hopefulness, intelligence, compassion, and wisdom, offering unique perspectives to the genre. By deviating from traditional storytelling methods, it provided viewers with narratives that resonated due to their authenticity and human touch. Although its short run, limited episodes, and unsatisfying finale may have relegated it to obscurity, this does not diminish its status as an exceptional series deserving of viewers’ focus.

A show like The Newsroom, despite initial lack of popularity due to Good reviews and Aaron Sorkin’s reputation for compelling storytelling, may have been overlooked today, but it’s high time a new audience rediscovers it. The series shares the same charm and talent behind the scenes as The West Wing, and its narrative based on real-life events makes it a must-watch for history and politics enthusiasts. If you’re a fan of political dramas, especially The West Wing, don’t miss out on this overlooked gem.

2025-07-05 02:06