Aaron Sorkin's THE NEWSROOM The Complete First Season - HBO Pre-order on Amazon

[jerichod]

Definitely buying this on release day. I'm assuming it's going to be $35 like other HBO shows at Best Buy.

Honestly, I completely missed this when it was premiering. I was able to watch each episode through U-Verse On Demand over two days just last month and I'll watch some random episodes again through HBO Go.

I couldn't believe I missed out on such an incredible and well-written show. I heard about it while watching HBO but, never gave it the time. Now, I can't wait for this release and the premiere of season 2.

[hqn102]

Honesty all the female characters Maggie, MacKenzie and Sloan are very poorly written I guess to show how great Will is. Lisa is probably the most relatable female character.

[Adam4Rizzel]

Maybe it's only me, but I feel that when compared to all of HBO's current programming, The Newsroom is incredibly underrated and not given as much publicity as HBO's other shows like Game of Thrones or Girls.

[Bmvc1]

Originally Posted by bluskies

People on the Repub side got very upset when he attacked the GOP and the Tea Party. LOL, of course, by "attacked," I mean he told the truth about them. Even here in California, there are are a few areas that are very heavy Republican. Orange Country/San Diego is one area...San Jose is another. And they really - I mean, REALLY - hate Dems and the President.

Even very liberal critics hate the show.

[monorail91]

The Newsroom and Girls were two of my least favorite shows last year haha. But I adore True Blood and Boardwalk Empire. My HBO subscription is a balancing act.

[critterdvd]

Even with access to HBO Go, I still like to own most of their series, especially with the seemingly now standard $35/release week thing they've had going for awhile.

I've only seen the pilot for this series, but I enjoyed what I saw and think the season would make for an interesting weekend marathon.

[armenianmovieman]

The 1st episode was AWESOME.

The 2nd episode was subpar.

The 3rd episode was a bit better, and it just kept picking up.


The season finale was awesome, fun, and goosebump-inducing.

While I agree with every letter of the politics spewed on this show, I cannot wait to see what Sorkin does with the conservative consultants he hired.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

People on The Newsroom yelling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W5P-b_-V8E

Sorkinisms supercut:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S78RzZr3IwI

Pretty sure this was made before The Newsroom started. I would love to see a revised edition

You're welcome lol.

Aaron Sorkin is one of, if not the most irritating writer I've ever come across. The only exception is The Social Network and notice that it's barely even in that video? No doubt David Fincher picked up on it and demanded he write more original dialogue. I can see why a lot of people like his stuff though. His writing is really, REALLY earnest. A lot of people are into that but I personally find it extremely off-putting.

[Rizor]

I like the show and will watch season 2, but I realized I spend most of the time *****ing about this series rather than praising it. So at least I'm passionate about it in some way.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by Rizor

I like the show and will watch season 2, but I realized I spend most of the time *****ing about this series rather than praising it. So at least I'm passionate about it in some way.

So glad to see someone being honest. I can appreciate that you like this show. Life would be so boring if everyone liked the same things. It would leave very little room for discussion or debates which don't necessarily have to go bad, but it's fun to express differing opinions.

My opinion is that Aaron Sorkin needs have his head torn from his neck and shoulders by a teenage gorilla with it's bare hands but not everyone thinks so and that's okay. Infact if I got my way I'd never have gotten The Social Network which I love.

It makes me feel good that even someone who likes The Newsroom spends more time *****ing about it.

[gettodamoofies]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

Aaron Sorkin is one of, if not the most irritating writer I've ever come across. The only exception is The Social Network and notice that it's barely even in that video? No doubt David Fincher picked up on it and demanded he write more original dialogue. I can see why a lot of people like his stuff though. His writing is really, REALLY earnest. A lot of people are into that but I personally find it extremely off-putting.

Although Sorkin most definitely does have his Sorkinisms and that video is funny (I've seen it a bunch of times before) I bet if you picked any one writer and sifted through 100-odd hours of dialogue they wrote you'd find similarities or the same lines from time to time. The difference is you'll have a very hard time finding someone who's been responsible for so much dialogue. Unlike other showrunners Sorkin basically has a hand in EVERY script. It's partly why he seems to burn out because the guy appears to be a non-stop workaholic. You'd only see that level of commitment on shows you might find on HBO though generally Sorkin's shows run seasons with near double the number of episodes. That's a lot of writing for one person to do.

As for his dialogue being weighty, well I'll defer to Sorkin's West Wing writing there and simply say "I think we might be talking about a .22 caliber mind in a .357 magnum world." Bartlett's analogy when comparing himself to Ritchie is especially fitting - it personifies exactly what I see in the dialogue. Bartlett aims for more than the lowest common denominator. I would much rather have dialogue being written that attempts to mean something and aims for something a little bit loftier other than just filling space, going for the cheap laugh or trying to shock. Yes it's poetic, yes it's not exactly how "normal" people might talk but it's extremely well-crafted and I find it genuinely enjoyable.

There are hundred of other shows aiming for quick laughs or flashy action and I get what I need out of those but it's great that there are shows like The West Wing etc where the dialogue is an art form. It makes for a show that demands to be watched rather than something that's simply casual viewing.

It's not everyone's cup of tea but I'm glad we get shows like these where it aims to create discussion and impress as opposed to merely entertain.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

My opinion is that Aaron Sorkin needs have his head torn from his neck and shoulders by a teenage gorilla with it's bare hands but not everyone thinks so and that's okay. Infact if I got my way I'd never have gotten The Social Network which I love.

Could you elaborate a bit more on why you dislike the writing? I'm not disagreeing here--I'm genuinely interested in more opinions. I was really interested in seeing this show, but the more I read about it the more I'm not sure.

[bluskies]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Could you elaborate a bit more on why you dislike the writing? I'm not disagreeing here--I'm genuinely interested in more opinions. I was really interested in seeing this show, but the more I read about it the more I'm not sure.

What, you can't spare an hour to watch one and decide? Personally, I think it is the best new series on TV. I've even cancelled my HBO but will resubscribe in June when it will start its second season.

Sorkin presents writing that, to me, is so good that I sit awed by the end of the show and hate for it to end. I think there are a few here who might be politically on the right and I could see how they would hate it. LOL, the Tea Party probably have a wanted poster with his picture on it.

The only thing I am worried about with the second season is that it might be tamed down a bit. The first few episodes of the first season took awhile to grab me, but by the end I couldn't wait for Sunday night to arrive. Episode 4 is when it really started to hit. Here's a clip:

The Newsroom EP4 - Giffords shooting / Fix You - YouTube

The one thing you don't get with Sorkin is dumbed-down scriptwriting.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by atexp80

Although Sorkin most definitely does have his Sorkinisms and that video is funny (I've seen it a bunch of times before) I bet if you picked any one writer and sifted through 100-odd hours of dialogue they wrote you'd find similarities or the same lines from time to time. The difference is you'll have a very hard time finding someone who's been responsible for so much dialogue. Unlike other showrunners Sorkin basically has a hand in EVERY script. It's partly why he seems to burn out because the guy appears to be a non-stop workaholic. You'd only see that level of commitment on shows you might find on HBO though generally Sorkin's shows run seasons with near double the number of episodes. That's a lot of writing for one person to do.

As for his dialogue being weighty, well I'll defer to Sorkin's West Wing writing there and simply say "I think we might be talking about a .22 caliber mind in a .357 magnum world." Bartlett's analogy when comparing himself to Ritchie is especially fitting - it personifies exactly what I see in the dialogue. Bartlett aims for more than the lowest common denominator. I would much rather have dialogue being written that attempts to mean something and aims for something a little bit loftier other than just filling space, going for the cheap laugh or trying to shock. Yes it's poetic, yes it's not exactly how "normal" people might talk but it's extremely well-crafted and I find it genuinely enjoyable.

There are hundred of other shows aiming for quick laughs or flashy action and I get what I need out of those but it's great that there are shows like The West Wing etc where the dialogue is an art form. It makes for a show that demands to be watched rather than something that's simply casual viewing.

It's not everyone's cup of tea but I'm glad we get shows like these where it aims to create discussion and impress as opposed to merely entertain.

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Could you elaborate a bit more on why you dislike the writing? I'm not disagreeing here--I'm genuinely interested in more opinions. I was really interested in seeing this show, but the more I read about it the more I'm not sure.

I found what you wrote a lot more enjoyable than anything Aaron Sorkin writes haha. I appreciate the lengthy response, it was a great read. We'll have to agree to disagree though because I really do dislike almost everything about him and if we continue to debate the topic, it will probably get ugly. You've heard my opinion and I've heard yours and it really was interesting. I'm always fascinated by peoples reasoning for liking things I hate. Occasionally I find myself with a new found perspective and end up enjoying it. This is no such case but still, interesting nontheless.

I don't think I can elaborate much more on why I dislike his writing so much but I'll try. Keep in mind, this is all just my personal opinion and I know for a fact others won't agree with me.

It really is just too earnest in my opinion. People don't talk like that. I'd slap someone in the face if they started behaving the way people in The Newsroom do for fear that they're becoming hysterical and need to be set straight before they either have a fit or pass out. I would be genuinly worried that they're losing their marbles or have suffered a mental break.

It's often like the drunk uncle at your wedding who always has something "important" to say and has to shout it, then continues shouting even though he's now talking about a pot plant he's sitting on. Yes, we got the point, now shut up or I'm focusing my attention elsewhere.

Sometimes there is a point, sometimes it's a good point but it doesn't change how irritating the execution is. Plenty of things brought up on The Newsroom are worth discussing but I can only stand discussing it with people who are pleasant to converse with. Anyone who says they don't know what I mean when I say some people are good natured but a pain in the ass to be around are liars and you should put them in a cage with a teenage Gorilla with Aaron Sorkin haha

The dialogue and the way people in his shows, especially The Newsroom act way too over dramatic, unrealistic and chaotic. I realize working in an enviornment like that, things would indeed be fairly chaotic but not in the same way it's like in The Newsroom. Even outside work the non-stop banter, body language and unnecessary shouting is irritating. Everyones so passionate about everything that comes out of their mouthes and everything that happens in their life.

[deepbreathsanddeath]

Originally Posted by bluskies

I think there are a few here who might be politically on the right and I could see how they would hate it.

The one thing you don't get with Sorkin is dumbed-down scriptwriting.

Neither are relevant to my disliking The Newsroom. I'm not a very political person and as I said, good points are raised, it's the execution that makes me want to scream at the television whenever I tried watching it, and believe me, I gave it a good 2/3 of it's first season.

Most of the television shows I'm a fan of are well written. I never called it dumbed down. It's an irritating show in my opinion.

[bluskies]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

Aaron Sorkin is one of, if not the most irritating writer I've ever come across. The only exception is The Social Network and notice that it's barely even in that video? No doubt David Fincher picked up on it and demanded he write more original dialogue. I can see why a lot of people like his stuff though. His writing is really, REALLY earnest. A lot of people are into that but I personally find it extremely off-putting.

We definitely have different tastes. I saw The Social Network and was very disappointed with it because this was not the Sorkin I love. Same thing for Moneyball. Didn't understand what all the fuss was about. But give me A Few Good Men, The American President, The West Wing, Sports Night, Studio 60, and The Newsroom...and I am a very happy man.

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by deepbreathsanddeath

So glad to see someone being honest. I can appreciate that you like this show. Life would be so boring if everyone liked the same things. It would leave very little room for discussion or debates which don't necessarily have to go bad, but it's fun to express differing opinions.

My opinion is that Aaron Sorkin needs have his head torn from his neck and shoulders by a teenage gorilla with it's bare hands but not everyone thinks so and that's okay. Infact if I got my way I'd never have gotten The Social Network which I love.

It makes me feel good that even someone who likes The Newsroom spends more time *****ing about it.

My biggest problem with this show is its cloying sense of self importance. It relies on characters doing news the "good way" and following impossible leads to uncover Earth shattering news before the story breaks and making integrous calls to get the news right. Of course the characters can make these calls - they have the benefit of hindsight! And why does every other episode hinge upon one character happening to know a cousin, or brother, or roomate who is connected with the big story and can help them get inside info? For a show on HBO, it feels dreadfully light like something Sorkin developed for NBC. There's a romance ripped straight from The Office and there are many moments like the (seven-minute!) Coldplay montage posted by bluskies above. The emotional moments usually end up feeling manipulative and manufactured. The show likes to think of itself as a serious drama, but it's really a step above being a sitcom. It's certainly not of the level we've come to expect from HBO.

That being said, I like the characters, especially Jeff Daniels' Will McAvoy as well as some of the actors portraying them. It's not the show I expected, but it's still kinda fun and entertaining if you can overlook the heavy-handed parts. I'm hoping Sorkin listens to the criticism and improves the show for season two.

[COLD_COBRA_]

Great show. Olivia Munn surprised me at how good she was in this.

[bluskies]

Original post updated with June 11th release date and special features.

[Scarriere]

The debate in this thread is excellent and good reading!


I haven't seen one episode of The West Wing, but I watched The Social Network several times because of, among other things, the great writing. That makes this show an essential watch for me.
I can't wait!