I just started watching HBO's 'Newsroom' last night via Netflix, 4 discs were comprised of all the first seasons episodes. The writing and the acting in this show is far superior to almost anything you'll see up on the big screens at your local multiplex. Faintly reminiscent of that old James Brooks film, 'Broadcast News', but with more up-to-date sensibilities. If given the choice of either viewing only films, or, only television shows on dvd, these days - I'd go with television shows. 'Mad Men', 'Breaking Bad', 'Downton Abbey', and now 'Newsroom' are (for me), offering up far better things than Hollywood is able to offer. I'd seen no trailers and viewed no clips to this show before deciding to get the first season. I did know that Aaron Sorkin ('The West Wing') was a Producer of 'Newsroom' though, and that name broght back a bit of prestige from years ago. During the first 20 minutes or so of the first episode, we see News Anchor Will McAvoy, (Jeff Daniels) have a monumental 'meltdown' on stage during an interview. The writing is superb. I LOVE THIS SHOW.
For those with other sensiblilities, the clip has 'harsh language'.
I like the Newsroom very much. I saw all of last season and look forward to the next.
But-- that prologue had little to do with that happened subsequently. I like me a good Sorkin liberal rant as much as the next guy, but he should have saved that speech for another moment/episode.
I like the Newsroom very much. I saw all of last season and look forward to the next.
But-- that prologue had little to do with that happened subsequently. I like me a good Sorkin liberal rant as much as the next guy, but he should have saved that speech for another moment/episode.
That first episode rant, as good as it is, pales in comparison to his on-air commentary in the season finale ("The American Taliban").
Nobody writes like Sorkin. While the sidebar stories (the romances and whatnot) are pretty much standard fare, the scenes of Daniels on-air, his discussions with Sam Waterston's character (his boss), and Jane Fonda's scenes as CEO of the network are compelling and thought-provoking. The acting is first class all around, and if you think Fonda has lost her edge, check her out on this show. Hands down the best thing going on tv, IMO. Thank goodness for cable, as this show would have been cancelled in 6 episodes if it were competing on the networks against crap like "America's Biggest Losers" and "The Bachelorette."
I like the Newsroom very much. I saw all of last season and look forward to the next.
But-- that prologue had little to do with that happened subsequently. I like me a good Sorkin liberal rant as much as the next guy, but he should have saved that speech for another moment/episode.
That first episode rant, as good as it is, pales in comparison to his on-air commentary in the season finale ("The American Taliban").
Nobody writes like Sorkin. While the sidebar stories (the romances and whatnot) are pretty much standard fare, the scenes of Daniels on-air, his discussions with Sam Waterston's character (his boss), and Jane Fonda's scenes as CEO of the network are compelling and thought-provoking. The acting is first class all around, and if you think Fonda has lost her edge, check her out on this show. Hands down the best thing going on tv, IMO. Thank goodness for cable, as this show would have been cancelled in 6 episodes if it were competing on the networks against crap like "America's Biggest Losers" and "The Bachelorette."
Dana, I only just finished episode 3 last night. This is where I was totally surprised to see Jane Fonda sitting-in and listening/observing the questioning of Sam Waterston by her grown son. For the longest time, she says absolutely nothing so I wasn't sure it was her. But then her distinctive voice emerged and I was certain. I've not seen her in anything 'serious' in many years - she looks and acts just as she was still in her best decade of the 1970's. You're right, at the end of the episode I was blown away by her fierceness, she has NOT lost her edge at all.
I like the Newsroom very much. I saw all of last season and look forward to the next.
But-- that prologue had little to do with that happened subsequently. I like me a good Sorkin liberal rant as much as the next guy, but he should have saved that speech for another moment/episode.
That first episode rant, as good as it is, pales in comparison to his on-air commentary in the season finale ("The American Taliban").
Nobody writes like Sorkin. While the sidebar stories (the romances and whatnot) are pretty much standard fare, the scenes of Daniels on-air, his discussions with Sam Waterston's character (his boss), and Jane Fonda's scenes as CEO of the network are compelling and thought-provoking. The acting is first class all around, and if you think Fonda has lost her edge, check her out on this show. Hands down the best thing going on tv, IMO. Thank goodness for cable, as this show would have been cancelled in 6 episodes if it were competing on the networks against crap like "America's Biggest Losers" and "The Bachelorette."
Gotta agree with you here, though I might call some of the romance stories a bit substandard. They utterly pale in comparision to the behind the scenes machinations of the newscasts, and the newscasts themselves.
Nobody's mentioned that wonderful Thomas Newman theme, possibly one of his most accessible but still impossible to hum after one listen.
I'd mention it -- I'm not much of a Newman fan, but the pilot's score was very nice indeed.
Anyway, just started watching this last night, and was up past my bedtime because I couldn't stop after just 1 episode.
If you like this kind of thing, I also recommend checking out the BBC show The Hour, set in the 50s but similarly following a news crew who are trying to speak truth to power with a new kind of news show. (Literally new at the point!) The cast is uniformly excellent, and the show -- each of the two seasons is just six episodes -- is very tight with little fluff.
I like the Newsroom very much. I saw all of last season and look forward to the next.
But-- that prologue had little to do with that happened subsequently. I like me a good Sorkin liberal rant as much as the next guy, but he should have saved that speech for another moment/episode.
That first episode rant, as good as it is, pales in comparison to his on-air commentary in the season finale ("The American Taliban").
Nobody writes like Sorkin. While the sidebar stories (the romances and whatnot) are pretty much standard fare, the scenes of Daniels on-air, his discussions with Sam Waterston's character (his boss), and Jane Fonda's scenes as CEO of the network are compelling and thought-provoking. The acting is first class all around, and if you think Fonda has lost her edge, check her out on this show. Hands down the best thing going on tv, IMO. Thank goodness for cable, as this show would have been cancelled in 6 episodes if it were competing on the networks against crap like "America's Biggest Losers" and "The Bachelorette."
I finsished the 1st season last night and it ended with your aforementioned 'American Taliban' speech. Very absorbing, powerful stuff indeed. And that 'sorority girl' pictured in the opening prologue at the top - makes a reappearance at series end. I was deeply moved!
Sam Waterston should win an Emmy for his role. His freak-out scene in episode 6 when "girl" screws up on the air over the power plant issue was nothing short of breathtaking. He steals every scene he's in.
Sam Waterston should win an Emmy for his role. His freak-out scene in episode 6 when "girl" screws up on the air over the power plant issue was nothing short of breathtaking. He steals every scene he's in.
Yup, in watching the episodes again I have come to really appreciate his contributions to the series. He's always going to beat the shit out of somebody or bust out their teeth one by one, nobody ever thinks he'd really do it but he gets his point across. I love his integrity and courage, and of course his quirks. The ensemble is one of the best ever (since, oh, The West Wing maybe) but I have to say that the romantic intrigues are pretty lame. No matter, great stuff.
Knocking this one back up top to say thanks to Mastadge for recommending the BBC show THE HOUR. My wife and I just blew through season one in two nights and totally loved it. It's a much different experience than the rat-a-tat of THE NEWSROOM but is equally impressive in it's sterling acting, direction, and attention to period detail. (God, the constant cigarette smoking almost became funny after a while, but then this WAS the fifities, after all.)
It's announced season 3 will be the last season; I really took to this series and wish for it to continue but I'm glad at least there will be another season.
It's announced season 3 will be the last season; I really took to this series and wish for it to continue but I'm glad at least there will be another season.
It's announced season 3 will be the last season; I really took to this series and wish for it to continue but I'm glad at least there will be another season.
