The Newsroom....whaddya think?- Page 2

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 4:20pm

It certainly got some good reviews--at least judgig from Metacritic http://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-newsroom

I dunno, I'm much more anxious to see where Breaking Bad heads now in its final two sets of episodes--I think it's one of the best things on TV. But it's all relative--I didn't find the review pompous, and I agreed with many of her points--but I know other people who love that Sorkin style much more than I do. However, I think it can't be argued that Sorkin's TV shows have nearly all handled very similar character types and that was a valid point.

[Luscious]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 4:22pm

Here's one.
Dan Rather on THE NEWSROOM

[Luscious]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 4:27pm

Here's another...
Aaron Sorkin's 'The Newsroom' and the rise of smart summer TV

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 5:08pm

Some pretty negative ones:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maureen-ryan/the-newsroom-review-aaron-sorkin-hbo_b_1609544.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2012/06/25/f-newsroom-sorkin-review-cbc-journalists.html

http://www.sfgate.com/tv/article/The-Newsroom-review-Sorkin-takes-on-cable-news-3652696.php

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/1216663--the-newsroom-premiere-episode-review

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/aaron-sorkins-the-newsroom-all-the-news-thats-fit-to-preach/article4363472/

[Luscious]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 6:27pm

Yes... at this point, I've seen most of the negative reviews, and I have to admit, I was completely clueless. I owe EricMontreal and erinrebecca an apology. After having watched the pilot episode 3 times, it's only now come to my attention that the show was nearly universally panned in advance reviews from the likes of the NY Times, The New Yorker, etc. LOL! Don't know how it got by me (I'm usually tuned into these things - especially when it pertains to something that interests me), but boy am I glad it did! Had I read some of the advance reviews, I very likely would have passed on watching, thereby cheating myself out of, in my opinion, one of the best first episodes of a T.V. series... ever. I can honestly say that my opinion of the show was formed entirely on my own and without influence. I only wish I could go into more things this blindly. It has me wondering how many T.V. shows, movies and theatre events I may have cheated myself out of the pleasure of seeing over the years. Never again will I allow a negative review, critique, blog or message board post of anything that I'm in the least bit interested in seeing rob me of the experience of seeing it and deciding for myself. And if a show this well produced, written, directed and performed can be panned almost entirely across the board, it's no wonder there's so much crap on T.V.!

Updated On: 6/27/12 at 06:27 PM

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 6:43pm

Well I didn't read any until after the fact--mainly because I was away out of town the past few days acnd actually busy (for once) and this past New Yorker didn't come in the mail till yesterday, after I had downloaded the episode from iTunes and watched it. I admit that I'm more on the fence about Sorkin than many are, but I did think that even as Dan Rather says the main issue was over-talking everything, when often it would work better (for me) to show it.

But reviews are just opinions. I pointed out there from a quick look on metacritic it's done slightly above average review wise, with some full of high praise, indeed. However, I'm not sure I really got the point of Dan Rather's opening bit on gawker, implying that people who don't like it just don't understand how realistic it is and "right" to his experience working in a newroom. Idon't think erin, or I, or whowever meant it that your opinion was wrong because there were bad reviews. You simply asked where they were, and now you know.

I think that's kinda not the point--at least for me--if despite that, the way the characters act and talk doesn't feel real. But it's definitely better than most of what's on TV right now (as you pointed out) and I like the actors enough, and saw enough of interest to watch at least a few more episodes.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 6/28/12 at 8:31pm

Interview with John Gallagher Jr. Again, I think he really is a stand-out on the show.


Interview

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/29/12 at 4:54am

I just watched it last night. Having never worked behind the scenes on a news show, I have no idea whether it was an accurate depiction or not, but if it was I could hardly believe it!

The opener sure did give us a lot to digest but I'll probably watch another episode or two and see if I can get into it.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/1/12 at 11:19pm

Did anyone else see it?

[romantico]

Posted: 7/1/12 at 11:41pm

I thought tonight's episode was better than last weeks.I have to watch again by mid week because the dialogue is so fast,I usually miss something.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 7/1/12 at 11:57pm

So I guess to make Will McAvoy a legitimate conservative Sorkin let him have immigration. Okay. But of course a mannered, principled stance exhibited by no such conservative sans maybe Marco Rubio.

Also is Sorkin still woefully Luddite that he purposely made his characters in the dark on tech and social media as he is or is he trying to justify Neal's presence as the IT guy ( poor Dev Patel)?



Updated On: 7/2/12 at 11:57 PM

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/2/12 at 12:01am

I love Dev's facial expressions when anyone is talking around his desk.

Again, John Gallagher Jr. was a standout for me. I also am really loving Sam Waterston in this role. He seems to be having fun with some great one-liners.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/2/12 at 12:06am

He's not the IT guy. He writes Will's blog -- he's a writer. And it only seems to be the older people (a relative term) that are having any tech issues -- I can live with that.

I didn't like this QUITE as much as last week, but still looking forward to seeing more.

I really loved Pill this week, thought she was a fabulous drunk. I think this will do wonders for Gallagher's career, even if the show doesn't make it. I think he shines and you can see so much possibility.

I could do with a little less screaming, and kind of wish they would leave Will and Mac's past relationship out of it, or at least not in such a big deal. It seems like TMI.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/2/12 at 12:10am

I too wish they had at least trimmed down the cheating backstory scenes. Also, the staff meeting scene went a little too long.

I wish we could have seen more of the trainwreck of a broadcast. Especially the tension as soon as it ended. Or maybe Don's reactions.

[xxdrewboy85xx]

Posted: 7/2/12 at 12:11am

I caught the first episode and I really liked it! Im surprised no one has mentioned Cromer's stint in the first scene of the pilot! I recognized the voice before I even noticed the face and went on line to double check and saw tons of people commenting on it on his fb wall.

Im just annoyed that all the good shows are on Sundays. My DVR only holds so much!
I will watch the second episode tomorrow!

[Taryn]

Posted: 7/2/12 at 1:04am

I haven't seen the second episode yet, but just from the first: am I the only way rooting way more for a Jim/Neal romance than a Jim/Maggie? Obviously it is not happening, because Jim/Maggie is the clear, repeatedly-stated setup, but Jim and Neal had some moments, dammit!

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/2/12 at 9:20am

^ You'll get some moments in this episode, too.

[Taryn]

Posted: 7/2/12 at 12:00pm

Watched the latest ep. Agree there was too much focus on the cheating backstory, and I overall I find Mackenzie a bit grating. I feel like her and Maggie are cut from too similar a cloth with their sort of high-energy flightiness. I wish one of them felt a little more grounded. I honestly have a hard time believing Mackenzie has been running around the globe covering news in dangerous warzones.

Wyn was totally right, there were totally more Jim/Neal moments, and I am totally shipping them in my heart. Come on, Sorkin! Don't take the obvious Jim/Maggie route!

[TheatreKid100]

Posted: 7/2/12 at 3:35pm

Direct from their Facebook fan page:
The Newsroom
JUST IN: The Newsroom has been renewed for a second season. “LIKE” this post and spread the word.

I'm glad this got picked up for another season! This is a great show!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/3/12 at 9:06pm

And its ratings went down the second week. I'm pretty meh on it but I'm going keep watching at least until Jane Fonda appears.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/8/12 at 10:52pm

Gypsy reference!

Brigadoon mention!

But the last scene bugged me. Why mention that they are in a karaoke bar without letting a Tony award winner for best featured actor in a musical sing?

Anyhoo, I thought the format of this episode could have been better. If you're going to do the whole shifting between what happened & the meeting that covers everything that happened, it may have been better to simplify it. Have the news stories, the work behind airing the stories, and then the meeting that addressed the handling of the stories alternate. Less focus on the brewing love triangle and Will's jealousy-inducing flings.

Don't get me wrong, I love me a good love triangle and such, but if they wanted to do a Social Network style "we're going to show you the case and the events that led to it at the same time" format, then there maybe should have been more focus.



Updated On: 7/9/12 at 10:52 PM

[romantico]

Posted: 7/16/12 at 12:50pm

Its no wonder the MSM hates the show and is giving it bad reviews. The media is reminded how they have become lazy and no longer reports the new. Their corporate owners tell them what to report on.Last night's episode was amazing.

For those who have not seen it, HBO has put the pilot episode up for you to watch. The first 15 minutes are great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U4ZhFDFYvE

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/16/12 at 12:56pm

The end of last night's episode was so compelling. I think that is why, for me, setting it in the recent past works.

As soon as the strains of Coldplay were heard under Maggie running towards Will's office, I told my friend watching it with me, "Oh, look. Maggie has sad news. It has to be sad because they're playing Coldplay." Then, hearing what the story was and their frantic search for information drew me back in. I was actively willing the team to not report that she had died, since obviously, we 2012 viewers know she is still very much alive.

Then the moment where Will called Mac and Charlie inside the studio to do some high-emotion outpouring of declarations and F-words. Loved that.

Updated On: 7/16/12 at 12:56 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/16/12 at 1:10pm

I love the interweaving of fact into fiction. How brilliant to manipulate what we all know and play it as if they were there.

I was waiting to be disappointed after hearing that episodes 3 and 4 took huge downturns in quality. While I thought 3 dipped a little, I really enjoyed last nights performance.

How man episodes did they film for this season??

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/16/12 at 1:15pm

Episode 3 had an increase of ratings from episode 2.

What do y'all think of the Jim/Maggie/Don drama brewing?