I would like to highly recommend the new HBO series The Newsroom. The acting is first-rate, the dialogue real and strong, and the story lines compelling. I would not be surprised if a whole crop of young people are inspired to head off to journalism school as a result of this series. Not only does it make a distinction between real reporting versus sensationalized drivel, it also demonstrates the level of commitment and passion required of true journalists.
Another unique aspect of this series is that the writers use news from 2011 – top stories – and demonstrate how this information arrives at the newsroom, what effect it has on the reporters and producers, and what effort goes into getting it on the nightly news for the whole country to see. Not to mention the dirty politics inside and outside the parent corporation, the romantic interests of several minor characters, plus the failed relationship, but still very much alive attraction between the two primary characters played by Emily Mortimer and Jeff Daniels. Tension abounds, plus a few moments of comic relief that are needed amid the drama.
This is smart, inspiring television at its best, and since it’s written by Aaron Sorkin, the writer for The Social Network and West Wing, I am now considering renting all of the West Wing series. If it is half as good as this, then it’s well worth watching.
I am not a huge television fan. I am in the category of TV watcher who needs a bone fide reason to sit down and watch a tv show. The Newsroom provides that reason: smart writing on an intelligent subject.
The Newsroom airs on Sunday nights here in LA, I think at 9 pm. You can surely find it wherever you are and, hopefully, can record it to watch when you can give it your full attention. It will require focus with such fast-paced action and dialogue, but that’s a good thing.
I would love to hear your assessment of the series after you have seen these first episodes. What do you think? Please let me know.
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