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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Movie, Television and DVD Reviews  /  The Newsroom
Posted by: Andrew, August 20th, 2012, 4:59pm
Not really interested in a discussion of the political interpretations of the show, but rather a discussion regarding its merits.

Very sharp, insightful, commanding writing, first class acting from Jeff Daniels, and the beautiful, talented I-want-to-make-her-my-wife Olivia Munn have helped make this a must watch.

IMO, this is the best show coming out of the US right now... until the second season of Homeland, at least.

Views?
Posted by: Matt Chisholm, August 21st, 2012, 12:10am; Reply: 1
I've enjoyed the show a lot so far.

But Sorkin has a tendency to lay it on a little thick. I can't count the times I rolled my eyes at some of the dialogue during that Bin Laden episode. That was a shocker.

I also don't think he's taking full advantage of the format. This is HBO, not CBS or NBC. Aside from the fact his characters occasionally say "Fuck", there's nothing in the show that couldn't be done on any ordinary network. I'm not saying he should suddenly pack the show with lots of "True Blood" style sex or "Sopranos" style violence, but he needs to do something. It's too standard for HBO.

Other than those two things, I'm kinda groovin' on the show, as they say. Most of the time the writing is very clever and very funny and I think all the actors (Emily Mortimer in particular) are doing a pretty terrific job. I'm glad it'll be back next year.
Posted by: Electric Dreamer, August 21st, 2012, 10:23am; Reply: 2
I couldn't get past the pilot.
Found the characters annoyingly stock.
They felt cobbled and slightly retooled from his other work.
The heaping spoonfuls of exposition was too much for me.
The cliche interns, the ex's, the drunk mentor, all of it hit me wrong.

Then again, I tend to prefer Sorkin when a film director gets a hold of his writing.

E.D.
Posted by: kingcooky555, August 21st, 2012, 10:56am; Reply: 3
I still think Breaking Bad is the best in U.S. and overall.

With that said, Newsroom is still better than some of the long running shows on HBO. I only watch it to marvel at Sorkin's dialogue, but it's obvious he uses the show to show his liberal tendencies.

It's a good interim, until Game of Thrones...
Posted by: Andrew, August 28th, 2012, 4:48pm; Reply: 4
Well, the season finale really brought this full circle with the intern.

Sorkin is certainly taking the bull by the horns.
Posted by: Nomad, August 28th, 2012, 9:38pm; Reply: 5
The writing isn't bad, but other than Jeff Daniels, the actors just languidly regurgitate their lines.
Posted by: Andrew, August 29th, 2012, 3:06am; Reply: 6
Olivia Munn does not "languidly regurgitate" her lines!
Posted by: Matt Chisholm, August 29th, 2012, 3:15am; Reply: 7
I agree. In fact, I don't think any of them do. Mortimer is my favourite, though. She's so charming and funny.
Posted by: Andrew, August 29th, 2012, 3:17am; Reply: 8

Quoted from Matt Chisholm
I agree. In fact, I don't think any of them do. Mortimer is my favourite, though. She's so charming and funny.


Agreed. She was especially cute in the final third of the finale.

Daniels will surely win awards.
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