The Newsroom (Aaron Sorkins new HBO show)

[BigHouseUSA]

It definitely had it's preachy moments. Sorkin seems to be obsessed with the forties and fifties, like the US was actually a better place then. I can look beyond that though, I don't see every episode being as entertaining as that, but it was a good start.

[NAHSTE]

I don't think I can get into a show where the big moment each week is a news story or, from what the preview showed, them not being able to get a source on the show being the pivotal moment. Seems a bit slow.

There are few places on planet earth more boring and devoid of excitement than a TV newsroom. I'm amazed they are trying to dramatize news production. It's pretty monotonous in real life. I can't think of many more boring premises, but that's probably because it just hits too close to home for me.

[BigHouseUSA]

I'm not entirely amazed, mainly because journalists are the only people that think incredibly highly of their profession. Most people in the media seem to think everyone should be reading Romenesko and enjoying it, no one gives a shit though.

[Houston]

So...before I click 'play' or 'delete' on my DVR, is this Sorkin liberal propaganda disguised as entertainment?

Click "delete".

[Cornelius]

So...before I click 'play' or 'delete' on my DVR, is this Sorkin liberal propaganda disguised as entertainment?

For you or everyone else? For you, definitely yes.

[SethMode]

His rant at the beginning is bound to make some "America! Fuck yeah!" people roll their eyes and give a mental middle finger to Sorkin, but overall I thought the pilot was pretty down the middle. I can see how it likely won't be in the future.

[NAHSTE]

His rant at the beginning is bound to make some "America! Fuck yeah!" people roll their eyes and give a mental middle finger to Sorkin, but overall I thought the pilot was pretty down the middle. I can see how it likely won't be in the future.

I think it will draw an equal amount of eye rolls from the non-America! Fuck Yeah! crowd for being kind of contrived and cliche.

[SethMode]

I think it will draw an equal amount of eye rolls from the non-America! Fuck Yeah! crowd for being kind of contrived and cliche.

Sorkin walks that line regardless. I personally don't mind it, and find it good escapist TV. But as far as what W2B is concerned about, I'd say the first episode doesn't try too hard to shoe horn a political opinion into it.

[NAHSTE]

Sorkin walks that line regardless. I personally don't mind it, and find it good escapist TV. But as far as what W2B is concerned about, I'd say the first episode doesn't try too hard to shoe horn a political opinion into it.

He definitely walks that line. A lot of writers do, obviously, but nobody talks like that in real life. Sometimes it works for that reason, and other times it just seems phony.

Full disclosure here, haven't actually watched that scene within the context of the first episode yet. About to watch it now...

[BigBucs]

I loved the pilot and have the series recording set on the DVR.

[NAHSTE]

Yeah, this is bad. Just feels beneath HBO.

Feels like a weeknight CBS serial.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I lasted 9 minutes.

The preachy, lame, cliched anti american rant, complete with sappy piano backdrop, was all I had to see.

[NAHSTE]

I lasted 9 minutes.

The preachy, lame, cliched anti american rant, complete with sappy piano backdrop, was all I had to see.

Too bad then. You missed the hilarious outburst from Sam Waterston (I know) when he gets in a dudes face to break up a fight. That part is comedic gold.

[RyanLeaf16]

Too bad then. You missed the hilarious outburst from Sam Waterston (I know) when he gets in a dudes face to break up a fight. That part is comedic gold.

I found that part silly and un-funny. An alcoholic would never have that much energy. I am with W2BTD on this one...I stopped it after the discussion between Jeff Daniels and his new EP dragged on for waaaay too long. It had nothing to do with any sort of liberal agenda (which it did reek of), I just got bored with the shit. It's like they were trying to shove the character arc down our throats in the first 20-30 minutes.

[BigHouseUSA]

Tbf, the liberal "agenda" was tamed down a lot in this pilot compared to Sorkin's other work. Is it even an agenda when it is so blatant? I'm willing to give it a few more episodes, jury is still out.