<p>Anyone watch the series premiere tonight? Thoughts?</p>
<p>I mostly enjoyed it. Second half was much better than the first. Characters are leaning a little toward unlikable right now but hopefully that will change. Interesting to see how they work in other major headlines into the show - Bin Laden is a big one coming up.</p>
<p>Overall it just made me want to rewatch The West Wing again.</p>
<p>I enjoyed the very good Sorkin dialogue. I did not like how Sorkin speechifies about the subtext he should allow audiences to discover. He did the same thing in Studio 60. I think West Wing was better; more show, less tell.</p>
<p>I liked Jeff Daniels, Sam Waterson, Allison Pill. I did not like Emily Mortimer in this part, though I usually like her. Seems a bit like a retread of Broadcast News, and Mortimer doesn’t inhabit the part the way Holly Hunter did. (It was originally supposed to be Debra Winger.)</p>
<p>I also thought the two love stories, especially the developing triangle, kind of drippy.</p>
<p>It made me sad about the oil spill all over again.</p>
<p>I like the premise. Sorkin’s little dialogue tirades are predictable but I am in complete and total agreement with them so there you go. I don’t recall my impression of the first West Wing episode but I am hoping that this show gels with time. </p>
<p>The one story line about the assistant-to-assistant producer has started out more Mary Tyler Moore than Sorkin. I hope that it settles down or I will find that character really annoying.</p>
<p>I liked it better than I thought I would, based on the mediocre reviews. Elleneast, I too thought the intern/assistant was ridiculously ditzy (although now that she’s an assistant producer I’m sure she’ll turn into a brilliant journalist :rolleyes:). </p>
<p>mythmom, once Emily Mortimer showed up I immediately thought of Holly Hunter in Broadcast News, a movie I love. </p>
<p>The speechifying went on a little too long, but I really like Sam Waterston, and will certainly keep watching for the time being.</p>
<p>The poor reviews were mostly based on the ensuing episodes–most critics liked the pilot. So hold onto your hats… I don’t like the shtick of revisiting past news events and showing how the media should have reported them, which is apparently the pattern of the show. In “real life”, the facts about the oil spill were sussed out over weeks of digging by the print media–no handy ex-roommates and siblings were around on day one to spill the beans. I also find myself a little annoyed by yet another May-December romance where the male is the older party. Wouldn’t it have been refreshing if McEvoy’s old flame had been his own age, instead of young enough to be his daughter? And he was supposedly spending his vacation with Erin Andrews, same age gap. I guess it happens all the time with rich and powerful men, but jeez…it gets tiresome.</p>
<p>I was never all that enchanted by The West Wing, which I only watched sporadically. I probably agree with 90% of Sorkin’s politics, but I don’t have a lot of tolerance for his pontificating and self-righteousness.</p>
<p>A bit of trivia–Alison Pill and John Gallagher, Jr., whose characters look to be headed for romance, played siblings in the delightful movie Pieces of April. (Would that be cINemaCEST?)</p>
<p>We love Aaron Sorkin, love West Wing, love Studio 60, but don’t have HBO. </p>
<p>My political views tend to align with Sorkin’s but I always wonder if I could like a show that was written as well as West Wing, but coming from the opposite side of the aisle. If the characters were as engaging as those in West Wing and Studio 60 and the writing was as clever, could I enjoya show where the protagonists were trying to cut the tax rate for capital gains, or limit abortions, or whatever?</p>
<p>I’m just wondering how much of the appeal of Sorkin’s shows comes from me agreeing with him vs. good writing, etc.</p>
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<p>Maybe I can help you with that question, Missypie. I and my family LOVE West Wing and Studio 60 and we enjoyed the pilot of Newsroom. AND we are politically pretty conservative and therefore have pretty serious disagreements with most of the “politics” presented on those shows. I remember loving an exchange between the characters of Josh and Donna on WW where they were talking about taxes and Donna was saying, quite frankly, something like “Why can’t I decide how to spend my money?” and Josh said something like “you might not do it right”. I thought that was hilarious! </p>
<p>My son had a great observation on the opening diatribe from the pilot of Newsroom about how America is not the greatest country on Earth. I don’t think he’d mind my quoting him here: </p>
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<p>churchmusicmom: From Studio 60 it’s clear that Sorkin is extremely biased against religion. I loved Studio 60 too, but I believe that his obsession with this subject is one thing that torpedoed the show. I think it’s all tied up with his on-again-on-again relationship with Kristin Chenowith and her known fundamentalist Christian values. I think it’s sad that this came between them, and I think they’re both single, and I think she is awesomely talented but a somewhat lonely figure, so I feel for her.</p>
<p>I’m not surprised that he took a jab at angels. Sometimes I believe in them, and sometimes I don’t.</p>
<p>I think for him that’s code for being anti-evolution which does impede some scientific thinking at times. And the US is the only industrial nation with the demand by some school districts that Creationism be taught. That would be a more sensible target, but maybe there isn’t available data points, and maybe that would have sunk the light hearted politics of the scene.</p>
<p>I think there were looking for points that would not make the character lean too far right or left. And the character is obviously arrogant and elitist.</p>
<p>But your imput and your son’s imput are very welcome. I hope my remarks don’t suggest otherwise. I am just musing on the point you raised.</p>
<p>All musings are welcomed, Mythmom!!! That is what this forum is for! :)</p>
<p>I had forgotten that. “The Christian Right” was the Big Evil on Studio 60.</p>
<p>Since we are Sorkin fans, I think my family of low key Presbyterian-type Christians should volunteer to hang out with him for a while…sounds like he needs a dose of normal.</p>
<p>I think it has great potential, if it tones down the preachy-ness and makes more of an attempt to show how an actual newsroom works. It’s entertainment, of course, but it’s further away from the reality of the profession than many similar professional situation dramas. I think the casting for the most part is very good (I agree that Emily Mortimer has been miscast and would love to have seen Debra Winger in the role. She would have been perfect!). Filled with talented NY theatre actors, bravo to that, especially Alison Pill!</p>
<p>Debra Winger was supposed to have Holly Hunter’s part, not Emily Mortimer’s. I’m sure the genius men who make television consider them both too old to have any sex appeal. For me, Sorkin also made a mistake to have each episode rehash an old real news story.</p>
<p>Ah, okay, mythmom. Thanks for clarifying. I still think that she’d be perfect for this role. Emily Mortimer is unappealing in this, and too young. Anyone who saw Debra Winger in In Treatment last year would see that her sex appeal is ever evident.</p>
<p>Show is on dvr, so I haven’t watched yet. But let me say that I am a republican, yet I still consider The West Wing to be the best tv show of all time. Seen every episode multiple times, and I still marvel at how good it was. Look past whatever political slant you may disagree with, and just absorb the brilliant writing and acting. Few shows have ever achieved this excellence.</p>
<p>Hear! Hear!</p>
<p>Anyone still watching? I think this week’s episode was a strong one, and although the show clearly has its flaws, it may finally have found its way. The acting is a joy to watch. I hope they continue to inject excellent theatre-trained actors, even in small roles. The show would be worth watching solely for the opportunity to watch what a talent Jeff Daniels is.</p>
<p>D1 is loving it. (I’ve only had time to watch the pilot). She said she’s learned about Glass-Steagal and many other historical/political issues that weren’t things taught in school. Hope to catch up soon, as summer swim season will be over tomorrow!!</p>
<p>Love the show!!! It’s hitting it’s stride in last couple episodes. Not perfect, but love the political views</p>
<p>I want to love this show, but I can’t make it past half of the first episode without falling asleep…so annoying!</p>
<p>I have no idea why I can’t get into it…</p>
<p>This is my favorite new show for sure. I’ve learned to watch it on demand
the next day as it’s not on til 10pm where I live…I fell asleep myself on the 2nd half of an episode once already.</p>
<p>But, I LOVE Jeff Daniels in this role. This week, he was exceptional. I see him getting an Emmy nomination for sure. </p>
<p>Some have mentioned not caring for the old-news story angle. I actually find that part fascinating. I applaud the premise of the show–to illustrate how news should be done. I’m a bit of a news junkie and all the “opinion” news programs are really starting to wear on me. I’d love to get back to more of the old-fashioned “fact-based” reporting.</p>
<p>I was a fan of the West Wing as well. So glad to see Sorkin back in his element.</p>