“America is not the greatest country in the world.”
Thus frames the narrative for this story revolving around a newsroom, its staff and the main character, Will McAvoy. The story presents McAvoy as the most popular man in news. He makes a headline-grabbing outburst after admitting being on medication for vertigo, his staff leaves weeks later, then to top things off during an epic shouting match between his new Executive Producer (who is actually a girlfriend, ended badly) and himself. Major news then breaks forcing McAvoy with his all-too-controlling personality to ask the transitioning staff to leave, relying solely on untested, and largely unproven employees.
Aaron Sorkin (Producer) taps a very unique, one might call it, American, sentiment early in the show for the splash. Many in both the tea party and occupy protests believe America is in the decline, but that we can change it if we act now. McAvoy, pressed hard by a college professor on a political panel blurts out his belief, exposing for the first time his beliefs which seem neither left nor right.
Expectations for Sorkin run high and reviews have largely been poor by others in the media. He’s the mind behind original shows like “Sports Night” and “The West Wing”. You may also recognize his work in “The Social Network.”
Who cares who the rest of the characters are. We’ll wait a few weeks to see if HBO cancels.
The New Yorker has a well done review. Esquire thought it sucked. The Los Angeles Times picked up on something that, well, everyone noticed: Sorkin likes yelling. A lot. Sorkin also skates closer to reality with this series than he did with “The West Wing” as it relates to current events. Like, really close. Viewers are thrown in April 2010 with the first major news story being the BP oil spill amidst a massive staff change at the news show. You get the feeling that Sorkin has been waiting for this.
The show opens interestingly and closes in true Sorkin fashion, but it’s a bit dry and when it’s not, it’s over-hyped.
The West Wing this show is not but it is politically liberal, so… it’s a little like The West Wing. Heck, the anchorman even slams conservative filmmaker/ rabble-rouser James O’Keefe.
“Where does it say a good news show can’t be popular? Nielsen ratings.”