I watched the first episode of The Newsroom and thought it was good, but still haven't made time to watch the next few. I'm hoping the show improves on that initial episode. There were great moments, and some funny stuff, lots of good tension and clearly there are places to go with all the news stories that are new to them, but are familiar to us. I think it could be great, I think the actors are awesome, but the cheeseball factor was killing me. Sorkin is such an egomaniac that it's strange to see him both want an audience to believe in his cheeseball love schlock and at the same time make sure we all know that he is the smartest dude alive and all his opinions are right and we are idiots. I do think that mofo can write well, but it was a strange way to start the series.
And I agree about that speech on stage. Any time someone says "it used to be so great in the old days before we cared about people that weren't white dudes" it all just feels a little like that person talking is way out of touch. Which is fine if that's the direction you want the character to go, but not if you want him to seem relevant.
Love Jeff Daniels and Emily Mortimer and Alison Pill, so I'll keep watching to see what comes up. You have convinced me that there are good things ahead.
