• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

The Newsroom - 3rd & final season |OT| the final word has already been written

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

danielcw

Member
The top of the thread will be updated with links and infos relating to the current episode as the season develops.
(an overview of the show and other information can be found below)

"What Kind of Day Has It Been", the series finale, has premiered.
[post=143341522]Discussion starts here[/post]
Click to expand...




Newsroom%20season%203%20OT.png


Season 3, Sundays at 9/10 on HBO
  1. "Boston" airs 9th of November 2014
  2. "Run" airs 16th of November 2014
  3. "Main Justice" airs 23rd of November 2014
  4. [post=140284429]"Contempt"[/post] airs 30th of November 2014
  5. [post=140284429]"Oh Shenandoah"[/post] airs 7th of December 2014
  6. [post=140284429]"What Kind of Day Has It Been"[/post], the finale airs 14th of December 2014
(episode titles are links to descriptions)

"What Kind of Day Has It Been" is a favourite title of Aaron Sorkin.
It is also used for the finales of the first seasons of "Sports Night", "The West Wing" and "Studio Sixty On The Sunset Strip"

Basic plot for season 3:
Trying to regain the trust of the public, after the made up story about operation Genoa from season 2 hurt the reputation of Newsnight, the team is faced with a possible hostile takeover of ACN, the growing competition from new media and a leak of classified government documents.

Official press release:
The third and final season of THE NEWSROOM finds Will and Mac and the staff of
"News Night" facing two explosive situations: the possibility of a hostile takeover
of the network looming on the horizon, and leaked classified government documents
that unleash a legal fire storm that threatens to topple more than one professional
career. Going beyond the headlines, the six-part season turns its attention inward,
focusing on a series of internal events at ACN that rock the very foundation of the
network, and tackles such topics as privacy issues, the influence of social media
on traditional news gathering and corporate takeover. The men and women of "News
Night" are faced with personal and professional dilemmas that will forever
determine their futures. Set against the backdrop of the Boston Marathon bombing,
THE NEWSROOM kicks off the season with a highly charged look at the core issue of
maintaining journalistic integrity in the era of 24-hour news cycles, while crowd-
sourcing and "citizen journalism" result in the dissemination of misinformation.
Click to expand...

Teasers & trailer:
Copier: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X63rdIcHLA
Stolen Moments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZoEchy5OQM
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79JJOPHW_NQ





About "The Newsroom":
"The Newsroom" is a drama, created and mostly written by Aaron Sorkin.
The third and final season, consisting of 6 episodes, begins on Sunday the 9th of
November. The show is set behind the scenes of "News Night with Will McAvoy",
a one hour live news program from the fictional Atlantis Cable Network, ACN.
Will McAvoy and his team work to cover the news as best as possible,
trying to raise the level of discourse and reporting in the U.S..

All epsidoes are set in the recent past, showing the team covering big news stories
from that time, while also using it as a backdrop for the personal dilemmas of the
crew members.
The finale of season 2 covered the reelection of Barrack Obama in November 2012,
season 3 will begin with the Boston Marathon bombings that happened on the 15th of
April 2013.

Season 2 also has an overarching fictional story arc not grounded in real events.
The team researched and broke a big news story about Operation Genoa, which would
imply war-crimes ordered by the U.S. military. In the end, evidence turned out to
be forged and witnesses to be unreliable. It is based on CNN's 1998 reporting of
Operation Tailwind, which turned out to be false reporting.
Season 3 will likely have a similar fictional arc based on leaks of documents ala
Wikileaks.

The show is created by Aaron Sorkin, and all teleplays are written by him.
You may know Sorkin for his play-turned-movie "A Few Good Men", for creating and
writing TV shows like "The West Wing" and movies like "The Social Network" or
"Moneyball".
Coming from a playwright background, he seems not to prefer a writer's room for TV
shows. He works with other writers to break stories and do research, though.
After the first season all writers were let go and new ones were hired for season 2
along with some political pundits as consultants.
His personal opinions and interests can be found in the characters of his shows,
and with "The Newsroom" portraying a modern cable news program, you can deduce his
opinions on current politics and the quality of TV news programs.


The show started with an idealistic tone, trying to raise the quality of news
reporting and U.S. politics by proxy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zqOYBabXmA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUec131WGjY
In season 2 that was considered a failure by the characters and the idealism was scaled back.


Characters:
  • Will McAvoy: Moderator and executive producer of News Night. May be cosnidered an idealistic or strawman republican. Constantly worried about his reputation.
    played by Jeff Daniels, won an Emmy for this role, known for Dumb & Dumber
  • MacKenzie McHale: Executive producer and ex-girlfriend of Will, who has the power to fire her every week. His fiancée since the season 2 finale.
    Very idealistic and the driving force behind News Night's initial transformation.
    played by Emily Mortimer, known for Shutter Island
  • Jim Harper: Came with MacKenzie, producer of News Night.
    Fell in love with Maggie, but moved away from her to end the problematic
    relationship. Now together with independent reporter Hallie Shea
    played by John Gallagher, Jr.
  • Maggie Jordan: Producer. Suffers from PTSD after a troubling event in Africa,
    but she is getting better.
    played by Alison Pill, known for "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" and tweeting a nude selfie.
  • Don Keefer: Executive producer of ACN's 10pm news programme "Right Now".
    Was Maggie's boyfriend, when Maggie and Jim fell in love. Now together with Sloan.
    played by Thomas Sadoski
  • Neal Sampat: IT expert and blog writer for News Night.
    played by Dev Patel, known for Slumdog Millionare
  • Sloan Sabbith: Sexy finance expert, promoted to anchor.
    Lacks social skills. Now together with Don.
    played by Olivia Munn, known in gamer circles for being a sexy anchorwomen.
  • Charlie Skinner: Came up with the plan to improve the news by hiring MacKenzie
    played by Sam Waterston, known for Law & Order

Also expected to be back for season 3:
Hallie Shea: independant reporter, girlfriend of Jim, played by Grace Gummer
Leona Lansing: CEO of ACN's parent Atlantis World Media, played by Jane Fonda, ex-wife of CNN founder Ted Turner
Reese Lansing: Leona's son, played by Chris Messina
Elliot Hirsch: anchor of Right Now, played by David Harbour




When and where does the show air?
U.S.: HBO, Sundays at 9/10
U.K.: Sky Atlantic, Wednesdays at 11:00pm, starting 12th of November 2014
Germany: Sky Atalantic: English only on Sky Go minutes after U.S. premiere, and on Sky Anytime, German (& English): starting 16th of January 2015

Please, if you know any other broadcasters, post details and they will be added to the OT


Where can I find reviews?
Metacritic lists some reviews: http://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-newsroom/season-3

Watch this place and the thread for links to reviews
Please, if you see any good reviews, post a link and they will be added to the OT


How can I catch up?
So far the show has 19 episodes, each one is about one hour long.
Look at your local broadcaster's catch-up options.
Seasons 1 & 2 are avaiable on DVD and other home media.


Where are the previous OTs?
Season 2: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=617861


Is this the show people love to hatewatch?
Yep!

So, is it any good?
Watch and see for yourself :)


"A snarky thread title is the idiots version of wit" Will McAvoy, paraphrased

Any suggestion to improve the OT, even if it is just spelling, is very much appreciated.
 
Plot / press release for the first episode:
"Boston" airs 9th of November 2014
In the wake of the Genoa debacle, Will (Jeff Daniels), Mac (Emily Mortimer) and the "News Night" team decide to err on the side of caution in reporting a major breaking story, which may enhance credibility, if not ratings. Neal (Dev Patel) faces a slippery slope when he's contacted by an anonymous source in possession of stolen government documents revealing how false press stories planted in newspapers spawned fatal riots in Kundu. Sloan (Olivia Munn) looks to solve a takeover puzzle; Maggie (Alison Pill) is forced to pinch-hit for Elliot (David Harbour) in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings.

Written by Aaron Sorkin; directed by Anthony Hemingway.
Click to expand...
 
Loved season 1 but 2 was pretty bad.

Hopefully this goes back to the quality of 1. Shame it's ending so soon in a way if it does find its form again...
 
Nice op daniel.

I can't say I'm looking forward to this (I am excited for The Comeback and Getting On though!) but I'll see it through to the end just the same.
 
Really like this show, opinions on it seem quite divided on GAF tho, judging by some threads I've read.
Looking forward to the final season, glad they're not spreading it too thin.
 
I've watched the first two seasons. It started off well, though the last season was rather forgettable.

Should be interesting to see how they tie this all up.
 
I'm ready for this, but I didn't know it was only 6 eps :( It's cool that HBO gave it some extra to wrap it up, but seriously, 6 eps is almost teasing.

Oblivion said:
This show's still going? How's it doing in the ratings?
Click to expand...
Pretty bad, hence the Final season.
 
I really liked the first season and kind of loathed the second. I have few expectations for this one. I hope the old theme music is back.
 
Some fun (and slightly saddening stuff) stuff:

ACN undercover, Hillary Clinton & Benghazi:
http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/vide...-controversy---poncho-denews--bogus-bombshell

Fake journalism being better than the real one (this video was done before season 2):
"Investigating Investigative Journalism"
http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/4d109s/investigating-investigative-journalism


"The Foodroom" from Inside Amy Schumer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDk5wDBR3hA


Why "The Newsroom" is the best show
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/a2a20b0b1b/a-message-to-aaron-sorkin


And Play It Again, Dick (Veronica Mars Spin-Off) spoofs the season 3 teaser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwbnrPG1QgA



And about Aaron Sorkin's writing:
Sorkinisms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S78RzZr3IwI
part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jeuV3xXxUc&src_vid=S78RzZr3IwI
only part 2 features "The Newsroom"
 
RevoDS said:
Pretty bad, hence the Final season.
Click to expand...

Well, it went on slightly longer than I thought it would. This would have normally been a show that would be right up my alley, but goddamn everyone in it are so fucking insufferable.
 
Oblivion said:
How's it doing in the ratings?
Click to expand...

It's doing decently - well enough for HBO to want to keep it going for more seasons, anyway. It was Sorkin's decision to end the show with season 3.

Gray Matter said:
All true, but six episodes? That's like a mini series. I for one enjoy this. 6 seems a bit too short.
Click to expand...

I don't know if that was Sorkin's decision or not, on the other hand. Most of the final seasons of the last few series on HBO have been truncated and I very much doubt that all of them were creatively driven decisions.
 
This is indeed the kind of show that one hatewatches...but I want to hatewatch more than SIX episodes. >: (

Pretty much one of the few shows I bother to watch live.
 
The whole format, outlook and cast of the show is almost embarrassingly out of date and that all just lies with Aaron Sorkin thinking he can continue to do what worked in the 90's and early 2000's on major networks and in big Hollywood films. TV has got more variety and we don't need to put up with his authoritative voice on matters big and small anymore. I can see why HBO would have thought this would be a good project to produce but it's exactly the kind of thing that should be cancelled, it's been a misconceived misfire from the start with a few good segments here and there that come just from everyone involved being professionals.

I'll might be checking these last 6 eps out, depending how busy I am. Despite all I just said, it's an interesting failure in that this is something which has worked very well for a lot of people in its previous incarnations like The West Wing, and it combines network gloss and a middle-class focus with HBO's formula of saying fuck and stuff. It's been interesting and maybe useful to me to watch how it hasn't come together.
 
Aaron Sorkin: I'm Done With TV After 'The Newsroom'

"I've loved every minute I've spent in television. And I've had much more failure, as traditionally measured, than success in television. I've done four shows, and only one of them was the West Wing."
Click to expand...

Cipherr said:
A measly 6 episodes. Extremely lame. Almost feel like they shouldn't even bother. Jesus...
Click to expand...

Season 1 - 10 episodes
Season 2 - 9 episodes
Season 3 - 6 episodes

It's not that much of a step down from season two.
 
I seriously hope they fucking dropped the melodramatic love triangle bullshit. I just want more focus on Daniels and McKenzie.
 
I really liked s1. I thought s2 was a weird misstep. The Genoa thing wasn't so bad as the way it was handled, with the flashbacks.

Anyway, I'd actually like to see more of the idealistic tone from s1. Sure it was a little too apple pie in the sky but that's Sorkin.
 
I am kinda suprised that so many people prefer season 1 to season 2.
I think I do too, but I always was under the impression, that people preferred season 2 or liked them both the same.


hateradio said:
No quirky title for the thread. :?
Click to expand...

In the beginning I thought it was important to remind people that season 3 starts soon.
I guess over the course of the season chances are high that the title will change.
When you have an idea fire away :)

I actually had one or two "quirky" titles in mind (see first sentence of the OT), and some ideas were given in the OT of season 2.


real_slime said:
TV has got more variety and we don't need to put up with his authoritative voice on matters big and small anymore.
Click to expand...
I like that "The Newsroom" is about something, and not just a character drama.
Wouldn't taking away "The Newsroom" hurt the variety of TV, since not many, if any, TV shows have a similar voice.

Fireblend said:
I liked both seasons, though I felt like 2 ended on a pretty final note. Still, yay for more Newsroom!
Click to expand...
Season 2 would have been a happy series finale,
I feel like season 3 is going to be sad one.
 
RatskyWatsky said:
I don't know if that was Sorkin's decision or not, on the other hand. Most of the final seasons of the last few series on HBO have been truncated and I very much doubt that all of them were creatively driven decisions.
Click to expand...
Apparently it was what he could fit in his schedule with the film scripts he's committed to.
 
Only six episodes - that's harsh, even by HBO standards.

AngmarsKing701 said:
Anyway, I'd actually like to see more of the idealistic tone from s1. Sure it was a little too apple pie in the sky but that's Sorkin.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Regardless of what most people think of this show, a bit of (almost naive) idealism on tv wouldn't be such a bad thing.
A character like Charlie Skinner looks, sounds and acts exactly how I'd love a news channel president to look, sound and act (bow-tie included).
 
Looking very much forward to it.

Enjoyed 1 & 2 and wished they'd kept the first season intro.

Skinner better get plenty of play.
 
I'm still watching! This show is somehow endearing despite the monologues and the ultimate in captain hindsight hackery. Speaking of which, went to record it on my dvr and the first episode is titled
"Boston"
! Can't wait to see how they got it so right while everyone else was running around as if their hair was on fire, the scene where they rub it into the would be competitor's faces is going to be so good.
 
press releases for episodes 2 and 3:

2: "Run" airs 16th of November 2014
With Rebecca (Marcia Gay Harden) again tasked with defending ACN in a possible lawsuit, Will tries to protect Neal from the fallout over the DOD leak. Charlie (Sam Waterston) and Leona (Jane Fonda) enter the fray of a hostile-takeover gambit involving Reese's (Chris Messina) half-siblings, Blair (Kat Dennings) and Randy Lansing (Chris Smith). Sloan fears Don (Thomas Sadoski) may be guilty of cashing in on insider information; Maggie ponders the ethics of eavesdropping; Hallie (Grace Gummer) pays a price for a late-night tweet.

Written by Aaron Sorkin; directed by Greg Mottola.
Click to expand...


3: "Main Justice" airs 23rd of November 2014
Leona and Reece look to raise cash in order to salvage ACN and thwart Blair and Randy. Will gets a surprise at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, while Charlie trades visions with ACN suitor Lucas Pruit (B.J. Novak). Maggie's EPA scoop makes it to "News Night." Sloan and Don try to keep their relationship a secret from a new HR veep.

Teleplay by Aaron Sorkin; story by Jon Lovett & Aaron Sorkin; directed by Alan Poul
Click to expand...
 
danielcw said:
Plot / press release for the first episode:
"Boston" airs 9th of November 2014

In the wake of the Genoa debacle, Will (Jeff Daniels), Mac (Emily Mortimer) and the "News Night" team decide to err on the side of caution in reporting a major breaking story, which may enhance credibility, if not ratings.
Click to expand...

I knew it. As soon as I read they were covering the marathon bombing this season, I fucking knew this was how they were going to do it.

Fuck you Sorkin.
 
Eiolon said:
So is "What Kind of Day Has It Been" going to cover the attempted assassination of Jed Bartlet?
Click to expand...

I wish The Newsroom was set in the same universe as The West Wing. They'd be covering the final term of Santos and seeing what the new Presidential candidates are. Having The Newsroom cover real life events hurt the show a lot, I think.
 
I have a weird relationship with this show. I went in expecting it to be very great, and found myself really hating it. I just found a lot of the show to be cringe. More specifically, I just found certain characters to be really insufferable. I found the political stuff often too on the nose, and came off preachy (and I agree with the majority of the politics on this show. Even if you agree, this stuff can come off a bit circle jerky and it's uncomfortable).

BUT..somewhere a long the line, I ended up started enjoying the show when I took it less seriously. I think I really started to like Will's character. And I've been able to find joy in watching this show for what it is.

SO...I'll definitely be watching this.

EDIT: I guess I should say, I felt this way more so about Season 1. But then eventually learned how to enjoy the show.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Good Omens | Final Season | Official Trailer
6
350
Grenseal replied
The Boys - Final Season Teaser Trailer
8 9 10 11 12
592
7K
March Climber replied
The logo for Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN: PART II has been revealed and it is unbelievable
33
818
Sticks replied
The DCU's Brainiac has been cast
12
682
SJRB replied
RTTP: The Mandalorian Season 3
7
281
Spyxos replied
Top Bottom