If you call yourself a political junkie, then you need to be watching this show. The show premiered June 24th, but I have just now jumped on board. For this fact, I am sorry. I have now declared THE NEWSROOM my stay over until SCANDAL comes back on, and both shows will tide me over until THE WEST WING makes it triumphant return...though that might be a bad thing since Aaron Sorkin has put that wonderful dragon to rest for good and it coming back might be the only sign of the Apocalypse that I pay attention to. From bashing the TEA Party, or grappling with the 2nd Amendment, THE NEWSROOM has it all.
THE NEWSROOM has all the political drama that THE WEST WING had, though it is not a boilerplate by any means. All of the fast talking, twist and turns that we came to know and love on THE WEST WING are present and Sorkin has brought back all the thrills. THE NEWSROOM has a few things in its favor. Rather than having events show up that are similar to real events as THE WEST WING, THE NEWSROOM has true to life action that allows the viewer to relive reactions to them. To me, this makes THE NEWSROOM more organic and gripping.
Where THE WEST WING was based on four or five central figures that spin around each other, THE NEWSROOM has one key figure for which the world orbits. This lends to a unique point of view. You are forced to see which way the neck is turning the head. THE WEST WING left you watching the show with your eyes in different directions, which could at times leave you excused.
THE NEWSROOM does have it faults. The first being Jane Fonda who seems to be getting paid to watch other great actor apply their craft. Many might say "give it a rest! The 60's are over" but frankly I have never been Jane Fonda fan. Treason is a serious crime and she is in every sense guilty of it. She does not redeem herself in this character either. While many could argue Martin Sheen did very little on THE WEST WING, Fonda does even less on THE NEWSROOM. In the episodes I have seen, Fonda is on screen for a 1/4 of the show and utters 5 to 10 lines. The rest of the time she is sits with a blank stare on her face.
Finally, there seems to be more focus on the lives of the characters than that of THE WEST WING. This distracts you to some degree. THE WEST WING always gave you bits and pieces which made them all the more effective. THE NEWSROOM has them upfront and center. Personally, I am not as interested in the personal stories. If I were to have one complaint, it would be leave the sex out and make it more political.
All in all, THE NEWSROOM is great. It is well written, well acted, and worthy of your political junkie approval. It is no WEST WING, but it does not need to be.
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