In 2012, Aaron Sorkin made a spiritual successor to his hit political drama,The West Wing.Sorkin is best known for his take on gritty, realistic charactersand situations that are made more interesting through his use of quick and witty dialogue. Starring Martin Sheen and Bradley Whitford,The West Wingran for seven seasons. After four seasons, however,Sorkin leftThe West Wingteam for professional and personal reasons. Since then, Sorkin has written and produced several other television programs and films, many based on real events and people.
Two decades ago,The West Wingwas based on real-world inspiration, drawing upon real American political happenings at the time. Since then,The West Winghasbecome a classic in American television.Its behind-the-scenes look at the White House and politics has been spoofed and followed up many times, including in an attempt by Sorkin. Though the successor never achieved the same success asThe West Wing, it matched Sorkin’s themes and style, acting as a perfect follow-up.
The Newsroom Was Aaron Sorkin’s Perfect Follow Up To The West Wing
The Three-Season Show Examined The Journalism Field
Sorkin’s 2012 show,The Newsroom, worked as a good follow-up to the ever-popularThe West Wing. Instead of following characters in the political world,The Newsroomprovidedan inside look at the morals and characters in the media landscape. The show was about the fictional Atlantis Cable News channel whose cast and crew swear to report the news, even in the face of corporate, commercial, and personal obstacles. LikeThe West Wing, The Newsroom provided social commentary on the current climate, exploring issues like media responsibility and the impact of journalism on democracy.
Both shows feature elements that have become hallmarks of Sorkin’s work. This includesSorkin’s distinctive dialogue, providing witty and rapid-fire exchanges between the characters.The shows explore themes of idealism, ethics, and the pursuit of truth, looking at the topics through the behind-the-scenes drama and characters of the different professions. Both series featured well-developed characters who were passionate about their jobs, making for a compelling watch. Sorkin’s ability to create complex and timely narratives that tackle such intense themes has made him and his projects memorable for decades.
Why The Newsroom Was Not As Successful As The West Wing
The Show’s Message And Tone Polarized Viewers
The Newsroomwas never able to achieve the same legacy and lasting success asThe West Wing. Though it was a successful show with a wide fanbase, it always lived in the shadow of its predecessor.The 25-episode show was miniscule compared to the 154 episodes in the original, provingThe Newsroomdid not have the same longevity asThe West Wing. Despite this expectation to succeed,The Newsroomwas still well-liked by many. Some viewers have referred to the show as well-accomplishing what it was trying to do, even calling it the “West Wing of journalism drama.”
Many found it too preachy, taking a more cynical approach to its topic thanThe West Wingdid. It was viewed as a pretentious critique of journalism instead of a slice-of-life investigation.
WhileThe Newsroomhas many fans, viewers were much more polarized on it and its intentions. Many found it too preachy, taking a more cynical approach to its topic thanThe West Wingdid. It was viewed as a pretentious critique of journalism instead of a slice-of-life investigation. Whilethe show’s first season reported on major news eventsfrom the recent past, such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the killing of Osama bin Laden, the later seasons looked more in-depth on a more general topic throughout the season.
The Newsroom 10 Years Later: 10 Best Quotes From The Series
The HBO drama The Newsroom premiered 10 years ago and is still remembered by fans for its great dialogue from writer Aaron Sorkin.
Some found the relevancy of the subjects to be interesting, while others thought the recency of the news hit too close to home to be entertaining. EvenSorkin regrets makingThe Newsroom, feeling that he never did it justice, and later apologized for the show. Despite its fans,The Newsroomnever garnered the same widespread acclaimand social impact as Sorkin’s original show.
A Lot Of Aaron Sorkin’s Movies And TV Shows Complement Each Other
Sorkin’s Style Is Distinct Throughout Many Of His Projects
Sorkin’s distinct voice and tone are evident in many of his projects.Sorkin’s unique writing style gives voice to his often memorable and compelling characters. This also means his movies and shows often hit the same notes and beats, following similar structures. Though he often works with an ensemble cast, Sorkin’s shows often focus on character development, giving audiences time to connect with and relate to the protagonists, delving into their personal lives and struggles.
Sorkin’s projects are also usually based in the real world around realistic people and characters. Shows likeThe NewsroomandThe West Wingcould feasibly be real. The same goes for many of his films, such asThe Social Network, Moneyball,andSteve Jobs, which are based on real-life events. Sorkin’s films and shows seem to exist in the same “cinematic universe,“intertwining fiction with real historical or contemporary issues. ThoughThe West Wingis arguably the most popular of Sorkin’s works, he lends his distinct style and tone to many other projects, includingThe Newsroom.
The Newsroom
Cast
At the fictional Atlantis Cable News station, lead anchor Will McAvoy and his staff work to put out a news show in the face of each week’s corporate challenges, political tension, and personal conflicts.
