While the final season 3 of HBO’s Newsroom is planned for later this year we haven’t heard a whole lot from the cast or Aaron Sorkin lately. At the Tribeca Film Festival on Monday he spoke out about his controversial series saying and wanted to clear the air about at least one aspect of the show:
“I’m going to let you all stand in for everyone in the world, if you don’t mind. I think you and I got off on the wrong foot with The Newsroom and I apologize and I’d like to start over,” Sorkin told the audience after interviewer (and former President Obama speech writer) Jon Favreau asked about what he’s learned about the media doing the series. “I think that there’s been a terrible misunderstanding. I did not set the show in the recent past in order to show the pros how it should have been done. That was and remains the furthest thing from my mind. I set the show in the recent past because I didn’t want to make up fake news. It was going to be weird if the world that these people were living in did not in any way resemble the world that you were living in… Also, I wanted the option of having a terrific dynamic that you can get when the audience knows more than the characters do… So, I wasn’t trying to and I’m not capable of teaching a professional journalist a lesson. That wasn’t my intent and it’s never my intent to teach you a lesson or try to persuade you or anything.”
He also explained:
“I like writing romantically and idealistically. I try to balance that with just enough realism so that it feels like whatever romantic ideal is in there is somewhat attainable. It’s not a cartoon. It’s not animated… These are people who are trying to do the news well when market forces work against them.”
He also lamented some of the episodes on seasons 1 and 2 wishing he could have a type of “re-do” of sorts:
“I’ve very proud of The Newsroom. I have the time of my life working with the people that I work with, but there is a learning curve and unfortunately, those lessons are learned in front of several million people. Again, that’s what you sign up for. I wish that I could go back to the beginning of The Newsroom and start again and replicate what you have with a play, which is a preview period… But I’m feeling really good about how the third season is going. I’ll look back on it fondly and proudly and wish I could get every scene of every episode back so that I could do it all over again.”
Well, Aaron you know there IS one way you could actually do that: Don’t stop the show at season 3! Pretend you’ve got a clean slate and make the third season incredible, then come back next year with a season 4! You don’t have to wish for a re-do. You can have one now.
Many people, including this fan, enjoyed the first two seasons and the idea of future seasons that are BETTER than those gives us chills. Tell HBO you want to reinvent the Newsroom, make time for the show in your busy schedule and come back and blow us all away.
What say you, Newsroom watchers?
21 comments
Follow your initial instinct – it’s the right thing – you gained tremendous traction when Will first spoke on stage so keep going! Those messages and passion is what our country lost sight of– we have become a fragmented people who need reminding that integrity and decency are everything –the news can be our blessing or our curse much like our dollar…..by swaying our buoyant ideals so we need you. The media has the power to destroy ideals in an instant. It also can strengthen the fabric of our country — you do so by sharing your uninhibited honesty through The Newsroom– really hoping you go for it!
Kendra – New Hampshire
Yes dork in, this ain’t over yet. You mean you don’t have more to say here. You haven’t even approached the disparity between rich and poor. I mean really gotten after the fact that the wealthiest buy the laws that the rest of us have to live in a plutocracy. Come on Sorkin, don’t sell us short. You can get into a 4th season. Come on.
One of the best shows on TV, period. This sentiment is shared by everyone i know who has watched it. I can’t understand why it is not being renewed for more seasons?? HBO, you need to make this a priority and get it back!
I honestly don’t know why sorkin is apologizing for anything. If news was actually aired in a manner reflecting how this show does the news I’d actually watch the news again. I really wish they weren’t ending it on season 3 because this is probably the best show i’ve ever watched.
I never thought I could re-watch a show over and and over again like I do with the West Wing, and the simpsons (Don’t judge me)
But this show will be missed. I hope they reconsider.
This is by far the best written and best acted show currently in production. Like many other great show, apparently this one will have the plug pulled well before it should be done. Goes to show how intelligence and telling the truth is passé
Hard to admit that I’ve filled a recent void with near professional level television viewing. I’ve seen almost everything on – well I’m not much into vampires. That said there is nothing as good as the Newsroom. True Detective was good, as was Breaking Bad. I even was fond of the Good Wife and a long list of BBC series: Last Tango in Halifax, anyone?. But I’ve just watched season two for a 3rd time, and nothing let’s me empathize, laugh cry and generally feel the humanity of these characters, like the Newsroom. I suppose it’s hard to champion a show, wherein the critics are lible to feel its a commentary on their own. But please, just hear the audience – Mr Sorkin – like an authentic news anchor, your audience is starving (?longing¿) for more. I couldn’t be happier there’ll be a S3, nor sadder that it’s to be a finalé.
“Why America is not the best country in the world” set the stage for the entire series. The series has been awesome for viewers who have no idea how the newsroom operates. “Newsroom” and “Southland” (no longer on) have to be the best series out on TV. I like the bluntness of Will, who is smart and vocal. All the comments reflect people love the show. It amazes me, they keep stupid show s people hate but get rid of the good ones. I don’t get it.
The Newsroom is one of the best shows on television. This show is smart, witty, and incredibly interesting. Please allow Aaron to continue his genius work.
I think he just wanted to set the record straight; it had more to do with that than apologizing. Yes, I would love for The Newsroom to go on for years.
The fact that The Newsroom is “fantasy” is why Aaron Sorkin should NEVER have apologized to ‘journalists’.
Seasons one and two were extraordinary.
The fact that Aaron Sorkin has apologized causes me to be concerned that season three may be a terrible disappointment.
The fact that The Newsroom is “fantasy” is why Aaron Sorkin should NEVER have apologized to ‘journalists’.
Seasons one and two were extraordinary.
The fact that Aaron Sorkin has apologized causes me to be concerned that season three may be a terrible disappointment.
I wish Mr. Sorkin could see these positive comments from fans and give us more!! There are so few smart shows on TV anymore, and the Newsroom is one of the very best!! When I watch this show I hang on every word, it is so smart I don’t want to miss anything! We as an audience who pay more for these premium channels should get to have more intelligent shows like this one! We deserve it! You, Mr. Sorkin, should not have to apologize to anyone for anything that you have written, but if you quit this amazing show you will owe your fans a big apology for leaving us! We love you. Don’t let us down!
This show is awesomesauce! I hope Sorkin and Newsroom don’t stop.
I don’t know why there needs to be an apology for the writing. I love the concept, script, actors, designers, and whole chemistry of the show as a whole. If you went back and changed or redid things it wouldn’t be the show we love!!
Own it! We love the work!
I love the Newsroom! Excellent writing and cast!
Please, please, please don’t leave……we absolutely LIVE for The Newsroom!! I’ll be really, really, really sad if you go away, so don’t, OK?!
Finding it funny how the author of this article hints at better future season 4 when in January thesame author wrote about season 3 being final season.
What’s funny? He wrote that HBO announced season 3 will be the final season, and now he’s writing that he wishes Sorkin would not stop there and make a 4th one.
Excellent points by Jacob and Aaron is amazing on how he could let you in his thoughts without letting you in..
I think the Newsroom has become a project that Sorkin got a little frutrated with. He wants to move past it..I agree the Season 2 finale felt like a series finale..but if this is the end then Sorkin will put a nice Bow on it..
Love the Newsroom! Please don’t stop!