Navigating The Newsroom: A Podcast on HBO's The Newsroom

Update: Summer 2014 Announcement

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Tue, 8 Jul 2014 14:12:31 -0400

Andrew has an update on what's going on at Film Geek Radio this summer.

Episode #23: Season 2 Wrap-Up

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 23:32:34 -0400

Season 2 of The Newsroom may have finished, but Navigating The Newsroom still has one more episode to go! In this jam-packed finale, an all-star ensemble of guests are back to give their thoughts on how the season ultimately turned out. Andrew and Andrew call up Inkoo Kang, Sam Fragoso, and to discuss what went right and what wrong. Was it a good decision to focus on Operation Genoa? Is Jerry Dantana a problematic character? Was the ending satisfying? And was the Maggie in Africa subplot really so awful? Plus, a lot more.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Inkoo Kang is the TV columnist for Film School Rejects and a film critic for the Village Voice. Follow her on Twitter @thinkovision.

Sam Fragoso is the founder of Movie Mezzanine. This is his first time appearing on Navigating The Newsroom. Follow him on Twitter @SamFragoso.

Corey Atad is a film blogger. Follow him on Twitter @CoreyAtad.

Joanna Robinson is the Features Editor at Pajiba and a contributor to Vulture. She also co-hosts the podcasts The Station Agents and The Ones Who Knock. Follow her on Twitter @quityourjrob.

Devindra Hardawar is the National Editor for VentureBeat. He also writes about movies at /Film and can be heard every week on the /Filmcast. As if that wasn't enough, he also podcasts about tech on The Drill Down and discusses The Legend of Korra on Republic City Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @Devindra.

Allison Loring is a writer for Film School Rejects. She's also a contributor for Fanhattan, which is preparing to launch a new device called Fan TV that will consolidate access to thousands of movies and television series. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonLoring.

SHOW NOTES:

00:20 - Intro
6:03 – Inkoo Kang: the lack of stakes in the final two episodes
11:24 - Sam Fragoso: Jim's relationship with Hallie
16:27 - Corey Atad: Will/Mac, Don/Sloan, and where was Patton Oswalt?!
22:27 - Devindra Hardawar: Jerry Dantana problems and Chris Messina's awesomeness
29:50 - Joanna Robinson: Focusing more on characters we like rather than news
36:35 - Allison Loring: Getting out of the newsroom, a need for more fictionalized stories
40:33 - Was Maggie in Africa really that bad?
46:18 - Final thoughts on Season 2
55:14 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #22: Election Night, Part 2

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 14:31:01 -0600

It’s the end of Season 2 of The Newsroom! Andrew Robinson still isn’t back--don’t worry, he’ll return for our season wrap-up episode--but Brian Roan from The Film Stage is once again able to fill in. He and Andrew debate just how messy of an ending this turned out to be. Is rejecting the Petraeus story a good choice? How is the Will/Mac relationship indicative of a larger problem regarding Sorkin’s expectations and the audience’s reality? Is Maggie the new Jim? And just how great was The Kiss?! Plus, Lisa is back, Neal is wasted, new media gets a few shout-outs, and more!

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Joanna Robinson is the Features Editor at Pajiba and a contributor to Vulture. She also co-hosts the podcasts The Station Agents and The Ones Who Knock. Follow her on Twitter @quityourjrob.

SHOW NOTES:

00:20 - Intro
7:45 - General thoughts on the finale
10:08 - Rejecting the Petraeus story
17:42 - Lisa is back!
21:23 - Developing Maggie
23:53 - Wrapping everything up, absolving everyone
30:08 - The end of Will/Mac relationship drama? Expectations vs. reality
43:22 - The West Wing and the importance of apologies
46:56 - Taylor attacks Will; her relationship prospects
51:08 - Jim’s bad call
52:07 - The Kiss, Mac’s Wikipedia page
55:22 - Where’s Patton Oswalt?
56:53 - Why HBO?
59:15 - Ending with music and Maggie becoming like Jim
1:03:02 - Hatred for DC, Neal
1:05:26 - Closing thoughts

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #21: Election Night, Part 1

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 19:17:02 -0600

Andrew Robinson is away in Toronto this week, but don't worry! Special guest Joanna Robinson from Pajiba and The Ones Who Knock is here to discuss the first part of this season's finale. Is the Will/Mac relationship handled well? Why do these characters keep screwing up? How come Leona won't let them resign? And does the ending imply "Preachy Will" is going to return? Tune in to find out. Also, there's a brief tangent about people falling down, which is always fun.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Joanna Robinson is the Features Editor at Pajiba and a contributor to Vulture. She also co-hosts the podcasts The Station Agents and The Ones Who Knock. Follow her on Twitter @quityourjrob.

SHOW NOTES:

00:20 - Intro
4:09 - Joanna Robinson's overall thoughts on The Newsroom
9:41 - General thoughts on this episode
12:47 - The Will/Mac relationship; is Emily Mortimer leaving the show?
18:14 - Preachy Will vs. Balanced Will
22:39 - Comparisons with The West Wing
28:25 - Female characters and sexism
35:39 - Leona wants to be "honorable"
37:37 - Everybody is screwing up
43:26 - Don's scoop
47:56 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #20: Red Team III

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 19:02:27 -0400

Special guest Inkoo Kang from Film School Rejects and Village Voice joins Andrew and Andrew on this episode to discuss "Red Team III." The Operation Genoa fallout is finally commencing, but is it satisfying? Was Jerry's tape-editing scandal really necessary? What's up with all the Benghazi stuff? And what's up with Leona's change of heart? Tune in to find out.

SHOW NOTES:

00:20 - Intro
4:34 - General thoughts
19:06 - Jerry's fault, or institutional failure?
27:13 - Charlie's source and nepotism in the industry
33:48 - Sorkin's style, finding the right tone
41:50 - Reporting vs. gut feeling
47:30 - Holes in the story
50:56 - Leona's change of heart, ratings
57:00 - Would you watch News Night?
59:39 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #19: One Step Too Many

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 22:42:41 -0400

In this episode, William Bibbiani from Crave Online returns to discuss "One Step Too Many" and how this season of The Newsroom is an improvement over the first one. Are the relationships and sexual tension becoming easier to tolerate? What staple of Sorkin writing does he screw up this time? And how does everyone feel about Jerry being "evil" now? Tune in to find out. Plus, a random tangent on John Carter and why sports are cool.

SHOW NOTES:

00:20 - Intro
2:30 - William Bibbiani's thoughts on Season 2
6:30 - Jim and Hallie go out to dinner
12:20 - The Romney campaign as backdrop for character development
15:07 - Maggie's drinking problem
17:58 - Sloan and the ol' humorous-aside-during-serious-conversations trick
25:40 - Will's relationship with Nina and the audience
32:08 - Operation Genoa developments
42:44 - John Carter and sports
52:30 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #18: News Night With Will McAvoy

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 12:26:50 -0400

For the first time ever, there are two guests joining Andrew and Andrew on Navigating The Newsroom! In this episode, Sam Fragoso and Corey Atad drop by to discuss all the different subplots happening in the fifth episode of Season 2. Is this the best episode of the series so far? What is Sorkin implying about how technology affects relationships? Are the developments with Sloan and Maggie appropriate, or do they suggest Sorkin may be perpetuating some of the same sexism he's critiquing? Tune in to find out. Also, go watch Broadcast News.

SHOW NOTES:

00:20 - Intro
2:45 - General thoughts
8:40 - Charlie and Genoa
18:49 - Sloan and her nude photos
29:29 - How technology affects relationships
33:08 - Maggie's mistake; is Sorking making a jab at a specific critic?
41:34 - The word "sluts," victim-blaming
45:12 - Neal as a character, Mac's "coming out" subplot
47:56 - Will and his dad
55:16 - Don and WorldNetDaily, prank calls
58:47 - A tangent about Broadcast News
1:00:30 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #17: Unintended Consequences

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Wed, 7 Aug 2013 11:26:26 -0400

In this episode, Allison Loring from Film School Rejects and Fanhattan returns to discuss the fourth episode of the second season, "Unintended Consequences." How does everyone feel about Jim leaving the campaign trail? Is Will's takedown of Occupy a fair one? Is the big reveal about what happened to Maggie in Africa fully satisfying? And what about critics who claim this episode is borderline racist? Tune in to find out.

SHOW NOTES:

00:20 - Intro
5:09 - Allison's thoughts on Season 2 so far
6:57 - General thoughts on this episode
11:16 - Jim on the campaign trail
20:57 - Occupy Wall Street, here and overseas
35:04 - Genoa developments, legal stuff
48:37 - Maggie in Africa
1:05:24 - Is this depiction of Africa accurate or kinda racist?
1:15:10 - Brief thoughts on the depiction of women this season
1:17:45 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #16: Willie Pete

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Fri, 2 Aug 2013 13:56:05 -0400

Andrew Robinson couldn't make it this week, but don't worry! The insightful Brian Roan from DearFilm and The Film Stage filled in as a co-host to discuss the third episode of the second season, "Willie Pete." There's not as much "relationship stuff" this episode, but what's going on with Will and Nina? Is Jim becoming the new Will? And how is the show both killing off and reviving certain storylines from Season 1 to its advantage? Plus, Andrew and Brian give Aaron Sorkin a few ideas for how to end the season.

SHOW NOTES:

00:20 - Intro
3:05 - General thoughts
11:30 - Will/Mac and Will/Nina
22:20 - Why does Jim like Maggie, again?
24:54 - The opening scene
29:41 - Jim on the campaign trail, suggestions for Sorkin
38:31 - Genoa stuff
43:00 - Main topic: Wrapping up certain leftover plot threads, reviving others, flashback structure
57:12 - Other miscellaneous topics
55:20 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #15: The Genoa Tip

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 07:07:57 -0400

Special guest Devindra Hardawar from /Film and VentureBeat stops by to discuss the second episode of Season 2, "The Genoa Tip." Is Will's 9/11 backstory effective? Will U.S. drone policy be an effective core issue to drive this season? Is the presentation of campaign journalism realistic? And what's up with all the romantic entanglements? Tune in to find out.

SHOW NOTES:

00:20 - Intro
2:27 - General thoughts
9:00 - Emphasizing the "process" of news
16:43 - Will's first day behind the desk
21:35 - Less preaching, Troy Davis, why Don rules
26:50 - The drone debate and Will's Republicanism
31:24 - The campaign trail and competitive journalism
36:05 - Main topic: Maggie, FourSquare stalking, all the romantic entanglements
47:44 - Other miscellaneous stuff
55:20 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #14: Let's Kill All The Lawyers

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:20:01 -0400

The Newsroom is back! In this episode, Andrew and Andrew discuss the second season premiere, "First Thing We Do, Let's Kill All The Lawyers." What's up with all the romantic conflict since we last saw these characters? Who's the new guy? Does Will's little stunt on the air make sense? And is the new structure really the best way to approach this show? Tune in to find out.

SHOW NOTES:

0:20 - Intro and recap
3:51 - General thoughts, the opening credits
12:51 - All the romantic subplots
20:52 - SOPA stuff
22:34 - Intern!
26:01 - Jerry and Will's 9/11 tribute bitterness
37:20 - The new flashback structure, use of fiction
44:15 - Have the show's "woman problems" been fixed?
46:33 - Closing thoughts
47:35 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #13: Back On The Air

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 02:40:30 -0400

The best podcast about The Newsroom on the internet is back! The second season premieres this Sunday, July 14, so Andrew and Andrew decided to kick things off with a short preview podcast. How do they feel about Season 1 of the show now that so much time has passed? What are they looking forward to in Season 2? Tune in to find out.

SHOW NOTES:

0:20 - We're back!
3:51 - Andrew R's thoughts on Season 1, hopes for Season 2
10:38 - Andrew J's thoughts on Season 1
15:53 - Season 2 characters and news
23:25 - Shortened season
24:09 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #12: Media Scholar Bob Thompson

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Tue, 4 Sep 2012 01:17:32 -0400

In this special bonus episode, Andrew talks with television historian and pop culture expert Robert J. Thompson about The Newsroom. How does the show fit in with Sorkin's previous work? How is it referencing other television shows? Does it really need to be on HBO? Tune in to find out.

SHOW NOTES:

0:19 - Intro
3:37 - Interview with Bob Thompson
42:06 - Show close

DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #11: The Greater Fool and Season 1

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:15:12 -0400

The end has come! Andrew and Andrew are joined by a few of their previous guests -- William Bibbiani, Gwen Reyes and Allison Loring -- to discuss the season finale of The Newsroom, and the season as a whole. Has Sorkin succeeded in his mission to civilize? What’s up with Don and Sloan? Is the relationship drama finally at a satisfying place? What are the best and worst things about the show? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro 1:55 - Episode recap 6:02 - William Bibbiani’s thoughts 8:41 - A lack of compelling threat; the character of Leona 13:10 - The hacking subplot 15:59 - Gwen Reyes’ thoughts 19:26 - The Sloan reveal, the Jim/Maggie relationship drama 26:52 - Allison Loring’s thoughts 29:18 - The show’s depiction of women - has it improved? 32:27 - Andrew J’s theory on why Mackenzie is such a klutz 35:12 - The new intern, how Will has changed over the course of the season 39:47 - Mackenzie was there at the beginning! We already know that... 42:20 - Thoughts on Greg Mottola’s contributions to the show and the episode’s structure 47:19 - Our guests answer: What is the best thing aboutThe Newsroom? What is the worst thing? 52:07 - Andrew R’s thoughts on the best and worst aspects of the show 54:30 - Andrew J’s thoughts on the best and worst aspects of the show 57:28 - Will we be back for Season 2? 1:01:34 - Final thoughts 1:04:00 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #10: The Blackout, Part 2

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:40:31 -0400

It's almost over! In this episode, Andrew and Andrew discuss the penultimate installment of The Newsroom, the second half of the self-proclaimed two-part episode. Does the blackout even matter that much? Is the mock debate an example of Sorkin's liberal bias? And what's up with Lisa and the "relationship crap?" Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro 1:36 - Some feedback to feedback 6:32 - Episode recap and clip 9:58 - Andrew J's general thoughts 13:00 - Andrew R's general thoughts 14:46 - Looking at The Newsroom as a workplace comedy 16:46 - Neal's mission to troll 21:11 - The mock debate; too much? 30:30 - The character of Lisa and her on-air mistake 36:33 - Main topic: The "relationship crap" and the development of Don 45:58 - Brief thoughts on Mackenzie and the Brian subplot 48:50 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #9: The Blackout, Part 1

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 01:55:07 -0400

Special guest Chadwick Matlin from Vulture joins Andrew and Andrew to analyze why the show is just so darn mediocre. What's up with this new character? Are the scenes with Sloan and Don further evidence of Sorkin's sexism? And why is God on Mackenzie's side now? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro 3:00 - Chadwick Matlin gives his general thoughts 7:30 - Andrew R's general thoughts on the episode 9:50 - What's changed from the beginning? 16:15 - The hacking subplot 19:35 - The scene with Sloan; is sexism just a matter of context and tone? 25:50 - The new character of Brian Brenner 30:03 - The Casey Anthony lecture - more sexism? 38:33 - Main topic: Ratings vs. principles - God is taking sides 47:55 - Sorkin vs. Mamet 50:04 - Sorkin's ego 54:07 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #8: 5/1

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 03:17:17 -0400

This week, The Newsroom gets nostalgic and patriotic. Special guest Gwen Reyes from Reel Vixen stops by to discuss the portrayal of the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death. Was it respectful, superficial, or both? Is Sloan still the strongest female character? And is Jim's recent development with Lisa really what the love triangle needs? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro and episode recap 3:35 - Gwen's thoughts on the show and the episode 7:04 - Andrew R's general thoughts on the episode 10:30 - Thoughts on the love triangle; should Jim and Maggie ever end up together? 15:21 - The reveal at the end of the episode 20:23 - The portrayal of Sloan this episode 30:06 - Main topic: The killing of Osama bin Laden; an effective portrayal? 50:49 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #7: Bullies

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Wed, 1 Aug 2012 06:57:57 -0400

Finally, the show gets a female perspective! Special guest Allison Loring from Film School Rejects joins Andrew and Andrew to discuss the latest episode of The Newsroom. Was the Sloan situation handled well, or is it just further evidence of hypocrisy? Is the internet really that evil? Is Will going to turn into another Tony Soprano? And why is Maggie so damn clueless? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro and episode recap 2:45 - General thoughts on the show and the episode 5:00 - How does Maggie still have a job? 10:10 - Will in therapy 19:20 - The internet is evil 33:53 - The Sloan situation; Charlie's "girl" comment 45:07 - The solution to the problem: pros and cons 57:19 - Maggie mistakes 1:01:38 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #6: Amen

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Wed, 1 Aug 2012 06:52:32 -0400

Special guest William Bibbiani from Crave Online joins Andrew and Andrew to discuss the fifth episode of The Newsroom. Has the show recovered from last week's travesty? Is this Neal-centric episode what we had hoped for? And how does the economy work, anyway? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro and episode recap 4:21 - General thoughts on the show and the episode 7:42 - Why does the show continue to humiliate Mackenzie? 13:22 - Bibbs gives more general thoughts on the show and character relationships 27:16 - Back to the show's treatment of women 31:55 - Andrew Robinson's general thoughts on the episode 38:51 - The show as tragedy? 46:23 - The show's ambitions 53:24 - Finally! Neal development! 58:05 - What do we like about The Newsroom? 1:10:14 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #5: I'll Try To Fix You

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 04:24:37 -0400

Sorry for the delay, folks! Andrew and Andrew are finally back to discuss the fourth episode of The Newsroom, "I'll Try To Fix You." They're joined by special guest Corey Atad from Sound on Sight and the new JustAtadcast. Does this episode deserve all the hate? Is Sorkin succeeding in his "mission to civilize?" Is his attitude towards gossip journalists accurate or unfair? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro and episode recap 3:20 - General thoughts on the show and the episode 9:15 - Back to the issue of sexism; condescending towards female characters 15:38 - Is Sorkin's knowledge of his topic actually the problem? 22:56 - The love triangle 27:53 - Favorite characters 31:55 - Why the ending was terrible, the show's attitude toward history 37:40 - Neal and Bigfoot 41:56 - Gossip/celebrity news and whether McAvoy/Sorkin is right; comparisons to The West Wing 53:10 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #4: The 112th Congress

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 08:51:11 -0400

The third episode of The Newsroom has a unique structure, but is this a good thing or a step back? Andrew and Andrew discuss Will and Mackenzie's relationship woes, the extent to which characters are actually developing, and whether or not the Tea Party-bashing is effective. Is the show liberal propaganda? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro and episode recap 3:00 - General thoughts 10:15 - By bashing the Tea Party, is the show becoming liberal propaganda? 24:07 - Character development of Don, Jim and Maggie 33:14 - The Will/Mackenzie "date battle" 42:54 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #3: News Night 2.0

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Sun, 8 Jul 2012 02:43:04 -0400

Andrew and Andrew discuss the second episode of The Newsroom. Is this an improvement over the pilot or is the show already starting to go downhill? Is Will McAvoy still an intriguing character? What about critics who say the show's depiction of women is sexist? Are Maggie, Mackenzie and Sloan depicted in a positive way? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:06 - Short disclaimer 1:13 - Intro and episode recap 5:05 - General thoughts 7:08 - Characterization of Maggie; the love triangle 19:25 - Sloan Sabbath and the requirement of female news anchors to have "great legs" 24:45 - Will McAvoy and ratings 32:40 - Mackenzie and the email issue - is it sexist? 40:55 - Sloan and blind acceptance of sex appeal in broadcast news; is The Newsroom really all that radical? 51:40 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #2: We Just Decided To

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 05:23:21 -0400

Andrew and Andrew discuss the pilot episode of The Newsroom, "We Just Decided To." How does it compare to Sorkin's other work? Is the use of real-life news going to be a problem? Is Sorkin a brilliant truth-teller or just an arrogant jerk? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:20 - Intro and episode recap 3:24 - Andrew Robinson's general thoughts 7:34 - Andrew Johnson's general thoughts 11:04 - Ripping off "The Office"? 14:28 - Is Will McAvoy a likable character? 23:35 - The show as Aaron Sorkin's soapbox, opinion journalism 34:34 - Using real-life news - is it insulting to real journalists? 39:39 - Character development 45:35 - The end reveal and whether it's appropriate 52:23 - The title of the episode as further evidence of Sorkin snobbery 58:16 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode #1: An Introduction

andrew@filmgeekradio.com (Film Geek Radio) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:31:01 -0400

Welcome to Navigating The Newsroom! In this pilot episode, hosts Andrew and Andrew introduce themselves and share their expectations for the new HBO series The Newsroom. Will Aaron Sorkin be able to capture the same magic he did with shows like The West Wing and films like The Social Network? Join us for 10 weeks of in-depth discussion and analysis of one of this summer’s most anticipated new shows! SHOW NOTES: 0:20 - Intro 1:00 - The hosts introduce themselves 2:35 - What we know about The Newsroom 6:00 - Our familiarity with other Sorkin work 7:40 - What we’re excited about, possible concerns 12:05 - Podcast format 13:32 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!