The Unsocial Network

Here's the trailer for Aaron Sorkin's new HBO series The Newsroom.



So, a cable news network featuring a beloved newscaster who finally speaks his mind and starts saying what needs to be said?  Sounds like Sports Night, Studio 60 and The American President thrown in a blender.

Aaron Sorkin is a slick, talented writer, but his political stuff can get pretty tiresome. In the climax of The American President, Michael Douglas makes a stirring speech about how he's doubling down on being a liberal.  It's filled with platitudes and nonsense that would impress no one in the real world, though you can't help but think Sorkin believed this was the virile leftism that Bill Clinton should adopt.  Meanwhile, in the far more interesting real world, Bill Clinton, a smart man, said "the era of big government is over" (whether he was truthful or not wasn't the issue) and got his second term.

But Sorkin doesn't seem to have the imagination for that--certainly not for the hero of his show.  Look at Jeff Daniels, bravely saying that America isn't the greatest nation on earth.  Of course, it's not really brave to say this, it's just a thing to say so you can pretend you're brave. In fact, it's assumed by most people Sorkin knows--to deny it would require bravery among his social set.

It's also a stupid thing people say who think they're smart--which they then back up by meaningless and often dishonest statistics (or do you believe America's health care is just above Cuba's?).  It's, as well, an unimaginative stance taken by people who believe they're separating themselves from common beliefs.  If The Newsroom means we'll have to hear this smug, mindless sort of talk week in, week out, I'd rather they put on West Wing reruns.