Politics is not my usual fare though I have enjoyed Sky Atlantic’s, in association with HBO, TV series The Newsroom (one episode from the first season still to be shown in the UK).
Created by Aaron Sorkin of West Wing fame, the show deals with the behind the scenes and on-screen actions at a cable news broadcaster. Based around real news events such as the killing of Osama Bin Laden or the explicit text messages of Anthony Weiner, the episodes have enthralled me.
While some of the acting falls on occasion the dialogue in the programme is first rate; it’s quick, it’s quirky, dynamic, funny, it sounds real. The headliner is Jeff Daniels who plays the anchor of the news station. Dumb and Dumber is one of my favourite films and in it Jeff plays it for laughs with a brilliant performance. Here, his acting is outstanding and shows his versatility as he plays it grumpy with sardonic quips along the way. When asked why he won’t do interviews for the tabloids, he says “They use too many exclamation marks. When I say “I like the news” they print “I like the news!”
Jeff is my prediction for Emmy glory as best actor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwZozdtZMmU
For the record I think that Olivia Munn, the economics expert on the show, is absolutely gorgeous. She can spout the Dow Jones to me all day and all night if she wants.
This is her in her Princess Leia guise. She is more staid on The Newsroom.
Boadicea's Chariot 
JW, Danish telly takes a few years to catch up. Is that chastity belt I see before me?
I’m left wondering what the weather presenter looks like?
Stormy nights, peaks, troughs, high temperatures etc. 😉
Deep depression maybe. 😦
Watched a couple of episodes, I thought it was complete rubbish.
Hi TR, following this blog, I managed to watch one episode, No 6 in series 1. I have to say I was not blown away by it, but will possibly give it another go. One thing I will say though is the complete lack of reality with regards to the interviewing technique by Daniels’s character. Nowhere on mainstream TV in the US have I seen such a dogged level of questioning. Both the Japanese-speaking cutie and Daniels were extremely aggressive, a la Paxman, something that just does not happen over there. US anchors are far too timid and deferential. I recognise that in this case it was part of the story line, but it just did not ring true. IMO.
I agree that Daniels does seem to be a pleasant chap and a fine actor, though.
Hello Sipu,
As is always the case with “longish” TV serials, it takes a few episodes to get to know the characters. I persevered with the Newsroom as I thought Daniels was doing a good job with his role. Some of the minor actors are not up to the same standard, notably the employee that is the ghost writer of Will’s blog who believes in Big Foot! As you say, some things don’t ring true.
While not knowing about the reality of American TV presenters, I watch the show purely for enjoyment. It is refreshing that there are no explicit sex scenes or bouts of bad language that are prevalent on the telly and included for titillation only.
The photo of Olivia Munn was uploaded only to garner more attention to the blog. All sales techniques have to be used in the cut throat world of blogging, says the hypocrite. 🙂
Cheat! 😉