Conflict and intrigue in HBO’s ‘The Newsroom’
I've worked in several newsrooms before so I can identify with HBO's new drama series, "The Newsroom," which starts airing on August 1 at 9 p.m.
Since I dealt with entertainment stories, life wasn't that hectic for me but I was able to witness the oftentimes frenetic activities in the news desk. This was before computers made life simpler for the desk editors who used to type stories from field reporters on banged-up Underwoods with the phone cradled on their shoulders.
Photographers used film that had to be developed and printed for the editors to choose which ones would be used for next day's newspaper. All the pages had to be finished by 9 or 10 p.m. so the paper could be printed and the news dealers could have their copies early morning the next day.
Inside a fictitious cable network
The new HBO series takes a look inside a more frenetic newsroom of a fictitious cable network, ACN, and the characters that viewers will be following for the ten episodes of the first season.
As expected, the first episode introduces viewers to the main characters. There's a conflict between the news anchor and managing editor, Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) and the newly appointed executive producer MacKenzie McHale (Emily Mortimer) who used to be his girlfriend. She was appointed to her position without McAvoy's approval by his boss, Charlie Skinner (Sam Waterston).
Then there's the clash between Jim Harper (John Gallagher, Jr.), Mackenzie's associate producer and Don Keefer (Thomas Sadoski) former executive producer of the nightly news. The other staff members have their own differences.
From the same guy behind 'The West Wing'
The action gets going when there's a report of a fire at an oil well that promises to be a big story. Initially, there is skepticism about the scope of the tragedy. Is ACN going to commit itself to an extensive coverage of the story? Are Harper's sources accurate in their assessment of the damage to the oil well and the possibility of a monstrous oil spill?
When I found out that the man behind this series was Aaron Sorkin, I knew that the show would be filled with fast paced action in the newsroom, crisp dialogue and some understated humor.
Sorkin is the same guy behind the award-winning TV series "The West Wing" which took a look inside the staff working in the White House. That show lasted for seven seasons and won countless awards for him and several cast members.
"The Newsroom" is off to a good start with Sorkin's writing supported by splendid performances by Daniels, Mortimer and Waterston. I understand that HBO has already approved a second season for the show.
To generate interest in the "The Newsroom," HBO invited several writers to watch the premiere episode inside the ABS-CBN studios. (Earlier, for their series, "Luck," which was about horse-racing, HBO held a press preview at the Manila Polo Club.)
Tour of a real newsroom
After the screening, news anchor TJ Manotoc answered questions about the network's news-gathering facilities. He said that a centralized news department provided news reports to Channel 2, Studio 23, ANC and DZMM Teleradyo.
When I asked him to comment on GMA News Channels' claim that it is the number one news channel, he referred me to an ANC executive. She, in turn, admitted that it was true but since GMA is on terrestrial TV (Channel 11), it cannot be compared to ANC which broadcasts on cable.
Later we were given a tour of the ANC newsroom. Since it was only two in the afternoon, we didn't see exciting scenes similar to what we watched onscreen. What impressed me during the tour of ANC's facilities was its use of digital technology. Instead of video tapes, materials are recorded on hard drives. Cameras are less bulky. Then, for more accuracy in its weather reports, ABS-CBN depends on feeds from the United States as well as from Pag-Asa.
Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed.
