The Newsroom

2012 • HBO
4.7
1.92K reviews
TV-MA
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (10)

1 We Just Decided To
6/24/12
Series Pilot. Surviving the fallout from a meltdown, ACN 'News Night' anchor Will McAvoy returns to his job and faces a new executive producer (a former girlfriend), a staff overhaul, and a breaking-news challenge.
2 News Night 2.0
7/1/12
Mac asserts control over the new incarnation of News Night and enlists a beautiful and brainy on-air economist, Sloan Sabbith, to do a nightly segment. Jim takes the fall for a Maggie miscue; a long-festering breakup secret gets out.
3 The 112th Congress
7/8/12
In an on-air editorial, Will apologizes for past newscasts and promises a new era of integrity for News Night. Will's new approach rankles CEO Leona Lansing. Jim soothes Maggie during a panic attack; Don charges Elliot to get in the game.
4 I'll Try to Fix You
7/15/12
Will's 'mission to civilize' takes a hit when he finds himself in the tabloid spotlight. Wade approaches Will with a story; Don gets Maggie to fix Jim up with her roommate; Will refuses to follow the media rumor mill and make a call on a breaking story.
5 Amen
7/22/12
In the midst of its coverage of the ouster of Egyptian President Mubarak, the 'News Night' team learns of a teachers' protest in Wisconsin, prompting them to get side-by-side views of the simultaneous uprisings on air.
6 Bullies
7/29/12
Will keeps a long-standing therapy appointment. Subbing for Elliot during the Japanese nuclear crisis, Sloan's interrogation of a Tokyo power-company spokesperson lands her in hot water. Will comes to recognize the causes and effects of being a bully.
7 5/1
8/5/12
An anonymous source contacts Charlie and provides advance details on an imminent story of national importance. When news breaks that the President will be making a televised speech that night, the 2.0 staff cuts short its anniversary party.
8 The Blackout Part I: Tragedy Porn
8/12/12
News Night's refusal to lead with a pair of sensational stories causes ratings to plummet--and forces Will and Mac to abandon their principles in order to lure back viewers and shore up the network's bid to land a Republican debate.
9 The Blackout Part II: Mock Debate
8/19/12
Will and the staff stage a mock debate for two Republican Party officials. Mac has an epiphany during a power outage; Charlie vets the credibility of an NSA insider; Lisa goes off-script during an interview; Neal goes undercover as an internet troll.
10 The Greater Fool
8/26/12
Season One Finale. Nina Howard surprises Mac with a damning revelation; Jim and Maggie reach a crossroad; Sloan weighs a new job offer; Neal uses his internet alter-ego to smoke out a threat. Will, Mac, and Charlie face off with Leona and Reese.

About this show

A volatile cable-news anchor (Jeff Daniels) and the idealogical staff that has just been foisted upon him set out to 'do the news well' in the face of numerous obstacles in this HBO series from Aaron Sorkin ('The Social Network').

Ratings and reviews

4.7
1.92K reviews
Peter Piper
November 18, 2014
Aaron Sorkin is a Democrat Speaking from a Democrats view what "real news" should look like. William, played by Jeff Daniels, as he called it in the last episode of S1, is a RINO. This show is disingenuous in it's approach of the subject matter. With that said, the show is well written for it's dialogue and engaging plot developments. The acting is great and the show really creates the feeling there are people who want to make news that is real. It would be nice if the show had the same integrity.
10 people found this review helpful
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Barry Belmont
December 20, 2013
The characters are just too smart, too witty, for their own good. They get thrown into situations where they get to shine and shine like crazy diamonds in a world of mediocrity. When they do have flaws they are either so one-dimensional or are so nonchalantly overcome as to offer nothing in the way of dramatic tension. It has a streak of genius no doubt, but it is not in its story telling aspects.
8 people found this review helpful
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Neal Littler
November 15, 2015
After reading the description I thought, great cast but "here's another liberal themed news drama". It turns out that HBO did a fairly good job of balancing the political points of view and presenting very compelling plot lines. I've watched & enjoyed the first two sessions and I'm looking forward to season 3.
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