Aaron Sorkin is determined to get it right, even if he gets in his own way sometimes. Admitting to crippling writers block that usually finds him delivering scripts at the 11th hour, and a bullheaded attitude that sometimes causes him to block out opinions from anyone else, and this led to the second season's first three episodes getting massively overhauled. After the first two episodes had been shot, and while in the midst of writing the third, Sorkin realized he had written himself into a corner and needed to change direction.
"I doubt HBO is going to be happy with my telling you this, but I got off to a false start with season 2. With my hat in my hand, I went to HBO and said, 'Would it be all right if I started again? I know it's going to cost time and it's going to cost a lot of money'. Other networks would have said no".
The result? Big chunks of episodes 2.01 & 2.02 were reshot, episode 2.03 was rewritten and season order dropped from 10 episodes to 9. And while Sorkin won't go so far as to admit he's taken criticisms to heart, he does hope season 2 offers a bit of course correction. "There are a great many people who weren't just disappointed with The Newsroom but really maddened by it. It was impossible to avoid hearing that. I hope some of the people who were turned off by the show last year take a second look and maybe are a little bit happier. But you're playing a dangerous game if you write to try to change people's minds".
Acclaimed HBO regulars Alan Poul (SFU, Rome, Big Love), Jeremy Podeswa (Carnivàle, SFU, The Pacific, Boardwalk Empire) & Lesli Linka Glatter (True Blood, The West Wing, Mad Men) are the directors of these troubled first three episodes. Season 2 premières on a great day on HBO, Sunday, 14th July.
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In my humble opinion the entire show is a disaster. A lot of people are just afraid to admit that, because it's Aaron Sorkin's show and because it's on HBO.
ReplyDeleteAnother train wreck season incoming then, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI like this show and I'm excited for season two, tbh. Can't wait until it starts!
ReplyDeleteI liked it and never really understood all the criticism it got.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was the 2nd best show of the year last year. That does worry me about season 2 though.
ReplyDeleteIt's a brilliant television show....one of the best new show's of last year if i'm honest
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what people are talking about. This was one of last years best shows!!
ReplyDeleteI think the Newsroom is fantastic! It's one of 5 shows that are among last year's new shows that I'm still watching.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad he felt he boxed himself in, but more power to him that he admitted it and is trying to fix whatever he thinks resulted badly.
I wish the stories for season 2 the best of luck! Can't wait to see it! :)
I had no idea there were so many people criticizing the show. I watched it last year and definitely liked it. Also I'm very excited for the season 2!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to like it so much but found it pretty dreadful expected a lot more.
ReplyDeleteIt takes a confident and talented mind of a writer to look at back their own work, reevaluate it, and change it to make a better story. Kudos to Sorkin!
ReplyDeleteI adore this show... there is a lot of crap on TV these days and The Newsroom is one of the best - I must have rewatched the first season 5 times! I hope he doesn't change the show, it's great as it is.
ReplyDeleteNext up: Oops I got season 3 cancelled!
ReplyDeleteI would just like to add that I don't actually watch the show but I think it really says something about Sorkin that he admits he started off on the wrong foot. It shows he's able to see his own mistakes which a lot of writers are not able to. I respect that his choice.
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