The Newsroom

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 24, 2012
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 31
  3. Negative: 6 out of 31
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Critic Reviews

  1. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Chuck Barney
    Jun 19, 2012
    100
    I'd rather spend time with an edgy show that aims high and sometimes falls short, than one that doesn't.... Welcome back, Mr. Sorkin. It's a pleasure to have you.
  2. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jun 25, 2012
    83
    Aaron Sorkin can write crackling dialogue. Believable characters, not so much.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Jun 25, 2012
    80
    In between the romantic dramas, a lot of sharply written comedy and some long passages of news-wonk stuff, it aims to make viewers do a little thinking.
  5. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Sarah Rodman
    Jun 22, 2012
    80
    Fans of Sorkin's work, especially his previous shows "Sports Night," "The West Wing," and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," will be pleased to see The Newsroom has all the hallmarks of its predecessors.
  6. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jun 22, 2012
    80
    There's no question The Newsroom is eye-rollingly full of itself. But it's also recklessly full of wit, passion, anger and humor--and timely purpose.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Aaron Riccio
    Jun 25, 2012
    75
    The Newsroom is a message-driven delight--at least for liberals--that's bogged down by uninteresting characters.
  8. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Jun 21, 2012
    75
    What works about the show outweighs what doesn't, but others will read the results differently.
  9. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jun 21, 2012
    75
    Through the first four episodes, Sorkin teeters between abject fantasy and believable fiction. Strong performances by Daniels, Waterston and Mortimer serve to offset some of Newsroom's excesses and missteps.
  10. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Jun 20, 2012
    75
    There's plenty of heart here--and some very sharp writing and acting, too.
  11. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    Jun 20, 2012
    75
    Newsroom is both entertaining and irritating. The info is important and good, but the quipping banter with which it's delivered, isn't. News junkies will be hooked.
  12. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Jun 22, 2012
    70
    The Newsroom is the worst of Aaron Sorkin and the best of Aaron Sorkin.... Mostly I like Sorkin's optimism, the very quality that many of my colleagues are hanging him with.
  13. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Jun 11, 2012
    70
    If you're not put off by some of those Sorkin traits--and honestly, they are ever-present--then The Newsroom might be a drama that hooks you with what it's ultimately trying to say about some complicated issues.
  14. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Jun 22, 2012
    67
    The Newsroom boldly wants to smother you in both ethical debate and its own self-reflected glory. [29 Jun 2012, p.58]
    All this critic's reviews

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best TV Season of 2012
5
#5 Most Discussed TV Season of 2012
15
#15 Most Shared TV Season of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 541 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 446 out of 541
  2. Mixed: 54 out of 541
  3. Negative: 41 out of 541
  1. hbo
    Jun 24, 2012
    10
    This could be the best show I have seen in a long long time. A lot of the critics reviews make me angry, they have to remember that it's aThis could be the best show I have seen in a long long time. A lot of the critics reviews make me angry, they have to remember that it's a television show and to stop taking it so personally. I applaud HBO for sticking with Aaron Sorkin to make this happen. Television is supposed to be entertaining, if it was supposed to be real, we'd just be watching CNBC or CNN. Be sure to watch and judge this amazing show on your own, not from the eyes of a journalist that is comparing it to their own life and work. I can't wait for this season to unfold!… Full Review »
  2. Sundancer
    Jul 3, 2012
    3
    First episode: 7/10. Second episode: 1/10. What started in episode 1 as a cutting and crackling critique of modern America through the prismFirst episode: 7/10. Second episode: 1/10. What started in episode 1 as a cutting and crackling critique of modern America through the prism of televised news devolved in episode 2 into a preachy mess of irritating people screaming and gesticulating wildly, neither half as funny or half as smart -- or half as believable -- as they're supposed to be. Abysmal. Avoid.… Full Review »
  3. elborya
    Jun 26, 2012
    9
    I have just seen the first chapter. I was so bummed about the critics reviews that I thought the show went over the line with a speech everyI have just seen the first chapter. I was so bummed about the critics reviews that I thought the show went over the line with a speech every ten seconds and not enough character development. But no, turns out critics suck balls. This looks like another masterpiece from Aaron Sorkin and people will leave the show more informed than they were before. I specially loved the "compromise" line, as a metaphor of how it usually works for the democrats. I loved it. Watch it, and please ignore the ratings or critics, this is only a 1000% Sorkin.… Full Review »
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