Show-off
‘The Newsroom’ vs. ‘The Hour’
Aaron Sorkin’s new television drama, “The Newsroom,” is the latest news drama, showing the fast-paced and tense nature of the American newsroom set to real-life events from this decade. BBC America’s “The Hour” is gearing up for a second season, bringing viewers into the world of news in 1950s Britain. Both series offer unique looks into the world of journalism, but how do they match up? Learn more below.
Reviews: “The Newsroom” | “The Hour”
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‘The Newsroom’
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‘The Hour’
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Premise:
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A drama about cable news reporters uncovering contemporary conspiracies and fighting against media complacency, set in New York earlier this decade with dialogue penned by Aaron Sorkin.
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A drama about television news reporters uncovering a dangerous Cold War conspiracy and fighting against media complacency, set in mid-1950s England.
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News anchor:
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Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) is an insufferable but popular newsman — dubbed the Jay Leno of anchors — who, after a public meltdown, is rethinking his approach to journalism now that his new producer (and ex-girlfriend) has returned. Also, he’s shocked to learn his show has a blog.
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Hector Madden (Dominic West) is a handsome and well-connected anchor who fumbles his lines without a script because he lacks the confidence and intelligence of the journalists out in the field.
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“The Real Housewives of New Jersey”
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Prince Rainier III
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News producer Mackenzie McHale (Emily Mortimer) on her definition of success for the cable news program: “Reclaiming the fourth estate, reclaiming journalism as an honorable profession. A nightly newscast that informs a debate worthy of a great nation. Civility, respect and a return to what’s important. The death of bitchiness, the death of gossip and voyeurism. Speaking truth to stupid. No demographic sweet spot. A place where we all come together.”
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News producer Freddie Lyon (Ben Whishaw) gripes: “We are calcifying television news. Martial law may have been imposed in Poland, but we have footage of Prince Rainier on honeymoon with his showgirl…. We are the nightly dose of reassurance that everything is all right with the world because some edict coming from God knows who is telling us what to broadcast and how we broadcast.”
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