The Newsroom (1996–2005) User Reviews (20)

Realistic portrayal of a newsroom

[Firebird7478 · 9/10 · 18 December 2006]

I work in broadcasting. This is a very real show to me. The ass-kissing, self-serving characters on this show hit home with me. There's not a character on this show that isn't like someone that I work with.

The show is hysterical. But, I think it's one that requires much attention, or you'll miss something. The actions and results are right on top of each other, from scene to scene. There is a lot of dialog, with no real punchline. It's totally played straight, which makes it brilliant.

The only thing I don't like about it is that there isn't a 4th season. What a pity.

This show is pretty great

[DefLowd · 8/10 · 3 May 2007]

This show was excellent and had me until the completely unnecessary and bizarre 8 and a half homage (the three episodes called the meltdown). The entire purpose of which seemed to be to allow finkelman to pretend to be the main character from the movie. Which was hopelessly self-indulgent ("which was the point! get it?!") and devoid of anything interesting to say.

Before that though the show lays the blueprint for one camera office politics satire which both the British and American Office have utilized (if not totally ripped off). The show features some of the best writing I've ever seen on Television, incredibly sophisticated and never broad, it still manages to be hilarious.

8.5 out of 10 (get it?)

Oh Canada!

[Sylviastel · 9/10 · 16 October 2006]

I would love to see more comedies out of Canada. Most of today's American comedies are downright dumbed down to the audience of the young and the restless. Anyway, I was surprised that I actually enjoyed watching this show mixed in with the British comedies on NJN. I love Canada. I was watching the episode which was well-written about pretty boy anchorman who enjoys doing stories on pets in Kabul. I love his school teacher who said that he had a great voice and looked great enough to be doing something that wouldn't require too much thinking or intelligence. Anyway, this anchorman gets kidnapped while on assignment. The ransom was 2 million American dollars not Canadian but it was brought down to 1700 Canadian dollars because the reporter captured wasn't anybody worth keeping. Of course, his boss was on the shortlist for an Order of Canada. If you don't know what the Order of Canada is, it's like the Order of the British Empire or Order of Australia with no knights or dames. Well the boss was on the shortlist until his anchorman gets kidnapped and he gets bumped. By the time the shortlist comes out after Jim Walcott's unflattering tapes of his past surface and he gets bumped off. Who gets on the list is the substitute female anchor. It's all political but it shouldn't be in the Order of Canada. Oh well, God Bless Canada.

Different style, still one of the best things on tv

[fooltank77 · 10/10 · 18 February 2004]

While Ken has made the show much more darker (I think there has been a death in every show), it still remains an incredibly funny show. George Findlay was always the most interesting character in the original series, thus I have no problems with there being a lack of returning cast members. Amongst the new actors, I especially enjoy Matt Watts, whose deapan delivery makes his character much funnier than he should be. Overall, a solid return for Finklemen after all those artier than thou pretentious pieces that he did after the original series (More Tears was still good though).

Thank you CBC!!

[squarest4 · 13 January 2004]

Let me be the first to say: The Newsroom is BACK, and darker than ever!

I've only seen the first episode, so I won't say much, but this premiere felt darker than all but the last few episodes of the original series. The original series was always black, but had a playfulness to it, and a certain charmingness about the characters; this new reinvention of the show carries most of the same issues and style, but is more unrelenting and comically depressing (and recasts all of the 'fun', 'quirky' characters). yes, I would even say they have taken it so far that it is no longer comedy, it's pure pain---but it in a good way! The Newsroom at its best achieved a kind of satire that made you fearful of seeing the characters as real people, and yet being forced into moments where we saw their saddest and honest humanity coming out (in the most crushing and embarassing and despicable ways); this entire first episode hit me with it again and again, at its most painful when Jim calls George Findlay practically in tears, and George could care less ...this is satire that dares you not to keep the safe comical distance (that even great satire usually makes use of), this is a *personal* satire that makes you bleed from the ears. I can't wait to see how far Finkleman takes this.

This said, I would be much more interested in seeing a totally new series from Finkleman, in a more open and more blatently surreal style.

Also, check out the insane and chaotic new series "This is Wonderland". I'm not sure if they can sustain it, but the pilot was ...different (and is one of the most de-centralized, self-destructive, frantic, infuriating narratives I've ever seen! almost every plot point collapsed in on itself and our heroine achieved essentially NOTHING!). It indeed manages to turn a court comedy/drama environment into a fairy tale world, and is about as unconventional and offbeat as it is possible for a court show to be these days. By way of comparison, the pilot would be best described as Ally McBeal on acid AND speed.

With this and an unexpectedly brilliant season of Da Vinci's Inquest (i was not such a fan in the past, but this season is something else), I'd say that CBC seems to have an almost violent level of energy this season!

(Schedule-- The Newsroom 8:30 Monday; Wonderland 9 Monday; Da Vinci 9 Sunday)

brilliant until it gets arty

[cherold · 8/10 · 22 August 2011]

I saw this years ago, so I'm reviewing this based on my response in the 1990s.

This harsh satire of the news industry was pointed, dark and very, very funny. I don't remember too many details, but I remember that it was absolutely brilliant.

And then came the last episodes, in which the main character snaps. And they were awful. What had been a straight ahead comedy suddenly, inexplicably turned into an obvious tribute to/ripoff of Frederico Fellini. It was clear that series creator Finkleman, like so many humorists, felt humor wasn't enough and that he had to prove himself as an artist. And the result was tedious, pretentious and a complete misfit with the rest of the series.

But it's still worth watching all the episodes up until that point. It's just a shame Finkleman couldn't have been satisfied making a really funny satire of television news.

One of the Best

[kateziegler-36700 · 9/10 · 15 February 2019]

This is a classic Canadian comedy TV series and one of the best Canadian comedy shows of all time. Great characters and acting and some very funny writing. If you like dark comedy and behind the scenes of TV shows you should check this one out, it is on DVD.

Loved it...

[kribo-95368 · 10/10 · 18 June 2017]

The no stop excitement and energy of the story is breathtaking. The intelligent rebuttle, remarks, comments, sarcasm, the humor of it all leaves you wanting. Wanting for more. It's a pity HBO doesn't account for its international viewers before cutting, killing a show. Personally I would love to have seen more. The show has more, is more than say another dumb scifi show. The show is an inspiration and motivation for youngones dreaming of being a journo. A journo a real actual worthy job. We need more of these kinds of shows.

Hard-edged satire, but one scene left me feeling uneasy...

[safenoe · 8/10 · 11 March 2016]

Sid Robinovitch's theme song for The Newsroom is one of the best ever, and the theme (instrumental) captured the mood and underlying solemnity of a satirical series.

The Newsroom was unapologetically hard-edged for sure, and it was critically acclaimed. I'm a big fan of The Newsroom although the characters weren't exactly lovable.

One scene really disturbed me. It was when George Findlay, the executive producer, had an incredibly offensive discussion with a Canadian news anchor of Chinese descent. Interesting, when I saw an interview with the actor Ken Finkleman (who also created The Newsroom) he felt uncomfortable with performing the scene. He felt uncomfortable??!!! What about the poor Chinese actor who no doubt felt humiliated having to earn a Canadian dollar to be on screen?

Still Brilliant

[DavoZed · 9/10 · 28 October 2021]

Was laugh out loud funny when it came out and that hasn't changed at all. Finkleman and the show are hilarious.

The later American show by the same name, pops up first in a search. It was a good show as well but not nearly as good as this one.

What the ... ?

[dan-800 · 4/10 · 17 April 2007]

First off, I'm in the U.S.

When I first saw this, I thought it was an obvious - and loathsome - rip off of "The Office" (UK). I would have thus awarded it zero stars, but lo and behold, it came out long before the Ricky Gervais series.

Still, it's hard to watch this or any other show with a similar dynamic (including the American "Office") without comparison. It just isn't even close to being the same thing.

I will give it some credit for being original, and ahead of its time. I'll also say that it - and the U.S. "Office" and "Larry Sanders" - are actual satires. The UK "Office" is something grander and more transcendent, as if populated with real people in events that felt like they actually happened. However, unlike this or the shrill Christopher Guest "mockumentaries", it isn't really a satire, while "The Newsroom" definitely is.

Be that as it may, "The Newsroom" still isn't very funny. It's aloof, and self-aware, but with a cast and crew not nearly smart or talented enough to heft the goods. It's weighty comedy being carried on weak shoulders. Commendable, but ultimately not recommended.

--- And what's with the lack of an anamorphic DVD?! I know it was shot in anamorphic widescreen, because I saw the pilot episode on one of our HD channels. CBC, get with the programme. ; )

Brilliant television series, much imitated.

[foxbrick-1 · 21 May 2005]

The deadpan quasidocumentary feel of this series puts it solidly in an evolutionary chain from Canadian sketch comedy, perhaps most obvious among the SCTV and other Second City folk who've done so much that's been visible in the States, to such latter-day offerings as THE OFFICE, in its original UK form and US remake. The interplay of dialog is often as quick as anything I've seen in screwball or drawing room comedy in any medium, yet usually the build toward absurdity is held deftly in check till a rich payoff. The new season, offered to US television in 1995, may seem a bit familiar as a result of the first season's influence, and the first sequel project, MORE TEARS, was by intention somewhat more self-indulgent (parodically...and simultaneously not...Fellini-esquire), but all are well worth seeing, particularly this first season.

Smashingly smart, searingly irreverent, better than Larry Sanders at giving you the inside scoop on the crap that makes (most) TV what it is.

[vantim · 30 January 1999]

If you have any desire to see important TV, pun intended, take a gander at this 6 episode comedy series(available on VHS & PBS) produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 'The Corp.' let writer/director Ken Finkleman(escaped from HOLLYWOOD hackdom) do whatever he wanted and it shows in a TV show that knows no bounds in its behind the scenes look at a Toronto TV Newsroom. Smashingly smart, searingly irreverant, better than Larry Sanders at giving you the inside scoop on the crap that makes (most) TV what it is. Lock up your sacred cows. Ken's knives are sharp and long. Also see 'More Tears'(1998) also by CBC and Finkleman.

Garry Shandling, get out your notebook cause this is how you do satire

[JB-113 · 28 September 1999]

"The Newsroom" is honestly one of the best-made television shows I've ever seen. Brilliant writing; solid acting; dialogue that flowed more realistically than you'll ever see. And the stinging commentary on office politics and the cut-throat portrayal of the media was dead on. This wasn't a show about nothing. There was no audience. There was no laugh track. It didn't need any of these. It tackled real issues in the news, but gave you the insiders look. The show takes place in Toronto, Canada at a local news station. In one scene, the crew gets word of a train accident in the Congo river. Instead of going with the big local story, they go with the unrelatable, yet more interesting train wreck halfway across the world. In trying to somehow relate it to Canada, they check to see if any Canadians were on board.

Mark: We haven't even confirmed this Canadian. Jeremy: Well, we're hoping there's a Canadian dead. George: We're hoping he's dead.

Just an example of what goes on behind the scenes. Makes the network executives of Fox look like saints.

People have compared "The Newsroom" to Garry Shandling's "The Larry Sanders Show." Both similar; both excellent shows, "Sanders" coming before `the Newsroom.` But the Newsroom was done so much better in every way, that's there can be no comparison.

Like I said, one of my favorite shows of all time. Do yourself a favor and check your local PBS stations to see if they're playing "The Newsroom." Or, in Canada, beg the CBC to show some re-runs.

Reply to Newshawk

[Lucrezia1950 · 8 February 2004]

Judging The Newsroom after one episode is somewhat premature. I did not watch The Newsroom (1996) so cannot compare. Comparing the new actors is also quite premature. I hope Newshawk has watched more than the first episode. After a hiatus of 8 years, of course it is different from its predecessor. If viewers want easy laughter, there are enough asinine shows on television that would make him happy.

Kudos to CBC, Ken Finkleman and the "true-blue" actors as Newshawk describes them.

My 2cents worth.

The ne plus ultra of TV

[stuhh2001 · 20 February 2002]

The first time I attempted to watch "The Newsroom" I tuned out, bored. The second attempt was not only better, but I became hopelessly enslaved and devoted to the series which I have watched over and over, for therapy, a hedge against loneliness, and other times when I just want to be a part of Finkleman's wacky world. I love the man. He can do no wrong for me. For many of the cast it had to have been the "best of times" to have been part of this magnificent production. Along with Ken's "More Tears", and Dennis Potter's "Singing Detective" I know of nothing finer ever done on TV, and I could absolutely kill myself for not being able to write a more fitting tribute to this great artist.

Biting Satire

[BCY · 15 December 1998]

A superb and biting satire of the politics of a television newsroom. Ken Finkleman seems to have been born to play the role of the newsroom head and the supporting cast also play the roles convincingly.

Different show from its predecessor

[Newshawk · 30 January 2004]

The Newsroom DVD revealed that Ken Finkleman's project following the "Escape" movie was to be called 100% Perfect Girl. We have this instead.

I can't really think of what to make of this new incarnation of the Newsroom. The comedy is gone, replaced by a very, very dark satire. It's certainly less accessible than the previous one, and even more so than the movie. I can't figure out if this is intentional, or whether Finkleman desperately wants to move onto different things and wants to put this dead horse out to pasture as cruelly as he can.

An alternative take could be that the previous cast improvised much of the script, making it absolutely hilarious. Now that the cast is deprived of comedians and now uses true-blue actors, that ad-libbing is gone, and the show is far drier. Jeremy Hotz and Mark Farrell have been replaced with Jody Racicot as a character with no personality (to date), Douglas Bell as a reluctant co-conspirator to the distorting of the news, and Matt Watts whose sole function seems to be listening to George's ranting. Nancy Beatty has been replaced as George's boss by Kate Trotter, and Tanya Allen has been replaced as the intern by Holly Lewis. Only 2 original cast members remain (Finkleman and Keleghan), along with Hines, likely an intentional gesture after the disastrous ratings shown for the Escape film with a nearly identical cast to the first series.

While the expected potshots on today's issues are certainly there, the broad laughs are not. That about sums it up. It's a shame, because I hate having to be so predictable about sequels/spinoffs.

EXCELLENT

[RussGrabes · 16 June 2002]

This is the best thing to come out of Canada since Bachman-Turner Overdrive and that's not supposed to be damning it with faint praise - quite the reverse.

Other countries have produced similar types of shows - there was Frontline out of Australia (which was very good), "The Larry Sanders Show" which was quite serviceable and "Drop The Dead Donkey" out of England - which was woeful. The Newsroom, however, stands like a leviathan amongst these sardines.

The characterisation is first class and the dialogue incredibly witty.

This show was screened in Australia at about 11:30 on a Friday - nicely buried at an abysmal time slot like all things of excellence. I hope we see more of it or at lest repeats - but I fear we will not.

And Ken's comments about the muffin industry in North America can be equally applied to Australasia.

The Best Canadian TV Show EVER!

[boingo2K · 21 August 2001]

Wit, an insider's view of the TV system, and great writing, directing, and performances collide to give auidences an absolutly BRILLIANT show that should be put out on DVD, already! Don't miss "Meltdown", the 3 episode tribute to Fellini's 8 1/2.