Sorkin' In It: The Films & Television of Aaron Sorkin

Today, Lex and Brian cover the series finale of The Newsroom. It’s an episode with a funeral, plenty of flashbacks, music, bowling, and Sorkin just trying to tie up a few loose ends. Did Lex and Brian find themselves satisfied? Elated? Relieved? There’s only one way to find out. Also, stay tuned to the end of the episode for the big reveal of what Sorkin show we plan to cover next! Lex Friedman an...

In this penultimate episode of this season of Sorkin’ In It, Lex and Brian cover what is possibly the least-beloved work of Aaron Sorkin’s career; and we’ll come right out and say that it earns every bit of that terrible reputation. Will is in jail, Maggie and Jim are in Russia, and Charlie’s getting worked up trying to hold it all together. Spoiler: It ends poorly. But we keep our chins up and fi...

Subpoenas. Rushed (but beautiful) weddings. Courtrooms. Handcuffs.  It’s an overstuffed Newsroom, and boy does Jim disappoint us. Almost as much as he disappoints Hallie. Meanwhile, Mackenzie and The Source get soaked, and ACN gets acquired. Brian and Lex get… kind of frustrated. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Richard/Toby sees no cause for optimism, but Brian and Lex do: They’re here covering season three, episode three of The Newsroom: Main Justice. We’re at the White House Correspondence dinner, and so is BJ Novak, who is so ridiculous. And we meet the source! Oh, and the steady downfall of Jim (and perhaps Jim and Hallie) continues. No matter what, though, our obligation (and yours) is to keep Sorki...

In this week’s episode Brian briefly forgets the entire concept of the written word and how TV works. We forge ahead, undaunted by any single hosts unhinged intro, and cover Newsroom S3E2, called “Run.” We meet a few new characters and see familiar faces while the network is faces a takeover, Maggie scores a new lead, and Neal is definitely in trouble. Which we mostly don’t care about. Lex Friedma...

It’s the premiere of the final (short) season of The Newsroom, and Brian and Lex are watching. Sadly, the Genoa storyline is STILL sticking around — this time affecting the team’s reporting on the Boston Marathon bombing. Plus Neal gets a Genoa of his own. (Where by “Genoa,” we mean, “storyline we wish would go away.”) With all that said, you might think this is a lousy episode, but we actually… l...

Brian and Lex agree that this season finale feels like it was potentially a series finale, maybe written before Sorkin knew he had one more season of The Newsroom to go. Mac and Will walk off the set, Jim worries about a mistake he made, and Maggie remains alive. Oh, and spoiler alert: Obama wins. Add to that love is in the air with MANY of our characters, and you just know you’re gonna love Sorki...

It’s election night, in 2012, and the team has decided to resign, but what’s this? The head of the network won’t let them? This and much more coming up in the first of a two-part collection of episodes to round out Season 2 of The Newsroom. “Hey Lex, do you think we should resign, too?” “No way, Brian, we’re going to keep Sorkin in it!” Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

We won’t retract a single word of this podcast episode, but the same can’t be said for the team at News Night. The Genoa report blows up in their faces, with nary a whiff of chemical weapons in sight. Who’s resigning? Who’s in trouble? Who’s Sorkin’ in it? We definitely know the answer to that last one. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Jerry Dantana starts playing fast and loose with reality. Will makes a guest appearance on a morning show. And Jim gets a visit from Hallie… and his old nemesis. Oh, and Maggie’s drinking alone. At least Brian and Lex have each other! Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Will’s dodging calls from his dad. Sloan’s private photos are on the Internet. Jim’s worried about Maggie. Plus, there’s news to report. Can the staff of News Night keep their heads above water? One thing is certain: They will — with a little help from Brian and Lex — find a way to keep Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Unintended consequences abound in this episode of The Newsroom, and Brian and Lex have much to abudiate. People act like babies, we can’t quite figure out the installed apps on Jim’s Mac, and we debate who’s at fault for what happened in Uganda. One intended consequence of listening to this episode is clear: We will delight you as you join us for this week’s episode of Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman...

Who the heck is Willie Pete — another new character?! We investigate that, while Will tries to figure out who leaked info to Nina. Jim tries to overthrow the Romney bus. And Maggie’s getting ready for Uganda. Meanwhile, Brian and Lex are still struggling to love the Genoa plotline. We’re trying. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

With a title like “The Genoa Tip”, you might be excused for thinking this episode of The Newsroom is about a piece of genoa salami, but no, my friend, this an episode about lots of things that aren’t that. It’s actually the title of Season 2, Episode 2 of The Newsroom, and while there are lots of complicated plot lines that may or may not hold together, you’re safe in Lex and Brian’s capable hands...

It’s a brand new season of The Newsroom. Lex and Brian have high hopes for a reboot that helps the show gel better. And there’s a new theme song! New characters! New hairstyles! Join us as we determine whether the headline is: “Newsroom improves” or just “Newsroom is more of the same.” Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s the Season 1 finale of The Newsroom. Maggie’s handing out sandwiches. Jim’s on the bus. Will’s in the hospital. Brian and Lex? They’re Sorkin’ in it. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

The Blackout continues! And then immediately… it ends. The News Night team pitches the RNC on why they should get the debate, Maggie and Jim convince Lisa to talk about her barely-there relationship with Casey Anthony, Neal is trolling, and there are rosebuds and flowers afoot. Brian and Lex just try to keep up. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s the first half of a Newsroom two-parter. Will succumbs to ratings pressure and starts covering Casey Anthony, because he’s desperate to reinvent presidential debates. Leona’s desperate to find a way to fire Will. Anthony Weiner… Well, he’s just plain desperate. Oh, and Mackenzie’s ex is writing a cover story on Will — at Will’s invitation. Brian and Lex are just trying to keep Sorkin’ In It....

Charlie meets a whistleblower. Sloan, Don, and Eliot get stuck on the tarmac. And Will? Will gets stoned. Plus, Obama good, Osama bad. Brian and Lex break down the highlights and lowlights of a jam packed Newsroom episode. You get to Sork it all up. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Who ARE the bullies? Will’s journalistic integrity is threatened by an interview that pushes the boundaries of both his professional and personal ethics. Sloan stumbles in covering a Japanese nuclear accident. And Brian and Lex don’t necessarily agree on who the real bullies are. One thing they DO agree on, though: It’s time to get Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s the Valentine’s Day episode, so of course The Newsroom focuses on… an embedded stringer reporter in Egypt during Arab Spring. Meanwhile, Will sets his sights on the Koch brothers, and Mackenzie’s becoming gossip fodder. But mostly, Brian and Lex are really frustrated with the ridiculously misplaced Rudy homage. Amen to that. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

This episode of The Newsroom is all about feelings. Aaron Sorkin feels that smoking is cool. Neal feels more people should listen to his Bigfoot theory. And Lex and Brian feel that Don’s the worst. You, too, can have feelings about Sorkin, Bigfoot, and much more in this week’s episode. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Fire up your fax machine, because this episode of The Newsroom offers all the ingredients of a classic Sorkin show, with multiple plot lines, jumping forward and back in time, grandiose speeches, and Sorkinisms like “Can we have the room please?” But, does it hold together? Your pals Lex and Brian decide if it’s time to BLEEP around or just play golf in another episode of Sorkin’ in It. Lex Friedm...

Lex and Brian were excited to dive into the second episode of The Newsroom, News Night 2.0. Fresh off the high of their successes in Episode 1, now Will’s team drops the ball a few times with some pretty predictable gaffes — but we also get meet a few new interesting characters. Is News Night 2.0 2 much 2 soon? Let Brian and Lex tell you. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

We kick off Season 2 with the pilot for The Newsroom, Aaron Sorkin’s series about the inner workings of, well, a newsroom. There are plenty of new characters to meet (with a surprising number of Mac/Mc/Mack names to keep track of), but your ol’ pals Brian and Lex will help try to keep things straight while we discuss what to expect for the season and break down episode one. Step into the control r...