Navigating The Newsroom: A Podcast on HBO's The Newsroom

Andrew has an update on what's going on at Film Geek Radio this summer.

Season 2 of The Newsroom may have finished, but Navigating The Newsroom still has one more episode to go! In this jam-packed finale, an all-star ensemble of guests are back to give their thoughts on how the season ultimately turned out. Andrew and Andrew call up Inkoo Kang, Sam Fragoso, and to discuss what went right and what wrong. Was it a good decision to focus on Operation Genoa? Is Jerry Dantana a problematic character? Was the ending satisfying? And was the Maggie in Africa subplot really so awful? Plus, a lot more. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Inkoo Kang is the TV columnist for Film School Rejects and a film critic for the Village Voice. Follow her on Twitter @thinkovision. Sam Fragoso is the founder of Movie Mezzanine. This is his first time appearing on Navigating The Newsroom. Follow him on Twitter @SamFragoso. Corey Atad is a film blogger. Follow him on Twitter @CoreyAtad. Joanna Robinson is the Features Editor at Pajiba and a contributor to Vulture. She also co-hosts the podcasts The Station Agents and The Ones Who Knock. Follow her on Twitter @quityourjrob. Devindra Hardawar is the National Editor for VentureBeat. He also writes about movies at /Film and can be heard every week on the /Filmcast. As if that wasn't enough, he also podcasts about tech on The Drill Down and discusses The Legend of Korra on Republic City Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @Devindra. Allison Loring is a writer for Film School Rejects. She's also a contributor for Fanhattan, which is preparing to launch a new device called Fan TV that will consolidate access to thousands of movies and television series. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonLoring. SHOW NOTES: 00:20 - Intro 6:03 – Inkoo Kang: the lack of stakes in the final two episodes 11:24 - Sam Fragoso:  Jim's relationship with Hallie 16:27 - Corey Atad: Will/Mac, Don/Sloan, and where was Patton Oswalt?! 22:27 - Devindra Hardawar: Jerry Dantana problems and Chris Messina's awesomeness 29:50 - Joanna Robinson: Focusing more on characters we like rather than news 36:35 - Allison Loring: Getting out of the newsroom, a need for more fictionalized stories 40:33 - Was Maggie in Africa really that bad? 46:18 - Final thoughts on Season 2 55:14 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

It’s the end of Season 2 of The Newsroom! Andrew Robinson still isn’t back--don’t worry, he’ll return for our season wrap-up episode--but Brian Roan from The Film Stage is once again able to fill in. He and Andrew debate just how messy of an ending this turned out to be. Is rejecting the Petraeus story a good choice? How is the Will/Mac relationship indicative of a larger problem regarding Sorkin’s expectations and the audience’s reality? Is Maggie the new Jim? And just how great was The Kiss?! Plus, Lisa is back, Neal is wasted, new media gets a few shout-outs, and more! ABOUT OUR GUEST: Joanna Robinson is the Features Editor at Pajiba and a contributor to Vulture. She also co-hosts the podcasts The Station Agents and The Ones Who Knock. Follow her on Twitter @quityourjrob. SHOW NOTES: 00:20 - Intro 7:45 - General thoughts on the finale 10:08 - Rejecting the Petraeus story 17:42 - Lisa is back! 21:23 - Developing Maggie 23:53 - Wrapping everything up, absolving everyone 30:08 - The end of Will/Mac relationship drama? Expectations vs. reality 43:22 - The West Wing and the importance of apologies 46:56 - Taylor attacks Will; her relationship prospects 51:08 - Jim’s bad call 52:07 - The Kiss, Mac’s Wikipedia page 55:22 - Where’s Patton Oswalt? 56:53 - Why HBO? 59:15 - Ending with music and Maggie becoming like Jim 1:03:02 - Hatred for DC, Neal 1:05:26 - Closing thoughts DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Andrew Robinson is away in Toronto this week, but don't worry! Special guest Joanna Robinson from Pajiba and The Ones Who Knock is here to discuss the first part of this season's finale. Is the Will/Mac relationship handled well? Why do these characters keep screwing up? How come Leona won't let them resign? And does the ending imply "Preachy Will" is going to return? Tune in to find out. Also, there's a brief tangent about people falling down, which is always fun. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Joanna Robinson is the Features Editor at Pajiba and a contributor to Vulture. She also co-hosts the podcasts The Station Agents and The Ones Who Knock. Follow her on Twitter @quityourjrob. SHOW NOTES: 00:20 - Intro 4:09 - Joanna Robinson's overall thoughts on The Newsroom 9:41 - General thoughts on this episode 12:47 - The Will/Mac relationship; is Emily Mortimer leaving the show? 18:14 - Preachy Will vs. Balanced Will 22:39 - Comparisons with The West Wing 28:25 - Female characters and sexism 35:39 - Leona wants to be "honorable" 37:37 - Everybody is screwing up 43:26 - Don's scoop 47:56 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Special guest Inkoo Kang from Film School Rejects and Village Voice joins Andrew and Andrew on this episode to discuss "Red Team III." The Operation Genoa fallout is finally commencing, but is it satisfying? Was Jerry's tape-editing scandal really necessary? What's up with all the Benghazi stuff? And what's up with Leona's change of heart? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 00:20 - Intro 4:34 - General thoughts 19:06 - Jerry's fault, or institutional failure? 27:13 - Charlie's source and nepotism in the industry 33:48 - Sorkin's style, finding the right tone 41:50 - Reporting vs. gut feeling 47:30 - Holes in the story 50:56 - Leona's change of heart, ratings 57:00 - Would you watch News Night? 59:39 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, William Bibbiani from Crave Online returns to discuss "One Step Too Many" and how this season of The Newsroom is an improvement over the first one. Are the relationships and sexual tension becoming easier to tolerate? What staple of Sorkin writing does he screw up this time? And how does everyone feel about Jerry being "evil" now? Tune in to find out. Plus, a random tangent on John Carter and why sports are cool. SHOW NOTES: 00:20 - Intro 2:30 - William Bibbiani's thoughts on Season 2 6:30 - Jim and Hallie go out to dinner 12:20 - The Romney campaign as backdrop for character development 15:07 - Maggie's drinking problem 17:58 - Sloan and the ol' humorous-aside-during-serious-conversations trick 25:40 - Will's relationship with Nina and the audience 32:08 - Operation Genoa developments 42:44 - John Carter and sports 52:30 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

For the first time ever, there are two guests joining Andrew and Andrew on Navigating The Newsroom! In this episode, Sam Fragoso and Corey Atad drop by to discuss all the different subplots happening in the fifth episode of Season 2. Is this the best episode of the series so far? What is Sorkin implying about how technology affects relationships? Are the developments with Sloan and Maggie appropriate, or do they suggest Sorkin may be perpetuating some of the same sexism he's critiquing? Tune in to find out. Also, go watch Broadcast News. SHOW NOTES: 00:20 - Intro 2:45 - General thoughts 8:40 - Charlie and Genoa 18:49 - Sloan and her nude photos 29:29 - How technology affects relationships 33:08 - Maggie's mistake; is Sorking making a jab at a specific critic? 41:34 - The word "sluts," victim-blaming 45:12 - Neal as a character, Mac's "coming out" subplot 47:56 - Will and his dad 55:16 - Don and WorldNetDaily, prank calls 58:47 - A tangent about Broadcast News 1:00:30 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Allison Loring from Film School Rejects and Fanhattan returns to discuss the fourth episode of the second season, "Unintended Consequences." How does everyone feel about Jim leaving the campaign trail? Is Will's takedown of Occupy a fair one? Is the big reveal about what happened to Maggie in Africa fully satisfying? And what about critics who claim this episode is borderline racist? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 00:20 - Intro 5:09 - Allison's thoughts on Season 2 so far 6:57 - General thoughts on this episode 11:16 - Jim on the campaign trail 20:57 - Occupy Wall Street, here and overseas 35:04 - Genoa developments, legal stuff 48:37 - Maggie in Africa 1:05:24 - Is this depiction of Africa accurate or kinda racist? 1:15:10 - Brief thoughts on the depiction of women this season 1:17:45 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Andrew Robinson couldn't make it this week, but don't worry! The insightful Brian Roan from DearFilm and The Film Stage filled in as a co-host to discuss the third episode of the second season, "Willie Pete." There's not as much "relationship stuff" this episode, but what's going on with Will and Nina? Is Jim becoming the new Will? And how is the show both killing off and reviving certain storylines from Season 1 to its advantage? Plus, Andrew and Brian give Aaron Sorkin a few ideas for how to end the season. SHOW NOTES: 00:20 - Intro 3:05 - General thoughts 11:30 - Will/Mac and Will/Nina 22:20 - Why does Jim like Maggie, again? 24:54 - The opening scene 29:41 - Jim on the campaign trail, suggestions for Sorkin 38:31 - Genoa stuff 43:00 - Main topic: Wrapping up certain leftover plot threads, reviving others, flashback structure 57:12 - Other miscellaneous topics 55:20 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Special guest Devindra Hardawar from /Film and VentureBeat stops by to discuss the second episode of Season 2, "The Genoa Tip." Is Will's 9/11 backstory effective? Will U.S. drone policy be an effective core issue to drive this season? Is the presentation of campaign journalism realistic? And what's up with all the romantic entanglements? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 00:20 - Intro 2:27 - General thoughts 9:00 - Emphasizing the "process" of news 16:43 - Will's first day behind the desk 21:35 - Less preaching, Troy Davis, why Don rules 26:50 - The drone debate and Will's Republicanism 31:24 - The campaign trail and competitive journalism 36:05 - Main topic: Maggie, FourSquare stalking, all the romantic entanglements 47:44 - Other miscellaneous stuff 55:20 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

The Newsroom is back! In this episode, Andrew and Andrew discuss the second season premiere, "First Thing We Do, Let's Kill All The Lawyers." What's up with all the romantic conflict since we last saw these characters? Who's the new guy? Does Will's little stunt on the air make sense? And is the new structure really the best way to approach this show? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:20 - Intro and recap 3:51 - General thoughts, the opening credits 12:51 - All the romantic subplots 20:52 - SOPA stuff 22:34 - Intern! 26:01 - Jerry and Will's 9/11 tribute bitterness 37:20 - The new flashback structure, use of fiction 44:15 - Have the show's "woman problems" been fixed? 46:33 - Closing thoughts 47:35 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

The best podcast about The Newsroom on the internet is back! The second season premieres this Sunday, July 14, so Andrew and Andrew decided to kick things off with a short preview podcast. How do they feel about Season 1 of the show now that so much time has passed? What are they looking forward to in Season 2? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:20 - We're back! 3:51 - Andrew R's thoughts on Season 1, hopes for Season 2 10:38 - Andrew J's thoughts on Season 1 15:53 - Season 2 characters and news 23:25 - Shortened season 24:09 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

In this special bonus episode, Andrew talks with television historian and pop culture expert Robert J. Thompson about The Newsroom. How does the show fit in with Sorkin's previous work? How is it referencing other television shows? Does it really need to be on HBO? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro 3:37 - Interview with Bob Thompson 42:06 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

The end has come! Andrew and Andrew are joined by a few of their previous guests -- William Bibbiani, Gwen Reyes and Allison Loring -- to discuss the season finale of The Newsroom, and the season as a whole. Has Sorkin succeeded in his mission to civilize? What’s up with Don and Sloan? Is the relationship drama finally at a satisfying place? What are the best and worst things about the show? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro 1:55 - Episode recap 6:02 - William Bibbiani’s thoughts 8:41 - A lack of compelling threat; the character of Leona 13:10 - The hacking subplot 15:59 - Gwen Reyes’ thoughts 19:26 - The Sloan reveal, the Jim/Maggie relationship drama 26:52 - Allison Loring’s thoughts 29:18 - The show’s depiction of women - has it improved? 32:27 - Andrew J’s theory on why Mackenzie is such a klutz 35:12 - The new intern, how Will has changed over the course of the season 39:47 - Mackenzie was there at the beginning! We already know that... 42:20 - Thoughts on Greg Mottola’s contributions to the show and the episode’s structure 47:19 - Our guests answer: What is the best thing aboutThe Newsroom? What is the worst thing? 52:07 - Andrew R’s thoughts on the best and worst aspects of the show 54:30 - Andrew J’s thoughts on the best and worst aspects of the show 57:28 - Will we be back for Season 2? 1:01:34 - Final thoughts 1:04:00 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

It's almost over! In this episode, Andrew and Andrew discuss the penultimate installment of The Newsroom, the second half of the self-proclaimed two-part episode. Does the blackout even matter that much? Is the mock debate an example of Sorkin's liberal bias? And what's up with Lisa and the "relationship crap?" Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro 1:36 - Some feedback to feedback 6:32 - Episode recap and clip 9:58 - Andrew J's general thoughts 13:00 - Andrew R's general thoughts 14:46 - Looking at ​The Newsroom ​as a workplace comedy 16:46 - Neal's mission to troll 21:11 - The mock debate; too much? 30:30 - The character of Lisa and her on-air mistake 36:33 - Main topic: The "relationship crap" and the development of Don 45:58 - Brief thoughts on Mackenzie and the Brian subplot 48:50 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Special guest Chadwick Matlin from Vulture joins Andrew and Andrew to analyze why the show is just so darn mediocre. What's up with this new character? Are the scenes with Sloan and Don further evidence of Sorkin's sexism? And why is God on Mackenzie's side now? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro 3:00 - Chadwick Matlin gives his general thoughts 7:30 - Andrew R's general thoughts on the episode 9:50 - What's changed from the beginning? 16:15 - The hacking subplot 19:35 - The scene with Sloan; is sexism just a matter of context and tone? 25:50 - The new character of Brian Brenner 30:03 - The Casey Anthony lecture - more sexism? 38:33 - Main topic: Ratings vs. principles - God is taking sides 47:55 - Sorkin vs. Mamet 50:04 - Sorkin's ego 54:07 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

This week, The Newsroom gets nostalgic and patriotic. Special guest Gwen Reyes from Reel Vixen stops by to discuss the portrayal of the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death. Was it respectful, superficial, or both? Is Sloan still the strongest female character? And is Jim's recent development with Lisa really what the love triangle needs? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro and episode recap 3:35 - Gwen's thoughts on the show and the episode 7:04 - Andrew R's general thoughts on the episode 10:30 - Thoughts on the love triangle; should Jim and Maggie ever end up together? 15:21 - The reveal at the end of the episode 20:23 - The portrayal of Sloan this episode 30:06 - Main topic: The killing of Osama bin Laden; an effective portrayal? 50:49 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Finally, the show gets a female perspective! Special guest Allison Loring from Film School Rejects joins Andrew and Andrew to discuss the latest episode of The Newsroom. Was the Sloan situation handled well, or is it just further evidence of hypocrisy? Is the internet really that evil? Is Will going to turn into another Tony Soprano? And why is Maggie so damn clueless? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro and episode recap 2:45 - General thoughts on the show and the episode 5:00 - How does Maggie still have a job? 10:10 - Will in therapy 19:20 - The internet is evil 33:53 - The Sloan situation; Charlie's "girl" comment 45:07 - The solution to the problem: pros and cons 57:19 - Maggie mistakes 1:01:38 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Special guest William Bibbiani from Crave Online joins Andrew and Andrew to discuss the fifth episode of The Newsroom. Has the show recovered from last week's travesty? Is this Neal-centric episode what we had hoped for? And how does the economy work, anyway? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro and episode recap 4:21 - General thoughts on the show and the episode 7:42 - Why does the show continue to humiliate Mackenzie? 13:22 - Bibbs gives more general thoughts on the show and character relationships 27:16 - Back to the show's treatment of women 31:55 - Andrew Robinson's general thoughts on the episode 38:51 - The show as tragedy? 46:23 - The show's ambitions 53:24 - Finally! Neal development! 58:05 - What do we like about The Newsroom? 1:10:14 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!

Sorry for the delay, folks! Andrew and Andrew are finally back to discuss the fourth episode of The Newsroom, "I'll Try To Fix You." They're joined by special guest Corey Atad from Sound on Sight and the new JustAtadcast. Does this episode deserve all the hate? Is Sorkin succeeding in his "mission to civilize?" Is his attitude towards gossip journalists accurate or unfair? Tune in to find out. SHOW NOTES: 0:19 - Intro and episode recap 3:20 - General thoughts on the show and the episode 9:15 - Back to the issue of sexism; condescending towards female characters 15:38 - Is Sorkin's knowledge of his topic actually the problem? 22:56 - The love triangle 27:53 - Favorite characters 31:55 - Why the ending was terrible, the show's attitude toward history 37:40 - Neal and Bigfoot 41:56 - Gossip/celebrity news and whether McAvoy/Sorkin is right; comparisons to The West Wing 53:10 - Show close DON'T FORGET: You can contact the show by emailing navigatingnewsroom@filmgeekradio.com. Thanks for listening!