The Newsroom (TV Series) News Night 2.0 (2012) User Reviews

Mackenzie and Will try to keep their past a secret as they try to rebuild the newsroom

[kkoller0693 · 8/10 · 2 July 2012]

After a strong pilot episode to introduce us to this new HBO series, I wasn't surprised that the show would now focus on one or two story lines at a time. The first episode threw a lot at the viewer but thanks to the clever writing and outstanding performances, we were able to soak everything in with ease. "News Night 2.0", on the other hand, sort of slows down the show a little bit. While it was still a good episode, "News Night 2.0" just wasn't as strong as it should have been.

After a fantastic show a couple of days ago, Mackenzie wants to rebuild the show and introduces New Night 2.0 which is what she believes what type of news should be covered by them. She calls it a courtroom where only top guests will be invited onto the show according to her guidelines she reveals. Then they decide to run with the Arizona Immigration issue where their guest would be the governor of Arizona. Unfortunately, problems occur that actually leads to a horrible yet comical news show that night.

The writing itself was fine. While it didn't have a big impact like what it had in the pilot, the dialog was fast, serious, and sometimes offered comedic relief. The one problem with the episode was the whole secret that Mac and Will were trying to keep from the rest of the newsroom. Even though some people spread around that Will cheated on Mac and adds to Will's "donkey" remembrance, Mac tries to persuade everyone that Will did not cheat on her. And after a poor attempt to send an e-mail revealing what actually happened to Will, she accidentally sends the message to everyone in the newsroom. It would've worked a lot better with Aaron Sorkin wasn't so attached to detail. Characters tried to explain different ways to send messages to each other but I was unable to follow what they were saying. While it was funny to see everyone's phones vibrate and react to the incoming email, it just didn't do anything else.

"News Night 2.0" was a good episode. The dialog drives the show even though these plot lines involving past choices made by characters don't work that well. But it still is a good show to watch . . . until Breaking Bad comes back July 15 haha.

8.3/10

The Newsroom: News Night 2.0

[Scarecrow-88 · 8/10 · 17 November 2013]

As the first episode of the series hit the ground running, this second one was firing on all cylinders. The first true day under the new 9:00 to 10:00 regime for Will and his group of young newsroom employees (he studies all night to learn their names and backgrounds, some of which didn't stick around) hits a mighty unpleasant snag…a key figure on the immigration bill in Arizona (that would implement measures to capture undocumented workers and send them packing back to where they came from) backs out on coming on Will's show because Margaret's back and forth with the representative (her former boyfriend!) left him insulted, resulting in no one of an authority on this issue getting airtime to debate the law. Instead, three unqualified guests (including a dim-bulb Oklahoma pageant princess who felt she was unfairly judged for her opinion on the issue, a gun-activist with no real knowledge on the law insisting a giant border wall is the answer, and a critic who is a blatant racist yet doesn't recognize himself as one) are booked and Will is left on the air to carry them through a whole section of the news cast. To say this was a train wreck of a news segment would be an understatement…it was an absolute disaster. Will goes against MacKenzie's philosophy of reporting news that is considered important and viable as opposed to what is popular and ratings-appealing (even showing a news clip of Palin opinionated about the immigration issue although her stance seems misguided and uninformed), for which she confronts him on whether he's in or out regarding their agenda to do what's integral and right. The "secrecy" of Will and MacKenzie's relationship (and her cheating on him) becomes mistakenly unveiled thanks to MacKenzie's inability to send out a text properly (her efforts to inform everyone he didn't cheat on her and isn't an ass provide some entertaining highlights), and Maggie's "war of words" with Jim over how to book the immigration guest plays out across the episode. In fact, you might could consider this a certified Maggie episode as her blunder instigated the disastrous news show, while her stance on immigration (and standing on her own two feet and accepting responsibility for her mistakes) lets us see a side of her that wasn't alive and well in the previous episode…this girl isn't weak or timid as maybe we might have been led to believe. There's a fire in this girl when political/societal views she holds sacred are challenged by those that disagree with her. It is obvious the show is pointing the way towards a possible romance between Jim and Maggie, while her relationship with Don seems to be fizzling…he wants her to come with him to 10:00 while Will is sincere in keeping her on his news team. The gorgeous Olivia Munn will become a part of Will's broadcast team as her character, Sloan Sabbath, is interviewed and hired rather abruptly by MacKenzie who sees her as a talent worth joining the 9:00 team.

1.2 Strikes **** Again

[edwagreen · 10/10 · 1 July 2012]

Remember how the broadcast regarding the oil spill in the first episode was lauded? That's the exact opposite thing which happens in a night-time telling of the immigration problem in Arizona. Blame it on the poor choice of people selected to be interviewed by Bill McAvoy.

Bill and McKenzie go at it here throughout the one hour of this show. He informs her not to tell anyone on staff about their previous affair and she goes ahead and does it. Her sending of that email by mistake is hilarious at best.

Notice how the staff took to the bar after the disaster show in order to drink their troubles away. What makes this show so good is the fast pacing. Sure, news happens quickly as well.

Potential not yet realized

[Mr-Fusion · 6/10 · 23 May 2017]

'News Night 2.0' is a step in on add direction following the pilot. Attempts are made at humanizing Will (Jeff Daniels_) but they're done in contrived workplace blunders, tension and arguments. This is happening against the backdrop of an underdog staff trying to put together a new format for the show. The squabbles in the office aren't very entertaining, but it does pick up when Will goes on the air and they bleed into live TV. Like the prior episode, the best parts are in front of the camera, and maybe that's how "The Newsroom" will operate from here on out.

But the relationships are awkward.

6/10

Predictable storyline & contrived comedy

[PanDemic · 4/10 · 22 July 2012]

Ops..

After watching the pilot, we really had high hopes for this series. It seemed smart, entertaining and interesting. But this episode was a big disappointment. We couldn't bear to even finish the episode..

The conversation is fast, which we generally appreciate. For this episode however, the acting and dialog was hysterical and in no way charming, or clever. Worst of all the comedic moments are predicable and feels contrived, and therefore in no way funny.

I'll watch the rest of this episode later, without the wife, and if it picks up I'll edit this review.

EDIT: So, I watched the rest alone and it did pick up, but the rating stays the same. There are too many annoyingly and silly moments in this episode; uninspired dialog and contrived comedy.