By the time HBO aired the first episode of its new summer series, ‘The Newsroom’, it had already ignited controversy.
It has been given a thrashing by the media….(which translates in to ‘check it out’)
HBO Series ‘The Newsroom’ with Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy
Here are 2 opposing views.
Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker: “In fact, The Newsroom treats the viewers as if they’re extremely stupid.”
Dan Rather, the anchor for “CBS Evening News” for 24 years who won several Emmy and Peabody Awards
“There is a newsroom authenticity to what’s presented and much that gets to the heart of modern American journalism’s problems.”
From where I sit and based on my experience, Sorkin and crew have got it amazingly right, even when they over talk it.”
Why ‘The Newsroom’ has become an instant hit
Not withstanding the controversy over it, why did 2.3 million viewers tune in for the 3rd episode? Why has HBO already give it the green light for a 2nd season?
Because of Will McAvoy
We identify with him.
He has lost his way.
To the outside world, Will has it all…money, fame, power, success.
On the inside, he has locked up his ‘true self’ and thrown away the key.
His ego drives his need to be loved and accepted by the audience.
He’s disillusioned, frustrated, and bitter.
Will is in tremendous pain. He’s living out his life in a vertical coffin. His authentic self knows that it has to reveal itself.
And it does. At a university symposium on stage with other journalists who give stock phrases when asked “Why is America the greatest country in the world?
Will is asked the same question. He tries to stay in safe territory by answering with slick humor. But the questioner won’t let him off the hook.
Will squirms. This is the moment of truth. Is he going to play it safe or take a monumental risk?
He lets it rip and goes on a rant. Every one is shocked. After Will leaves the stage, he has no idea what has happened.
This is the opening scene of the show. We’re momentarily left wondering what’s going on.
Quickly though, the pieces of the puzzle come together. We begin to understand why Will has covered himself with a rude, (some would say abusive) persona.
We identify with Will.
We feel his pain. We know that he’s vulnerable.
Because we’ve spent years squandering our authentic selves in order to be accepted and have the success and financial security that we were told would make us happy.
We’ve experienced shame and self hate. And we continue to have these lousy feelings…not knowing what to do.
Unless we’re hit by a thunderbolt. When an incident or epiphany catapults our real self into full view.
It’s after the initial break through of the authentic self though that we’re faced with making the next decision. Do we return to the safety zone?
Or is the lure of re-awakening our real selves so compelling that we have to take a leap of faith?
Will decides to take a leap of faith.
At the end of Episode 2, Will decides to go for broke. When his E.P, who represents the moral compass of the news, asks him if he’s ‘in’ or ‘out’, it doesn’t take long for him to decide that he’s ‘in.’
Will has committed to a spiritual journey. The journey of getting to his essence, a soulful place. To live the life he was meant to.
Although the initial steps are filled with euphoria, we know what’s in store for him.
Every road to freedom is filled with peril. Rockiness. Temptation. Even death.
At the end of Episode 3, the owner of the network says ‘I’ll fire him’ if Will doesn’t return to doing the news in the original format.
This threat is a strong reminder that there are no guarantees when it comes to taking the spiritual route. You can risk it all and fail. But fail at what?
Regardless of whether Will gets fired or not (he won’t), we’re witnessing his transformation. The retrieval of his destiny.
Will gives us hope and courage.
He gives us hope and courage. He makes us want to be a better person. To take the first step in getting to the essence of who we are.
After all, if Will McAvoy can risk everything, why can’t we?
Like Odysseus, Will is on the road to becoming a hero.
Each week, by seeing him in action, we’re reminded that we too can be the hero in our own spiritual journey. Where we retrieve our real self and live our higher calling.
Will, we’re rooting for you. And we’re rooting for ourselves.
Now it’s your turn. What were your reactions to ‘The Newshour’? Do you identify with Will McAvoy?
Insightful post Fran and delightful to boot. How do you manage that in one post?
Loved your take on “Will’s” journey as a spiritual warrior and I’m a great believer that we have to die to the old in order to experience the new. And I’m rooting for him too!
Elle
xoxo
Dear Elle,
I agree with you 100%. Any transformation is a struggle….with a death of a piece of the self that is no longer useful followed by the re-birth of the wiser, more ‘real’ you. Now that i know you’re watching it, I’ll be checking in with you about it. xxoo-Fran
Fran,
I don’t watch much so I don’t have HBO – your review makes me want to get this station though!
Angela….Like Vidya, I’m a big fan of HBO. I am a movie lover….have been since I was a kid. Now that the networks like HBO and Showtime are producing quality programming, I’m going to less movies. 🙂 fran
Hi Fran,
I’ve missed this one, so will have to check it out. Sounds like there is more to it than meets the eye. Thanks for the review.
Cathy….I’ll be curious to hear what you think.:) Fran
Hi Fran,
I don’t have cable but I’ll try to find this on hulu! Love reading about someone who doesn’t fit in the box! Thanks!!
Betsy….I’m fascinated when a write is able to create such a multi-layered, complex individual. It makes for compelling movies and TV. The same as in life…xxoo-Fran
Love HBO – I mostly watch movies on it. But Sury loves the news hour. 😀 I’ll be catching it too, especially the way you’ve presented it. Great post, Fran! Hugs!
Vidya….Am glad to hear there’s another HBO fan. When I came to Israel and saw that several of the HBO shows were here, I thought ‘Thank goodness’.
I’ll be curious to hear what you think of the show..xxxoo-Fran
Interesting! Reveals how much people don’t like change of format or of behaviour! When we see someone willing to take a risk it is all the more powerful if there is opposition. Everyone can identify with an under-dog at some level. I don’t get the programme over here, but now I’ve read this post I’d be cheering “Go for it Will!”
Carolyn….You’re right on. Change is threatening to most people …the reasons are self evident. I think that practically any change is met with opposition and criticism from individuals/corporations with a certain mentality. It inspires me to see someone taking risks and going for broke. If their behavior makes me feel uncomfortable, it’s a signal to me that I’ve got some inner work to do on myself. xxoo-Fran
This is very timely for me. As I seek out different job/project opportunities, I’m realizing how much I hid my real self the last time I went job hunting (before I started my blog). I went to great lengths to ensure that people only saw the “corporate me” that I was supposed to be to have a “good job.” Now I feel challenged as to how to present myself. I can’t go back to completely hiding myself and I would never want to. I feel that I must simply have faith that others will see and admire me and hire me as I am. It’s the only way for me now.
Thanks so much for this Fran!!!
Big, Big Hugs!!!
Paige….You have made a huge leap when you’re able to say that you have no other choice but to present yourself in an authentic way and have faith. I have total confidence in your ability to get what you need right now. You have an array of talent….a big heart…and a strong background in business. With blessings and love…Fran
Thank you! Thank you! You’re pretty awesome yourself! <3
Hi Fran,
Being in the UK, I hadn’t heard of this show until I read your post.
It certainly does sound entertaining and by the sounds of it, Will is a character that many of us can relate with.
A spiritual journey sure is fascinating and worth it. Just a small taste of ‘real life’ beyond our senses is enough to encourage us to keep pursuing it.
Hiten….Do you get any HBO shows in England? You’re right about Will. Not only do we identify but he is blazing the trail for a lot of us who have been standing on the edges not quite ready to put a toe in the water. Fran
As a former television anchor, reporter and news director – I can so identify with Will. I love the show. I can barely watch local news. I switch between all the big boys, including CNN for my national stuff and given the current political catering – it’s been difficult.
When Will went after the college girl with her question about America – he hit the nail on the head. Our country is in big trouble – it’s about time the news pointed it out.
Great article. Glad I found you.
Matt – I love hearing your response as someone who has been in the trenches. I have spent time in TV broadcasting both in front and behind the camera. I don’t consider myself the ‘ultimate’ expert BUT I do think that there is a ‘smell’ of authenticity to the show. You mentioned CNN. Do you remember when we invaded Iraq in ’91 (?) how Bernie Shaw, John Holliman, and Peter Arnett were reporting live to us? We were riveted to our TVs watching them.
The truth is the days of objective- fact filled journalism has all but vanished. You are right….that is one of the reasons that Will is a hero…he has made the decision to be a beacon of life…with intelligence, facts, and a non-negotiable intention of getting to the truth…no matter what the costs.
I’m looking forward to seeing how the show develops. Thanks for chiming Matt. 🙂 Fran