Vast critical disapproval emerged in response to the second episode of HBO’s “The Newsroom,” but the opinion that mattered delivered more favorable news: the network has renewed the series for a second season.
Ratings were not available publicly at press time, but based on the renewal announcement, it seems obvious HBO was satisfied with the show’s viewership retention from premiere week. “True Blood,” the series’ coveted lead-in, received a sixth season renewal as part of the same HBO announcement.
Aaron Sorkin’s “The Newsroom” gave no indication of emerging as a critical darling, but the response to last week’s premiere could be realistically called “lukewarm.”
That adjective is not a valid descriptor of the episode two feedback, however, which was largely negative. In addition to the inherent issues some critics have with the “Sorkinisms” the writer frequently injects into his scripts, particular frustration stemmed over the sexist portrayal of female characters as incompetent, often boy-crazy dolts, the overemphasis on contrived romantic relationships and the lack of cohesion and realism surrounding the “idea” the main characters have for remaking the news.
Still, enough viewers liked what they saw to stick with the show for episode two, and that glue was enough to make HBO confident that “The Newsroom” can be a valuable player through at least next year.
