Rating: 
Summary: A great modern satire
Review: Along with the Monty Python films and This is Spinal Tap, Newsroom is the funniest satire I have ever seen. Any of you out there who have gagged at the idiocy of local TV newscasts owe it to yourselves to buy this. This is disciplined satire--the lines are delivered straight, giving the illusion that the actors are real people, unaware of the hilarious absurdity of their situations. It is the writing and the acting that provide the payoffs--there is no laugh track, there are no obvious set-up punch lines. Nor does Ken Finkleman, the creator and director, resort to gross cariciature in the manner of so many other lesser satires (think Ted Baxter in Mary Tyler Moore). Even the Newsroom anchorman, who can seem exaggeratedly stupid, actually seems realistic to those who have known people who make their livings as talking heads (Jim Wolcott, the anchor, is a sort of low-rent John Tesh--professionally capable when looking into a camera and reading a script, but moronic in any other situation). I have never seen a better North American TV show.
Rating:
Summary: A great modern satire
Review: Along with the Monty Python films and This is Spinal Tap, Newsroom is the funniest satire I have ever seen. Any of you out there who have gagged at the idiocy of local TV newscasts owe it to yourselves to buy this. This is disciplined satire--the lines are delivered straight, giving the illusion that the actors are real people, unaware of the hilarious absurdity of their situations. It is the writing and the acting that provide the payoffs--there is no laugh track, there are no obvious set-up punch lines. Nor does Ken Finkleman, the creator and director, resort to gross cariciature in the manner of so many other lesser satires (think Ted Baxter in Mary Tyler Moore). Even the Newsroom anchorman, who can seem exaggeratedly stupid, actually seems realistic to those who have known people who make their livings as talking heads (Jim Wolcott, the anchor, is a sort of low-rent John Tesh--professionally capable when looking into a camera and reading a script, but moronic in any other situation). I have never seen a better North American TV show.
Rating:
Summary: Surpasses most major network sitcoms by a landslide.
Review: I have had the pleasure of watching the series a number of times and continue to find it just as enjoyable with subsequent viewings. Proves that it takes canadian wit mixed with public broadcasting to produce a quality television show.
Rating:
Summary: I asked for a BRAN muffin.. this isn't a BRAN muffin!!!
Review: I stumbled onto this PBS series several years ago when it first aired, and was able to tape it on VHS, subsequently watching it over and over again. This series KILLS me! I'm positively giddy as I see now that it's available on DVD. (Therefore, this rating applies to the series itself and not to the quality of the DVD release). What can I say.. this show is brilliant, and the series finale is the height of over-the-top cynical humor. There are still moments when I think back on this series and laugh out loud. If you like a little wickedly cynical humor, especially the kind that exposes all the ugly and pathetic human vices, then you will likely LOVE this series. And if you don't, you're probably in a coma, in which case.. watch out, George is probably scheming to take over your parking space!
Rating:
Summary: Garry Shandling, get out your notebook
Review: I was lucky enough to stumble upon "The Newsroom" on PBS, and after having only caught 3 episodes, they stopped showing it. Right away, I searched far and wide over the internet for this boxed set, and it's one of my most prized possessions. A half hour of this show is funnier than most of today's two hour movies. It's perfect in every aspect: writing, acting, directing, and laughs. It remains one of my favorite TV shows or movies, and if you like classics like this is spinal tap, larry sanders show, or network, this you have to check out.
Rating:
Summary: "Newsroom" is sophisticated and wickedly funny satire.
Review: If you love writing, acting and overall production like "Sports Night," "SCTV," and "Northern Exposure," you should feel your intelligence and funny bone rewarded with "Newsroom." What is it about Canadians that makes them so talented at very urbane parody and satire? They really know how to hit their target with just the right characterizations. Well, they got my attention big time with this series, which is now a part of my entertainment library. Note: Somebody from Chicago told me that her cousin worked in the actual newsroom and offices where the series was filmed during working hours. I have this image of these stories being played out in the middle of the characters that inspired them. Funny is as funny does.
Rating:
Summary: "Newsroom" is sophisticated and wickedly funny satire.
Review: If you love writing, acting and overall production like "Sports Night," "SCTV," and "Northern Exposure," you should feel your intelligence and funny bone rewarded with "Newsroom." What is it about Canadians that makes them so talented at very urbane parody and satire? They really know how to hit their target with just the right characterizations. Well, they got my attention big time with this series, which is now a part of my entertainment library. Note: Somebody from Chicago told me that her cousin worked in the actual newsroom and offices where the series was filmed during working hours. I have this image of these stories being played out in the middle of the characters that inspired them. Funny is as funny does.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: One of the best comedic series ever. Ken Finkleman is a brilliant, twisted writer, who is able to create a TV show that captures the insidiousness of the network news and office politics. Unfortunately, the show is only 13 episodes. The best of which is "The Campaign." If you enjoy "Seinfeld," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," or "The Larry Sanders Show," you'll love this series.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: One of the best sitcoms of all time. Canadian television at its best. Excellent satire of tv news.
Rating:
Summary: One of the funniest things I've seen.
Review: So well observed. Satire at it's best. Ken Finkleman is a genius! If you ask for more from your sitcoms, buy this.
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