Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/71510
BY JACQUELINE CUTLER A sharp new 'Newsroom' DAILYNEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Let's make this simple: "The Newsroom" is the most important drama to make it to television in years. This is not a political statement – unless the national debate has plunged to such lows that complimenting a show that dares to say what thinking people have been questioning for years is somehow political. HBO's drama, debuting Sunday, June 24, has it all: actors who feel as if they were born to these parts and writing that proves there is hope for TV beyond talent contests, braying shoppers and those in need of psychotropic drugs. Tackling the issue of how crucial an informed public is to democracy, the drama captures the terrific energy in a newsroom when a huge story breaks. It uses its characters to question what's happening in the national arena. There's a lot going on and it takes the singular talent of "West Wing" creator and Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin ("The Social Network," "Moneyball") to pull it off. "I want to emphasize the show is not a ventriloquist act," Sorkin says. "All of my education and training is in theater, not politics. I like writing romantically." The romance here is between Will McAvoy and Mackenzie McHale (Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer). McAvoy plays a cable station news anchor everyone dismissed as a milquetoast, but he reveals a sharper edge. In the pilot, McAvoy and colleagues are at a Northwestern University journalism symposium, and he's pressured to answer why the United States is the greatest country. McAvoy answers with searing honesty that America is not, reminding students that 207 sovereign states have freedom. He clearly loves his country and the principles it's founded upon but is distressed by the current lack of civility, among other ailments. Hundreds of Dollars in Money-Saving Coupons every week in the DAILYNEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY … And that does not count all the ads offering percentage discounts, two-for-ones and Free-with-Purchase offers! Don't miss a Day of it! Subscribe Today 530 527-2151 It pays for itself. "It used to be we waged war on poverty, not poor people," McAvoy says. "We aspired to intelligence. We didn't belittle it." The first four episodes are full of such plangent lines, and as McAvoy, Daniels ("Good Night, and Good Luck.") gets many of them. Daniels stresses that despite buzz, his fictional character is not modeled on Keith Olbermann. "Ten minutes into the pilot, you have that speech," Daniels says. "We are going to clear the room of people who can't handle it. They are very smart people saying very smart things. "He is a ratings whore," Daniels continues. "He loves to look in the morning and see that (his numbers) bumped. When he talks about Sarah Palin, he does so in a way that doesn't hurt his numbers. He loves the money and he loves to be No. 1, but he does so by not telling people what he really thinks." THURSDAY 4:00 p.m. (CSNBA) Inside Israeli Bas- ketball An in-depth look at Maccabi Haifa team and the Super League. (ESPN) NBA Draft Preview From Newark, N.J. (Live) 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) 2012 NBA Draft From Newark, N.J. (Live) BOXING SUNDAY 10:15 a.m. (HBO) 2 Days: Nonito Donaire (HD) 11:30 a.m. (HBO) The Fight Game With Jim Lampley Judging disputes and potential solutions. (HD) TUESDAY 12:00 p.m. (HBO) The Fight Game With Jim Lampley Judging disputes and potential solutions. (HD) 10:15 p.m. (HBO) The Fight Game With Jim Lampley Judging disputes and potential solutions. (HD) 10:45 p.m. (HBO) 2 Days: Nonito Donaire (HD) THURSDAY 7:30 p.m. (HBO) The Fight Game With Jim Lampley Judging disputes and potential solutions. (HD) FRIDAY 2 x 5" ad June 23 - 29, 2012 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2) Boxing Ruslan Pro- vodnikov vs. Jose Reynoso. From Corona, Calif. (Live) (HD) 35 E7DH;57 EB75;3> +refrigerant, (134A) Be prepared. Have your car AC serviced. "'//5 Auto repair and refinishing, glass repair, custom paint and matching Red Bluff Collision The Daily News and North Valley Community Newspapers 530.527.6160 • 915 Madison St., Red Bluff2 x 3" ad © Tribune Media Services select TV 5 It's heating up outside. OLYMPICS SATURDAY 1:00 p.m. (NBC-24) U.S. Olympic Trials Diving. Men's 10-meter finals. From Seattle. (Live) (HD) 8:00 p.m. (NBC-24) U.S. Olympic Trials Track & Field. Finals. From Eugene, Ore. (HD) SUNDAY 12:00 p.m. (NBC-24) U.S. Olympic Trials Diving. Men's 3-meter, women's Your "Local" Daily Newspaper Since 1885 To Subscribe Call Today! 1 x 2" ad 527-2151 10-meter and 3-meter finals. From Seattle. (Live) (HD) 7:00 p.m. (NBC-24) U.S. Olympic Trials Track & Field. Finals. From Eugene, Ore. (HD) MONDAY 8:00 p.m. (NBC-24) U.S. Olympic Trials Swimming. Finals. From Omaha, Neb. (HD) TUESDAY 8:00 p.m. (NBC-24) U.S. Olympic Trials Swimming. Finals. From Omaha, Neb. (HD) WEDNESDAY 8:00 p.m. (NBC-24) U.S. Olympic Trials Swimming. Finals. From Omaha, Neb. (HD) THURSDAY 8:00 p.m. (NBC-24) U.S. Olympic Trials Swimming. Finals. From Omaha, Neb. (HD) FRIDAY 8:00 p.m. (NBC-24) U.S. Olympic Trials Swimming. Finals. From Omaha, Neb. (HD) 9:00 p.m. (NBC-24) U.S. Olympic Trials Gymnastics. Women's competition. From San Jose, Calif. (HD)