The Newsroom (1996– )

In a Toronto TV station, the newsroom is headed by a ratings freak. There is nothing George won't do! He is surrounded by a self-absorbed news anchor man who is as dumb as they come, a ... See full summary »

Creator:

Ken Finkleman

Stars:

Ken Finkleman, Mark Farrell, Tanya Allen

9 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Ken Finkleman	...	George Findlay (13 episodes, 1996-1997)
Mark Farrell	...	Mark (13 episodes, 1996-1997)
Tanya Allen	...	Audrey (13 episodes, 1996-1997)
Peter Keleghan	...	Jim Walcott (13 episodes, 1996-1997)
Jeremy Hotz	...	Jeremy (7 episodes, 1996-1997)
Karen Hines	...	Karen (6 episodes, 1997)
Pamela Sinha	...	Rani (6 episodes, 1996)

Storyline

In a Toronto TV station, the newsroom is headed by a ratings freak. There is nothing George won't do! He is surrounded by a self-absorbed news anchor man who is as dumb as they come, a grungy trainee, and a couple of more down-to-earth producers. The cast is helped by famous guest stars each week who try not to get between George and his bran muffins.

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Plot Keywords:

muffin | black comedy | canadian stereotype | malcontent | running gag | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1996 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Híradósok

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

47 min 23 min 47 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

George Findlay: Okay, so they got a picture of this woman with Jim -- what, sitting on Jim's lap or something? I sat on Santa Claus's lap, I have a picture of that. Was I sleeping with Santa Claus?
Mark: I don't know, were you?

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Connections

Referenced in Truth in Advertising (2001)

User Reviews

What the ... ?

First off, I'm in the U.S.

When I first saw this, I thought it was an obvious - and loathsome - rip off of "The Office" (UK). I would have thus awarded it zero stars, but lo and behold, it came out long before the Ricky Gervais series.

Still, it's hard to watch this or any other show with a similar dynamic (including the American "Office") without comparison. It just isn't even close to being the same thing.

I will give it some credit for being original, and ahead of its time. I'll also say that it - and the U.S. "Office" and "Larry Sanders" - are actual satires. The UK "Office" is something grander and more transcendent, as if populated with real people in events that felt like they actually happened. However, unlike this or the shrill Christopher Guest "mockumentaries", it isn't really a satire, while "The Newsroom" definitely is.

Be that as it may, "The Newsroom" still isn't very funny. It's aloof, and self-aware, but with a cast and crew not nearly smart or talented enough to heft the goods. It's weighty comedy being carried on weak shoulders. Commendable, but ultimately not recommended.

--- And what's with the lack of an anamorphic DVD?! I know it was shot in anamorphic widescreen, because I saw the pilot episode on one of our HD channels. CBC, get with the programme. ; )