Sorkin' In It: The Films & Television of Aaron Sorkin

Nevada Day Part 1 defied our expectations… which meant we got our hopes up for Nevada Day Part 2. Will the light mix of casual homophobia, causal racism, and heavy belief beggaring win us over this time around? Or will we find more joy in discussing the correct pronunciation of Nevada? At least Lex has Brian, and Brian has Lex. And you’ve got both of us. Join us: We’re Sorkin’ In It together. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Uh oh. It’s the Nevada episode. This is the one Lex was worried about before he and Brian started rewatching Studio 60. And it’s the first half of a two parter. But… maybe it wasn’t as bad as Lex remembered? It has John Goodman. It has time travel storytelling. How bad could it be? Only way to find out? Start Sorkin’ in it. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

In this episode, we discuss “The Wrap Party,” a Studio 60 episode that certainly exists in our timeline. Things happen! For example, an old guy wanders into the studio. Matt and Sim go clubbing, sort of. Jordan tries to make friends. Listen, we’re still absolutely enjoying Studio 60, and we’re having plenty of fun chatting about it, but this episode doesn’t make our top 10 list so far. That’s ok! You’re in good hands with your ol’ pals Lex and Brian. Let’s do what we do best, and that’s go Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Lauren Graham hosts Studio 60 (but we barely see her). Christine Lahti plays a reporter and we see more of her (a Lahti of her? Is that a thing?). We get a lot of Matt/Harriet star-crossed romance (yawn). But we do get a lotta lute (which is fun to say, try it!). Meanwhile Jordan passes on a surefire hit, and we’re still shipping her and Danny (the kids still call it shipping, right?). Anyway, it’s a new Sorkin’ In It (yay!). Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Oh no! Studio 60 stole a joke, and now they have to break in LIVE to the west coast’s rebroadcast to cut that joke. Because that makes sense. Okay, okay, it doesn’t make sense. Meanwhile, Harriet gives Matt a gift that drives him batty, and we meat a new character — a reporter played by Christine Lahti, who knows how to push Matt and Danny’s buttons. (It involves buttons.) Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

We don’t subject this podcast to a focus group, because we already know we’re doing everything perfectly. This episode of Studio 60 takes us deep backstage for writing and rehearsing an episode of the show within a show. Ricky and Ron are in maximum jerk mode. There’s pressure on Jordan and the show not to lose many viewers from last week. And there’s other Jordan drama that’s totally unnecessary. But you know what IS necessary? This episode of Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

If you’ve been thinking that this podcast needs more choir robes and Phil Donahue jokes, then boy oh boy are you in luck! Lex and Brian are back, covering Episode 2 of Studio 60, “The Cold Open”, which feels very much like a part 2 of the Pilot. Matt battles writer’s block until inspiration strikes him. Perhaps it should have struck him harder? Grab your local philharmonic, warm up your singing voice — it’s time for Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

We survived The Newsroom. Will Studio 60 be better, worse, or just… different?The only way to find out is to dive into the pilot episode, cleverly titled “Pilot.” Let’s meet new characters! Let’s meet old Sorkin friends — and names! Let’s debate Sorkin tropes! Live from Hollywood, it’s the new season of Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s Studio 60 time! Now that our coverage of The Newsroom is done, you may find yourself experiencing new feelings you’ve never had before. Sadness. Grief. Elation. Relief. But we hope you also feel eager anticipation about what’s ahead. And what is that you may ask? For Season 3, Lex and Brian are covering Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It’s a show about a show. Imagine that! Episode one comes out next week, and here’s the preview. Or trailer. Or kickoff. You know what? Here’s where we tell you everything we think about Studio 60 before we start watching! Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Today, Lex and Brian cover the series finale of The Newsroom. It’s an episode with a funeral, plenty of flashbacks, music, bowling, and Sorkin just trying to tie up a few loose ends. Did Lex and Brian find themselves satisfied? Elated? Relieved? There’s only one way to find out. Also, stay tuned to the end of the episode for the big reveal of what Sorkin show we plan to cover next! Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

In this penultimate episode of this season of Sorkin’ In It, Lex and Brian cover what is possibly the least-beloved work of Aaron Sorkin’s career; and we’ll come right out and say that it earns every bit of that terrible reputation. Will is in jail, Maggie and Jim are in Russia, and Charlie’s getting worked up trying to hold it all together. Spoiler: It ends poorly. But we keep our chins up and find that we still enjoy getting to talk about it… even if some of our focus is on how not good it is. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Subpoenas. Rushed (but beautiful) weddings. Courtrooms. Handcuffs. It’s an overstuffed Newsroom, and boy does Jim disappoint us. Almost as much as he disappoints Hallie. Meanwhile, Mackenzie and The Source get soaked, and ACN gets acquired. Brian and Lex get… kind of frustrated. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Richard/Toby sees no cause for optimism, but Brian and Lex do: They’re here covering season three, episode three of The Newsroom: Main Justice. We’re at the White House Correspondence dinner, and so is BJ Novak, who is so ridiculous. And we meet the source! Oh, and the steady downfall of Jim (and perhaps Jim and Hallie) continues. No matter what, though, our obligation (and yours) is to keep Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

In this week’s episode Brian briefly forgets the entire concept of the written word and how TV works. We forge ahead, undaunted by any single hosts unhinged intro, and cover Newsroom S3E2, called “Run.” We meet a few new characters and see familiar faces while the network is faces a takeover, Maggie scores a new lead, and Neal is definitely in trouble. Which we mostly don’t care about. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s the premiere of the final (short) season of The Newsroom, and Brian and Lex are watching. Sadly, the Genoa storyline is STILL sticking around — this time affecting the team’s reporting on the Boston Marathon bombing. Plus Neal gets a Genoa of his own. (Where by “Genoa,” we mean, “storyline we wish would go away.”) With all that said, you might think this is a lousy episode, but we actually… like it? And this episode just might bode well for the final season of the TV show! Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Brian and Lex agree that this season finale feels like it was potentially a series finale, maybe written before Sorkin knew he had one more season of The Newsroom to go. Mac and Will walk off the set, Jim worries about a mistake he made, and Maggie remains alive. Oh, and spoiler alert: Obama wins. Add to that love is in the air with MANY of our characters, and you just know you’re gonna love Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s election night, in 2012, and the team has decided to resign, but what’s this? The head of the network won’t let them? This and much more coming up in the first of a two-part collection of episodes to round out Season 2 of The Newsroom. “Hey Lex, do you think we should resign, too?” “No way, Brian, we’re going to keep Sorkin in it!” Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

We won’t retract a single word of this podcast episode, but the same can’t be said for the team at News Night. The Genoa report blows up in their faces, with nary a whiff of chemical weapons in sight. Who’s resigning? Who’s in trouble? Who’s Sorkin’ in it? We definitely know the answer to that last one. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Jerry Dantana starts playing fast and loose with reality. Will makes a guest appearance on a morning show. And Jim gets a visit from Hallie… and his old nemesis. Oh, and Maggie’s drinking alone. At least Brian and Lex have each other! Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Will’s dodging calls from his dad. Sloan’s private photos are on the Internet. Jim’s worried about Maggie. Plus, there’s news to report. Can the staff of News Night keep their heads above water? One thing is certain: They will — with a little help from Brian and Lex — find a way to keep Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.