The Newsroom

NPR Fresh Air: Aaron Sorkin: The Writer Behind ‘The Newsroom

NPR Interviewer Terry Gross spoke to Aaron Sorkin on NPR’S “Fresh Air” about “The Newsroom” and other topics . And while Gross boldly declares herself an actual fan of “The Newsroom”, she doesn’t hold back from lobbing the same criticisms most people have been shouting at your TV since the show debuted.

 

Interview Highlights

On writing about journalism
“I like writing idealistically and romantically, and if you can do that in a place that’s usually looked at cynically — the way journalism is now — you can get something fun out of it.”

On talking like his characters
“I haven’t met anyone who can. When I write these things, I’m alone in a room for a very long time, and I get to rewrite them, and I get to think for a long time about what’s going to be said. If I get on a roll, then I can write a conversation like that without stopping, but I can’t do it when talking to a real person, like you. That’s not who I am in real life.”

On his influences
“I’ve been influenced by so many writers, just the fact that the dialogue has to sound like something, whether it’s Mamet or Pinter or Eugene O’Neill and Tennessee Williams. I like writing things that are fun to say.”

On the walk and talk
“Television is a visual medium. You have to create some kind of visual interest. And it’s entertainment for your eyes.”

You can listen to the “Fresh Air” interview by clicking on the NPR pic.