Aaron Sorkin Defends 'The Newsroom,' Calls It 'Aspirational'

Aaron Sorkin Says 'The Newsroom' Is 'Fantasy'

Although Aaron Sorkin's HBO series "The Newsroom" has earned criticism, with journalists calling its portrayal of the industry unrealistic, the creator told NPR's "Fresh Air" that "The Newsroom" is meant to be a fantasy.

"I like writing about heroes that don’t wear capes and disguises," Sorkin told "Fresh Air" host Terry Gross of the criticism. "It's aspirational. 'Gee, it looks like the real world and feels like the real world, why can't this be the real world?' The metaphor of Don Quixote is used, all kinds of lost cities are used: Atlantis, Brigadoon ... The show is meant to be a fantasy set against very real and oftentimes very serious events."

Sorkin isn't alone in defending his series: The stars of "The Newsroom" are behind him as well.

"Sorkin loves journalists, loves the media, loves the news," Olivia Munn, who plays Sloan Sabbith, told Vulture. "I don’t believe the show is his soapbox for him to lecture the media on how to be better. On the contrary, I believe his show is an opportunity to help the audience fall in love with the news again."

To listen to Sorkin's full "Fresh Air" interview, click over to NPR
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"The Newsroom" airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. on HBO.

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