by Chris Ullrich, Mar 29 2011 // 7:00 AM
I don’t think anyone would argue that Aaron Sorkin is an extremely talented writer. His shows, including Sports Night, The West Wing and Studio 60 and movies like the recent The Social Network, have proved this over and over.
Needless to say, we’re big fans. So, when Sorkin takes on a new project, we’re interested. As we told you previously, Sorkin is returning to TV with a new show on HBO. And now, that show’s pilot has a director.
Superbad and Paul helmer Greg Mottola is now set to direct the pilot set behind the scenes of a cable news show. The project centers on news anchor Will McCallister, which Jeff Daniels will most likely play, who has his own cable show, his female executive producer and his staff.
With Sorkin doing a new show, Jeff Daniels starring and now with Mottola’s involvement, we’re even more interested in this show. Come on HBO, get it going and let’s see it soon.
Posted in: HBO · News · TV
Tagged: Aaron Sorkin, Greg Motolla, HBO, Jeff Daniels, Paul, Sports Night, Studio 60, Superbad, The Social Network, The West Wing, TV
by Shannon Hood, Jan 27 2011 // 10:30 AM
A couple of weeks ago, I named The Company Men on my top 10 films of 2010 list. The movie tracks a handful of employees at a large company, and follows their stories through the economic downturn.
It’s an amazing film (full review will run tomorrow) that captures all the anguish, anger, and fear I have witnessed through my own friends and family experience. This movie absolutely nails it, and it can be difficult to watch at times, because it hits so close to home.
When I was given the opportunity to interview director John Wells, I jumped on it. This film means a lot to me, and I couldn’t wait to talk to the man who wrote, directed, and produced it. Wells has an impressive filmography as a producer on a myriad of projects.
He served as executive producer during the entire run of television’s ER and The West Wing. He has also been President of the Writer’s Guild of America. Although he has directed several television episodes, this is his first feature film.
Right before we started the interview, I told him how much the movie meant to me, and shared a few personal stories about friends and family members who have suffered since the recession.
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Posted in: Drama · Exclusive · Interviews · Movies · News
Tagged: Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Economic downturn, ER, Interviews, John Wells, Maria Bello, Producers, Rosemarie DeWitt, The Company Men, The West Wing, Tommy Lee Jones
by Bob Starr, Nov 23 2009 // 7:00 AM
There’s a lot of great writers in Hollywood and Aaron Sorkin is definitely one of them. Responsible for such great shows as Sports Night, The West Wing, and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Sorkin has brought us some incredible television. While his last series, Studio 60 was unfortunately canceled in its first season it thankfully hasn’t deterred Sorkin from returning to television.
So what is Sorkin’s new series going to be about? Well, television seems like a natural choice, “It’s going to be what turns out to be the third in the trilogy of TV shows that take place behind the scenes of a TV show, but this will be a different kind of TV show. That’s all I can let out of the bag right now.”
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m fully on board for anything Sorkin is doing but do we need another behind the scenes television show? I say this only because I think part of the reason Studio 60 didn’t get any traction is because many TV viewers had a hard time relating to those involved in the entertainment industry. Even I, a Sorkin fanboy, found it difficult to care for actors who, while living a very indulgent lifestyle, waxed poetic about how hard their respective lives were. Furthermore, is Sorkin ready to go head-to-head against 30 Rock again, the show that ultimately beat out Studio 60 in the long run?
Alright, my little rant aside, there’s still some promise here. Sorkin himself states the show “will be different” so maybe he recognizes what went wrong with Studio 60 and will avoid those mistakes in the new show. Only time will tell given he didn’t provide any other details.
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Posted in: Drama · Movies · Social Networking · Sports · TV · Writers
Tagged: Aaron Sorkin, Facebook, Sports Night, Studio 60, The Social Network, The West Wing