Despite the growing prominence and convenience of web media and the straggling efforts of news radio and print publications, many Americans still consume their news in TV form. The Newsroom (Season Premiere, 9 p.m. Sunday, HBO) gives us a very contemporary look at that format from both sides of the screen, mixing true, recent news events (the 2012 presidential election, Occupy Wall Street) with realistic fictional ones (Operation Genoa).
In The Newsroom’s final season, the News Night crew must regain credibility after reporting an explosive false story last year. Now when a breaking story comes their way, they must proceed with extreme caution. Meanwhile, Will McAvoy and the team deal with the Boston Marathon bombing, privacy issues like information leaks and a potential network takeover. With only six episodes this season, creator/writer/producer Aaron Sorkin and his characters will have to wrap up what they have to say — which viewers know is a lot — in a tight time frame.
If you’re a fan of The Newsroom and looking for something complementary, check out Sorkin’s Sports Night. The “cancelled too soon” series revolves around a fictional EPSN-type show and stars Josh Charles (The Good Wife), Peter Krause (Six Feet Under) and Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives). Besides the obvious similarities — both shows look at live broadcast journalism; even the fictional shows’ names, Sports Night’s namesake and The Newsroom’s News Night are nearly identical — both series feature Sorkin’s signature fast-paced, chirpy style.
WEDNESDAY NOV. 5
The CMA Awards (8 p.m., ABC) – Modern Family and other ABC comedies take a bye week for “Country Music’s Biggest Night,” hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.
The Getaway (9 p.m., Esquire) – Jack McBrayer (forever Kenneth the Page to me) takes viewers along on a Hawaiian vacation. Maybe just watch Forgetting Sarah Marshall?
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (9 p.m., NBC) – The following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event. But it’s totally based on the teen Slender Man attack.
American Horror Story: Freak Show (10 p.m., FX) – Stanley and Maggie move forward with their plan to snatch a freak body to sell; more on Desiree’s backstory; Gloria cleans up after Dandy upon discovering his…“hobby.”
The League (10 p.m., FXX) – Pete sleeps with a woman whose mild case of epilepsy is revealed in the bedroom; Jenny learns to cook.
SUNDAY NOV. 9
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (8:30 p.m., Fox) – Jake hooks up with a woman (Eva Longoria) only to discover she’s the defense attorney for the perp he’s trying to get locked up. Sounds like a job for Chareth Cutestory.
Homeland (9 p.m., Showtime) – The search for Saul continues. Carrie’s mission becomes more complicated as Lockhart arrives in Pakistan.
The Walking Dead (9 p.m., AMC) – After a satisfying Beth episode, we depart once again from Rick’s group to catch up with the crew traveling to Washington, D.C. — Eugene, Abraham, Rosita, Tara, Glenn and Maggie. Is Dr. Mullet the real deal or just a weak guy conning his way to safety? Michael Cudlitz (Abraham) and Josh McDermitt (Eugene) will answer questions on Talking Dead at 10 p.m.
The Comeback (Season Premiere, 10 p.m., HBO) – The 2005 comedy about a former sitcom star’s return to the spotlight gets a better-late-than-never second season after nearly a decade. Talk about meta. This time around, Valerie (Lisa Kudrow) looks to get in on the Real Housewives goldmine.
MONDAY NOV. 10
The Last Patrol (9 p.m., HBO) – A look at the effects of war from the perspectives of those who document it (filmmaker/journalist Sebastian Junger and combat reporter Guillermo Cervera) and those who fight in it (veterans Brendan O’Bryne and Dave Roels).
TUESDAY NOV. 11
New Girl (9 p.m., Fox) – When Jess begins dating a new guy, Nick pretends to be gay so as not to seem like a threat; Winston works on his “long game” with some attractive women in the building; Cece contemplates a breast reduction, much to Schmidt’s dismay.
The Mindy Project (9:30 p.m., Fox) – Mindy gets caught between her boyfriend and his mom once again when she catches Mrs. Castellano shoplifting. Elsewhere, Peter starts seeing Abby, though she isn’t quite his dream girl.
Sons of Anarchy (10 p.m., FX) – Doesn’t love always win? No, not in Charming. But at least we get a little joy in the form of the one and only Venus Van Dam.
CONTACT JAC KERN: [email protected] or @jackern
