10 TV Shows That Wasted Brilliant Concepts
2. The Newsroom - The West Wing's Successor
Unlike Studio 60, this Aaron Sorkin project managed to churn out three seasons, and during its first few episodes seemed poised to be the writer's big TV follow-up to The West Wing.
Starring Jeff Daniels as a veteran anchor attempting to set-up a news station that will take a no-nonsense approach to its work, The Newsroom used real-world events to form the basis of its drama, and allowed Sorkin to vent many of his own political opinions onto the screen.
This may sound well and good, especially if you're a fan of Sorkin, but after a short while The Newsroom became far too caught up in the politics and Sorkin's slightly preachy narrative approach, both of which tragically overshadowed the show's game cast and character drama.
It had the opportunity to say some important things whilst also creating a strong workplace drama, but The Newsroom became too speechifying and as subtle as a hammer to maintain its lofty aspirations.