Ep 43. Jeff Daniels On His New Hit Show the NEWSROOM

Jeff Daniels is in the house! Peter Travers sits down with the Emmy-winning actor to talk about his latest project, the HBO series “The Newsroom.” Daniels plays news anchor Will McAvoy, who experiences a midlife crisis and takes on a new approach to reporting by providing unbiased news coverage that goes against corporate interests. Travers and Daniels discuss how the show tackles real-life events, the drama behind the camera, and the challenges of portraying such an iconic role.

The conversation starts with Daniels’s take on the controversial opening scene of “The Newsroom,” where McAvoy delivers a fiery speech about why America is not the greatest country in the world. Daniels reveals that he was nervous about the scene, but ultimately respected creator Aaron Sorkin’s vision and delivery. The two actors also touched on the issue of balancing the news with drama, and how Sorkin’s writing provides an excellent opportunity to do so.

As the show delves deeper, Travers and Daniels discuss the broader themes of “The Newsroom” and how it portrays journalism in today’s world. Daniels emphasizes that the show is not a critique of journalism, but rather a “love letter” to it. He explains how the show highlights the importance of getting the facts right, and how it exposes the flaws in modern-day news coverage.

Travers and Daniels also explored the process of playing such an iconic role. Daniels reveals that he had never played a character like McAvoy before, but was excited by the challenge of doing so. He talks about how he put a lot of work into creating the character, and how he developed a backstory for him. Daniels also discusses his admiration for the other actors on the show, including Emily Mortimer, Dev Patel, and Olivia Munn.

As the conversation comes to a close, Travers and Daniels talk about the challenges of keeping a show like “The Newsroom” fresh and interesting. Daniels notes that one of the biggest challenges of the show was staying true to the characters and the world that Sorkin had created. He reveals that Sorkin would often change scripts at the last minute, which forced the cast and crew to be adaptable and on their toes.

In all, this episode of “Popcorn With Peter Travers” provides an insightful and engaging discussion with Jeff Daniels about “The Newsroom.” Viewers will gain a better understanding of the show’s central themes, the challenges of playing an iconic role, and the drama behind the camera. Whether you’re a fan of “The Newsroom” or just a lover of great television, this episode is not to be missed.