re: The West Wing is the GOAT.

quote:

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The West Wing was didn't feel like liberal propaganda. It was a group of like-able people doing what they thought was best for the country. Somewhat of what an idealist view of the white house is.

The Newsroom had zero like-able people and was so over the top with the leftist agenda that I couldn't get past it. Usually that kind of thing doesn't bother me but The Newsroom was just ridiculous to me.

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This pretty much nails it. Also, most of the West Wing Republicans aren't evil, they are the loyal opposition. Sorkin doesn't stack the deck against the conservatives like he does in the Newsroom. He makes them competent, patriotic, and in some cases, RIGHT even when told from the point of view of the protagonists. that never happens on the Newsroom.

The West Wing works because Toby is a grump who loves The People but hates actual people and Josh is a narcissist who cares more about winning than good policy at times. The heroes of Newsroom are practically saints, bestowing us with their divine knowledge. It's hectoring, unrelatable, and plain doesn't work.

Simply put, West Wing is about real people.