‘The Newsroom’ is Sorkin’s newest take on a hot topic

WASHINGTON – Fans of “The West Wing,” “Sports Night,” “Charlie Wilson’s War” and “American President,” pay attention: This one is for you.

Aaron Sorkin, who recently won an Academy Award for writing “The Social Network,” is back with a new show.

Always the purveyor of what’s happening at the moment, Sorkin takes on a critical contemporary issue with his new HBO show “The Newsroom.” At a time when most news organizations are downsizing or even shutting their doors, and politicians and viewers alike rail against the “main-steam, liberal media” (or “lame-stream”), this new story documents a news anchor who tries something new.

Played by Jeff Daniels, and dubbed with the Cronkitian title of “Most Trusted Man in America,” this story’s main character shies away from the apolitical, middle-of-the-road approach that many newsmen and women have to adopt. He’s asked during a college lecture, “What makes America the greatest country in the world?” His response is clearly out of character, and yields the show’s integral question:

“How do you fix breaking news?”

Check out the show’s first trailer, below, before it premiers on Sunday, June 24.

Editor’s Note: This trailer contains crude language and may not be appropriate for some readers:

The show features a cast of familiar faces, including Emily Mortimer, Sam Waterston of “Law & Order” fame, and Dev Patel, best known for his starring role in “Slumdog Millionaire.”

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