In 2012, Aaron Sorkin made a spiritual successor to his hit political drama, Sorkin left The West Wing team for professional and personal reasons. Since then, Sorkin has written and produced several other television programs and films, many based on real events and people.

Two decades ago, The West Wing was based on real-world inspiration, drawing upon real American political happenings at the time. Since then, The West Wing has become a classic in American television. Its behind-the-scenes look at the White House and politics has been spoofed and followed up many times, including in an attempt by Sorkin. Though the successor never achieved the same success as The West Wing, it matched Sorkin’s themes and style, acting as a perfect follow-up.

The Newsroom Was Aaron Sorkin’s Perfect Follow Up To The West Wing

The Three-Season Show Examined The Journalism Field

Sorkin’s 2012 show, The Newsroom, worked as a good follow-up to the ever-popular The West Wing. Instead of following characters in the political world, The Newsroom provided an inside look at the morals and characters in the media landscape. The show was about the fictional Atlantis Cable News channel whose cast and crew swear to report the news, even in the face of corporate, commercial, and personal obstacles. Like The West Wing, The Newsroom provided social commentary on the current climate, exploring issues like media responsibility and the impact of journalism on democracy.

Both shows feature elements that have become hallmarks of Sorkin’s work. This includes Sorkin’s distinctive dialogue, providing witty and rapid-fire exchanges between the characters. The shows explore themes of idealism, ethics, and the pursuit of truth, looking at the topics through the behind-the-scenes drama and characters of the different professions. Both series featured well-developed characters who were ionate about their jobs, making for a compelling watch. Sorkin’s ability to create complex and timely narratives that tackle such intense themes has made him and his projects memorable for decades.

Why The Newsroom Was Not As Successful As The West Wing

The Show's Message And Tone Polarized Viewers

The Newsroom was never able to achieve the same legacy and lasting success as The West Wing. Though it was a successful show with a wide fanbase, it always lived in the shadow of its predecessor. The 25-episode show was miniscule compared to the 154 episodes in the original, proving The Newsroom did not have the same longevity as The West Wing. Despite this expectation to succeed, The Newsroom was still well-liked by many. Some viewers have referred to the show as well-accomplishing what it was trying to do, even calling it the “West Wing of journalism drama.”

Many found it too preachy, taking a more cynical approach to its topic than The West Wing did. It was viewed as a pretentious critique of journalism instead of a slice-of-life investigation.

While The Newsroom has many fans, viewers were much more polarized on it and its intentions. Many found it too preachy, taking a more cynical approach to its topic than The West Wing did. It was viewed as a pretentious critique of journalism instead of a slice-of-life investigation. While the show’s first season reported on major news events from the recent past, such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the killing of Osama bin Laden, the later seasons looked more in-depth on a more general topic throughout the season.

Some found the relevancy of the subjects to be interesting, while others thought the recency of the news hit too close to home to be entertaining. Even Sorkin regrets making The Newsroom, feeling that he never did it justice, and later apologized for the show. Despite its fans, The Newsroom never garnered the same widespread acclaim and social impact as Sorkin’s original show.

A Lot Of Aaron Sorkin’s Movies And TV Shows Complement Each Other

Sorkin's Style Is Distinct Throughout Many Of His Projects

Sorkin’s distinct voice and tone are evident in many of his projects. Sorkin’s unique writing style gives voice to his often memorable and compelling characters. This also means his movies and shows often hit the same notes and beats, following similar structures. Though he often works with an ensemble cast, Sorkin’s shows often focus on character development, giving audiences time to connect with and relate to the protagonists, delving into their personal lives and struggles.

Sorkin’s projects are also usually based in the real world around realistic people and characters. Shows like The Newsroom and The West Wing could feasibly be real. The same goes for many of his films, such as The Social Network, Moneyball, and Steve Jobs, which are based on real-life events. Sorkin’s films and shows seem to exist in the same "cinematic universe," intertwining fiction with real historical or contemporary issues. Though The West Wing is arguably the most popular of Sorkin’s works, he lends his distinct style and tone to many other projects, including The Newsroom.