Guys, this is big news. HUGE, awesome, can’t wait for this to actually hit my TV screen news. I am an unapologetic Aaron Sorkin-ite and have been looking forward to his return to TV since Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip went off the air four years ago. Yes, I loved that show - I own the series on DVD, I have watched it in its entirety at least 3 times, and I want to be Danny Tripp when I grow up. Deal with it. Anyway…
Sorkin has been developing a new show for HBO for some time now. Currently titled More As the Story Develops, it tells the story of the prominent host of a Keith Olbermann-style news show (Sorkin actually shadowed Olbermann in his preparation for the pilot before Olbermann left MSNBC). So far, Jeff Daniels has been cast Will McAllister, the outspoken newsman, and Marissa Tomei, Allison Pill and Olivia Munn are also in talks to sign on. Vulture recently obtained an early draft of the pilot script and breaks it down in Sorkin-terms - and let me tell you, I already like what I’m hearing.
From what I can gather, this will be a Sorkin show containing some of the best aspects from his previous shows. A pilot that picks up during a chaotic day on set (Studio 60), lots of control room/behind-the-scenes at a TV show talk (Sports Night), left-of center- politics from the mouth of an integrity-rich lead (West Wing), sexual tension that makes Matt Alby and Harriet Hayes look like middle-schoolers, and relationships and chemistry between the cast that will hopefully remind us of the glory days of Dana and Natalie, Matt and Danny, and Josh and Toby. As Margaret Lyons mentions in the Vulture article, “Will’s relationship with his new bodyguard — chatty, casual as a cover for how dire their situation is — has a Jed/Charlie vibe.” If Will McAllister can be equal parts Jed Bartlett, Danny Trip and Casey McCall, I will be in TV heaven.
Check out the Vulture piece HERE - and to all the other Sorkin-ites out there, let us all look forward to seeing the words “What Kind of Day Has It Been” on our DVRs if and when the season one finale rolls around.
Author’s Note: Much of this post will be unintelligible to the non-Sorkin-ite. If this is the case, I am sorry I am not sorry - Deebs
