July 7 -- Actor Jeff Daniels sits down with John Heilemann to discuss films, winning an Emmy for “The Newsroom” and what he’s looking for in the next president on “With All Due Respect.”
That speech is what got me interested in the show. It exposed Americans’ ridiculous self-inflicted blind spots so precisely. “What’s in it that’s not true?” indeed.
@Chief Big Bob Dumbasses like you are why Trump is in the WH to begin with, and if you keep it up he will get reelected. Now, I called you a name. Are you inclined to listen to anything I say? Or are you more inclined to double down, dig in, and hold your ground? How about if I say "Hey Chief, instead of insulting them maybe we should try reason and compassion?" May not be what you like, but are you willing to consider it?
I love Newsroom, I still go back to it often. Atleast once a year I’ll rewatch the whole series. Who didn’t fall in love with Olivia Munn from this show?
Best quote I've heard in awhile: "In this corporatization of America, you cannot sit there and have off-shore accounts for your corporations so you don't pay taxes, and then ask other peoples children to sacrifice their lives for your freedom!"
I have the boxed set and now have watched the audio commentary twice. It gives new perspective and now I will go back to watching entire seasons or favorite episodes (Bullies, I think is perfect)
Personally I'm not all that surprised. I don't believe that any actor can deliver the Northwestern scene with the anger and frustration that he brought without having deep convictions regarding those ideas, not to mention great intellect and reflection. He is brilliant and down to earth, something I find very refreshing. I only became aware of the Northwestern scene and the show because my wife had seen the clip on YT, came to me and said, "you have to hear this - it sounds just like you." I don't hate my country, I just hate when it refuses to be self-critical. Owning up to mistakes and trying to do better BY THE PEOPLE, is the capacity, promise and foundation upon which this country is built. We have so much work to do. This show, like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, was too smart for a lot of people. I haven't seen West Wing. It feels like I'm saving it for something. Maybe now's the time...
IDig A. Pony 👏👏👏👏 I was married to an American born man and he moved from the US when he was 14 and the one thing he told me (I met him when he was 25) is that he felt US education system drummed into them that they were the best and only country in the world. He said after he started living out of the US he realised how isolating that teaching was and how much bigger the world is... This monologue was one of the BEST bits of TV ever!!
That scene was awesome. I've lived overseas for 17 years now and realize my country is not the best in the world. My adopted home country has no guns and great healthcare. Not to mention it is safe to walk outside at night.
I am not an American but a Canadian and I agree whole heartedly with what you have to say about being a Citizen. The problems in Canada are similar to the US and it's getting worse, not better. Our countries need to get back to being centrist and not polarized at near the ends of the political scale. We need leaders who are looking to improve everyone's lot, not leaders who choose to run for the chosen few who purchase their voice with wealth. It's time for us to look and what we have become and then work hard to get back to where we should be.
Jeff Daniels is one of the most fabulously well rounded actors on the planet. He always keeps you on your toes, hes never predictable. Also loved him in newsroom its such a pity it is only 3 seasons
What a great interview! Hopefully before long, The Newsroom and Jeff Daniels will get the true appreciation they deserve. Aaron Sorkin has already become known as one of the greats.
Newsroom by far was one of the smartest, most though-provoking shows I've ever watched (numerous times over). I have very similar opinions as does Mr. Daniels
Suzanne Stephan His piece "America is not the greatest country in the world" was brilliant and should be required for all. I disagree and I think he would too. However the scene was for a purpose. I think our country is the greatest country ever. Even with the madness of the last 8 years. The ridiculous health car fiasco. The dissolving economy and race relations. Terrorism In our Country. Billions given to people who want us dead. And what next "pay for play", "oh I forget" ?? Madness. We need people in government to reacquire their honor and integrity and become true patriots and fight for our country's people. We need to treat fellow Americans as if they are family for they are. Honor them, cooperate with them, be kind to them. Natural and simple. And please educate yourself to our history and Think for Yourself! All the best.
WE could have universal health care like every other country! WHY go broke over medical bills? AND some things are marked up 7000 times the actual cost Like even a MRI I am a retired medical person of 44 years.
Suzanne Stephan So tragically true Suzanne. They are soulless and evil to destroy the quality of life of all Americans for greed. It is criminal and if we had a government by and for the people it would not be so. Adults having to pay a doctor just for a prescription and then have to pay for 2 weeks meds. It is insanity.
I agree with some of the reactions. Jeff Daniels was always someone i rnjoyed watching. If ever there is a desire to see something new from him. Maybe a play, or a sketch, doesnt have to be a movie. I would love to see the way Mr. Daniels would do
Lets face it Jeff is just one helluva Great Actor. The Speech he gave on Newsroom ? There isn't words to address how great a piece of work that is but words like Dynamic Awesome and Historical come to mind.
What an interesting interview. I loved "The Newsroom" and Jeff Daniels was marvelous in it. I've become a fan of John Heilemann from watching him on MSNBC. He pulls no punches. Turns out he's an excellent interviewer as well.
We saw Jeff on stage in 1993 in Lanford Wilson's Redwood, a play about a disaffected Vietnam veteran who retreats to the great forest to grapple with his problems adjusting to life after the traumatic atrocities of war. Daniels was superb. He proved his skills in subsequent films over and over again.
E M , the Republicans shoved their heads up their collective ass in 1992 when Bill Clinton was elected at a time when everyone assumed HW Bush was considered a shoo-in for a second term. Gingrich swore to cock block him at every opportunity and got the Republican cadre to play along. It’s been down hill ever since.
I love just how aware he is of the importance and the impact the main message of that speech and the entire show has had and probably will have. It's an awesome show. I've watched it already more than three times
+David Briscoe But i cant believe he's all for someone like Hillary Clitoris for President after speaking of someone as great as Lincoln.And fucking Jeb Bush??? Omg,I'll move to Canada
@@docb8324 "ah yes, my mistake" -- what a lovely exchange: Make a mistake, someone points it out, and you welcome the correction. If society worked in such ways, our potential would be limitless.
Wasn't there a clown just lifting a Bible in the air ( with no words) while having his thugs hitting on his own people to cross the street just a week ago...No words can describe how low America has fallen.
What an honest, realistic man. His words: " "Newsroom" bought me another ten years...". I know that actors who've enjoyed film success, can stockade $ for long-term safety. But his frankness about real actors, like himself, constantly worried about their next job was an interesting insight. It is true, if you do take those big chances, the rewards can be amazing. I really don't think that successful actors/ movie "stars" are "American Royalty" as our culture portrays them to be. It seems Mr. Daniels doesn't either - he sees it just as a craft. Sure, it is easy to pontificate sitting there with a fat bank balance, but there is a real sincerity in Jeff Daniels. The rudimentary belief & his action to raise children with some balance & far away from Hollywood, says volumes about the man. Funny, I had seen him in @ 86/87? w/his 3 buddies at the Beverly Centre, sitting, looking as bored as all hell, as you or I might be, (I think they were waiting for a movie to start, or for their girlfriends to finish up shopping). I was a big fan of his work since "Cairo" in 84', and myself, only @ 24 at thr time, thought, "wow, what a normal guy". 34, (very quick!), years later, he still appears to be the same"regular" guy. Alot smarter, a little older and at ease with agingr, & still no movie star BS from him. Really refreshing. And "Newsroom", and EVERYTHING he's done since - just amazing! So lucky to have seen him live onstage in "Mockingbird" almost 2 years ago! A great, versatile, grounded, REAL, actor. A refreshing interview - thank you for posting this.
This man is absolutely brilliant. What was so wonderful about this show was it created some transparency (mildly romanticized, sure) about how news actually happens, and why it freaking MATTERS, particularly as we descend further and further into these digital mediators and the fracturing of values and reality.
I wish there were more seasons to the newsroom. We can't take smart reality laden shows or what. Jeff and his character are day and night different. This fella is humble.
What was this Interview? In the sense that it has left an impression on me that I just wouldn't have imgaine it would have done. This interview just seemed human and genuine like that one Thanksgiving dinner where everyone is eating their turkey but this time there's no political hatred or any ill will thoughts amongst anyone at the dinner table. It's as if that well intention cliche actually happened and, in a cliche sense, it's magical.
Why haven't the done a season 4? When I bought the box set (1-3) I finished it two days,and now I have wait for season 4, if they are going to do it. Please say they are going to do season 4,5,6,7,8? I would watch them all because the entire cast and the stories are great. So Mr.Aaron Sorkin, when are you going to write more Newsrooms?
It sadly got cancelled because people said it was too "preachy". HBO cut budget for the third season, which is why it was so short and why the finale felt so rushed. Aaron Sorkin has said he'll never do television again after The Newsroom because of the difficulties of TV politics and production. Truly sad.
Engh. Sorkin always says he wont do television again. If Netflix wooed him for a while, he might come around. I think he's done, though. You can see how his shows grew up with him. Sports Night featured characters in their 20s. Studio 60 featured characters in their 40s. The Newsroom featured a main character in his 50s. It's a pitfall that befalls most writers. You want to write about our own life experiences. He's old now and wants to write about old people. But there isn't a proven audience for the adventures of old people. Especially now that he's at a retiring age. Or maybe THAT'S the story...
He’s such a great actor and I LOVE The Newsroom ! I miss this show so much... And he is right about Republicans btw... « I want smart »... Man, he must be so pissed of and disappointed... (like all sane people are right now...).
I haven’t read the comments yet because I just caught the 1st one and they talked about negativity about the News Room.. that was my favorite role Jeff has ever played, and I love most everything he is in
What a man. And what an actor. If character actor means real actor, I agree that Daniels is a character actor. But the point is that I think that brand actors aren't actor. Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro (!) keep doing the same movie over and over.
+Pg Curtwright I dont know why youd be amazed because as goofy as it MIGHT be,Dumb and Dumber will stand the test of time and by golly it has.Its about the comedy.I fuckin love it just like milions of others. So there ya go sweetie.
@@hirskdubbi The movie sucks and will soon be forgotten. it will be something Film Students bring up when another one of them tries to talk about how great Jim Carry is.
The first season ROCKED. It was controversial, because the words coming out of Will McAvoy's mouth were fundamentals truths. About the news, the change in political discourse, and the internet. And, yes, I WAS a Republican...until the train wreck McAvoy's character saw coming went off the rails.
Love this guy, totally disagree with his politics but hey, life would be boring if we were all clones. He was great in Newsroom. Glad he's from and back in Michigan. Have seen him several times. He put some shows together a few years back here in Michigan giving Michigan artists some exposure, nice move when the economy here really was a mess. He also started Purple Rose Theater here in Michigan for budding talent. Good guitar player. His songs aren't typical run of the mill, most seem to be about some personal experience, not something generic. I would recommend folks go see him. If he ever does run for governor, it would be hard not to support him, I just get the impression he really cares about people.
'Wherever you are, you make it better than you found it" If only we could live by that sort of sentiment, the world would be a paradise. And the kicker is we HAVE the capability, we just lack the will. The evolutionary selfishness always seems to trump the civilised generosity. And it's so sad because it doesn't have to be like this, but those with money and power do everything they can to get more, at the expense of those who have neither, rather than help them to share in the bounty. A livable minimum wage is a thing people.
You hit it out of the park in with Wil's Northwestern Speach AND you did it here again ! Would like to see you and Aaron do "THE SCHROOLROOM", or maybe "DON QUIXOTE 2022".
Yeah, but it's not medias fault. It's capitalism's fault. The news media has to do what they can do to make money. People don't want honest, factual news. They want newsutainment. That's what they will pay for. That's what gets ad dollars.
JazGalaxy so glad people are slowly coming to this realisation. If you took money out of so many situations then the world be so much better off but at the moment our species isn't evolved enough to live without it
Money and ignorance is the great enabler that keeps America corrupt. We must stop worshiping money, and we can as soon as we get advanced robotic technology that can maintain itself from fixing/improving existing automatons to finding and extracting resources to build more. Robot conony ftw. Viva la roboloution
Mr. Daniels, I really try to stay out of politics or at least a political discussion and I had my own personal views. I learned that from my father whether it was at that time right or wrong you taught me a lesson by once you start to share your feelings if somebody on the other side doesn’t agree you can get very uncomfortable and that’s OK do you know to have it educated discussion but sometimes it actually gets it goes beyond a conversation and then it’s it doesn’t make sense. I have never found anybody that I’ve ever greed with so much of what you said and just the way you do you speak about it in The newsroom.
I would LOVE for them to come back with Newsroom and start it the day Bernie declared his candidacy for President. Mac would be fighting with the new owner that she wants to cover the 73 year old Senator from Vermont who is refusing to take any big money. Would be so good!