The Incomparable

3.5 The Long Lead Story (Studio 60 Episode 5)

Lauren Graham hosts Studio 60 (but we barely see her). Christine Lahti plays a reporter and we see more of her (a Lahti of her? Is that a thing?). We get a lot of Matt/Harriet star-crossed romance (yawn). But we do get a lotta lute (which is fun to say, try it!).

Meanwhile Jordan passes on a surefire hit, and we’re still shipping her and Danny (the kids still call it shipping, right?).

Anyway, it’s a new Sorkin’ In It (yay!).

3.4 The West Coast Delay (Studio 60 Episode 4)

Oh no! Studio 60 stole a joke, and now they have to break in LIVE to the west coast’s rebroadcast to cut that joke. Because that makes sense. Okay, okay, it doesn’t make sense. Meanwhile, Harriet gives Matt a gift that drives him batty, and we meat a new character — a reporter played by Christine Lahti, who knows how to push Matt and Danny’s buttons. (It involves buttons.)

3.3 The Focus Group (Studio 60 Episode 3)

We don’t subject this podcast to a focus group, because we already know we’re doing everything perfectly. This episode of Studio 60 takes us deep backstage for writing and rehearsing an episode of the show within a show. Ricky and Ron are in maximum jerk mode. There’s pressure on Jordan and the show not to lose many viewers from last week. And there’s other Jordan drama that’s totally unnecessary. But you know what IS necessary? This episode of Sorkin’ In It.

3.2 The Cold Open (Studio 60 Episode 2)

If you’ve been thinking that this podcast needs more choir robes and Phil Donahue jokes, then boy oh boy are you in luck! Lex and Brian are back, covering Episode 2 of Studio 60, “The Cold Open”, which feels very much like a part 2 of the Pilot. Matt battles writer’s block until inspiration strikes him. Perhaps it should have struck him harder? Grab your local philharmonic, warm up your singing voice — it’s time for Sorkin’ In It.

3.1 Pilot (Studio 60 Episode 1)

We survived The Newsroom. Will Studio 60 be better, worse, or just… different?The only way to find out is to dive into the pilot episode, cleverly titled “Pilot.” Let’s meet new characters! Let’s meet old Sorkin friends — and names! Let’s debate Sorkin tropes! Live from Hollywood, it’s the new season of Sorkin’ In It.

3.0 Season 3: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

It’s Studio 60 time! Now that our coverage of The Newsroom is done, you may find yourself experiencing new feelings you’ve never had before. Sadness. Grief. Elation. Relief. But we hope you also feel eager anticipation about what’s ahead. And what is that you may ask? For Season 3, Lex and Brian are covering Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It’s a show about a show. Imagine that! Episode one comes out next week, and here’s the preview. Or trailer. Or kickoff. You know what? Here’s where we tell you everything we think about Studio 60 before we start watching!

2.25 What Kind of Day Has It Been (The Newsroom S3E6)

Today, Lex and Brian cover the series finale of The Newsroom. It’s an episode with a funeral, plenty of flashbacks, music, bowling, and Sorkin just trying to tie up a few loose ends. Did Lex and Brian find themselves satisfied? Elated? Relieved? There’s only one way to find out.

Also, stay tuned to the end of the episode for the big reveal of what Sorkin show we plan to cover next!

2.24 Oh Shenandoah (The Newsroom S3E5)

In this penultimate episode of this season of Sorkin’ In It, Lex and Brian cover what is possibly the least-beloved work of Aaron Sorkin’s career; and we’ll come right out and say that it earns every bit of that terrible reputation. Will is in jail, Maggie and Jim are in Russia, and Charlie’s getting worked up trying to hold it all together. Spoiler: It ends poorly. But we keep our chins up and find that we still enjoy getting to talk about it… even if some of our focus is on how not good it is.

2.23 Contempt (The Newsroom S3E4)

Subpoenas. Rushed (but beautiful) weddings. Courtrooms. Handcuffs. It’s an overstuffed Newsroom, and boy does Jim disappoint us. Almost as much as he disappoints Hallie. Meanwhile, Mackenzie and The Source get soaked, and ACN gets acquired. Brian and Lex get… kind of frustrated.

2.22 Main Justice (The Newsroom S3E3)

Richard/Toby sees no cause for optimism, but Brian and Lex do: They’re here covering season three, episode three of The Newsroom: Main Justice. We’re at the White House Correspondence dinner, and so is BJ Novak, who is so ridiculous. And we meet the source! Oh, and the steady downfall of Jim (and perhaps Jim and Hallie) continues. No matter what, though, our obligation (and yours) is to keep Sorkin’ In It.

2.21 Run (The Newsroom S3E2)

In this week’s episode Brian briefly forgets the entire concept of the written word and how TV works. We forge ahead, undaunted by any single hosts unhinged intro, and cover Newsroom S3E2, called “Run.” We meet a few new characters and see familiar faces while the network is faces a takeover, Maggie scores a new lead, and Neal is definitely in trouble. Which we mostly don’t care about.

2.20 Boston (The Newsroom S3E1)

It’s the premiere of the final (short) season of The Newsroom, and Brian and Lex are watching. Sadly, the Genoa storyline is STILL sticking around — this time affecting the team’s reporting on the Boston Marathon bombing. Plus Neal gets a Genoa of his own. (Where by “Genoa,” we mean, “storyline we wish would go away.”) With all that said, you might think this is a lousy episode, but we actually… like it? And this episode just might bode well for the final season of the TV show!

2.19 Election Night, Part II (The Newsroom S2E9)

Brian and Lex agree that this season finale feels like it was potentially a series finale, maybe written before Sorkin knew he had one more season of The Newsroom to go. Mac and Will walk off the set, Jim worries about a mistake he made, and Maggie remains alive. Oh, and spoiler alert: Obama wins. Add to that love is in the air with MANY of our characters, and you just know you’re gonna love Sorkin’ In It.

2.18 Election Night, Part I (The Newsroom S2E8)

It’s election night, in 2012, and the team has decided to resign, but what’s this? The head of the network won’t let them? This and much more coming up in the first of a two-part collection of episodes to round out Season 2 of The Newsroom.

“Hey Lex, do you think we should resign, too?” “No way, Brian, we’re going to keep Sorkin in it!”

2.17 Red Team III (The Newsroom S2E7)

We won’t retract a single word of this podcast episode, but the same can’t be said for the team at News Night. The Genoa report blows up in their faces, with nary a whiff of chemical weapons in sight. Who’s resigning? Who’s in trouble? Who’s Sorkin’ in it? We definitely know the answer to that last one.

2.16 One Step Too Many (The Newsroom S2E6)

Jerry Dantana starts playing fast and loose with reality. Will makes a guest appearance on a morning show. And Jim gets a visit from Hallie… and his old nemesis. Oh, and Maggie’s drinking alone. At least Brian and Lex have each other!

2.15 News Night with Will McAvoy (The Newsroom S2E5)

Will’s dodging calls from his dad. Sloan’s private photos are on the Internet. Jim’s worried about Maggie. Plus, there’s news to report. Can the staff of News Night keep their heads above water? One thing is certain: They will — with a little help from Brian and Lex — find a way to keep Sorkin’ In It.

2.14 Unintended Consequences (The Newsroom S2E4)

Unintended consequences abound in this episode of The Newsroom, and Brian and Lex have much to abudiate. People act like babies, we can’t quite figure out the installed apps on Jim’s Mac, and we debate who’s at fault for what happened in Uganda. One intended consequence of listening to this episode is clear: We will delight you as you join us for this week’s episode of Sorkin’ In It.

2.13 Willie Pete (The Newsroom S2E3)

Who the heck is Willie Pete — another new character?! We investigate that, while Will tries to figure out who leaked info to Nina. Jim tries to overthrow the Romney bus. And Maggie’s getting ready for Uganda. Meanwhile, Brian and Lex are still struggling to love the Genoa plotline. We’re trying.

2.12 The Genoa Tip (The Newsroom S2E2)

With a title like “The Genoa Tip”, you might be excused for thinking this episode of The Newsroom is about a piece of genoa salami, but no, my friend, this an episode about lots of things that aren’t that. It’s actually the title of Season 2, Episode 2 of The Newsroom, and while there are lots of complicated plot lines that may or may not hold together, you’re safe in Lex and Brian’s capable hands.

2.11 First Thing We Do, Let’s Kill All the Lawyers (The Newsroom S2E1)

It’s a brand new season of The Newsroom. Lex and Brian have high hopes for a reboot that helps the show gel better. And there’s a new theme song! New characters! New hairstyles! Join us as we determine whether the headline is: “Newsroom improves” or just “Newsroom is more of the same.”

2.10 The Greater Fool (The Newsroom S1E10)

It’s the Season 1 finale of The Newsroom. Maggie’s handing out sandwiches. Jim’s on the bus. Will’s in the hospital. Brian and Lex? They’re Sorkin’ in it.

2.9 The Blackout Part II: Mock Debate (The Newsroom S1E9)

The Blackout continues! And then immediately… it ends. The News Night team pitches the RNC on why they should get the debate, Maggie and Jim convince Lisa to talk about her barely-there relationship with Casey Anthony, Neal is trolling, and there are rosebuds and flowers afoot. Brian and Lex just try to keep up.

2.8 The Blackout Part I: Tragedy Porn (The Newsroom S1E8)

It’s the first half of a Newsroom two-parter. Will succumbs to ratings pressure and starts covering Casey Anthony, because he’s desperate to reinvent presidential debates. Leona’s desperate to find a way to fire Will. Anthony Weiner… Well, he’s just plain desperate. Oh, and Mackenzie’s ex is writing a cover story on Will — at Will’s invitation. Brian and Lex are just trying to keep Sorkin’ In It.

2.7 5/1 (The Newsroom S1E7)

Charlie meets a whistleblower. Sloan, Don, and Eliot get stuck on the tarmac. And Will? Will gets stoned. Plus, Obama good, Osama bad. Brian and Lex break down the highlights and lowlights of a jam packed Newsroom episode. You get to Sork it all up.

2.6 Bullies (The Newsroom S1E6)

Who ARE the bullies? Will’s journalistic integrity is threatened by an interview that pushes the boundaries of both his professional and personal ethics. Sloan stumbles in covering a Japanese nuclear accident. And Brian and Lex don’t necessarily agree on who the real bullies are. One thing they DO agree on, though: It’s time to get Sorkin’ In It.

2.5 Amen (The Newsroom S1E5)

It’s the Valentine’s Day episode, so of course The Newsroom focuses on… an embedded stringer reporter in Egypt during Arab Spring. Meanwhile, Will sets his sights on the Koch brothers, and Mackenzie’s becoming gossip fodder. But mostly, Brian and Lex are really frustrated with the ridiculously misplaced Rudy homage. Amen to that.

2.4 I’ll Try to Fix You (The Newsroom S1E4)

This episode of The Newsroom is all about feelings. Aaron Sorkin feels that smoking is cool. Neal feels more people should listen to his Bigfoot theory. And Lex and Brian feel that Don’s the worst. You, too, can have feelings about Sorkin, Bigfoot, and much more in this week’s episode.

2.3 The 112th Congress (The Newsroom S1E3)

Fire up your fax machine, because this episode of The Newsroom offers all the ingredients of a classic Sorkin show, with multiple plot lines, jumping forward and back in time, grandiose speeches, and Sorkinisms like “Can we have the room please?” But, does it hold together? Your pals Lex and Brian decide if it’s time to BLEEP around or just play golf in another episode of Sorkin’ in It.

2.2 News Night 2.0 (The Newsroom S1E2)

Lex and Brian were excited to dive into the second episode of The Newsroom, News Night 2.0. Fresh off the high of their successes in Episode 1, now Will’s team drops the ball a few times with some pretty predictable gaffes — but we also get meet a few new interesting characters. Is News Night 2.0 2 much 2 soon? Let Brian and Lex tell you.

2.1 We Just Decided To (The Newsroom S1E1)

We kick off Season 2 with the pilot for The Newsroom, Aaron Sorkin’s series about the inner workings of, well, a newsroom. There are plenty of new characters to meet (with a surprising number of Mac/Mc/Mack names to keep track of), but your ol’ pals Brian and Lex will help try to keep things straight while we discuss what to expect for the season and break down episode one. Step into the control room, don your headset, straighten your papers on the desk, and let’s get Sorkin’ In It!

2.0 Season 2: The Newsroom

Lex and Brian finished reviewing all of Sorkin’s movies. You may find yourself sad, disappointed, and wanting more. Well, turn those frowns upside down, folks! Lex and Brian looked into it, and here’s some breaking news: Aaron Sorkin doesn’t just write movies, but he does TV, too. Season 2 starts soon, and here’s the trailer. We’re diving deep on The Newsroom.

10 Being the Ricardos

“Lexy, you got some splainin’ to do!”

9 The Trial of the Chicago 7

The year is 1968. The setting is Chicago, at the Democratic National Convention. Tensions are high. And Lex and Brian are ready to hold court, with a podcast about Aaron Sorkin’s 9th film, The Trial of Chicago 7.

Sorkin assembles yet another incredible cast, this time with Sasha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Jeremy Strong, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. We won’t spoil our takes on the film until you listen to the show, but we’ll just say this: Some of the cast is guilty… of the best accent work yet in Sorkin’s oeuvre. Bang the gavel — it’s Sorkin time.

8 Molly’s Game

Lex and Brian discuss Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut, Molly’s Game. It’s the classic tale of a former world-class skier turned underground elite poker game runner. Jessica Chastain turns in a command performance, but how does the story hold together when Sorkin as both the writer and director? Find out as Lex and Brian go all in on poker puns with their take on the film: This is the hand you’re dealt; let the chips fall where they may.

One last thing… Listen up, Hollywood. If you write 3 P’s on a whiteboard, don’t erase the whiteboard between shots. You’re not going to write it the same way the next time, and people like Brian and Lex will notice. This is table stakes, folks.

7 Steve Jobs

When a film is called “Steve Jobs,” it can be hard to separate your feelings about the movie from the person it’s based on, but Lex and Brian are willing to try — and they might even thank the Apple II team, while they’re at it. They also reminisce about their first Macs and their own Apple origin stories. Whether it’s Sorkin’s artistic choices or Jobs’s life choices, it’s all on the desktop for Lex & Brian. Turn on Do Not Disturb, because it’s time for another Classic episode of Sorkin’ In It.

6 Moneyball

Batter up: It’s time for another episode of your favorite Aaron Sorkin film podcast, and Lex & Brian hit it out of the park. This time, it’s 2011’s “Moneyball” with Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman (sadly, no Joshua Malina). Lex throws a curveball: He’s not sure this even IS a Sorkin film. Either way, this is the only Moneyball-focused podcast that mentions Richard Kind’s cat. Grab your peanuts and Cracker Jacks, folks: It’s time for Sorkin’ In It.

5 The Social Network

You know what’s cooler than a million podcasts? Just one podcast, all about The Social Network. Brian and Lex go deep on whether Aaron Sorkin even likes Zuck, whether Justin Timberlake can handle Sorkin dialogue like a pro, and whether this is Andrew Garfield’s best web-related role.

4 Charlie Wilson’s War

Lex and Brian watch Charlie Wilson’s War, the 2007 film starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It’s a journey of discovery that includes bugged Scotch, truly awful accents, and watching CNN from the hot tub. And that’s just while Lex and Brian were recording this episode.

3 The American President

Watching The American President can feel like diving into an alternate reality for fans of the West Wing. Why is Jed Bartlet the chief of staff? What’s Will Bailly doing working for a lobbyist? Why do Josh & Toby look like Michael J. Fox? Well, Lex and Brian are happy to dive into such matters and many more as they watch and review Aaron Sorkin’s White House romcom somewhat awkwardly named, The American President.

Warning: Mild spoilers for “The West Wing” throughout the episode.

2 Malice

Brian and Lex both watch Sorkin’s second film, Malice, for the first time. The 1993 film stars Alec Baldwin, Nicole Kidman, Bill Pullman, and a cat that puts in a very convincing performance. It’s part thriller, part noir, part… something? Will Lex and Brian love the movie or question some of their life choices? Find out!

1 A Few Good Men

Lex and Brian rewatch Aaron Sorkin’s first film, A Few Good Men, based off his stage play of the same name. The 1992 film stars Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore, along with two famous Kevins. Does it hold up? Are there any future Sorkin tropes to be spotted? Here’s an analysis from what you might call A Few Good Mensches.

0 Sorkin’ in It: Trailer

Lex and Brian introduce Sorkin’ In It, a new podcast about every film written by Aaron Sorkin. If you like snappy banter and witty insights, you’ll love most of these movies and all of these episodes. Every film needs a trailer, and so it follows that every podcast needs one too. This is that trailer.