The Newsroom

Will: It's not the greatest country in the world, professor. That's my answer. Moderator: You're saying... Will: Yes. Moderator: Let's talk about... Will: Fine. Sharon, the NEA is a loser. Yeah, it accounts for a penny out of our paycheck, but he gets to hit you with it any time he wants. It doesn't cost money, it costs votes; it costs airtime, column inches. You know why people don't like liberals? Because they lose. If liberals are so fucking smart, how come they lose so goddamn always? Sharon: Hey! Will: [to Lewis] And with a straight face, you're gonna tell students that America's so star-spangled awesome, that we're the only ones in the world who have freedom? Canada has freedom, Japan has freedom, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Australia, Belgium has freedom. So 207 sovereign states in the world, like 180 of them have freedom. Moderator: All right... Will: And yeah, you, sorority girl. Just in case you accidentally wander into a voting booth one day, there's some things y

The Newsroom (American TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0

Will: Yeah, I get that there are moments, small moments, infrequent moments, where I'm not the easiest guy to work with, but who the hell is? Charlie: I am. Will: Well, it helps that you're drunk most of the time. Charlie: It certainly does. Do me a favor– Will: This is more than unprofessional, it's uncivilized. But more than that, it's unprofessional. Charlie: Just do me a favor, okay? Will: Sure. Charlie: Try not to make a scene– Will: Yeah. [yelling at Elliot through a glass conference room door] Hey, dickless! (Don and Elliot both look up) [to Don, calmly] Not you. You're in a minute.

The Newsroom (American TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0

[shouting] I'm a marine, Don! I will beat the shit out of you, I don't care how many protein bars you eat!

The Newsroom (American TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0

Will: What does winning look like to you? Mac: Reclaiming the fourth estate. Reclaiming journalism as an honorable profession. A nightly newscast that informs a debate worthy of a great nation. Civility, respect, and a return to what's important; the death of bitchiness; the death of gossip and voyeurism; speaking truth to stupid. No demographic sweet spot; a place where we all come together.

The Newsroom (American TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0

Mac: Now I'd like you to listen to these words which were written 500 years ago by Don Miguel de Cervantes: "Hear me now, O thou bleak and unbearable world. Thou art base and debauched as can be. But a knight with his banners all bravely unfurled now hurls down his gauntlet to thee!" That was Don Quixote. Will: Those words were written 45 years ago by the lyricist for "Man of La Mancha." Mac: Didn't think you'd know that, but the point's still the same-- it's time for Don Quixote! Will: You think I'm him? Mac: No, I think I'm him. You're his horse. Will: He rode a donkey. Mac: Well, I can't help you there.

The Newsroom (American TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0

Charlie: For a long time now, I badly wanted to watch the news on my TV at night. Then it occurred to me-- I run a news division. Will: She's indifferent to ratings, competition, corporate concerns, and, generally speaking, consequences. Charlie: Good, 'cause you just described my job. I'm Don Quixote, you can be Sancho, she'll be Dulcinea, and everyone out there is the horse. Will: Donkey. How did you know about that conversation? Charlie: I know everything. Anchors having an opinion isn't a new phenomenon. Murrow had one and that was the end of McCarthy. Cronkite had one and that was the end of Vietnam. Will: I'm not those guys. Charlie: I'm betting all my money on you're wrong. You know what, kiddo? In the old days of about 10 minutes ago, we did the news well. You know how? We just decided to.

The Newsroom (American TV series), CC BY-SA 4.0