HBO's The Newsroom wrapped up on Sunday night, the polarizing Aaron Sorkin depiction of TV news — loved by many for its typical Sorkin-ese while hated by many who call BS on its accuracy about the industry — was actually watched by many TV news people.

The Wrap asked a few of them on their thoughts of the HBO show: 

Andrea Mitchell, Anchor MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports”:

I have been fascinated by the series’ take on the “Edward Snowden” issue, the way Sorkin framed the obligation to protect a source — and all of the tough legal and moral questions that raises. The Newsroom relationships are exaggerated dramatically in a “West Wing” way but that’s part of the fun.  If we behaved that way in a real newsroom we’d never get the broadcast on the air!

The overheard conversation with the EPA bureaucrat on the Acela was a classic DC kind of moment. I love Jeff Daniels and the other actors, the writing is great and no one can top Jane Fonda and Sam Waterston – (who reminds me of some of my great mentors over the years at NBC — totally honest and principled news leaders who don’t take any crap and refuse to compromise).

And having Jane Fonda play the role of a Ted Turner-style cable mogul is genius.

Joe Peyronnin, Former VP CBS News, Former President Fox News

It was terrific television, rife with drama, conflict and controversy. The characters were brimming with emotion, passion and righteousness. The scripts were filled with smart, interesting and intense dialog about immensely important issues.

However, had the program accurately portrayed the real day-to-day mundane life in most newsrooms, the Newsroom series would have been canceled after one program. Kudos to the brilliant Aaron Sorkin.

Don Lemon, Anchor “CNN Tonight”

I’m not sure the show put a spotlight at all on the TV news industry. I think it was particularly interesting for those of us in the business.

But beyond that I’m not sure of any lasting impact etc. I watched mostly just to play critic and to see Jane Fonda. Her character is over-the-top dramatic.....

And if anyone should know over the top dramatic, it would be Don Lemon.

Just saying... 

Previously on FTVLIve: Why HBO's The Newsroom is nothing like a real newsroom