Aaron Sorkin’s HBO Pilot Features Olbermann-Like TV Host

by Alex Alvarez | 6:16 pm, February 17th, 2011

» 10 comments

Keith Olbermann may have left his ratings juggernaut at MSNBC for Al Gore‘s much smaller and lesser known Current TV, but that doesn’t mean the liberal pundit’s fame or notoriety is reaching some sort of end – at least, not if Aaron Sorkin has anything to do with it.

The Daily takes a look at Sorkin’s pilot for a show based on a character who bears more than a passing similarity to Ol’ Olbie. Sorkin apparently spent some time at Countdown with Keith Olbermann conducting research for the show, which follows the trial and tribulations and on-air rants of one Will McCallister – a left-wing media figure with a successful show and something of an abrasive nature.

Back in January, Deadline.com reported the show’s working title was More as the Story Develops. We’re sure Sorkin is hoping this newest project will turn out to be more West Wing and less Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

Other shows about TV, and especially about journalists – like Murphy Brown and The Mary Tyler Moore Show – have managed to capture American’s attention. Do you suppose HBO’s audience will fall for McCallister? What if there’s a story arc where he dates a thin, blonde conservative pundit named, oh I don’t know, Pam Poulter?

h/t The Daily

Aaron Sorkin, HBO, keith olbermann

espo222

Gee, this show won’t be too predictable.
Big Eddie

For the lead role : Gary Busey .
Annie Oakley

I hate to tell the television execs who greenlight these projects, but their target audiences aren’t interested in Aaron Sorkin’s point of view any more. I tried watching “Harry’s Law” twice, but when the pontificating began in the second show, I turned it off cancelled the DVR and won’t watch it again- same goes for “Criminal Minds-SB” after Janene Garafolo last night.

Check out the ratings, fellas, people want ENTERTAINMENT- NCIS, Burn Notice, The Closer, etc. Too many options not to turn you off if you moralize and pontificate to me.

Good luck Aaron, your show should last about four episodes.
Houndfan

This is going to be so lame. Why would someone want to watch a poor imitation of Keith Olbermann
when they can wait a couple of months and see the real one on his new Current TV show? This is going to
be like that awful sitcom with Henry Winkler trying to act like Rush Limbaugh. Torture to watch. Don’t
remember that show? If that’s the case you’ve probably repressed the memory of it. I shouldn’t cause
trauma by making you remember it.
Arch

Hey, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was actually pretty great! I was disappointed it never got good ratings.
OxyCon

Sorkin has shot off his mouth too much lately. He might as well change his name to Aaron Soros.
Tribunal

“Ratings juggernaut”

…..Right.
Z_man723

wow that 1st sentence was hilarious. Its a little early for the April’s Fool jokes.
writer

Note to self: Look up definition of juggernaut.
illusive man

Borring