HBO PROJECT: Luck (2012) | The Newsroom (2012)

David Milch's intention to transform his interests/vices vis-à-vis horse racing into a narrative fit for television leads to mixed results in Luck (2012). Dustin Hoffman is out of prison and looking for revenge against those who done him wrong, and his machinations appear to manifest in the form of a constipated race horse. (Don't ask how; we're not sure.) Meanwhile, the greasy degenerates at the track win big in their Pick Six, which will no doubt lead to much drama in subsequent episodes. The hoopleheads know next to nothing about The (Blood)Sport of Kings, so this was mostly an impenetrable affair. (12:35 - 1:15:59) ... In The Newsroom (2012) showrunner Aaron Sorkin interprets real world news stories through the convenient lens of hindsight. Whereas the lamestream media lazily covers the easy stories, the virtuous team at Atlantis Cable News are doing real journalism, mixing dogged determination with zany pratfalls. Jeff Daniels is lead anchor Will McAvoy and Emily Mortimer is MacKenzie McHale, his executive producer who is fresh from a Middle East warzone (but not really) and eager to Do Better. Their first assignment: the environment disaster caused by BP's Deepwater Horizon. (1:16:00 - 2:21:03) ... Also, Watchmen, His Dark Materials, Dune: The Sisterhood, Station 11, and The Gilded Age. (0 - 12:34) | Send feedback to hooplecast@gmail.com. Find our recording schedule, show notes, discussion threads, and more at hooplecast.com. | Recorded October 20, 2019. Released December 7, 2019. [Warning: Explicit Language.]