Sorkin nervous ahead of 'Newsroom' premiere

By Ree Hines

Despite a long list of small screen and big screen successes, including the Emmy-winning series "The West Wing" and the Academy Award-winning film "The Social Network," screenwriter Aaron Sorkin still worries before a big premiere.

When TODAY's Savannah Guthrie sat down with the man behind HBO's upcoming cable-news-themed series, "Newsroom," and asked him if he felt any trepidation ahead of its Sunday night debut, he left little doubt of his pre-premiere jitters.

"Oh, God -- you can't even imagine," Sorkin said.

It's not that the 51-year-old man known for crafting rapid-fire dialogue and scenes with a real feel has any particular reason to be concerned. It's just his routine. Still, the writer's nerves are easily disguised by his enthusiasm for the project.

Veteran actor Jeff Daniels heads "Newroom's" ensemble cast as Will McAvoy, and early clips reveal his character to be a passionate and familiar-feeling anchor. But Sorkin warns that he shouldn't seem too familiar. Though rumors to the contrary abound, McAvoy isn't based on cable newsman Keith Olbermann -- or any other particular anchor.

"I want to emphasize that it's a fictional character," he insisted. "I've spent time in a lot of newsrooms and so the show's got one foot in reality and one foot in this kind of romantic wish fulfillment and fantasy."

Hear what else Sorkin has to say about his upcoming HBO drama, as well as his take on some of his past projects, when his full interview with Guthrie airs on "Rock Center With Brian Williams" Thursday night at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.

"Newsroom" premieres Sunday night at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.

Will you check out Sorkin's latest effort? And what's your favorite past production from the writer? Tell us on our Facebook page.

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