I don’t watch The Newsroom. I’ve heard bad things about how annoying and preachy it is, but I’ve also heard that Olivia Munn is one of the best parts of it. You’ll remember, I don’t really care for Olivia. What used to be a knee-jerk strong dislike has tempered to a mild annoyance, and hey, maybe she is good on The Newsroom. Could be. I’m open to that idea. I’m also open to the idea that I’m always going to think she’s annoying. Anything can happen! Anyway, Star Mag has an interesting little story about Olivia getting too big for her britches on the set of The Newsroom:
Olivia Munn’s ego isn’t winning her any friends on the set of HBO’s The Newsroom, where she stars as equally icy Sloan Sabbith.
“Olivia acts like she runs the show,” says an insider. “She bosses everyone around, whines about the scripts and tells the wardrobe staff they can’t do anything right.”
Other actors on set have told her to “chill out” while some speculate she may be fired altogether.
“By the end of each shoot, people aren’t even speaking to her… if she keeps this up, she won’t be around for long.”
[From Star Magazine, print edition]
Whenever I feel guilty about disliking Olivia, I always think about how Tina Fey vouched for her. Does Tina Fey make mistakes? Does Tina Fey just try to give female comedic talents a leg up, even if they don’t deserve her largesse? I don’t know. I guess it wouldn’t surprise me if Olivia was bringing the diva ‘tude and it wouldn’t surprise me if this was just a petty tabloid takedown of an already unpopular actress. You decide.
PS… maybe find some powder for her? And take the bronzer away from her.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Does Tina Fey make mistakes? Two words: Lindsey Lohan. Munn annoys the hell out of me, I doubt this story is true but I could see it happening.
I honestly think Tina was trying to be nice and encouraging, and can’t really tell people what they need to hear. I’m the same way. I have a good example of this.
The month before school let out, in my bio class, we had to do a powerpoint on this project that we’d been working on all year. I had been doing mine alone, and at the last minute, two people joined me. One girl was new, and the other girl I considered to be an acquaintance, but we were friendly.
So we go to the computer lab, I tell them what parts I have done, and what parts I want them to do, as we have a week to get this done. I told them this BEFORE we left for the day. The next three days, I’m out sick, but I come in Thursday on because of this project. They haven’t done a thing. So all I tell the acquaintance to do is upload the pictures, as she has the camera, and I give her my username and password.
I go home, rush through the powerpoint (it’s a piece of shit, but I won’t fail), and the next day I check to see what she’s done. NOTHING. Then, casually before the first class begins, she tells me that she couldn’t get the pictures up. Yeah. So when it comes time for us to present, the new girl isn’t there. So we present.
Afterwards, the acquaintance gets mad at me because I didn’t put her name on the powerpoint, and because I didn’t let her read as many slides. Then she tells me that she’s going to tell the teacher that *I* brought her grade down. She didn’t even do ANYTHING for the powerpoint…which I already told him.
But anyway, I wanted to say to her that’s she’s a dramatic, lazy, annoying B I T C H…but I didn’t. Because I’m too nice or too whatever. So I just ignored her. I’m not good with confrontation. So I think that’s what Tina did. She couldn’t outright say something bad about her, but she also wanted to encourage her, I think.
I totally get what you’re saying, and you’re probably right. Did you get a passing grade?
I did, I think I got either a low c or a high D….but that girl…I will never speak to her again. She had the nerve to act all pissy because her name wasn’t on the powerpoint—which I did leave off sort of on purpose, the other part was that I had five minutes in the morning to add all the stuff I did over the weekend, and I didn’t bother.
But yeah, I’m really bad at confronting people.
If there was anything I hate in school then, now, in my current work place or when substitute teach is group projects. I know they’re essential for growing skills but I know if I have a 4 person team it’s going to be:
1 – Person who does everything because they don’t want to fail.
2 – Person with a bunch of ideas and does nothing but then complains.
3 – That person who never shows up because “omgz my life is just so busy you guise!1!! But we’re friends right? :3 <3 <3"
4 – The person that sits there looking confused because they can't get a word in edgewise over 2.
Hate. Group projects.
@MonicaQ
Hahah so true! I failed my small group discussion class because my group kicked me out. I am number 3 (I was working full time at Nordstrom and taking full time classes. The people in my group lived on campus, did not work and were all in the same sorority). I’ve learned since then how to balance better, but I felt justified at that time. But it still stings a little.
That’s an all too common story. I don’t think that’s Tina’s game though.
Tina Fey comes off like she really thinks she’s telling these people what she thinks they need to hear because she’s an all around nice gal. Not to avoid confrontation. You don’t hear about Tina taking negatively about … anyone! Tina makes mistakes. Lindsey is a big one. Olivia has a chip and probably talks in a disillusioned way like LL. That can be very convincing to people only wanting to see the best in others.
Very true MonicaQ! I’m also not a fan of group projects. I was always #1 and I’d get irritated and resentful of everyone else (I never did anything about, though…I didn’t want to create drama). I also admittedly am a bit of a control freak so some of it was my fault, too.
Are you referring to Mean Girls? I thought during that movie, LL wasn’t as cracked up.
I love her a Sloan. Makes the show former
I think Olivia Munn is pretty in an conventional way, but unfortunately, unlike Cate Blanchett (who is beautiful in a conventional way, but for blondes), she doesn’t have the charisma nor the grace like Cate Blanchett. I love the way Cate carries herself, how she dresses. I’ve started to make more of an effort to dress nicer—as I love to walk around in pajamas all day and go to school in oversized sweatshirts, to my mother’s chagrin.
I do get the feeling that she is a bit of a fameho, because of the fact that she goes to the opening of an envelope—when she and lots of other actors and actresses coughkatebosworthcough should be going to some acting classes. But I don’t really think that she’s a diva. You have to be liked to get jobs.
But who knows? She might be the best thing on that show, and it’ll get to your head.
I love The Newsroom. It *is* obvious, and preachy, and cheesy. But I can’t help but love it!
Preachy! Thats the word Ive been looking for to describe the show. I never miss an episode, so I like it despite that
Don’t watch the show because Sorkin’s last show “Studio 60” was also preachy. I was supposed to be a behind the scenes of a sketch comedy show and was never funny. But they made sure you knew they were trying to make IMPORTANT TELEVISION every week. I have the feeling “Newsroom” is more of the same.
I hate-watch bc of Sorkin loyalty (WW is my fave TV show of all time, A Few Good Men is my fave movie, and I liked The Social Network), but Don and Sloan are legit great on the show. Also Jack McCoy FOREVER!
Have you guys ever seen the sorkinisms? After that I felt like after you watch one sorkin product, you’ve seen it all.
I really like it too but probably only because it really is just The West Wing set in a newsroom – at one point last season, I actually shouted “Oh come on!” at a storyline which was straight out of the WW, even some of the same dialogue. Not that I mind, I’m still in mourning for the WW ;D Also, I like Olivia Munn, she is great as Sloan (and far less irritating than Alison Pill)
Me too! Season 1s New Years Eve episode is probably the funniest fecking thing I’ve seen in years.
And I think Olivia’s character Sloane is fan-bloody-tactic this season. Her comeback on her scumbag ex in the last epidose was wrong but perfect. As I was watching I was saying to the screen “Don’t smile… Don’t smile… Oh she’s going to wipe that smile off his… Ouch!”
Now Alison Pill and her character should’ve stayed in Uganda. She was the worst thing about season 1 and I still couldn’t give a toss about her.
I pretty much agree with all the comments above me. The West Wing is a series that I can pretty much quote verbatim so I really notice the repeated dialog. I still think Sorkin is a genius. Love him and love his work. I enjoy Olivia’s character but she’s a fool if she blows this gig with a diva attitude. She’s not at a place yet where the world is knocking at her door.
There was a blind on CDAN about a difficult TV/movie actress that’s pretty much been fired from every gig she’s ever had. Olivia Munn has been in a number of TV projects hasn’t she? I think I solved it! Full disclosure: I’ve harboured an irrational hatred for Olivia Munn ever since I found out she was dating Holder from the Killing
I’ve held onto a hatred for her ever since I saw her on the Daily Show. It was terrible. Plus I can’t stand most of the G4 girls to begin with.
She just rubs me the wrong way. I think she’s a very pretty girl, and I get the appeal she has to men, but I can’t stand her.
YES! Epitome of try hard. I girl crush Morgan Webb though.
I really couldnt stand Olivia on G4. Almost all of the other girls were more normal , down-to-earth, and actually LIKED the things they were reviewing/talking about. But it was clear that Olivia didnt give two shits and was there just to be eye candy and dress in stupid outfits and jump in pies. She always reminded me of Audrina Partridge(I used to call her Ceiling Eyes 2) and seemed SOOOOOO vapid and dumb.
My husband hated her on G4. Hated her on TDS. Hates her on the Newsroom. He feels that she’s some prepackaged “hot gamer gurl” with over inflated self importance.
Me? Well, my mama always said if you can’t say nothin’ nice…
Yup, and she’s already come out saying that she doesn’t game or like comics or any of the other things that she had to pretend to be interested in for Attack of the Show. Lame.
She is honestly great on the show.
Oh..I respectively disagree. She is terrible and can’t handle the fast Aaron Sorkin dialogue. She can barely keep up.
Olivia Munn may be somewhat unlikeable but SS is by far the most interesting character on the show. Love to watch her…….respectfully.
Interesting character but her acting is seriously questionable
Agree. She’s actually quite good on it.
Agreed – she’s got great comic timing and I always end up enjoying her scenes the most.
Me too. Her character is a total type A nerd and she plays it to perfection. Even her slow to process jokes cross her face perfectly (her character is way to literal to get some regular banter)
I agree, she’s great on this show. Which made me have to take a look back at her New girl appearance and she was pretty spot on there too.
She must be insufferable though in real life.
Damn! I never liked ( it was actual dislike) her until Newsroom, and I love her in it. Boo
Yuck, I hate hearing about anyone being like this…
I agree, I think she’s terrific on Newsroom — it’s to an unexpected level, as well. I generally didn’t think of her as a quality actress, but she does well. Newsroom has also become one of my favorite shows.
Unfortunately, I think some people pick on her just because she’s so pretty. Whether she behaves like a diva behind the scenes on that show, …who knows?
Also hopping on this bandwagon 😀
Newsroom has definitely improved from season 1 to season 2. I enjoy the show, I don’t think it’s the best show HBO has (probably behind Game of Thrones for me) but they’ve definitely stepped up their game this year.
I’m not a huge fan of Olivia Munn, but she is the best part of the show. Sloan is a great character and Olivia plays her well. I don’t know much about Olivia offscreen, but I hope this story is not true. I can’t imagine that Jeff Daniels would tolerate that kind of nonsense behind the scenes from a cast member. Especially when he’s the star of the show.
Jeff Daniels isn’t the nicest guy on the face of the earth. Sam Waterson on the other hand wouldn’t put up with this behavior and neither would Sorkin.
“Whenever I feel guilty about disliking Olivia, I always think about how Tina Fey vouched for her. Does Tina Fey make mistakes?”
Tina Fey may never have encountered the real Olivia Munn. Olivia most likely never showed Tina Fey her true self…she saves that for the help.
Don’t forget that there’s a real personality type out there called “Kiss up, kick down.” These people exist and they are a f&*%&^# nightmare to work with. I really hope she’s not like that for everyone’s sake.
“Kiss up, kick down”
This.
I love that phrase. I would think there is a LOT of that in Hollywood, and I could see Olivia being that way. Who knows.
I don’t watch but have heard she’s really good on the show. Since nothing else she’s tried has really took, anyone in that position would be foolish to put the job in jeopardy, so my guess is the reports are overblown.
“Kiss up, kick down.” sums it up perfectly. She had a relationship with one of my friends and, well, she wasn’t the nicest person.
Her “sense of humor” is like Jenny McCarthy. That, “I’ll talk about farts!” kind of humor isn’t my thing. She attempted a racist joke at one point, and it was embarassing to be near her.
She published that book of her sex conquests. Bragging about sleeping with Bret Ratner (ew!) and then talking about he didn’t remember her when she came into audition for him. Not only is it tacky, I wondered how many of those events happened while she was dating my friend.
Yikes!
I find her to just be angry and fussy all the time. Never seen her in an interview where she was just nice, sweet, and happy. She’s always on the edge of anger. She tells stories that are always tinged with anger and/or disgust with someone. Like the story she told about going to Sweden for the first time with her Swede-American boyfriend. She started off good, talking about the gorgeous landscape. Then she told a mocking story about how the BF and his group took her to a lake and they were eager for her to see this beautiful lake and the mist hovering over it. She was telling this story and showing genuine annoyance because “they were pushing me to be in awe, like ‘Olivia, Olivia, DO YOU SEE THE MIST, DO YOU SEE IT?”. Oh child, you don’t ever publicly criticize your hosts when you visit their home or country. That’s how Olivia is. She doesn’t strike me as very happy. Angry, bothered, fussy, negative, aggressive. Yeah, I can see her having little fits on set.
Olivia is really full herself, so I am buying this.
Homegirl needs a realit check if she wants to keep working, you might get a pass being a nightmare to work with when you are Daniel Day Lewis, but not when you are trying to establish yourself, but then even Edward Norton´s career took a serious nose dive because of unprofessional behaviour.
Especially because this girl should be thanking her lucky stars and kissing Sorkin’s feet for casting her. Until The Newsroom her career was in a nosedive because she’s terrible in everything and known as being bratty.
The Daily Show was not the right venue for Olivia. Her humor was way too dry and restrained compared to the others, especially the women. Hers is the most interesting character on Newsroom, especially when she is contrasted with Maggie(of whom there is way too much story line). Aside from the fact that Maggie used to sleep with Don,the former producer(sexual harassment?), there really is no reason for her to be there as she is a mess and turns everything she touches into a mess. I don’t buy the fact that a person like her would be tolerated in any workplace.
There is a lot about Newsroom that I find to be frustrating and annoying, but Olivia Munn isn’t one of them. I’m hooked. It demonstrates how we are all our own nemeses, unfortunately true.
Ugh. Maggie. Catnip for Don AND Jim? Get lost.
Loving Sloane and Don’s chemistry though.
I’ve never seen the show, I barely know who Olivia is — but judging purely by looks, she looks like someone who could be difficult. And she looks super smug, which can often translate to difficult.
How she ever became a “thing” is a wonder for the ages; I guess she knows how to play ball in lalaland like all the rest.
I haven’t seen the newsroom, but I’ve read a lot about how the female characters are written quite badly and in kind of a sexist way (at least during the first season), so maybe she really has a reason to complain about the scripts? I think that women who voice their complaints are often critized while with men it is more seen as “oh, wow, he cares so much and is so interested in every aspect”.
I feel like whenever there is a story about miss HO-livia Munn, we should be given a picture of her smoking hot boyfriend as well, as a consolation prize.
I love Sloan. Somehow…I don’t buy this story.
This article would have been a perfect opportunity to include a picture of her fella Mr Joel Kinnaman. He’s this years Fassy!
What irks is that she is ALWAYS (seriously always) saying how she is smart & beautiful. Yes Dear, you are, you can be, she can be, I am too. However, Leno, when you’re constantly explaining your joke its not funny.
Don’t care much for her character on Newsroom. I’m torn as to whether that is her fault. Seems more like she’s an afterthought in the script. It is not a well written part but she play it well enough.
Olivia Munn is a beautiful girl but so far, I haven’t seen all that much talent from her in acting or comedy, IMO. I checked out her book from the library years ago because I was bored, I didn’t even know who she was at the time. My opinion of her after reading it was that she seems to have an awfully high opinion of herself and has no problem stepping on other people to get to the top. It’s never a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you. I think Tina Fey probably doesn’t want to bad mouth too many people in her industry for this very reason. She seems smart and shrewd and unlike Olivia, extremely talented. I would view Tina Fey’s statement as a classy way of avoiding saying negative things about Olivia and only focusing on the positive. That’s fine, but if Olivia is indeed treating people badly now that she’s achieved fame, she had better be careful because it will come back to bite her.
Can we just have more of her smoking boyfriend Holder? I think it’s rightly deserved tbh.
I watched season 1 and liked it. If you are conservative or support the Tea Party, you are going to hate it. I haven’t seen any of season 2, but am happy that some people are saying it is better than last season. I’ll have to catch up later this year. I really like Olivia Munn’s character. I hope this isn’t true because this would be a huge blow to her career.
Blah, blah, blah… Is she still with Joel Kinneman??
Kaiser,
I love all your posts, I always find myself agreeing with your perspectives and laughing at your colorful word choices, but I have to say I totally disagree with both assessments on this post! First, newsroom is really really great! Both from an entertainment and informational standpoint! I really wish you, and everyone for that matter- but especially you since you seem so witty and well-informed, would give it a chance! It’s not preachy at all, its genius. And second, Olivia is absolutely one of the worst parts of the show! She’s flat and very contrived, and while her character is supposed to be somewhat flat, she really lays it on and ruin what could have been a very interesting character. I mean, we get it, you are a relatively good looking girl, who is intelligent, and oh so awkward! It’s just so cliche and insulting honestly.
This is my first comment ever, despite being an avid reader for years. Maybe, maybe this ringing endorsement will convince you to atleast watch the pilot? Pretty please, Kaiser!
Ha! I don’t care what show she tries to be on, she will forever just be that chick who sent those ridiculous text messages to Chris Pine! Lol ick
I really hope not, she’s the best part of the show for me.
I’m torn about even posting as I don’t want to boost the comments, making it appear she’s even worth talking about. But I loathe this chick. As far back as G4, she just came off as the ultimate poseur. I’m a total comic nerd and when I saw her at Comic-con a few years back, in her thigh high leather boots, I wanted to hurl. Try hard to the nth degree. Just make her go away already.
She was on and on about the racism she experienced and I was like, huh??? She just looks like a random white girl to me. I had no idea she was of Asian descent until I kept hear her talking, and talking, and talking about it!! Shut it! I doubt the majority of us ever gave a second thought to your ethnicity until you brought it up. That’s part of her game. She’s always trying to be relevant, artificially or otherwise.
I hereby promise never to post about her again. Unless she slags off Wonder Woman or something. Then I may have to reconsider LOL.
The general public now determines just what it prefers for entertainment, not the main studios and representatives. Once you add to that distribution on the Internet and, news flash, web pages, from chat to complete films. It is a brand new environment. Much of it great, some not.
Love her on the newsroom; don’t know anything else about her otherwise.
I should get out more.
I actually don’t think she’s “so pretty, and that’s why people pick on her.” There are far more beautiful women everywhere, she’s below average. Ceiling eyes, bad nose, fat face, not really much going for her, facially or body-wise.
I just don’t get it, this chick is fugly and chubby.