Scandal is a new ABC show about a political (sex?) scandal (like THAT would ever happen in real life!)...premiered earlier this year, Kerry Washington stars. It's one of those ongoing saga type shows that's become popular since 24 premiered, but aren't primetime soaps...I have a few friends who say it's quite intense.
As for The Newsroom, I've heard mixed reviews from both extremes...no middle ground. I thought Studio 60 had potential, but I've said before I thought it was like reading a Variety article: loaded with too much TV jargon that even lost me as someone who worked in the industry. Plus, the characters all seemed to be married to their jobs, and after awhile, working in TV is just like any other day at the office. Whether or not Newsroom remedies that, I dunno...