The appealing — and annoying — aspects of Andrew Ross Sorkin

Marketwatch.com media columnist Jon Friedman writes Wednesday about business journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin, who is an anchor on CNBC and also writes a column for the New York Times.

Friedman writes, “Plus, the ever-ambitious Sorkin is the rare print/web journalist who has parlayed his role in a grubby newsroom to become a legitimate television-news star. He’s a social media star, as well.

“As an aside, Sorkin is also a heck of a nice guy. I’ve interviewed him for this column and met him on social occasions. He couldn’t have been more friendly and solicitous.

“Still, some of Sorkin’s viewers, readers, colleagues and (especially) rivals carp that he overly sympathizes with the Wall Street crowd, that he is an effusive self-promoter, he has spread himself too thin through his multiple platforms and that he cares more about advancing the Sorkin brand than that of any of his business associates.

“Had Sorkin confined himself to the New York Times and the best-seller list, he would be less compelling of a subject. Sorkin became more important when he joined “Squawk Box” and instantly became a TV star of sorts.

“He upped the ante. But he can do better.”

Read more here.