I have a couple things to say, aside from thanks to Gregg for posting that terrific and, IMO, understated article:
The WIRE IS the best show in the history of TV, and that includes The SOPRANOS and the rest of the terrific shows HBO has run. In many ways it’s Elmore with an edge, on screen, on a weekly basis. So many of the shows were SO GOOD it was hard to imagine how next week’s show could compete. Yet it did, every time, for five years. There were, here and there, a few relatively weak shows, but emphasize the word ‘relatively.’ When that happened I’d be put in mind of the difference between say SWAG and SPLIT IMAGES. Sure, the former is a masterpiece, but the latter, while not at that level, is much better than anything else out there.
Barack Obama told NEWSWEEK months ago The WIRE was his favorite show. It’s one of the things that told me he’s the real deal. This was while all the other candidates in both parties were saying American Idol or Dr. Phil or some such horseshit, pandering for votes and at the same time alienating most of the non-Republicans with an IQ over 99. I realized, Hey, not only is this guy candid, but he’s got terrific taste.
Anyone who loves Elmore’s writings and hasn’t seen the WIRE needs to get the DVDs ASAP. Even if you have to spend food money to get them you’ll be glad you did.