Friday, July 31, 2009

Emmy Snubbing of Genre Shows

Genre shows are typically – for lack of a better word – “snubbed” when Emmy Award nomination time rolls around. While many genre shows seem to only be popular among certain target audiences, there are some that cross all lines and divides. HBO has an excellent history of broadcasting just those types of shows. Unfortunately, there is also a dark history of such shows being snubbed by the Emmys. Why is this? After all, followers of genre shows are fiercely loyal consumers. Walk through any flea market, collector’s spot or visit just about any online retailer, and this becomes apparent. Turn on any network, and you are almost sure to see stars of those shows playing major roles in mainstream television shows and films. Many of them got their start on the set of a genre show. The fact that one could be a springboard to a long acting career, speaks volumes.

‘The Wire’, an urban drama set in Baltimore, Maryland, was one of the most socially relevant programs of its time, but for some reason, it too was all but snubbed by the Emmy Awards. The amount of nominations it received was the polar opposite of the amount of viewers and hype surrounding the show . . . (to continue reading article, please CLICK HERE to go to the TrueBloodNet site).

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

In Your Face Scenes (Explicit)

'The Wire' - Season 5 Tribute

Lisa Hill Interviews 'Snoop'

Click here to watch the video of an interview with Snoop.

Snoop On Larry King Live

The Demise of Omar

Omar Comin' . . . To Visit Michael

Omar v. Savino

A Week Ago - Jay Z

The story of Avon v. Stringer . . .

'The Actors Lounge' Meets 'The Wire'

This is a clip from a show in Philly - it has some real interesting clips from 'The Wire.'

Trey "Poot" Chaney - Live In the Club In Philly

Omar With DJ Green Lantern

Michael K. Williams hangs out with DJ Green Lantern - live at INVASION RADIO.

Interview With Snoop

This is a most interesting interview with Felicia "Snoop" Pearson.

Michael K. Williams On Racial Disparity In MD's Juvenile Prisons

Check out this important PSA from Michael K. Williams.

Omar Little: Criminal With A Code

Here is where Omar Little got his start as a stick-up kid.

When Bunk Meets McNulty

One of the most popular partnerships in television history began here.

Parody of 'The Wire'

If you have not yet gotten to Season 5 of 'The Wire', you won't want to watch this video, because you will not get it. This is a pretty good parody where the actor is playing many parts, including Marlo and Omar. His version of Snoop is priceless.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Felicia Pearson: Breakout Star






Felicia "Snoop" Pearson was one of the breakout stars of 'The Wire'. Below is one of the most well known scenes involving Snoop.

Her book, 'Grace After Midnight', has been a best seller, as it tells quite a story about the actress' past.


The End of An Era


Who could forget the episode where Avon and Stringer had their last heart to heart? Stringer provided Avon with a luxurious crib overlooking the famous Baltimore Harbor. It was on the balcony of that condo that they stood reminiscing about old times. Stringer should have felt it coming, but he didn't. Click here for the video of their last chat.

Hierachy - Cast & Crew of 'The Wire'




Click here for a link to the full roster of characters and crew.

'The Wire' On Bill Moyers


David Simon and Ed Burns appeared on Bill Moyers' show discussing the inner workings of politics and the inner city. To view more, visit LINK 1, LINK 2, and LINK 3.

More From Idris Elba



For those of you who remember this photo from the first Co-op meeting, you will recall the intensity exhibited by Russell "Stringer" Bell. Idris Elba had to lose his British accent to play Stringer and many of the other American parts. But he's happy to revert to his own rhythms for his role as Mumbles in Guy Ritchie's new 'RockNRolla.' Says Elba: "I absolutely love working in my own accent. ...I also like to be as close to who I am and it was nice to be a character who is more relevant to me." But if you can't understand him, don't blame his enunciation. "He's not called Mumbles because he mumbles, which is normally the number one question, he's called Mumbles 'cos that's his name." Read the full interview on ign.com.

Addressing Inadequacies In Baltimore Police Policies

He's still at it - thank goodness. Earlier this year, David Simon addressed the failure of Baltimore's newspapers to adequately cover the city's criminals and police in the fifth and final season of The Wire. His message still largely unheeded, Simon recently took matters into his own hands. Writing in the Washington Post, he decried the new city policy that makes it more difficult to identify which police officers have discharged their weapons, or even killed with them. He singles out a police officer who was involved in a fatal shooting after struggling to control her weapon, and notes that this wasn't the first time she's had such an issue.

Click here to read the article.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

David Simon Discusses 'Treme' - His Next Masterpiece


Here is a link to an article written in the Times-Picayune wherein David Simon discusses his next Masterpiece, Treme. Treme is based on one of New Orleans' oldest and culturally rich neighborhoods of the same name. Click here to read the story.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

And the Award For Most Loyal Goes To: Wee-Bey

Without a doubt, Roland "Wee-Bey" Brice was one of the most fiercely loyal characters in all of television history. He stood by his friends until the very end. Wee-Bey did his time "without ratting out" his friends and he stood strong like a man.

Hassan Johnson, the actor who portrayed Wee-Bey, was probably one of the show's best finds. He is not only an excellent actor, but he made Wee-Bey seem real. Any criminal organization would be proud to have such an employee. He combined loyalty, with the qualities of intelligence and strength.

We hope to see more of Mr. Johnson real soon. Wonder what is next for him?

Avon & Marlo: The Initial Meeting - "Surprise!"


It must have been an especially eerie feeling for Marlo Stansfield to see Avon Barksdale, the "Kingpin of the Westside", behind that glass, when he thought he was going to meet with The Greek's incarcerated counterpart.

The look on Marlo's face was priceless. The tension must have been so thick that you could have cut it with a knife.

USC Gould School of Law Hosts David Simon

I only wish I could have been at this discussion. I certainly look forward to meeting Mr. Simon one day in the future, but it must have been a great experience to sit and talk with him in an academic setting. He has not only a grasp of obvious educational value, but he also seems to understand what is truly taking place in the world around him.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

In the Beginning ...

This is the very first scene of 'The Wire'. You just know when you see it that McNulty will be central to the theme of the show.

Andre Royo: An Interview With Bubs

This interview with Andre Royo speaks to the versatility of Royo as an actor - the actor who portrayed the lovable "Bubbles".

Sonya Sohn: An Interview With Shakima Greggs

Here is an interview with Sonya Sohn, the actress who plays Officer Shakima Greggs.

Interview With Tristan Wilds: Michael Lee

Tristan Wilds has to be one of the most talented actors in his age group, or perhaps in any age group. Get to know a little about Tristan as you watch this interview. There is certainly a lot more to this young man that just the character of "Michael Lee".

Bodie's Final Exit

Anybody who has ever had a little street in them can't help but have love for Bodie, one of the supporting characters who was so central to the whole theme of the show. You couldn't help but pull for him. Bodie was the moral conscience of the criminal element - a real man's man.

Goodbye Mr. Bell

This clip speaks for itself. RIP Stringer.

Foreshadowing Tragedy: The End of Avon & Stringer

I remember watching this scene and I knew what was coming. I kept telling myself that it wouldn't happen. After all, they've been friends forever, right? In true to life form, sure enough, the next day . . . somebody "got got". This changed the whole scenery of the show.

The Most Profound Television Experience


The Wire was the most relevant and socially conscious program of our time. It should be required watching for police officers, politicians, criminals, teachers, and ordinary citizens alike. It was not only entertaining, but raw and true to life - more so than any other television show.

The characters were so well cast that you took away from each episode a feeling of reality. If you have never seen the show, make sure you watch it from start to finish. You will miss out on so much if you fail to do so.

The Death of Stringer Bell



In this video, Idris Elba discusses the death of Stringer Bell, the character he portrayed in HBO's The Wire.