Are there any shows or movies that equal The Wire?

[GasX]

http://videosift.com/video/The-All-Fuck-Murder-Investigation-Scene-from-The-Wire

fuuccckkkkk

 

[0roo0roo]

you have to really like jazz or whatever to like treme...
was so bored.

 

[DangerAardvark]

you have to really like jazz or whatever to like treme...
was so bored.

I admit I mostly liked it for the music.

 

[QueBert]

Not only is The Wire the greatest television show ever. But Omar Little is hands down the best character in any show ever. It's complete bullshit that The Sopranos won so many awards and the fucking Wire gets cut short. Season 5 would have been so much better if they didn't have to cram so much shit into so few episodes because HBO was wouldn't let them finish the story properly before pulling the show. Omar would FUCK Tony Soprano up big time.

 

[abaez]

Omar Little is a good character, but the guy who played Bubbles. Damn, what an actor.

 

[zinfamous]

That season was garbage. Skimmed a few eps, don't care at all about the newspaper BS or the stupid hobo plot or the mayor. Nothing remotely interesting

well, the creator of The Wire, David Simon, worked for the Baltimore Sun for 2 decades or so. So, if anything, it's probably the most "honest." It may not appeal to you if you're oblivious to what's been happening to print media over the previous decade, and understandably, but the storyline uses a very real situation (shitty management and downsizing at the Baltimore Sun, specifically) as an indictment on the greater problems facing print media and well, the foundations of journalism and news reporting across the country.
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[TallBill]

Omar Little is a good character, but the guy who played Bubbles. Damn, what an actor.

Yeah, I loved every time Omar around. The Bubbles story line was well done as well. Just finished season 5 last night, awh Not sure what shows are next.

 

[darkxshade]

David Simon, the creator of The Wire just premiered a new show on HBO called Treme. It's about post-Katrina New Orleans. The first episode was solid, and it has Lester and Bunk from The Wire in it.

This...

If he can do with this what he did with the Wire, I'm in but I won't get my hopes up... just like I didn't get my hopes up for The Pacific.

 

[ric1287]

well, the creator of The Wire, David Simon, worked for the Baltimore Sun for 2 decades or so. So, if anything, it's probably the most "honest." It may not appeal to you if you're oblivious to what's been happening to print media over the previous decade, and understandably, but the storyline uses a very real situation (shitty management and downsizing at the Baltimore Sun, specifically) as an indictment on the greater problems facing print media and well, the foundations of journalism and news reporting across the country.
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Yeah I get what they were going for, its just not interesting television unless you grew up with newspapers as a huge part of your life (i.e. you're 40+ years old).

 

[Kev]

Season 2 was the worst season. each season focuses on one municipal/public aspect of city infrastructure, while mostly following related drug trade stories.

season 1 Homicide division/drug trade--establishes the anchoring plot for the series
season 2 Harbor
season 3 moves to politics (Mayoral campaign)
season 4 is public education
season 5 is the Media

The Harbor story and characters are mostly ignored outside of season 2, so it ends up being a bit of a dark horse.

Seasons 3 & 4 are absolutely EPIC, though. A must see.

I would rank the seasons: 3 & 4 (can't decide), then 1, 2, 5. 5 was just a bit ridiculous

 

[purbeast0]

sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiittt no.

 

[TallBill]

Yeah I get what they were going for, its just not interesting television unless you grew up with newspapers as a huge part of your life (i.e. you're 40+ years old).

I disagree. I don't think they went overboard at all with the newspaper, and I really like the "all angle" aspect that we got.

 

[ric1287]

I disagree. I don't think they went overboard at all with the newspaper, and I really like the "all angle" aspect that we got.

I get the point of showing all sides, but the cop/gang/drug stuff is far more compelling that the stupid newspaper stuff and mayor crap

 

[Narmer]

I get the point of showing all sides, but the cop/gang/drug stuff is far more compelling that the stupid newspaper stuff and mayor crap

But that's just part of the story. Also, it's more action-oriented. The newspaper and political parts are the ones that are far more influential. Remember, this show came about from a previous series called The Corner, which was based on a true story. Hence, it is a commentary on life in that world. I prefer for it to be comprehensive than simply focusing on the daily grind between cops and drug dealers. Also, the political episodes made me appreciate the dealmaking and limitations of politicians. They really do have to jump through countless hoops and please a lot of people for things to get done.

 

[Aharami]

Like others have said, season 2 was the worst. But even then, it was still better than most of the other shows out there. The Wire was, simply put, one of the all-time best shows ever produced. I remember getting so into it, that I called out sick two days in a row so I could watch it on DVD.

I'm hoping Treme will be just as good. I enjoyed the first episode, but not sure if it can live up to The Wire.

 

[zinfamous]

I disagree. I don't think they went overboard at all with the newspaper, and I really like the "all angle" aspect that we got.

To me, it was simply fantastic. I've been following the "epic downfall" of journalism (somewhat loosely, yes) over this time. It's a bit sad, frankly. If anything, I agree that season 5 was compromised in length and content.

I hope many of the foundations can remain, but the overwhelming popularity of blogger-driven news is frankly, quite terrifying. without their sources (journalists), they are nothing. Few internet news and blogger junkies seem to realize this fact.

 

[zinfamous]

I get the point of showing all sides, but the cop/gang/drug stuff is far more compelling that the stupid newspaper stuff and mayor crap

Well, the West Wing was also quite popular (i never watched it), so there's definitely potential for drama in politics/media-driven stories, and obviously an audience that loves it.

There are those type of viewers that want guns and tits and little else, those that want cerebral drama, those that want a little bit of both, or something else entirely.

The diversity of story and potential for drama is what makes the Wire so good and so realistic. The creators were long-time journalist and homicide detective in Baltimore, with their fingers in every tier of the structures that are presented in the series. So, you can trust, as a viewer, that the subject matter as presented is probably very accurate.

I love smart shows like the Wire that do everything perfectly.

I thoroughly enjoy shows like 24, which are inherently stupid at nearly every level. But it's the type of show that does include political drama mixed in with the action, so it also captures those audiences. Of course, the obvious stupidity that is 24 makes the Jack Bauer vs terrorist sequences far more compelling than the political mumbo jumbo, imo.

 

[Spineshank]

I actually didnt really care for Season 5. Season 2 was decent. But the other 3 seasons were amazing. Its my favorite series ever.

 

[cschleyer]

You will get hooked on both.

 

[ric1287]

To me, it was simply fantastic. I've been following the "epic downfall" of journalism (somewhat loosely, yes) over this time. It's a bit sad, frankly. If anything, I agree that season 5 was compromised in length and content.

I hope many of the foundations can remain, but the overwhelming popularity of blogger-driven news is frankly, quite terrifying. without their sources (journalists), they are nothing. Few internet news and blogger junkies seem to realize this fact.

See, we liked it for 2 different reasons. I loved it because of how real all the cop/drug stuff is because I'm familiar with it. Whatever people got out of the newspaper/politcal stuff is what I got out of the cop/drug stuff as far as the "wow this show is awesome" factor. Something for everyone