Down in the Hole
I spent some of last night in an interrogation room with David Simon, the creator of one of the most gripping and complex television series of recent years, The Wire. Simon was in the custody of Lauren Laverne, accused of breaking every convention in the television rulebook, and he had some tough charges to answer. While we were down in the hole, an audience upstairs were watching a preview of the first two episodes of season 5 of The Wire, little dreaming that the creator of this influential show was being grilled downstairs. Following his ordeal, David Simon took to the stage of NFT1 to be interviewed by Charlie Brooker, a longstanding champion of the series, and to face questions from the audience. Simon is held in such high regard, that not only was the event packed, but there was a long queue of fans waiting for returns.
David Simon is an extremely thoughtful and articulate man. For many years he worked as a journalist on the Baltimore Sun, during which time he wrote a pair of books based on the characters he encountered while reporting on crime and policing. One of these, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets, formed the basis for the NBC series Homicide, on which Simon worked as writer and producer. He told some very funny anecdotes about his time with NBC, including discussions with executives who would want to know, "Where are the victories, where's the joy?", which sounds like a slightly odd approach to a series called Homicide. With The Wire, David Simon has dissected the city of Baltimore and tried to explore what the answers might be to its ingrained social problems, something that he made clear would only have been possible on HBO. The interview and audience Q&A that followed were filmed by the BFI, and I'll add a link when that becomes available, while you can watch The Culture Show item on Tuesday 8 July at 10pm (TBC). Did Mr Simon break down and admit to being guilty as charged or was Lauren forced to slap him around a little until he confessed? All will be revealed.
Fan of The Wire? Let us know why you like the show. Or if you remain unconverted, let us know about your reservations. No spoilers please (especially not from season 4 onwards - I'm about to start the DVD box set). You might also want to check out Charlie Brooker talking about The Wire on FX UK's website.
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Comments
I was one of the long queue of fans lucky enough to get a standby ticket to see the Season 5 preview at the NFT and see the wonderful David Simon being interviewed by the wonderful Charlie Brooker. I travelled over 50 miles to stand for 2 hours and it was well worth it. I am a total Wire adddict and believe that it is simply the best TV programme I have ever seen. (I am touching 50). The fact that neither the BBC nor Channel 4 broadcast this most exquisitely crafted drama is sadly unsurprising given the state of British broadcasting. I am grateful to Charlie Brooker and a friend for introducing me to this brilliant series and pity and envy anyone who has yet to see it. It should be compulsory viewing for any politician, journalist or policy maker who attempts to provide simple, sound -bite solutions to the complex and challenging problems facing our cities. This programme is intelligent and gripping and perfectly performed by a talented cast, blessed with writers who are surely the Dickens and Shakespeares of our times.
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I came to The Wire as a result of being an admirer of David Simon's book "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Street" and then the excellent part adaptation to NBC's TV show "Homicide: Life on the Street". He would also co-write a further book -with one of the detective's highlighted in Homicide; Ed Byrne - "The Corner" and then it's adaptation on HBO. "The Wire" could actually be scene as a sort of prequel of The Corner. I would recommend both these books to anyone - they are both superbly written!
I do share the previous writer's frustration at the lack of a major network TV channel broadcasting The Wire, but given Channel 4's abysmal treatment of Homicide, I'm not surprised! The BBC however really have no excuse, did I not hear that the corporations remit is to try to broadcast shows of excellence wherever they may be made? Even those great and good at the BAFTA's claim never to have heard of it? I won't hold my breath this year that the show get's some recognition for it's final year!
What I would hope it that Simon's latest piece - Generation Kill - to be broadcast on HBO in the US later on this month - come's to the UK soon. And how about that New Orleans set drama that David Simon is attempting to put together - now that looks intriging!
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I saw my first episodes of The Wire on DVD last night and liked it. It is "The Complete First Season"- Episodes 6 to 8. We miss inner city US and the characterisation and atmosphere was engaging and credible. I would like to know from someone who studies this kind of drama WHEN it became the norm to show that the "good" policemen beat up a man detained for questioning with impunity. We are pretty ignorant about film and TV studies but would be interested to find out where to seek more information. I feel very saddened by it and didnt find it necessary. Captain Furillo would never have allowed it. Undoubtedly this happens everywhere at times but to write it in as a norm in a drama is very sad and it would be interesting to see when this started. Maybe they get some sort of come -uppance when I watch the rest or maybe it will just get more amoral. I think it would still be interesting to find out when it was first portrayed as normal. Are we really allowed no more heroes?
Thanks for any pointers to further our research!
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The Wire is outstanding drama. I started watchinmg it 2 months ago after reading Charlie Brooker's ravings about it and talking to another dad who was a convert during a quite moment at a children's party. I rented the first box set and over 2 months I worked my way through 4 series. They are all terrific and the series gets richer and richer as it progresses. It takes no prisoners, you have to pay attention as the devil is very muxch in the detail. Its language is uncomprising and hard to follow but about 4 episodes in you begin to understand almost by a process of osmosis. Series 4 is particulalry good - coming over like Baltimore street life meets 'Night of The Hunter' - innocence and darkness wrapped very tight. I cannot recommend it enough if you like your tv intelligent,thought provoking and relevant. Pity about the terrible Lauren Laverne interview with David Simon the other night - what a wasted oppurtunity.
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Thanks, Culture Show!
I'm a big fan of The Wire, so was excited by the prospect of your recent article on the series and interview with David Simon. The style of the interview was patronising and twee, but never mind - this is a great series, so just be thankful for the chance to hear the views of David Simon!
And then you intersperce the interview with clips from the show - don't know why you need to do that, but ok. And then BAM! There's my favourite character Bubs laid out on a mortuary slab, shot in the head! So Bubs dies - nice one! Thanks for letting me know. Fuckwits.
And then you have the audacity to mention above in your guidelines for posting to the blog - "no spoilers please"!
So in case anyone like myself is working through the programme from the early series - don't get too attached to Bubs - he dies!
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