[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ2iGYwdEi8[/youtube]
Just as we Yanks need a few extra Kleenex to mop up after watching some of the best the BBC ships across the pond, the Brits have a deep and abiding appreciation for the toniest HBO offerings, most notably The Wire. Charlie Booker unabashedly loses his blob here — and this was even before he saw Season 4.
When I get too down about the lack of Emmy love for The Wire, I read the citation the series received as one of the 10 AFI TV Programs of the Year in 2006:
THE WIRE is the great American novel produced for television. Rich in detail and engrossing in depth of character, the show is a moving document about the failure of American social institutions – from the family to schools to the justice system and beyond. David Simon and his talented writing team have created a window on our world – one complicated by motives, illuminated by nuance, and ultimately, heartbreaking in its humanity. THE WIRE is a show that you do not simply watch; it’s one you live.
British viewers watch the Wire as a reminder of how first and innovative UK TV drama used to be and still can be but only too infrequently this days (one of the exceptions presently stars Dominc West as Cromwell in the Devil’s Whore).
No British terresterial channel bothered to pick up the Wire, as it is probably a painful reminder of their shortfalls.
@The Jack
Callan
Rome
Jeckyll
Life on Mars
Threads
Doomwatch
Secret Life of a Call Girl Series 1
Spooks
Sharpe
The Prisoner
Quatermass
No Heroics
Alynch- OMG thank you for posting these links. Just today, after a heated string of profanities after dealing with unexpectedly bad traffic already late for something, I told my daughter about the ‘fuck’ scene from The Wire. Masterful. Who knew the word could be used in so many ways – not used in anger or to disparage another – yet as merely human expression by two men doing their job.
After living in DC and working in B’more and involved in inner cities housing projects in the very same areas that The Wire takes place, the series is something to be experienced and lived. C’mon Emmys. Do something right for once.
Yes yes yes! THE WIRE is one of the great shows in television’s history! David Simon has fashioned great, human stories that bring back important sociological issues to mainstream airwaves.
Does Hollywood hate Baltimore or something? HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET as well received little accolades, though much critical acclaim. All in all, awards do have little merit in my book, but still, I felt Andre Braugher was undermined year after year for his brilliant acting. Oh and how about that episode “Subway” – anyone? But I’ve begun to think awards groups don’t do the “last year sympathy” vote for as many shows anymore. SIX FEET UNDER went under without much acknowledgment.
As for British tv, I haven’t seen LITTLE BRITAIN or STATE OF PLAY mentioned yet. Both, I believe, are being made for US audiences now, an indication that they were both quite good! “Computer says no…”
I didn’t realize Americans would know about Jeremy Brett’s Sherlock Holmes. He was so brilliant in the role I’ll have trouble accepting anyone else as Holmes.
There are wonderful English shows like The Office and Extras, but as an Antipodean I too think that the best American ones, led by the flagship Deadwood and The Wire, have taken drama to another level. They feel like long form films rather than simply television.
As much as people complain about AMPAS, its voters have nothing on the consistently middlebrow preferences of EMMY voters. But neither can compete with the celebration of mediocrity that is the GRAMMYS.
Well, seeing as how we have a thread to express how great The Wire is, I can’t resist the temptation of making a list:
Who’s your dog?
Good night fiends.
The paper bag.
Fuck.
What up, Bird!
The meeting.
My name is my name.
Christ, what an asshole.
There ain’t no back in the day.
All in the game.
Feel alright.
Fast Train.
The GUN.
Let’s go home.
Can we help get the word out about Flight of the Conchords, while we’re at it?
We need to start making some NOISE on the online award show community that THE WIRE needs to be recognized this, its last year at the Emmy’s.
It is nearly the most complete and stirring drama in t.v. HISTORY. And if the Emmy voters don’t stand up and take notice, the show will go down w. 1 emmy nod. O N E!!!!!
This is its time, the last season was beautifully paced. With the writer’s strike, and Soprano’s gone there is no reason to not include this show in The Dramatic categories, ESPECIALLY the cast and writers!!!!!
The Jack:
I’m very fond of the first three seasons of Coupling. And, of course, The Office and Extras.
The Wire and Lost, for me, are the best dramas on TV right now.
I would count Torchwood and Dr. Who as the kind of bad English shows that I’m talking about, but I guess my standard for what constitutes good TV has been raised ridiculously by American shows. British TV doesn’t even seem to try to make stuff like The Sopranos or Lost or The Wire or Deadwood or Arrested Development or Battlestar Galactica or The West Wing or 24 or Entourage – we just make shows that at best are good enough to get by, and then buy the rights to shows from the US. I don’t know why we can’t seem to compete.
did see the first year of the Tudors. Not v. good. Otherwise, have not seen any of these programs.
I love Torchwood, it’s so addictive and it’s often better than Doctor Who.
My list would be:
Dexter
Mad Men
The Tudors
House
Lost
The Jack, I’m thinking of primarily PBS-friendly imports.
Bleak House
Jane Eyre
Prime Suspect
The Lost Prince
Masterpiece Theatre offerings like that.
Elizabeth I (HBO co-production?)
Jeremy Brett’s Sherlock Holmes (wow)
Dr Who
Queer is Folk
Wire in the Blood
Torchwood
MI-5
BBC America is an amazing channel for Anglophiles. I guess we don’t get the mediocre British television here. It’s all the good stuff.
My list from Best Drama Serie: “Damages” “Dexter” “Big Love” “Mad Men” “The Tudors” (Yes this season it’s not so great but still intersting…)
But like The Jack said I don’t think “Friday Night Falls” and “THE Wire” will have the love but the Wire could get other nominations especially we use the rule from Guest Star: If the star is famous or is Oscar nominated is nominated… So maybe Amy Ryan has chances…
Dream dramas for me would be this list:
“Dexter”
“FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS”!!!
“Mad Men”
“The Wire”
I don’t know what else, but those 4 would be awesome.
I don’t think THE WIRE or FNL will get the love they deserve, but boy would my respect for the Emmys change if they did.
What British shows do American critics go crazy for (apart from The Office)? Because I’m English and I can’t think of one possible show over here that is worthy of anyone getting excited about. Especially if I was a critic in America, which has consistently been making the best shows ever since 1998.
Dream line-up of Best Drama Series nominees for this year’s Emmmys:
Battlestar Gallactica
Big Love
Dexter
Mad Men
The Wire
I’m willing to swap Big Love & Dexter for two series you guys propose. The other three, non-negotiable.