The Wire is an American crime drama television series created and
primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon.
The series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United
States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002 and ended on March 9, 2008,
comprising 60 episodes over five seasons. The idea for the show
started out as a police drama loosely based on the experiences of his
writing partner Ed Burns, a former homicide detective and public
school teacher.Set and produced in Baltimore, Maryland, The Wire
introduces a different institution of the city and its relationship to
law enforcement in each season, while retaining characters and
advancing storylines from previous seasons. The five subjects are, in
chronological order: the illegal drug trade, the seaport system, the
city government and bureaucracy, education and schools, and the print
news medium. Simon chose to set the show in Baltimore because of his
familiarity with the city. The large cast consists mainly of actors
who are little known for their other roles, as well as numerous
real-life Baltimore and Maryland figures in guest and recurring roles.
Simon has said that despite its framing as a crime drama, the show is
"really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's
about how institutions have an effect on individuals. Whether one is a
cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer,
all are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever
institution to which they are committed."The Wire is lauded for its
literary themes, its uncommonly accurate exploration of society and
politics, and its realistic portrayal of urban life. Although during
its original run the series received only average ratings and never
won any major television awards, it is now widely regarded as one of
the greatest television shows of all time.
primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon.
The series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United
States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002 and ended on March 9, 2008,
comprising 60 episodes over five seasons. The idea for the show
started out as a police drama loosely based on the experiences of his
writing partner Ed Burns, a former homicide detective and public
school teacher.Set and produced in Baltimore, Maryland, The Wire
introduces a different institution of the city and its relationship to
law enforcement in each season, while retaining characters and
advancing storylines from previous seasons. The five subjects are, in
chronological order: the illegal drug trade, the seaport system, the
city government and bureaucracy, education and schools, and the print
news medium. Simon chose to set the show in Baltimore because of his
familiarity with the city. The large cast consists mainly of actors
who are little known for their other roles, as well as numerous
real-life Baltimore and Maryland figures in guest and recurring roles.
Simon has said that despite its framing as a crime drama, the show is
"really about the American city, and about how we live together. It's
about how institutions have an effect on individuals. Whether one is a
cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer,
all are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever
institution to which they are committed."The Wire is lauded for its
literary themes, its uncommonly accurate exploration of society and
politics, and its realistic portrayal of urban life. Although during
its original run the series received only average ratings and never
won any major television awards, it is now widely regarded as one of
the greatest television shows of all time.
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