TheWireTheWireTheWire: Who is your favorite character?

[Jouster]

Throwaway moment.

[buffcoat]

Throwaway moment.

Thanks, Jouster!

[senorcorazon]

New favorite character: The typo subpoena. This was in Season 2 or 3, and made a cameo again in Season 4. Look under the "SUBPOENA REQUEST" in bold for the new name of the City From Which Erika Hails.



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[B_Buster]

Anyone see the preview of Season 5 up on HBO On Demand? Looks like a real snore.

Only 7 more episodes of Season 4 to go before I can really lay into all The Wire fans!

Here's another criticism: all the non-actors in The Wire.

It's especially bad in Season 4. Between the kids, some of the mopier drug dealers, and the assisstant principal, I don't think I've seen this much bad acting in a major television show in a long time. You can literally feel the life being sucked out of every scene they appear in.

And Season 5 looks like it's going to have even more non-actors in it (it looks like David Simon is putting every single person he ever worked with in the show).

And I'll be there to the bitter end because this is the "greatest television show ever"!

[John Junk]

I'm only halfway through season 1, but I'll agree you can spot a non-actor a mile away, and their "authenticity" doesn't really make up for the crap job they do at delivering their lines.  I'm not even talking about Leo Fitzpatrick either.

[Chris L]

Don't worry, Buster, they're bringing in all those great thespians from The Sopranos for season 5.  Little Steven is going to be the new crime boss. 

[B_Buster]

The Wire vs. The Sopranos feud is on! Bring it!

You know what I also love? When a Wire character says, "It's Baltimore" (a twist on the famous Chinatown line) as if it really means anything.

[Chris L]

The Wire vs. The Sopranos feud is on! Bring it!

You know what I also love? When a Wire character says, "It's Baltimore" (a twist on the famous Chinatown line) as if it really means anything.

Who even says this besides Carcetti in the season 5 trailer?   We all know "What the fuck did I do?" and "Sheeeeit" are the show's wacky catch phrases. 

Yes, in a show that juggles at least 50-60 characters per season, I think there's room for competent non-actors who are cast more for their authenticity for their chops.  What exactly differentiates, say, Chris and Snoop as an "actor" and a "non-actor" besides training, anyway? Who is getting so much screen time that they're dragging down the show with their horrid line readings?   Did that assistant principal with the thick accent have an entire episode devoted to her that I missed?   As for the four lead kids in season 4, all of them did a good-to-great job.

Hold on, I just got an IM from an anonymous film snob reminding me that Robert Bresson used a lot of non-actors to sterling effect as well.  So there you have it:  David Simon is the Bresson of Bawlmer.  Take that, Movie Boy.   

[buffcoat]

Hey, Omar is going to turn out to actually BE a salesman from San Diego.  Who knew?


Seriously - this battle between Ditka and da Bears is killing me inside.  Won't somebody PLEASE think of the CHILDREN?

[John Junk]

...I like the show though.

[Dorvid Barnas]

I love The Sopranos, but I'd contend they had far more crappy "non-actors" than The Wire.  They even put a couple of them in Tony's immediate family!

[Tyrannosaurus Rocks]

The Wire is amazing and there is nothing you can do about it. My favorite character is Bubs and Omar.

Oh, and Mouzone.

And Cutty...

Really, it's an ensemble show. No one character is supposed to take all of the spotlight. Every character has had his moments to shine. And that's what's so fucking good about The Wire.

Oh, and Freamon. And Bunny. And Chris and Snoop. Okay I'm done.

[B_Buster]

Who even says this besides Carcetti in the season 5 trailer?   We all know "What the fuck did I do?" and "Sheeeeit" are the show's wacky catch phrases. 

Yes, in a show that juggles at least 50-60 characters per season, I think there's room for competent non-actors who are cast more for their authenticity for their chops.  What exactly differentiates, say, Chris and Snoop as an "actor" and a "non-actor" besides training, anyway? Who is getting so much screen time that they're dragging down the show with their horrid line readings?   Did that assistant principal with the thick accent have an entire episode devoted to her that I missed?   As for the four lead kids in season 4, all of them did a good-to-great job.

Hold on, I just got an IM from an anonymous film snob reminding me that Robert Bresson used a lot of non-actors to sterling effect as well.  So there you have it:  David Simon is the Bresson of Bawlmer.  Take that, Movie Boy.   

I've heard it 3 or 4 times (maybe they sneak it in once a season). I guess the main difference between the actor and non-actor is the ability to project a range of emotions. In the Wire most of the characters are good for one note and one note only (I'll include the actors in this category: how many times do we have to see jolly Landsman fumbling with a copy of Club magazine?). And, let's face it, Simon/Burns haven't been able to create one strong woman character in the whole series (Kima and Rhonda are as hardboiled as the guys).

And, no, I won't dispute Vito's ability to drag The Sopranos down. That would be a fool's game.

[Chris L]

I guess the main difference between the actor and non-actor is the ability to project a range of emotions. In the Wire most of the characters are good for one note and one note only (I'll include the actors in this category: how many times do we have to see jolly Landsman fumbling with a copy of Club magazine?). And, let's face it, Simon/Burns haven't been able to create one strong woman character in the whole series (Kima and Rhonda are as hardboiled as the guys).

Agree that the show could maybe use more compelling female characters besides Kima (who is great).  I don't get the "one note" criticism at all -- that's one of the last things I'd accuse them of.   If that were the case Prez would still be fumbling with his gun in the basement and Lester would be working on miniature furniture.  Just about every character is remarkably well-shaded considered the limited amount of screen time most of the cast gets.  Two of the only truly one-note characters I can think of are Maury Levy the evil lawyer and Namond's mom in season 4.    Landsman is actually a good example of how most of the characters project a certain attitude or have to eat shit to survive in their environments, whether it be the streets or the police force. 

[senorcorazon]

Anyone see the preview of Season 5 up on HBO On Demand? Looks like a real snore.

Only 7 more episodes of Season 4 to go before I can really lay into all The Wire fans!

Here's another criticism: all the non-actors in The Wire.

It's especially bad in Season 4. Between the kids, some of the mopier drug dealers, and the assisstant principal, I don't think I've seen this much bad acting in a major television show in a long time. You can literally feel the life being sucked out of every scene they appear in.

And Season 5 looks like it's going to have even more non-actors in it (it looks like David Simon is putting every single person he ever worked with in the show).

And I'll be there to the bitter end because this is the "greatest television show ever"!

Season 4 ends well, but yes, not the best season (still better than most tv). I vote for Season 3 with the whole clash of the titans finishing up.  I think Season 4 is especially fulfilling for people who have been teachers to see how well they nail the system.

Most annoying line is still "It's all in the game." It's like they're hawking t-shirts with the motto on them.

Snoop was a great reason to watch the season on DVD and hit the subtitle button. 

Season 5 is going to be awesome. I will fight for this. Though I am rather small and easy to frighten.