The Wire and the Emmys

It’s that time again. Time for the Emmys to recognize the excellence in white entertainment. The best drama nominees came out today. They are House, Dexter, Mad Men, Boston Legal, Lost and Damages. For the fifth season, the Wire goes unrecognized. That is probably good because this was the worst season of the show, which although still the best thing on television, would be sort of insulting to the previous seasons if it were honored for this. Sort of like convicting OJ Simpson for shoplifting.

I have Mad Men on DVD and am keeping an open mind on that show’s quality because I have heard so many good things.

I have seen some episodes of Dexter. Not bad at all. Not as good as the Wire.

House – we get it you are a sarcastic super doctor. Not as good as the Wire

Lost – I finally gave up on this show halfway through season 4. Possibly the greatest contrast to the Wire. The Wire has had a theme and a purpose throughout. Lost writers seem destined to find theirs one of these days. A really overrated show.

Damages should be called infinite plot twists. At some point a 14th plot twist just makes you roll your eyes.

Boston Legal I have always felt is a bad show. But it stars many TV favorites (William Shatner, Candice Bergen) so it seems firmly planted in this category.

I actually thought this year Barack Obama could help The Wire’s chances. He said it is his favorite show, although based on what the middle of the country thinks, maybe he has changed his mind to Two and a Half Men.

I just don’t think the race factor can be ignored with regards to the Wire. It may very well be the centerpiece of college courses in the future, but cannot be recognized by the Emmy voters? I wonder why…

This reminds me of the joke that Paul Mooney told. “Hollywood is too much. The Last Samurai starring Tom Cruise. The Mexican starring Brad Pitt. I have a movie for Hollywood. It’s called The Last Ni-ger on Earth, starring Tom Hanks.”

Deadwood and The Sopranos were just as vulgar, if not more so than the Wire, but both earned multiple best drama nominations (and wins). David Milch, the creator of Deadwood is developing a new drama on police in the 1970s. My guess is that the majority of the blacks in the case will be behind bars. Critics will hail it as a “gritty, honest portrayal” or some sh-t like that and the Emmy nominations will happen. What a disgrace.

And don’t get me started on the xenophobia that denied Flight of the Concords a best comedy series nomination.