Emmy Voters Say “The Wire” Is Too Smart For Them
Author: Stephen Gerding
August 26th, 2005
Adding further proof that idiots really are running things in Hollywood, a recent article on Variety.com interviewed a few Emmy voters anonymously. When asked why “The Wire,” HBO’s critically lauded series about Baltimore cops, crime and corruption has yet to receive any sort of Emmy presence, the voters basically stated that the show was too smart for them.
Anonymously, several Emmy voters tried to explain their reluctance to nominate the show:
• It’s so multilayered, so dense, that it’s difficult to tune in midway through the season, thereby making it practically impenetrable to new viewers.
• The plot takes place in the drug-infested streets of west Baltimore, and with the vast majority of Emmy voters based in Southern California, there’s little connection. The grim surroundings and coarse language also might turn some people off.
• With the series being shot on location, the actors aren’t in Los Angeles or New York, being seen around town and helping build publicity for the show. Out of sight, out of mind.
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2 Responses to “Emmy Voters Say “The Wire” Is Too Smart For Them”
August 31st, 2005 at 8:33 pm
Well, I can see this as a legitimate issue. NO serial fiction should be hard for a new consumer to pick up midway through. Even if you just have a minute-long “Previously, on The Wire,” make sure there’s a clear explanation as to who these people are and what they’re doing. Every episode is someone’s first.
Yeah, no crime, drugs, grim surroundings or coarse language in SoCal at ALL.
September 1st, 2005 at 1:31 pm
See, the thing is, I think they’re just being lazy. The first episode of The Wire that I ever saw was from late in season 2. I was not only able to follow along with what was going on and figure things out enough to understand, I enjoyed it so much I downloaded all the previous episodes, and then bought both DVD box sets. It’s a dense show with a lot of layers, but the scripts and performances are so strong that it pulls you in.
Oh, and it’s HBO - they always give you a minute long pre-show recap to get you up to speed if need be. Plus, if the Emmy voters are voting on the best show, I’d think they’d want to watch more than just one freaking episode to do their job well.