In an interesting counterpoint to Murdoch’s complaining, David Simon says that advertising is killing TV.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8227864.stm

Heroes is the prime example of this, ruining a great story to leave a false cliff hanger every 15 minutes

Heroes season 1 is one of the best things that has ever appeared on TV. I could have cried at the utter mess that followed

I notice Simon didn't stop writing in protest at the adverts that ruined his work prior to The Wire, he seems to forget TV was invented to sell other products (wars, political parties, social conditioning) entertainment is merely a by product.

I like what he's saying but he sounds a tad arrogant, he wouldn't be saying any of it if he was a struggling writer trying to sell his first script.

He can afford to be arrogant. He created one of the greatest television shows ever.

Can't be that good, or I would have watched it.

Why do you have to have watched it for it to be good? It is widely regarded as one of the finest bits of television ever produced and I verify that opinion with my own experience. Until you've watched it, you have no idea how good it is.

I don't have to have to watched it, I was merely stating because I hadn't seen it it wasn't worth watching, if it was worth watching I would've watched it.

The greatest cop show ever was Miami Vice, are you telling me The Wire is better than that, come on you're having a laugh.

Seriously, if I get a spare 65 hours I'll give it a go.

/facepalm.

Actually, I do remember one episode where it turned out their boss (played by Edward James Olmos) was a trained ninja. Christ knows who thought that up, but it rocked.

Jon

If you think it's just a "cop show", then I'm afraid your missing the point. It is very much worth watching.

In Hollywood you're only as good as your last show/film.
It doesn't matter that he created The Wire, it's what comes next that matters now.
I've never seen The Wire, but I understand the sentiment that advertising/advertisers are killing good quality T.V. programmes.
It doesn't matter how good his show is though, it doesn't mean he has a right to be arrogant about it all.
You can give informed opinion without coming across as being arrogant about it.

Mark

I'm wading through the final series of the Wire but still don't see what all the fuss is about. Every episode feels and sounds the same.

*ducks to avoid flying mouse mats and mobiles*

*stands next to Caz to deflect said flying objects*

Mark

Picks up sofa.. deflect that rocking egg dude

*ping!*
Defelected.

Mark