I've mentioned this before: I've never seen an episode of The Wire. I have several friends who love and adore the HBO crime series. I just never had a chance to get tuned in, and everyone suggests that it's not a show you can pick-up in the middle. So, why bother, I thought. This week is the premiere of the show's final season. I'm tempted to tune in, but I know it will be in vain. I'm sure I'd like the show (I was fan of Homicide, the other Baltimore cop series that paved the way), but what's the point?

Plus, with all the SXSW 2008 work underway, I know I would have a hard time keeping up with the weekly episodes. So, once again, I let a season (the final season) of HBO's The Wire pass me by. I'm mildly envious of the community of friends who will unite weekly to enjoy what's argued to be the best show on television. I'm just late to that party. Maybe one day, someday, I'll catch up.

Ach! I just wrote about this for Twitch (in short -- it wouldn't be in vain!), but I feel your pain. I think it's worth picking up, even at this late point, simply because it's such a god show, but, as you say, with all your other time demands, might be tough to keep up. My suggestion: wait till after the fest and then try two or three episodes to see if you like it.

Hi, i know your totally busy but Netflix had seasons 1 - 4! Also, On Demand has all episodes of season 4! Like you i have not seen even 1 episode but i will set my DVR tonight!! :O)

The show is like crack. So don't even start unless you plan to watch the whole thing. I caught up on DVD last year over the holidays--and Trin and I ended up watching all 4 seasons in 2 weeks. After being clean for over a year, the show is back. Tonight was the first time we ever watched a "live" episode,,, lucky for us, HBO is staggering the On-Demand, making the shows available a week in advance...So I can watch week 2's episode tomorrow. Did someone say "off the wagon?"

yep, count me in as a wire addict... i am almost finished with season 4.4 and looking forward to 5. since it's HBO the seasons are only around 13 episodes so you can get through them relatively quickly... but yep, need some time to burn...

in the same boat as you Matt on Wire. between all the screeners and submissions, how do we watch TV? A fellow programmer who is into more avant garde cinema just came back from Paris and apparently the French art film set are buzzing with excitement about the series, so she is curious and we are going to start watching the series together. slowly.