TV big shot David Simon says he’s the PBS of HBO
Cable channel recently picked up a double bill of pilots from self-described ‘Wandering Jew’ producer
Mazal tov. It’s twins for television maven David Simon… as in twin television pilots. The celebrated creator of “The Wire” has managed to successfully proffer a two-fer at HBO for a pair of new drama pilots.
One new arrival, “The Duece,” will feature a set of identical twins, portrayed by James Franco. The sibs set up a porn business in the slimy Times Square circa 1970s and 80s. Polyester here we come.
Simon’s other newborn is “Capitol Hill,” a political drama that explores the influence of money on government.
Michael Lombardo, HBO programming president announced in a press statement that the network is thrilled to “continue our longstanding relationship with preeminent producer David Simon, whose keen eye and visceral perspective on today’s socio-economic ills have set him apart from all others.”
“No one else creates with such authenticity, integrity and brilliant realism. We are so fortunate to support David’s efforts and to reap the benefits of his distinctive voice,” said Lombardo.
That’s not where the simcha ends for Simon, an author, journalist, producer and screenwriter who was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2010.
On August 16th, HBO is slated to premiere “Show Me a Hero,” a six-part miniseries written by Simon and directed by Paul Haggis of “Crash.” An exploration of 1980s housing desegration in Yonkers, New York, “Show Me” will certainly live up to its name with an all-star cast. Among others, Oscar Isaac is joined by Catherine Keener, Alfred Molina, and Winona Ryder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8VpChKfkd8
Nevertheless, Simon, who describes himself as the PBS of HBO, told Grantland, he is still surprised he has a place in television.
“Sometimes,” Simon says, “I read my quotes and it comes off like, ‘He’s so f**king angry.’ What I’m actually saying is, ‘I understand the improbability.’ I’m like the Wandering Jew, with one bag packed. At any moment it could end.”
‘I’m like the Wandering Jew, with one bag packed. At any moment it could end’
Back in the day, Simon, now 55, did time on the crime beat for the Baltimore Sun for a grueling 13 years. In 1991, he transformed his tenure into a published book entitled, “Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets.” That concept transformed into Barry Levinson’s “Homicide: Life on the Street,” that ran for a seven season stretch with Simon among the writers and producers.
Next, he created an HBO miniseries based on his second book, which he co-wrote with Ed Burns. Entitled “The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood,” which became a mini series in 2000.
From 2002 to 2008, came “The Wire.” He followed that with the HBO series “Treme,” which he co-created with Eric Overmyer. Its fourth and final season aired in 2013.
“Show Me a Hero” is based on the 1999 book of the same name by Lisa Belkin. Bill Zorzi, Simon’s co-creator and former Sun colleague and Wire staff writer, has added extensive re-reporting. Out of many potential Simon projects, the reason it’s actually being produced, Simon told Grantland, is that it is simply the one HBO picked.
“I said to HBO, ‘Look, do you want me just to do a miniseries? Less of a commitment?’” Simon told Grantland. “They were like, ‘No, no, keep trying to do a series.’ I’m trying. But at a certain point, if what I’m interested in they’re not interested in and vice versa, we gotta stop hitting our heads against the wall.”
