Publisher Description

This book offers the only examination of the television writing of David Milch and David Simon as significant contributions to American culture, literature, and social realism.David Milch and David Simon are two of the most prolific and successful television drama writers in the last 30 years. These talented writers have combined real-world knowledge with wild imaginations and understandings of the human psyche to create riveting shows with realistic environments and storylines. Minch and Simon's writing have resulted in television series that have earned both critical acclaim and millions of viewers.The Wire, Deadwood, Homicide, and NYPD Blue: Violence is Power is the most comprehensive text yet written about Milch and Simon, and documents how television dramas of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s mirrored American culture with unprecedented sociological accuracy. The author explains how both individuals are not only capable dramatists, but also insightful cultural critics. This book also examines the full range of Milch's and Simon's authorial careers, including Milch's books True Blue: The Real Stories behind NYPD Blue and Deadwood: Tales of the Black Hills and Simon's Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets and The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood.

Author Biography

Jason P. Vest, PhD, is associate professor in the University of Guam's division of English and applied linguistics in Mangilao, Guam.

Table of Contents

AcknowledgmentsUsage NormsIntroduction: Prime-Time Realism: David Milch, David Simon, and Television Drama1 Peaks and Valleys: David Milch and Hill Street Blues2 Blue, Black, and White: David Milch's NYPD Blue3 Red Balls: David Simon and Homicide: Life on the Street4 Street Talk: David Simon's The Corner5 American Savagery: David Milch's Deadwood6 All the Pieces Matter: David Simon's The WireConclusion: The Two Davids: Television AuteursNotesBibliographyFilms, Television Programs, and Songs CitedIndex

Review

Vest argues that Milch and Simon are pioneers, that both are significant social realists, and that both are intentional authors; he supports this argument with careful, close textual reading and an accessible critical framework. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers * Choice *

Promotional

This book offers the only examination of the television writing of David Milch and David Simon as significant contributions to American culture, literature, and social realism.

Long Description

David Milch and David Simon are two of the most prolific and successful television drama writers in the last 30 years. These talented writers have combined real-world knowledge with wild imaginations and understandings of the human psyche to create riveting shows with realistic environments and storylines. Minch and Simon's writing have resulted in television series that have earned both critical acclaim and millions of viewers. The Wire, Deadwood, Homicide, and NYPD Blue: Violence is Power is the most comprehensive text yet written about Milch and Simon, and documents how television dramas of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s mirrored American culture with unprecedented sociological accuracy. The author explains how both individuals are not only capable dramatists, but also insightful cultural critics. This book also examines the full range of Milch's and Simon's authorial careers, including Milch's books True Blue: The Real Stories behind NYPD Blue and Deadwood: Tales of the Black Hills and Simon's Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets and The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood .

Review Quote

"Vest argues that Milch and Simon are pioneers, that both are significant social realists, and that both are intentional authors; he supports this argument with careful, close textual reading and an accessible critical framework. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers" - Choice

Promotional "Headline"

Those who enjoy television police and crime series or cable network dramas are likely familiar with Hill Street Blues , N YPD Blue , Deadwood , The Wire , and Homicide: Life on the Street . But what they may not realize is these engaging and often shockingly candid shows are all based on the vision of two writers-David Milch and David Simon.

Description for Reader

* Examines the connections between Milch's and Simon's older literary work and the successful scripts and television series that spawned from these publications * A comprehensive, up-to-date book that even contains information about David Simon's Treme , an HBO television drama premiering in April 2010 about the musical culture of post-Katrina New Orleans

Details