Monday, April 12, 2010

OBS VIEWING PARTY FOR TREME!


Last night was the premiere of David Simon's "Treme" on HBO. Since I heard this project was in the works, I've been anticipating this premiere. Several members of OBS came together for a viewing party that was awesome. The evening would not have been complete without at least a Creole dish to accompany the viewing. So Sonya volunteered her culinary skills and prepared a Shrimp Gumbo and Lisa brought out the Wok and created a Scallop Pasta dish (well was sort of New Orleans) and would not have been complete without beer and wine! All of us being huge fans of "The Wire" couldn't wait to see hoe Treme would unfold. Adding the caveats of Khandi Alexander, Wendell Pierce, Clarke Pierce, Rob Brown, as well as, local favor of music by Uncle Lionel Baptiste, Benny Jones, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, et. al.; the people of the city, New Orleans itself, were definitely a huge plus.
Being writers, we understand that it can be difficult to introduce a pilot and make it work. You never know if your vision will come across on the screen. Especially difficult at times is how to make certain you excite your audience, bring them into the story, get them to care about the characters without exposition, all within 90 minutes, in this case. All of us at the viewing party were well versed in the premise of the show; so we still had no clue of how it was going to play.
We were all impressed. David Mills did an excellent job. the unfolding of the story-flow worked while never downplaying the level of devastation the characters returned to
without sucking life out of us in the process, but allowing us to rejoice with them, empathize, share their pride, and feel their spirit --was realized. As I watched, seeing the landmarks, you understand that there is a culture within a culture ---with New Orleans sharing the spotlight with the music - its soul.
Now I can't end this without saying we did question one thing...at least the ladies in the room did. Steve Zahn. We opened with his butt! Come on, you could have given us a sexier butt than that! Besides, we could have used a sexier character period. I mean, Davis McAlary had nothing to offer a women like, Janet Desautel, which he was trying to impress. Davis is a little annoying but clearly loves New Orleans, the music, and the culture. but he could be sexier so we want to tolerate him and that we could believe that he could pull a woman like Janet. Steve Zahn really? Davis has no heat, no hot water, no money, an unattractive job, come on...really? Now if you had given us Harry Connick, Jr. as Davis, now that's sexy and tolerable! I'm just saying. LOL!
We're looking forward to the next episode, we can see a little heat coming.
Writers and others, what about you, did you see the show? What did you think? Will you be there next week? Let me hear from you.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This just in: RT @Variety: HBO orders second season of 'Treme': TV News: David Simon's New Orleans series premiered Sunday -- Just two days a... http://bit.ly/a5aUsy