THE WIRE Project: Season 1, Disc 5 (The End)

In THE WIRE’s sixth episode, Detective Lester Freamon reminded his colleagues that they were building a case against Avon Barksdale’s crew out of small pieces, “and all the pieces matter.” Those five words tell the audience everything they need to know about this once-in-a-lifetime program. After five weeks of work on The Wire Project, I […]

TOP CHEF D.C.: Cold War

My appetite has not matured since my childhood. Despite my preference for chicken fingers over chilean sea bass, however, I do appreciate the construction of entrees that foodies enjoy. TOP CHEF has been a DVR favorite of mine for the past two years, but my appetite for the show is waning. Padma & Tom are […]

THE WIRE Project: Season 1, Disc 4

The finish line is approaching quickly. After this week, The Wire Project winds down with the final two episodes of the show’s inaugural season. As promised, the discussion threads for each week will be maintained all summer, so you are welcome to jump in at your convenience! Quick note for DirecTV subscribers: Channel 101 just […]

THE WIRE Project: Season 1, Disc 3

Week 3 of The Wire Project brought Baltimore’s police closer to their targets in Avon Barksdale’s crew.  Utilizing their wiretaps, Lieutenant Daniels’ team gathered substantial evidence about the movement of drugs into the projects. The little details being assembled, however, unearthed pieces of their case that fit a larger, much more ominous puzzle. On the […]

THE WIRE Project: Season 1, Disc 2

Welcome to Week 2 of The Wire Project. We are just scratching the surface of Baltimore’s grittiest cops and drug dealers. Alliances are forming, rivalries are building, and allegiances are being brought into question. Early reactions from the GMMR community to Disc 1 were almost universally positive, with many noting Executive Producer David Simon’s attention […]

THE WIRE Project: Season 1, Disc 1

Welcome to The Wire Project. Over the next five weeks, I hope that the GMMR community will explore the streets of Baltimore in a unique way, enhancing the viewing experience for one another. My goal is to make this project feel like a book club, with insights and opinions expressed with civility and good humor. […]

TOP CHEF D.C.: Outside the Lunch Box

During this week’s Judges’ Table, I could have sworn that Celebrity Apprentice or Survivor had taken over the TOP CHEF time slot.  Insults were thrown, fireworks were lit, and we’re only in week two! Let’s dive in to this week’s episode in three courses, shall we? APPETIZER: The Biparti-Sandwich Challenge with White House Chef Sam […]

THE WIRE Project: Start Over with GMMR

Since THE WIRE wrapped up its fifth and final season in 2008, I have been astonished at the overwhelming praise it still receives from long time viewers. Though the show’s audience was much smaller than other HBO hits, such as THE SOPRANOS, I hear far more references to The Wire from TV critics and enthusiasts […]

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: In The Bag

The post-Saracen era began this week on FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, as the focus returned to Coach Taylor’s challenge to build a new team.  Many of East Dillon’s players grew up without father figures, including Lions quarterback Vince Howard.  Beyond the lessons of X’s and O’s, these young men have built walls of distrust that their […]

TOP CHEF D.C.: Season Premiere

Summertime is usually associated with beach getaways and relaxation. Not for me. In my house, the sunny season is all about Padma Lakshmi and gourmet recipes. That’s right, Top Chef is back for Season 7! This year’s competition is set in Washington D.C., so the contestants will have ample opportunities to have their food criticized […]

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: Stay

First crushes are sweet. They write silly notes in your yearbook about how corny your jokes are, not realizing it took three days for you to work up the courage to ask for their penmanship. First kisses are important for answering trivia questions down the road. Twelve years old, just before the lunch bell rang, […]

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: The Son

I have played a variety of roles in my life. Before I was ever a student, co-worker, or friend, I was a son. Born into a crowded house with two older siblings, I was fortunate to enjoy the spoils of a childhood filled with love and affection. My parents taught us to value hard work, […]

DROP DEAD DIVA: Get Caught Up for Season Two

The transition into summer TV mode can be tough. With our regular season finales behind us, who has the time and energy to get caught up on new characters and existing plots? Over the past three years, only Army Wives has cracked my DVR during beach season. The creative folks behind Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva […]

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: A Sort of Homecoming

Who is on your team? If you had to put together a starting lineup of friends, who would make the cut? It is becoming difficult to identify our inner circles, especially when social networks now extend far beyond our hometowns. I relish in the temporary satisfaction of having a virtual friend “like” my Facebook status […]

PARENTHOOD: Team Braverman

I am the youngest of three kids. Though I would not describe the bond amongst my siblings as “Braverman-like,” the time we spend together is always eventful. That’s the part about family that serves both as a blessing and a curse. When the habit of filtering yourself disappears, the brutal truth slips out. Without the […]