TVSquad

HBO has picked up four new shows, one of which could be the smartest and most compelling thing in the history of the universe, as long as the hype doesn't kill it.

David Simon, the creator of The Wire, has received a nine-episode greenlight for his new show Treme, a character drama that looks at the lives of New Orleans musicians in the post-Katrina reconstruction.

Simon brought the show to life with Eric Overmeyer, both of whom worked together on Homicide: Life on the Street. It will also star former Wire stars Wendell Pierce and Clarke Peters as well as Steve Zahn, Khandi Alexander, Melissa Leo, Kim Dickens and Rob Brown.

There is nothing on television I'm looking forward to more, not counting the day that The TV Guide Channel tries to boost their ratings with a female host Jello wrestling tournament.

The Wire was gripping, emotional, smart and brilliant in just about every form of television production. I'm even willing to bet their craft services table could kick the ass of any craft services table in the industry.

It gives Treme a lot of good momentum before the show hits the airwaves. Hype can enlarge just about anyone's expectations to an almost unreachable level of attainment, but The Wire was good enough to convince me he'll repeat his success with Treme.

It will also be nice to see a good show about my hometown back on the air again. Frankly, there hasn't been a remotely decent one since Frank's Place, and I was too young to fully understand it. Don't get me wrong, K-Ville was hilarious but that's not a good thing when you're a POLICE DRAMA.