Treme [US] [** Spoilers **]

Doctor Zaius

http://www.hbo.com/events/treme/index.html

Hard to tell from that trailer what the show is about but seemingly it's a new series about New Orleans and its ongoing effort to recover from Hurricane Katrina.
It's called "Treme" (truh-MAY') after a Creole neighborhood with a rich musical tradition. The series creator has a rich television pedigree: He's David Simon, who also made "The Wire" and "Homicide: Life on the Street."
Simon is filming the series in New Orleans, after making a pilot there last spring. New Orleans residents will be included in the cast and writing team to add authenticity.

Starts in April. Hope it's good, obviously the Wire is a fantastic TV show but I found the Corner to be boring and wasn't overly gone on Generation Kill either but looking forward to this all the same.

kerash

I was just going to post about this. I'm very excited - loved the wire. The short trailer looks very similar to how the wire was shot and the cast sounds great.
I guess the music will be central to the series and beyond that the political and social climate in New Orleans post katrina.

JP Liz

Steve Zahn is in the cast and the role will showcase the actor's singing and guitar playing talents

Basq

Steve Zahn is one of my favourite under-rated actors so looking forward to this!

LadyMayBelle

Been looking forward to this for a while now. Goody:-D

Penn

Excellent. I thought about this the other day, was wondering when it was starting. Thanks

Richard Dower

Didn't know about it....thanks for the heads up!

The Black Oil

Small behind the scenes piece.

Trailer

Looking forward to this.

JP Liz V1

Melissa Leo and John Goodman also join the cast

djkeogh

Loved the Wire and Generation Kill and enjoyed the Corner. I'll be keeping an eye on this one.

TarfHead

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/magazine/21simon-t.html?ref=television

Countdown to April 11

The Maverick

Wendell Pierce (Bunk from The Wire) is also in the cast.

Gekko

looks like it could be good.

JP Liz V1

David Mills, an Emmy-award-winning writer for HBO's The Wire and co-executive producer of the upcoming drama Treme, died on Tuesday in New Orleans, an HBO rep said. He was 48.
David Simon, the creator of The Wire and Treme, told the The Washington Post that Mills collapsed on the set of Treme and died of an apparent brain aneurysm. The two men worked together for years, first at the University of Maryland student newspaper, The Diamondback.
HBO did not comment on the cause of death.
"HBO is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our dear friend and colleague David Mills," the network said in a statement. "He was a gracious and humble man, and will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him, as well as those who were aware of his immense talent. David has left us too soon, but his brilliant work will live on."
He also authored the brilliant pop-culture blog Undercover Black Man, where he wrote about Treme on Monday. The show is scheduled to air April 11.

RIP

Richard Dower

Would i be cynical in saying HBO is using his death to promote the show?

Basq

Richard Dower wrote: »

Would i be cynical in saying HBO is using his death to promote the show?

Yes.. and it's in bad-taste!

Richard Dower

^ i stand by my assertions, i've seen too much shenannigans to not be cynical.

speedboatchase

Does anyone else think the title makes it sound like it's about snowboarding secret agents?

yabadabado

starting on HBO tomorrow.there is a 14 min "Making of"on the HBO website.
http://www.hbo.com/treme/index.html#

Mr E

Thread renamed. Looking forward to hearing people's feedback.

Tristram

Brilliant! Make time for this one!

Richard Dower

I'll standard def this one, i'll give it a shot....not sure if it's my thing though!

Mr E

Richard Dower wrote: »

I'll standard def this one, i'll give it a shot....not sure if it's my thing though!

Because the cast are all over 25 years old? Like, what-everrrrr.

Expand your horizons dude...

Richard Dower

^ i have been, i've watch pretty much every new show this season....but i tend to drop shows after a few eps. if they don't hold my interest.

Gingervitis

Liked it a lot.

Definitely feels a bit like Glee with more black people (as Simon himself said on the Colbert Report), but the characters are very likeable. It's good to see some familiar faces (Bunk, Freamon and Kim Dickens from Deadwood), not to mention John Goodman channeling a bit of Walter Sobak from the Big Lebowski!

Question is now how the series is going to progress. We've seen the introduction of the characters, now I'm wondering if they're going to start coming together to collaborate on some big musical project like the Carnivale, or maybe that's too predictable and corny.

Steve Zahn reminds me a bit of John Hawkes, but with more energy. Probably my favourite character so far!

Some people might not like the musical interludes, but I think they really suit the episode well. The atmosphere seems pretty accurate to what's going on, as well as taking some (well deserved imo) potshots at FEMA. I guess people need to make a mental shift away from "The Wire" because it's a tonally different show.

Could be another HBO classic; I've faith in it!

rovert

Man ass

Stargal

Planning to watch it tonight. I've been looking forward to this for aaaaages so hope it's good. Seems to have been a very positive reception to it last night judging by the reaction on Twitter.

mackthefinger

Have to say, I really enjoyed this. Loved the music, especially the 'Buona sera' montage, and certain sequences looked great, such as the opening
procession and Clarke Peters dressed up as the big chief. Its going to be hard not to compare it to 'the wire' but it feels different. Of course, its similar in that the dialogue sounds authentic, it features great performances and its already starting to tell a story. It was about 90 minutes long but it felt well paced. The politics of New Orleans and how its people were abandoned is of course going to be the major theme, as is the gradual rebirth of the place and the people, trying to recover what was lost.

Good to see Wendell Pierce (the bunk playing the 'bone) and his ex-wife looks to be a central character, thought her performance was spot on. I have purposefully avoided trailers, so it was a great surprise to see John Goodman and Elvis Costello popping up. Steve Zahn's character I found a bit irritating, but I'm sure he'll grow on me, as McNulty was also a bit of a 'gaping asshole' to begin with in the wire (ok, must cut down on wire references, though its difficult not to).

Looking forward to next weeks. Kinda like the opening pages of a huge novel that you know you're gonna love.

AnonoBoy

Gingervitis wrote: »

Definitely feels a bit like Glee with more black people (as Simon himself said on the Colbert Report), but the characters are very likeable.

You joke. I know you joke. Right?

Question is now how the series is going to progress. We've seen the introduction of the characters, now I'm wondering if they're going to start coming together to collaborate on some big musical project like the Carnivale, or maybe that's too predictable and corny.

Don't worry I will bet my life savings that it won't go down that route.


Really enjoyable first episode. I will definitely be checking this out every week. Love Bunk (I'm gonna be stuck calling him that for a few weeks at least until Antoine sinks in) refusing to pay full fare on any cab ride.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Thought it was fantastic... Already looking forward to the next episode - hopefully the show will help fill The Wire shaped hole in my TV viewing schedule...
Really attached to the characters already - not that I remember most of their names yet... Antoine (Wendall Pierce) and Albert (Clarke Peters) were great I thought and I'm not just saying that because they were both in the Wire...

Basq

Already renewed for season 2..

Whoa! HBO renews 'Treme' after one episode

Treme HBO has renewed its new critically acclaimed new drama series "Treme" for a second season.

The move is a significant leap of faith for the network -- the show just premiered Sunday night to 1.4 million viewers in its combined airings. By comparison, the final season of modestly rated "The Wire" averaged 890,000 for premiere episodes.

But HBO president Michael Lombardo tells THR that the network loves "Treme" so much that a pickup was inevitable.

"We would have picked up this show last week," Lombardo said. "We've seen the first nine episodes it's as strong as any show we've seen. Much like 'The Wire,' the audience is so passionate and so invested. We're about servicing our subscriber base and I believe that people will become addicted to this show. We have to be a place where this kind of excellence is given space to continue."

The David Simon and Eric Overmeyer series chronicling life in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina will resume production this fall, with season two debuting next spring -- about the time another project, "Game of Thrones," will be ready to hit the air.

"They should be ready about the same time," Lombardo said.

Lombardo confirmed that the "Thrones" pilots had some re-shoots, but assured the show's quality is high.

"It looks beautiful, the compelling scripts are just fantastic, we're doing reshoots but nothing major," he said. "The show is there."

Also Starring LeVar Burton

^Delighted it's been renewed and I'm only basing that on one episode... Epic...

Footoo

Loved it

Nobody does musical montages like David Simon and the

funeral scene at the end

was beautiful.

#Daniel

Liked it a lot. Thought Bunk and Lester were great in it! Not my usual cup of tea so it was a pleasant surprise.

ixoy

I wanted to like it, I really did. Here's my problem though: I don't like jazz. I actually really don't like jazz. I'm not a big music fan either, so I don't really get a world set around it.

Also, as well filmed and acted as it was, I really didn't like Steve Zahn's character. He's exactly the sort of person I associate with the word "tosser".

Now there are other elements of interest there. I quite liked John Goodman's character. I was also delighted to see Melissa Leo is in this - she was fantastic in "Homicide: Life on the Street" and I'm glad Simon recognised that. And then there's some of "The Wire" crew. Bunk 2.0 was pretty cool but again, the jazz. Why jazz (yeah I know it's New Orleans).
I'm hoping it doesn't become too political because some of the points about America's racial attitude have been explored in "The Wire". And yeah, I feel I'll need to compare them

Maybe I need more time with this. I'm going to give it a chance because I've watched every other thing David Simon has penned and loved them all. We'll see how I feel next week!

DeadMoney

After watching episode two I think the show is done amazing in terms of the quality and authenticity and the music is top notch (if you are a fan of jazz, I can imagine this is xmas come early). Anyway I will say however that I am not yet feeling the show quite like I would have hoped. I mean the spark is sort of missing and even the first episode of the Wire, the Corner, and Gen Kill left a sort of buzz before you even could understand who was who and what was going on. One thing I don't really like is the very 'Ziggy' like character of the jazz fanatic white guy. I'm liking his character but just feel that it is a bit cliche (high fidelity) and too like Ziggy's character in the Wire. The Bunk is amazing again and probably coz I keep thinking he is actually Bunk Morland. Anyway not saying anything bad about the show and as I said the quality is just amazing but as of yet not feeling a particular buzz about it. That said its only episode 2 so I most likely will be eating these words in a few weeks

ozzy2727

Any idea when this will be on Irish/UK TV lads?

Footoo

ozzy2727 wrote: »

Any idea when this will be on Irish/UK TV lads?

It hasn't been picked up by any station yet as far as I know. i'd expect it to be on FX towards the end of the year.

TG4 have no plans to show it yet.

AnonoBoy

ixoy wrote: »

I wanted to like it, I really did. Here's my problem though: I don't like jazz. I actually really don't like jazz. I'm not a big music fan either, so I don't really get a world set around it.

Also, as well filmed and acted as it was, I really didn't like Steve Zahn's character. He's exactly the sort of person I associate with the word "tosser".

Not liking jazz or being a music fan will be a drawback on this series. The musical interludes are great, I like them a lot.

Also - I think Steve Zahn's character is supposed to be a bit annoying, isn't he?

I'm hoping it doesn't become too political because some of the points about America's racial attitude have been explored in "The Wire".

I think the politics can't be avoided considering where and when it's set. But I don't think it will be too focused on race and more on the government's abandonment of the poor, albeit predominantly black, of New Orleans.

evil_seed

i'm loving this show after the 1st 2 episodes. mainly due to bunk and the music. i'm not sure where the story is going so i'm ecited to find out. the authenticity of this show is really setting the bar. i know the wire was as authentic as **** but this seems more to me.

edit: for those that are enjoying the music on the show check out the radio station http://www.wwoz.org/programs/streams

dubmick

Finally got around to watching the first episode this morning. This is some quality television. There are some great lines in the first episode...

"Play for that money boys, play for that motherf---ing money"

evil_seed

just finished episode 3. it's building, but i still don't know where to. i'm starting to like davis, after not liking him in the beginning. eventhough it looks like john goodman has his doubts about him. hopefully batiste gets his 'bone back.

thought the final scene was fantastic. it's a whole different culture that they have goin on with the indian thing. could anyone fill me in on it if ya know anything. the tour bus was just disgusting, but it shows how people will do anything for a quick buck.

DeadMoney

Just watching episode 3 now and after watching the opening scene with Bunk (sorry can't remember his name in this show) I gotta say that was ****ing hilarious! Anyway back to the show.

#Daniel

evil_seed wrote: »

just finished episode 3. it's building, but i still don't know where to. i'm starting to like davis, after not liking him in the beginning. eventhough it looks like john goodman has his doubts about him. hopefully batiste gets his 'bone back.

thought the final scene was fantastic. it's a whole different culture that they have goin on with the indian thing. could anyone fill me in on it if ya know anything. the tour bus was just disgusting, but it shows how people will do anything for a quick buck.

AFAIK the 'Indian' tribe guys are Mardi Gras Festival dancers/singers. Mardi Gras is a festival in New Orleans held yearly. The guys in Treme are part of a 'tribe' of which there are around 40 or so, and basically what Lester Freamon(i forget his treme name!) is trying to do is get his tribe back together since they were all split up after the hurricane. They take the whole Indian culture thing very seriously and theres a whole tradition behind it. You can read more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardi_Gras_Indians

DeadMoney

Anyone else feel some of the police brutality scenes are a little OTT? Then again I guess if this is how Simon wants to portray it then it is most likely exactly how it is.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Episode 3 was fantastic... Definitely beginning to build up and all the characters are great... I'm surprised there's not more people talking about this show here... especially considering the amount of ranting and raving so many of us do about the Wire on here, you'd think there'd be more Treme fans floating around...
Hope the shows starts building up a following so that we'll get a few years out of it anyway...

mackthefinger

Loving this, and am really looking forward to seeing it each week. A bit like
that other show the same guys made, slowly draws you in. Episode 4 was
great - character development coming along. Antoine is a standout, loved
his scene in the hospital where he sang St James infirmary (Although the
trailer scene last week still takes some beating). Goodman as the uni
lecturer and Davis also had some good scenes, and you can see maybe
where the writers are going with these two. The two street musicians are
also being developed. As always, the music used was superb.
Wire related news - slim charles, prez and Steve Earle all made
appearances. And I think I caught a reference to hamsterdam. Though
maybe it was just amsterdam.

DeadMoney

mackthefinger wrote: »

Loving this, and am really looking forward to seeing it each week. A bit like
that other show the same guys made, slowly draws you in. Episode 4 was
great - character development coming along. Antoine is a standout, loved
his scene in the hospital where he sang St James infirmary (Although the
trailer scene last week still takes some beating). Goodman as the uni
lecturer and Davis also had some good scenes, and you can see maybe
where the writers are going with these two. The two street musicians are
also being developed. As always, the music used was superb.
Wire related news - slim charles, prez and Steve Earle all made
appearances. And I think I caught a reference to hamsterdam. Though
maybe it was just amsterdam.

Yeah was liking seeing Steve Earle with his son Justin Townes Earle. Show is awesome, I'm completely hooked to the aesthetic of it, this is the genius of David Simon, he makes the locations the stars of his shows in many ways, and this is portraying a beautiful image of New Orleans despite the obvious effects of Katrina. One question though bout last weeks episode, what was the deal with the bouncer they brought back in the car? Was that just because of what the guy from Amsterdam said about not ever visiting New Orleans?

raindog.promo

Trivia et al:

http://www.nola.com/treme-hbo/index.ssf/television/index.html

killbillvol2

This is real quality TV - delighted that it's going to a second series even though we've only seen 4 episodes so far.

As for the music - that's a huge bonus for me. Some real top class cameos and more to come I'm sure.

The Black Oil

I watched the pilot and left it a while before getting episodes 2-4. I'll watch 5 later on in the week. I was a little worried. I wasn't sure if it would be my cup of tea. I don't mind jazz, I was slightly wary of the musical interludes, but more importantly, I didn't know if the overall feel of the world on screen would drawn me in. It has, to its credit.

I think it's tapping into something. The threads it has opened up are growing and there's certain connectivity between the story, characters and the town. There's a fabric to it, probably more ripples than anything taught/forced/rigid in nature, really. The woman were the stronger characters from the off, or had the meatier storyline and John Goodman's character was a bit thin (ahem) his first scene just had the weakest straw man for him to rail against, but things have picked up now he's found the internetz! On a technical note, he uses the computer a few times, it looks like he's using Windows Vista or 7 neither of which would have been around then. Still, better to make that kind of mistake than the stupidly fast typing we often see. Good to see some familiar faces again. Casting choices aside, though, comparing it to The Wire is probably unavoidable. I suppose I would draw favourable comparison in the sense that although the characters do things and have lives, they just 'are', if that makes sense. And again like The Wire, they're all trapped somehow - their relationship situations, musical ambition/credibility, financially, a roof over their head, a viable business, etc etc.

Simon's showing us their world, and again (sorry!) we're not going to be spoon fed.