David Simon should make documentaries instead of TV shows

 

In my opinion the goal of a writer is first and foremost to entertain. If people want an education they go to school or watch a documentary. And even still, when people want an education they still expect a few jokes thrown in. But with David Simon it is all education without the entertainment. I like The Wire, that was the only great TV show he ever did. And even then he was lecturing but  it was entertaining, in spite of David Simon. 

The world is a fucked up place and people watch movies and tv shows to escape from the harsh realities of life not to be reminded of them. But David Simon has his cape on and wants to save the world from itself. Unfortunately, shit happens and that is the way it is.

So I watched Generation Kill expecting shoot outs and chain smoking bad asses delivering memorable one liners. But no it was dry dialogue and a lecture on why war is bad. Yes, we get it war is terrible but make a documentary about it. Dont waste precious hours of my life with pointless exposition.

Then I watched The Corner, expecting it to be like The Wire. No. There was no humour, no memorable one liners or crazy shootouts. It was depressing. Yes, we get it, African Americans suffer but we all got problems.

Then I watched Deuce. It had a lot of potential. The first episode was great then it was all downhill from there. It was more like a documentary on New York in the 70s. How do you make a show about hookers and pimps so boring? Only David Simon can do that.

Then I watched We Own this City. I could only stomach two episodes and I gave up. I felt like I was being lectured. It was too boring.

In conclusion, David Simon would make a great documentary producer. If he makes documentaries then he can lecture the audience all he wants and try to change the world. Unfortunately, the world will remain a fucked up place and no amount of finger waving will change that. People want to forget their problems and not be reminded of them. The job of  a creative person is to offer an escape from the pain and not to add more boredom into the world. Maybe because David Simon is Jewish he feels the need to heal the world, tikkun olam, but making boring tv shows is not the way to go about it. David Simon should make documentaries or run for political office if he wants to heal the world.

In the end it seems David Simon like David Chase only had one good story in him and they are both one trick ponies. No matter how many tv shows they churn out David Simon will be remembered for The Wire and David Chase will be remembered for The Sopranos.