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This essay surveyed a number of key shows from the past that purported to convey a liberal viewpoint, and which made race a focus. This was in order to suggest ways in which 'The Wire' might be part of a genre tradition – and equally how it might be seen as expanding the parameters of that tradition.

This essay surveyed a number of key shows from the past that purported to convey a liberal viewpoint, and which made race a focus. This was in order to suggest ways in which 'The Wire' might be part of a genre tradition – and equally how it might be seen as expanding the parameters of that tradition.

This essay surveyed a number of key shows from the past that purported to convey a liberal viewpoint, and which made race a focus. This was in order to suggest ways in which 'The Wire' might be part of a genre tradition – and equally how it might be seen as expanding the parameters of that tradition.

Our paper concerned the ways in which HBO TV drama The Wire has been co-opted as a spur to a new kind of social science, and how its roots as TV genre fiction have been elided. We drew from cultural studies approaches and our own interviews with the creators of the show (David Simon, Ed Burns, etc.) in order to highlight the importance of precursors such as Hill Street Blues and Homicide.

This essay surveyed a number of key shows from the past that purported to convey a liberal viewpoint, and which made race a focus. This was in order to suggest ways in which 'The Wire' might be part of a genre tradition – and equally how it might be seen as expanding the parameters of that tradition.

Our paper concerned the ways in which HBO TV drama The Wire has been co-opted as a spur to a new kind of social science, and how its roots as TV genre fiction have been elided. We drew from cultural studies approaches and our own interviews with the creators of the show (David Simon, Ed Burns, etc.) in order to highlight the importance of precursors such as Hill Street Blues and Homicide.