THE WIRE NEWS ROUND-UP FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 10th

The Wire superfans know that the actor who plays the deacon, Melvin Williams, was once a notorious drug dealer and the inspiration for Avon Barksdale.

BUT DID YOU KNOW?.... BET's American Gangster series, which has no relation to the movie, profiled Melvin this year. If you're interested in the real life Avon, check it out. Here's a torrent, but those with loose rules at work can watch it on BET Blast. I can't link through their crappy flash site, but go to American Gangster season 2.

In sad Wire news, this season's premiere had dismal ratings even by the The Wire standards. I suspect the number with DVR, on demand, and downloads would be substantially higher - can you even watch the show without a rewind button? This is a show that was never going to be for everyone but if you enjoy a good serialized story with characters, you really don't know what you're missing.

A lot of CollegeHumor people have messaged me about one of our "Morning After" columns for The Wire. I can only assume they read this blog, or my fanaticism is somehow coming through in Parents Just Don't Understand. Guys, if you can figure out a funny way to write about this show on a weekly basis I know I'd love to read it.