SF Chronicle TV critic Tim Goodman delivers Christmas in September:
David Simon can now let the blood back into his face. HBO has renewed “The Wire” for its fifth and final season.
Oh my.
**Update 6:00pm PDT:
David Simon: media assassin:
09.13.2006 | HBO Renews The Wire, Acclaimed Drama Series From David Simon, For Its Fifth Season
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 13, 2006 – The critically acclaimed, Peabody Award-winning HBO drama series THE WIRE has been renewed for a fifth season, it was announced today by Carolyn Strauss, president, HBO Entertainment. Created and executive produced by David Simon, the show just kicked off its 13-episode fourth season last Sunday, Sept. 10, and debuts new episodes Sunday nights (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT).
“We are delighted – though not surprised – at the initial critical response to the new season of THE WIRE,” said Strauss. “David Simon and his remarkable team have created a riveting and thought-provoking series that’s unlike anything else on TV.”
Having depicted an American city over the course of 50 episodes, THE WIRE will use its fifth and concluding season to examine the role of the mass media within that city.
Look out.