The Wire was a groundbreaking television show that successfully tackled relevant social issues while captivating audiences with its brilliant cast and honest storytelling. Many people consider it to be the best show of all time, even surpassing The Sopranos. Despite its divisive ending, The Wire remains one of the most important series ever created.

In an insightful interview with WAMC, the show's creator, David Simon, discussed the origins of his passion for the thought-provoking issues that formed the core of The Wire.

Simon revealed that his ten years as a police reporter were the inspiration behind the show. During his time as a reporter, he witnessed the arrest of numerous non-violent drug offenders, many of whom were people of color. This experience fueled his distrust in the police and his desire to shed light on the injustices he had seen.

Simon also addressed the issue of police violence against Black lives, emphasizing that it is a systemic problem. He acknowledged that while there are instances where the police genuinely needed to be armed due to the prevalence of guns and violence on the streets, there were many cases where the truth was distorted.

As a reporter, he often encountered inconsistencies between the police's narrative and the accounts of those involved.

Regarding The Wire's focus on the war on drugs, Simon explained that it was a deliberate choice to highlight the disastrous consequences of drug prohibition. He believed that the drug war served as a means of social control and was targeted against marginalized communities. Simon aimed to influence young minds to reject the drug war and understand its underlying implications.

The article concluded by stating that the 1990s saw a troubling increase in the incarceration of nonviolent offenders due to misguided drug policies.

Simon emphasized that the approach of treating drugs as a criminal issue rather than a health problem has not yielded any positive results, only leading to mass incarceration.

Overall, The Wire was a powerful and thought-provoking series that confronted important social issues head-on. David Simon's experiences as a police reporter strongly influenced the authenticity and messaging of the show, making it a timeless and vital contribution to television history.