On "Treme"
A few people have emailed me links to the newly-released long form trailer for "Treme" in the last day or so. With that said, people are often asking for my thoughts about it, even though the show has yet to air. So here you go...
To be perfectly honest, I really don't know how I feel about "Treme." I'm confused about it and how I feel about it. I should be excited as hell and I've tried to manufacture enthusiasm for it, but I fail to do so most of the time. After all, I was a HUGE fan of "The Wire," the brainchild of the same creator as "Treme," and the show is supposed to be about artistic folk in post-Katrina New Orleans, subject matter that is near and dear to my heart, but I still feel an odd hesitation about the show. Lately, when I've seen promos for "Treme," I've felt more dread than I have excitement. Frankly, all of the trailers for the show that I've seen just, well, they bring me way the fuck down.
There, I said it.
I'm not exactly sure what it is and why I feel this way and how is it that I can't even put my finger on it, but I think it's born out of the feeling that things are finally looking so up back home, that South Louisiana is energized and happy and has a spring in its step and people from other places are looking upon the celebratory lifestyle the area's renowned for with great envy once again, that I fear the show will focus on the negative and on the past struggles a little too much and, in doing so, bring us -- and I say "us" meaning all of "us" who grew up and/or lived in the region long enough to consider it the place where our hearts will forever reside -- back down again.
I fear that it'll knock New Orleans off the pedestal it's been suddenly, unexpectedly, but welcomely thrust upon in recent months (Due in no small part to the Saints' Super Bowl run). I fear that "Treme" will re-open wounds that are healing just fine and don't need to be picked at, lest the healing process becomes prolonged or, even worse, the wounds become infected. Once you've managed to escape the darkness to bask in the sunshine, is it ever a good idea to wander back into the shadows to reminisce?
I don't know, perhaps I'm being weird and maybe my fears are unwarranted, but they do exist and I can't help but feel that I'm not the only one of "us" who feels this way. Anyway, here's the trailer for "Treme" if you're interested in watching it...
5 comments:
Dude, New Orleans has NEVER been on much of a pedestal to begin with. And we've still got a lot of problems down here that need to be dealt with. Most folks I've talked to about this show think it's probably the closest someone will get to FINALLY getting it right on TV. If it gets to be too damn much for the people who have been close to the events in it, they don't have to watch it. After all this time, we are STILL not okay, and with writers like Lolis Eric Elie and Tom Piazza helping David Simon out on this thing, this might be one of the better windows on New Orleans culture this side of the mainstream media outlets, who have largely - with only a few exceptions - been getting things wrong about this place.
If it ain't doing right by you, or me, or most of the people I know, then we'll all be writing about it or raising holy hell about it, or it'll just be reflected in the ratings of the thing.
((((((hugs))))))
Hell, I'm curious to see what they're gonna do with the John Goodman character, myself, who's loosely based on the Big Mon I once knew, may his memory forever be for a blessing.
I saw the long trailer today, and I think I had a similar reaction to yours. Interestingly, later in the day, my handyman was telling me about how they'd been filming at a friend's (of mine and the handyman) house all day. This friend is also a writer on the show. I know that some good local people are working on it, so I'm optimistic. I also know a lot of people are just plain working because of it, so there's that.
@Leigh C...Oh yeah...I totally forgot that Goodman's character was supposed to be based on Ashley Morris. He used to comment on this here blog! I'll never forget the piece Chris Rose wrote about about him after he died. And good points about some of the writers being local guys. You've given me some optimism.
@kefuoe...the fact that it's employing a shitload of locals is more than enough reason to pull for it. And I'd kill to be on the writing staff of that show, so your friend is a dude I sort of envy.
Interesting take on what this show may be like, from you, Caj, and the commentators.
The cast alone makes this "Treme" look promising, to say nothing about it being somewhat helmed by the remarkable David Simon. With John Goodman, Steve Zahn, and the guy who played "Smooth" Lester Freeman, in 'The Wire,' among amazing others, how can this MOT be great?
your dread is reasonable, considering that television is so consistently and immediately known for reinforcing stereotypes and making broad generalizations.
when one suffers trauma, it's hard to gauge what will re-trigger it. i remember how spitting you were about a certain other series, and you were not the only one i knew that felt it traded on bad accents and poor writing at a time when enough of those stereotypes had been heaped upon those who remain. it could be argued that some in baltimore felt the same way about "the wire". i don't know them, but they probably exist.
i don't know if objectivity is possible here, but there are quality people involved, and if this manages to show a nuanced and fair picture of new orleans, then all the better. i'm keeping an open mind thus far, but awaiting your assessment.
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