The Wire Learns From West Baltimore

Sure, the creator of HBO's The Wire is plugging his nephew's band Dead Meadow (left) in one of the drama's $1.5 million-to-produce episodes, and tapping the acting skills of Emmy-bait Dominic West to make it plausible. Jimmy McNulty this weeks complains to his kids about their music, and they reply, "it's Dead Meadow, Dad, geez." And yes, it's apparently the second time he's pimped the band in as many seasons. But The Wire itself is all about the power of incestuous and uncomfortable relationships, about the "suction" and "grease" deployed to win goodies for lovers, friends, business associates and, especially, family. Well played. [Leather Canary via NYM]