Oz
 

When this show first aired on HBO during the late 90's I watched a few episodes here and there, but never a complete season. I remember it was raw and brutal. Curious to learn the complete story, I downloaded all 6 seasons and am currently finishing the first. I must say, it is fucking excellent. Hard to stomach, yes, but brilliantly told, with great stories and lots of stuff to think about.

For those that don't know, this was the first HBO series ever produced. Before The Wire, Before Six Feet Under, Before The Sopranos.

It must of taken a lot of balls to create a show like that back then. I don't think something like that would fly nowadays. Think about it: no sex (other than male rape), no good guys (nobody to root for), all filmed inside a prison (save for some flashback scenes), hardcore violence, depressing themes, mostly all men. It just wouldn't work.

Still, excellent show.

Agree, great series.

I was working at HBO at the time, in the publicity department for the VP of Communications. I got to visit the actual set. The prison set was built in an old building in NJ.

And I don't believe that it was the first show HBO ever produced, maybe one hour drama...but not show. Not by a long shot.

Yes, one hour drama. Anyway, that's what I meant when I compared it to the other great HBO shows (The Wire, Sopranos, etc).

Yeah, HBO has been producing stuff, series', etc, since way before that.

I'm not sure why you're so convinced a show like OZ would not fly today. I see no reason why it wouldn't. Viewers are craving (and loving) the most intense shows HBO and Showtime can produce right now, the more intense the better. If OZ had never existed and was only getting made right now I have no doubt whatsoever it would be a big hit.

It's not about intensity, just where and how the series is shot, the characters, the themes, the rape. I don't think they would give a show like that the green light. At the time it came out it was a big risk, I just think now it would be even bigger.

Agreed. Great series. I own the entire series on DVD (thanks, mom)!
This show boasted some great characters and probably the most cameos by famous athletes and rappers.

What a show, indeed.

Some say The Sopranos was the start of our new golden age of TV, but Oz actually was the first.