[spoiler-free]. Thanks to the tip-off from Jason Mittell, I braved the wind and a long line forebodingly underneath a pigeon fly-over to see three of The Wire‘s stars today. The billing promised Seth Gilliam (Carver), Michael K. Williams (Omar), and Tristan Wilds (Michael), though we were quickly informed that “Tristan couldn’t be here, so Marlo is instead.” [I love the mixed register there: "Actor A can't be here, so Character B will be instead" ... but it's also fun to think of Marlo playing second fiddle to anyone] Fine with me: Michael’s great, but to be in the presence of Marlo? Cool. More below
I couldn’t resist telling Marlo (Jamie Hector) that he really scares me, which got a warm and hearty laugh from him and from signing neighbor Seth Gilliam. It was profoundly odd to see Marlo smile, much less make non-threatening eye contact with me. Luckily, too, it allowed me to convince him to sign “My name is my name” instead of just that name itself.
All three were really pleasant and down to earth. Michael Williams was by far the most stylishly dressed, with the more palpable aura (aided by occasional yells of “Omar’s comin’!” from someone in the crowd). The line had to keep moving, and the HBO lackies weren’t allowing us to have pictures with them, meaning I lost out on the chance to look like Marlo’s new lieutenant for a day. There go my dreams of being a gangster.
The line of people was itself telling, a truly multiracial group, ranging in age from about 18 to about 68, and clearly representing different class backgrounds. Yet another sign of what a great show The Wire was to address such a diverse group.