The problem if you ask me is that nobody needs HBO any more for movies in this age of DVD. That has to hurt their subscriber base. The end of SitC and the way Chase jerked us all around in terms of delays for The Sopranos also shook up what they were doing with series. At around that same time, the likes of the FX series, 24, and LOST hit and really took the wind out of their sails.

True.

Not only DVD, but rentals, Netflix, PPV...HBO and the other premium movie channels are really past their expiration date as far as first-run movies go. Combined with all of the exclusives deals the various premium channels have with the studios, and each channel's pool of new feature films is depleted. Nobody wants to pay $15 a month to play the same four goddamned movies over and over again.

Yep. The network shows have definitely improved over the past five or so years in addition to the basic cable channels like F/X (Nip/Tuck, The Shield) and SciFi (BSG).

Stuff like Sex and the City and The Sopranos just isn't as unique as it once was.

How much did each episode of The Sopranos cost to produce?

I agree if you are watching standard definition television, but HBO has been great for my high definition movie watching, especially since I don't feel like gambling on which HD home movie format wins. Again, the subscriber base for HD is obviously a ton smaller than standard def, but it's just a thought.

Oz! We need more Oz! I loved the show, but was extremely upset with the finale. I think the show could be picked up again. I dont think Tom Fantana (sp?) has interest anymore though :(

Personally, my experience is HBO's HD content can't hold a cnadle to what comes through from HDnet. Now THAT's some beautiful HD. And a better selection too. I don't think you'll be seeing HD Clockwork Orange or Blade Runner on HBO anytime soon.

I liked Big Love and I felt it got stronger as the season went on. The Wire is a slow burn but once it gets you.....you can't get enough.

Deadwood....I'm still pissed and I won't be watching [paraphrasing] The Extremely Lame Fish Out Of Water Series[/paraphrasing] as a result.

I have high hopes for Alan Ball's new series.

Unfortunately, HDNet isn't available to everyone. HBO is.

HBO HD is great if you want your movies cropped. Maybe if they took their movie showing more seriously people would view it as a viable option to watch these movies.

I read in an interview with Ian McShane that there even though Deadwod is ending there will be a couple of 2 hour movies to wrap everything up. Also, HBO is planning at least one Carnivale movie.

This would be great news! Source? Link?

Carnivale should have been picked up for a 3rd season. Still love the idea of a movie or two to help wrap things up.

I also think John from Cincinatti, which is a Drama about Southern California surfing is going to be huge!!

Unless they're doing it without Daniel Knauf (the creator), I don't see this happening. He's stated time and time again that he's not interested in trying to wrap up the remaining 67% of the story in a few hours.

If nothing else, reup the Wire for like another 20 years.....

HBO's strength is that they don't have to comply with FCC rules. They ought to really play that up. I htink that is what they were trying to do with Lucky Louie, but it failed miserably. How about a drama show set in a modern-day whorehouse or something? Lots of sex and nudity.

I thought Big Love was much more enjoyable than the past season of the Sopranos.

Is this sarcasm? I think the concept for this show is terrible... We lost Deadwood for this?

I agree.

Right now, I would love more quirky shows, but those seem to be on Showtime. I would love more Dead Like Me, and right now Weeds is one of the best shows on. I wonder if HBO could make a go with a scifi show?

I'd like to see HBO dip into some horror/sci-fi stuff. A series based off the great comics "Sleeper" or "The Walking Dead" would be awesome.

Along these same lines, i'd like to see HBO take a crack at DC/Vertigo's comic series 'Fables'

Isn't Alan Ball's next project a Vampire one for HBO? I know HBO has some Vampire series in the works. Might not be Ball, though.

Yeah they need another Oz or sopranos to get me to subscribe again. I would like to see their take on something X-files like or scary with very likable characters and whole mystery and intrigue thing.

The concept for John from Cincinnati doesn't sound any worse than the concept for Sux Feet Under, and that turned out to be a great show.

I agree with the sentiment that HBO will not be producing period pieces for a long time....but, with FX as cheap as they are today, they could put together a kick ass sci-fi series, maybe one more character driven