<p>"It's not TV. It's HBO" is more than just a marketing catchphrase. It now defines HBO. The premium cable network has brought us some of the finest TV over several decades. Unlike the approach of throwing money blindly at anything that might sell that is popular these days, HBO has stuck with a curated outlook. It's the same old quality over quantity style. And, what do you know, it works. Practically every other HBO show becomes a phenomenon. From the gritty streets of Baltimore to the epic battlefields of Westeros, the network has consistently delivered some of the best television out there. The HBO brand, however, may be in peril right now. And not because of any competition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Warner Bros Discovery, the new entity that emerged after the merger between two entertainment giants, has changed the name of HBO Max to just Max. Since then, many have been stupefied over the decision to remove the HBO tag, which has signified quality for such a long time, and not Max, which is painfully generic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>HBO, as we know it, is alive at the moment. But who knows what the corporate overlords of the company will decide next, considering 'HBO' is no longer a profitable brand name in their books. Before the beloved network dies, though, let's celebrate it by listing the top 10 HBO shows. So, without further ado, let's dive into the top 10 HBO shows of all time (according to me, of course).</p>

<h2><strong>1.<em> The Wire</em></strong></h2>

<p>Widely considered one of the greatest TV dramas of all time, <em>The Wire </em>depicts the interconnecting lives of various characters in Baltimore, from drug dealers and police officers to politicians and journalists. The show's creators, led by David Simon, meticulously researched and crafted each season to provide a nuanced and realistic portrayal of life in the city. The writing is exceptional, the acting superb, and the social commentary insightful.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w7gGsZNQRyQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>2. <em>The Sopranos</em></strong></h2>

<p>A close second, <em>The Sopranos</em> centres around New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano and his struggles to balance his family life with his criminal activities. The show features complex characters, sharp writing, and a pitch-dark sense of humour that sets it apart from other crime dramas. James Gandolfini's performance as Tony Soprano is for me the best screen performance ever.</p>

<h2><strong>3. <em>Rome</em></strong></h2>

<p>This historical drama takes viewers back to ancient Rome during the rise of Julius Caesar and then Augustus. The show's attention to detail, from the costumes to the sets, is mind-boggling, and the writing deftly weaves together historical events with fictional storylines. The ensemble cast, including Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, and Ciarán Hinds, delivers strong performances throughout the show's two seasons.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PbMKc17EtGI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>4. <em>Game of Thrones</em></strong></h2>

<p>Based on George R.R. Martin's fantasy book series, <em>Game of Thrones</em> became a cultural phenomenon during its eight-season run. The show's complex plot, shocking twists, and large ensemble cast kept viewers on the edge of their seats. While the final season received mixed reviews, there's no denying the impact the show had on popular culture and the TV industry as a whole.</p>

<h2><strong>5. <em>Succession</em></strong></h2>

<p>This dark comedy-drama follows the wealthy and dysfunctional Roy family, who own a global media conglomerate. The show features a stellar cast, including Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, and Sarah Snook, and the writing is sharp and biting. Succession's examination of wealth, power, and family dynamics makes for a compelling (and often uncomfortable) watch.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1UdLrRbHmr8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>6. <em>Curb Your Enthusiasm</em></strong></h2>

<p>Larry David's semi-autobiographical show follows his misadventures and social faux pas in Los Angeles. The show's unique blend of cringe humour and improvisation sets it apart from other comedies, and David's character is both relatable and frustrating. The show has been praised for its ability to capture the absurdities of everyday life.</p>

<h2><strong>7. <em>Deadwood</em></strong></h2>

<p>Set in the lawless town of Deadwood, South Dakota during the late 1800s, this Western drama features a rich cast of characters and explores themes of power, corruption, and morality. The writing, led by David Milch, is lyrical and vivid, and the performances from the likes of Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant are superb. While the show was cancelled after three seasons, it remains a cult favorite among fans. There is a movie too that ties up loose threads.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eq8JXKJA1GY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>8. <em>Veep</em></strong></h2>

<p>This political satire stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, a former vice president who becomes president after her predecessor resigns. The show skewers the inner workings of Washington D.C., with biting wit and sharp writing. The ensemble cast, including Tony Hale and Anna Chlumsky, delivers top-notch performances, and Louis-Dreyfus' portrayal of Meyer is both hilarious and cringe-inducing.</p>

<h2><strong>9. <em>Six Feet Under</em></strong></h2>

<p>This drama explores the lives of the Fisher family, who run a funeral home in Los Angeles. The show's exploration of death, grief, and family dynamics is poignant and thought-provoking, and the writing is top-notch. The ensemble cast, including Peter Krause and Michael C. Hall, delivers outstanding performances, and the show's finale is widely regarded as one of the best in TV history. The show's creator, Alan Ball, was also responsible for the critically acclaimed American Beauty and True Blood.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MagdQwVaOtM" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<h2><strong>10. <em>Boardwalk Empire</em></strong></h2>

<p>Set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, <em>Boardwalk Empire</em> stars Steve Buscemi as a corrupt politician and bootlegger Enoch "Nucky" Thompson. The show features a strong ensemble cast and impressive period detail, with each episode feeling like a mini-movie. The writing, led by Terence Winter, is nuanced and complex, with themes of power, greed, and morality explored throughout the series.</p>

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"It's not TV. It's HBO" is more than just a marketing catchphrase. It now defines HBO. The premium cable network has brought us some of the finest TV over several decades.

"It's not TV. It's HBO" is more than just a marketing catchphrase. It now defines HBO. The premium cable network has brought us some of the finest TV over several decades. Unlike the approach of throwing money blindly at anything that might sell that is popular these days, HBO has stuck with a curated outlook. It's the same old quality over quantity style. And, what do you know, it works. Practically every other HBO show becomes a phenomenon. From the gritty streets of Baltimore to the epic battlefields of Westeros, the network has consistently delivered some of the best television out there. The HBO brand, however, may be in peril right now. And not because of any competition. Warner Bros Discovery, the new entity that emerged after the merger between two entertainment giants, has changed the name of HBO Max to just Max. Since then, many have been stupefied over the decision to remove the HBO tag, which has signified quality for such a long time, and not Max, which is painfully generic. HBO, as we know it, is alive at the moment. But who knows what the corporate overlords of the company will decide next, considering 'HBO' is no longer a profitable brand name in their books. Before the beloved network dies, though, let's celebrate it by listing the top 10 HBO shows. So, without further ado, let's dive into the top 10 HBO shows of all time (according to me, of course). 1. The Wire Widely considered one of the greatest TV dramas of all time, The Wire depicts the interconnecting lives of various characters in Baltimore, from drug dealers and police officers to politicians and journalists. The show's creators, led by David Simon, meticulously researched and crafted each season to provide a nuanced and realistic portrayal of life in the city. The writing is exceptional, the acting superb, and the social commentary insightful. 2. The Sopranos A close second, The Sopranos centres around New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano and his struggles to balance his family life with his criminal activities. The show features complex characters, sharp writing, and a pitch-dark sense of humour that sets it apart from other crime dramas. James Gandolfini's performance as Tony Soprano is for me the best screen performance ever. 3. Rome This historical drama takes viewers back to ancient Rome during the rise of Julius Caesar and then Augustus. The show's attention to detail, from the costumes to the sets, is mind-boggling, and the writing deftly weaves together historical events with fictional storylines. The ensemble cast, including Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, and Ciarán Hinds, delivers strong performances throughout the show's two seasons. 4. Game of Thrones Based on George R.R. Martin's fantasy book series, Game of Thrones became a cultural phenomenon during its eight-season run. The show's complex plot, shocking twists, and large ensemble cast kept viewers on the edge of their seats. While the final season received mixed reviews, there's no denying the impact the show had on popular culture and the TV industry as a whole. 5. Succession This dark comedy-drama follows the wealthy and dysfunctional Roy family, who own a global media conglomerate. The show features a stellar cast, including Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, and Sarah Snook, and the writing is sharp and biting. Succession's examination of wealth, power, and family dynamics makes for a compelling (and often uncomfortable) watch. 6. Curb Your Enthusiasm Larry David's semi-autobiographical show follows his misadventures and social faux pas in Los Angeles. The show's unique blend of cringe humour and improvisation sets it apart from other comedies, and David's character is both relatable and frustrating. The show has been praised for its ability to capture the absurdities of everyday life. 7. Deadwood Set in the lawless town of Deadwood, South Dakota during the late 1800s, this Western drama features a rich cast of characters and explores themes of power, corruption, and morality. The writing, led by David Milch, is lyrical and vivid, and the performances from the likes of Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant are superb. While the show was cancelled after three seasons, it remains a cult favorite among fans. There is a movie too that ties up loose threads. 8. Veep This political satire stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, a former vice president who becomes president after her predecessor resigns. The show skewers the inner workings of Washington D.C., with biting wit and sharp writing. The ensemble cast, including Tony Hale and Anna Chlumsky, delivers top-notch performances, and Louis-Dreyfus' portrayal of Meyer is both hilarious and cringe-inducing. 9. Six Feet Under This drama explores the lives of the Fisher family, who run a funeral home in Los Angeles. The show's exploration of death, grief, and family dynamics is poignant and thought-provoking, and the writing is top-notch. The ensemble cast, including Peter Krause and Michael C. Hall, delivers outstanding performances, and the show's finale is widely regarded as one of the best in TV history. The show's creator, Alan Ball, was also responsible for the critically acclaimed American Beauty and True Blood. 10. Boardwalk Empire Set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, Boardwalk Empire stars Steve Buscemi as a corrupt politician and bootlegger Enoch "Nucky" Thompson. The show features a strong ensemble cast and impressive period detail, with each episode feeling like a mini-movie. The writing, led by Terence Winter, is nuanced and complex, with themes of power, greed, and morality explored throughout the series. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

From The Wire to The Sopranos, top 10 HBO shows of all time

<p>Actor Tony Sirico, who played the lovable but murderous gangster Paulie Walnuts on the HBO series 'The Sopranos'&nbsp;and was frequently cast in Woody Allen films, died on Friday at age 79, his family said. Sirico played a major role in the HBO drama that started in 1999 and became an influential hit early in the era of prestige television. Though he played smaller parts in six Woody Allen movies from 1994 to 2016, Sirico was not especially well known before his breakout role, in which he was a captain in the crime family of lead character Tony Soprano, played by the late James Gandolfini.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/dwayne-johnson-reveals-black-adam-heading-to-san-diego-comic-con-495613">Dwayne Johnson reveals 'Black Adam' heading to San Diego Comic-Con</a></strong></p>

<p>The Paulie Walnuts character was a steely criminal who displayed periodic kindness, sometimes providing goofy comic relief with malapropisms, but always loyal to the boss.</p>

<p>"A larger than life character on and off-screen. Gonna miss you a lot my friend," Sopranos co-star Steven Van Zandt said on Twitter.</p>

<p>Sirico often played Italian-American mobsters, including a small part in 'Goodfellas,'&nbsp;Martin Scorsese`s popular and critical hit from 1990. Sirico also took a comic turn voicing the talking dog Vinny on the animated show 'Family Guy.'</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H7gyR6QiUgU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>His credits in Woody Allen movies include 'Bullets Over Broadway'&nbsp;in 1994, 'Mighty Aphrodite'&nbsp;in 1995, 'Everyone Says I Love You'&nbsp;in 1996, 'Deconstructing Harry'&nbsp;in 1997, 'Celebrity'&nbsp;in 1998, and in his post-Sopranos fame, 'Café Society'&nbsp;of 2016.</p>

<p>"It is with great sadness, but with incredible pride, love, and a whole lot of fond memories, that the family of Gennaro Anthony `Tony` Sirico wishes to inform you of his death on the morning of July 8, 2022," his brother, Robert Sirico, a Roman Catholic priest, posted on Facebook.</p>

<p>He is survived by two children plus an unspecified number of grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and others, his brother said. No cause of death was reported.</p>

<p>Born in Brooklyn on July 29, 1942, Sirico served 20 months in prison on a gun charge in the early 1970s, according to the movie database IMDB.com.</p>

<p>His first movie role came in 1974`s 'Crazy Joe,'&nbsp;about the Mafia figure Joey Gallo, but his defining role was in the HBO series created by David Chase.</p>

<p>"When I first read David Chase`s script, I knew this was special," Sirico is quoted as saying on IMDB. "This is what I`d been looking for all my life. ... I knew right away this was a role to kill for."</p>


Actor Tony Sirico, who played the lovable but murderous gangster Paulie Walnuts on the HBO series 'The Sopranos' and was frequently cast in Woody Allen films, died on Friday at age 79, his family said.

Actor Tony Sirico, who played the lovable but murderous gangster Paulie Walnuts on the HBO series 'The Sopranos' and was frequently cast in Woody Allen films, died on Friday at age 79, his family said. Sirico played a major role in the HBO drama that started in 1999 and became an influential hit early in the era of prestige television. Though he played smaller parts in six Woody Allen movies from 1994 to 2016, Sirico was not especially well known before his breakout role, in which he was a captain in the crime family of lead character Tony Soprano, played by the late James Gandolfini. Also Read: Dwayne Johnson reveals 'Black Adam' heading to San Diego Comic-Con The Paulie Walnuts character was a steely criminal who displayed periodic kindness, sometimes providing goofy comic relief with malapropisms, but always loyal to the boss. "A larger than life character on and off-screen. Gonna miss you a lot my friend," Sopranos co-star Steven Van Zandt said on Twitter. Sirico often played Italian-American mobsters, including a small part in 'Goodfellas,' Martin Scorsese`s popular and critical hit from 1990. Sirico also took a comic turn voicing the talking dog Vinny on the animated show 'Family Guy.' His credits in Woody Allen movies include 'Bullets Over Broadway' in 1994, 'Mighty Aphrodite' in 1995, 'Everyone Says I Love You' in 1996, 'Deconstructing Harry' in 1997, 'Celebrity' in 1998, and in his post-Sopranos fame, 'Café Society' of 2016. "It is with great sadness, but with incredible pride, love, and a whole lot of fond memories, that the family of Gennaro Anthony `Tony` Sirico wishes to inform you of his death on the morning of July 8, 2022," his brother, Robert Sirico, a Roman Catholic priest, posted on Facebook. He is survived by two children plus an unspecified number of grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and others, his brother said. No cause of death was reported. Born in Brooklyn on July 29, 1942, Sirico served 20 months in prison on a gun charge in the early 1970s, according to the movie database IMDB.com. His first movie role came in 1974`s 'Crazy Joe,' about the Mafia figure Joey Gallo, but his defining role was in the HBO series created by David Chase. "When I first read David Chase`s script, I knew this was special," Sirico is quoted as saying on IMDB. "This is what I`d been looking for all my life. ... I knew right away this was a role to kill for."

'The Sopranos' actor Tony Sirico passes away at 79

<p>Actor and performer Donald Glover made his 'Atlanta' fans happy with a little peek into what to spect from Seasons 3 and 4 of his series.</p>

<p>Glover – who created the comedy-drama series and stars in it, showed his excitement on Twitter, which is set to film back-to-back seasons starting in January after the filming came to a halt&nbsp;in March due to the pandemic.</p>

<p>He first made a shout-out on Twitter to Atlanta alum Angela Barnes Gomes who directed a viral voting PSA recently.</p>

<p>“Angela Barnes Gomes (‘atlanta’ alum) made those ‘get ur booty to the polls’ yall love/hated so much,” he said. “She asked me to rap on it, but @Steve_G_Lover is a better rapper…so.”</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">also, Angela Barnes Gomes ('atlanta' alum) made those "get ur booty to the polls" yall love/hated so much.<br />
<br />
she asked me to rap on it, but <a href="https://twitter.com/Steve_G_Lover?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Steve_G_Lover</a> is a better rapper...so 🤷🏾‍♂️</p>
— donald (@donaldglover) <a href="https://twitter.com/donaldglover/status/1324771177156374528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>He then went on to promote Atlanta by comparing it to an all-time television great, HBO’s 'The Sopranos'. “While im here: ‘atlanta’ s3+s4 are going to be some of the best television ever made. Sopranos only ones who can touch us.”</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">while im here: 'atlanta' s3+s4 are going to be some of the best television ever made. sopranos only ones who can touch us.</p>
— donald (@donaldglover) <a href="https://twitter.com/donaldglover/status/1324796791649435649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Atlanta’s shutdown allowed Glover and his team time to complete two seasons worth of the scripts. Season three was originally set to air in January 2021 with season four following in the fall.&nbsp;</p>


Actor and performer Donald Glover made his 'Atlanta' fans happy with a little peek into what to spect from Seasons 3 and 4 of his series. Glover – who created the comedy-drama series and stars in it, showed his excitement on Twitter, which is set to film back-to-back seasons starting in January after the filming came to a halt in March due to the pandemic.

Actor and performer Donald Glover made his 'Atlanta' fans happy with a little peek into what to spect from Seasons 3 and 4 of his series. Glover – who created the comedy-drama series and stars in it, showed his excitement on Twitter, which is set to film back-to-back seasons starting in January after the filming came to a halt in March due to the pandemic. He first made a shout-out on Twitter to Atlanta alum Angela Barnes Gomes who directed a viral voting PSA recently. “Angela Barnes Gomes (‘atlanta’ alum) made those ‘get ur booty to the polls’ yall love/hated so much,” he said. “She asked me to rap on it, but @Steve_G_Lover is a better rapper…so.” also, Angela Barnes Gomes ('atlanta' alum) made those "get ur booty to the polls" yall love/hated so much. she asked me to rap on it, but @Steve_G_Lover is a better rapper...so 🤷🏾‍♂️ — donald (@donaldglover) November 6, 2020 × He then went on to promote Atlanta by comparing it to an all-time television great, HBO’s 'The Sopranos'. “While im here: ‘atlanta’ s3+s4 are going to be some of the best television ever made. Sopranos only ones who can touch us.” while im here: 'atlanta' s3+s4 are going to be some of the best television ever made. sopranos only ones who can touch us. — donald (@donaldglover) November 6, 2020 × Atlanta’s shutdown allowed Glover and his team time to complete two seasons worth of the scripts. Season three was originally set to air in January 2021 with season four following in the fall.

Donald Glover on Atlanta Season 3: 'Sopranos only ones who can touch us'

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From The Wire to The Sopranos, top 10 HBO shows of all time

'The Sopranos' actor Tony Sirico passes away at 79

Donald Glover on Atlanta Season 3: 'Sopranos only ones who can touch us'