David Simon's new passion

It's been two years since David Simon finished "The Wire," but he's clearly not out of things to say. Last Sunday night, Simon's latest show — "Treme" — premiered on HBO.

The show is set in New Orleans, Louisiana three months after Hurricane Katrina. It's fair to say that Hurricane Katrina was probably the biggest natural disaster to hit the United States in the last 20 years. It wiped out large sections of one of our proudest and most famous cities. Life there is still just returning to normal.

I was as happy to see the Saints win the Super Bowl for what it meant emotionally to that city as for the fact they beat the hated Colts. "Treme" captures a little bit of why.

The show is named for one of the hardest hit neighborhoods and focuses on those committed to living in and rebuilding the city. It focuses on the vibrant music scene that has brought so much acclaim to the region.

The who features a pair of "Wire" vets — Wendell Pierce and Clarke Peters — and a many of the writers and producers that made that show great. And, much like "The Wire," "Treme" is as much about the socio-political issues that define New Orleans' struggles as it is about the fictional drama of the characters.

Those interested in entertainment that goes beyond it's fictional offerings would do well to give "Treme" a look.