Deadwood was already renewed for a second season.

Dave keeps raving about Deadwood. Is it as good as he says?

I was also so-so on it at first and it grew on my rapidly. I can now skip Sopranos and feel little pain but I MUST watch Deadwood.

Personally, though, I am very impatiently awaiting the return of the Wire.

I don't have HBO, but a friend tapes Sopranos for me. They accidentally taped the first episode of Deadwood and I watched it (Timothy Olyphant!) and really liked it. Unfortunately, she hated it, so I didn't get to see any other episodes. But if it comes out on DVD, I'll definitely Netflix it!

Timothy Olyphant is a major part of my Deadwood lust right now. Strangely, because facial hair usually does nothing for me, I don't find him that attractive sans his Deadwood beard.

The Deadwood beard really transforms Timothy Olyphant. I didn't recognize him at first, and, until now, I've been only mild interested in his character, but I think his story is going to get lots better soon.

Also, as hard as the last episode made me laugh, the preacher's story is starting to make me cry.

Also, he asked me last night if Joss or Tim has thought about moving to HBO or Showtime given the fact they seem more inclined to be bold in original programming. I know we talked about this at one point, but I don't remember the response--is that a possibility?

Didn't that article by Occipital have something about their contracts with 20th? And from what I understand, cable series usually have smaller budgets than say, a 20th show. I could be completely wrong, though. So in answer to your question... I have no idea.

the preacher's story is starting to make me cry

so sad.

I could get past the swearing no problem, but I'm having trouble getting past Lovejoy as the bad guy :) [old BBC tv show]

Also, he asked me last night if Joss or Tim has thought about moving to HBO or Showtime given the fact they seem more inclined to be bold in original programming.

I seem to recall Tim saying something about that possibility on one of his radio interviews. Also, I think that FX has proven that you don't necessarily need to go to premium cable to be bold. And it is part of the Fox family so ... Go Team Vertical Integration!

"Didn't that article by Occipital have something about their contracts with 20th? And from what I understand, cable series usually have smaller budgets than say, a 20th show. I could be completely wrong, though. So in answer to your question... I have no idea."

Had something, but its not current.

I didnt mention that Tim recently re-upped for a year with Fox (The last one expired end of this season). No idea what the dollar was, but i'd imagine it was similar to the last one which was seven figures over 3 years).

Joss i'm actually not sure about. I did read on a board once that he'd asked to be let out of his contract after Firefly was cancelled. But found absolutely no evidence of this. I'm also confused about when his deal is due to expire, it was a 4 year deal he signed in january 2001, at the time he was still under contract till August 2001. So I'm not sure if that means its up in January or August 2005. finacially it was a Very good deal, Variety cites it as at least $20 million over 4 years, plus bankrolling the ruinning costs of mutant Enemy (which at the time were $1 million a year), it also had some 'astronomiical' bonus' (thougth i'm not sure if he got any of them, would imagine partial), and it only applied to TV work (which i'd imagine is how he was able to sell Serenity).

Dont really know whather this is beyond HBO, but I doubt it out of the picture, money isnt everything, Joss took a pay cut to make Buffy.

I could get past the swearing no problem, but I'm having trouble getting past Lovejoy as the bad guy :) [old BBC tv show]

Ian McShain's on HBO, I have to see this show