Writer 's ` ` The Wire '' is praised for realism , but how real is it ? CNN.com writer who ends up in ` ` The Wire 's '' The neighborhood renders verdict . Writer says it confuses ` ` " with authenticity '' But it crackles , the characters are rich , writer laughs .
HBO 's `` The Wire '' is praised for realism , but how real is it ? CNN.com writer who grew up in `` The Wire 's '' Baltimore neighborhood renders verdict . Writer says show confuses `` hopelessness with authenticity '' But dialogue crackles , the characters are rich , writer says .