Sad news. "Homicide" is easily in my top ten favorite TV shows of all time, certainly in terms of cop shows. It's the first show I can remember on TV that had so many blacks in non-stereotyped positions of leadership and influence. (Unlike, say, "NYPD Blue", which relegated the black captain to more of a guest star in favor of the bigoted white subordinate). Talent like his is rare: he will be missed....
Although, what's up with his blog "Undercover Black Man"?... http://undercoverblackman.blogspot.com/ *********************************************************** David Mills, Television Writer and Producer, Dies By DAVE ITZKOFF 12:24 p.m. | Updated David Mills , an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer for crime dramas like “The Wire” on HBO and “Homicide: Life on the Streets” on NBC died on Tuesday in New Orleans, a press representative for HBO said. The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that Mr. Mills died from a brain aneurysm. HBO is about to broadcast the debut of a new series, “Treme,” on which Mr. Mills worked as a writer and producer. After Mr. Mills made his television writing debut with “Homicide,” which his friend, David Simon, helped to create, he wrote for “NYPD Blue” and “ER.” He was also a co-writer and co-producer on “The Corner,” adapted from Mr. Simon’s book about drug abuse and poverty in Baltimore, which won three Emmys. Mr. Mills also created the NBC series “Kingpin,” about a Mexican drug cartel, which was shown in 2003. HBO said Wednesday in a statement: HBO is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our dear friend and colleague David Mills. He was a gracious and humble man, and will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him, as well as those who were aware of his immense talent. David has left us too soon but his brilliant work will live on. Mr. Mills also chronicled his passion for music at his blog, Undercover Black Man . Before writing for television, he worked as a journalist and gained national attention for a 1992 interview with the hip-hop performer Sister Souljah in The Washington Post, in which she said, “If black people kill black people every day, why not have a week and kill white people?” When the Rainbow Coalition later invited Sister Souljah to speak at its convention, the group was criticized by Gov. Bill Clinton, then a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, who cited Mr. Mills’s interview.
