I don't have HBO and my cousin was telling me for YEARS about the show. I never like to feel as though I'm caught up in the "hype" about something.

Didn't watch it until there was discs of all the seasons at my local library...each weekend I took them out..and of course, was blown away.

I applaud the writers for not watering down the dialogue slang for mainstream audience. In fact, almost on cue...the "critics" seemed to take offense to not having things tailored to them. I read a NY times article/review of the show and the writer ACTUALLY wrote something to the effect of..." the street dialogue is self consciously accurate".f the critics.

maybe they'd be more comfortable if the characters were talking "blaxploitation jive" or what-not.