Image Credit: Skip Bolen/Getty ImagesThe John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced the recipients of its “genius” grants today, and The Wire and Treme creator David Simon was among them. MacArthur Fellows receive $500,000 over five years, no strings attached.
“I can’t go in and wave Emmy awards, and I can’t go in and wave Nielsen ratings,” Simon says (hee) in his acceptance video, but he can brag about being part of this ultra-elite group.
In the context of sign-language linguistics, say, or stone carving, I’d like to believe that $500,000 goes a long way. But in television, that’s not even enough to make a pilot on most networks. It’s a sort of demented contrast in values. Thanks, America!
Okay, PopWatchers, you be the committee: Who in entertainment would you give a genius grant to?
Congratulations.
Aaron Sorkin. Amy Sherman-Pallidino and her husband Daniel. Rob Thomas (the writer). Tina Fey. Bryan Fuller. Possibly Josh Schwartz.
I’d give the genius grand to David Simon but — hey — looks like someone did already!
How is that a demented contrast in values?
Stone carving requires a stone, carving tools and an artist.
Television requires hundreds of people, sets, locations, special effects. Its just a more expensive medium due to logistics.
It is enough to write another book!
Yes!!!
Matt Weiner, Damon Lindelof and Simon…
I’d give it to Bela Fleck to expand exposure to jazz and bluegrass violn training…
I meant banjo, sorry Bela.