And HBO has uploaded a 14-minute preview. You can check it out below. Also, TV critics are starting to weigh in. The Baltimore Sun’s David Zurawik dug the first episode.
David Z's review hit a great point about the flow and use of music in Treme. I have to think a lot of that is due to your savant skills. How much of the music selection is Simon, or yours, or?
I saw someone reading the New Yorker on the subway today and there was an ad for "Treme" on the back. Aside from that I haven't seen many ads posted around the city. :?
wow. I'm blown away. I hardly ever comment - but have been a big fan here and of Davids - kingpin, the wire - his old school leanings and reminisces. I just saw the info as a Breaking News headline.
There's always solace knowing that someone lived and died doing what they truly loved. But still feels like I've lost a friend - although he would have no idea who I am.
I am just so shocked. I hadn't been reading here for a while, but UBM, you always managed to give me a laugh, piss me off, and make me think. :-) You will be missed.
Damn, David. This is the only thing you've ever done that I really didn't like. You were always encouraging but realistic about my own little writings, and that meant a lot to me. Losing you hurts.
OH MY GOD! I just read it on the HuffPo and couldn't believe it. I am heartbroken.
You were a big part of my day and I visited your site when I woke up each day to see how you'd make me laugh - or think. My condolences to your family - and your readers. I enjoyed their comments as well.
Wow. I was hoping it wasn't the UBM David Mills name I saw in the SLate Twitter feed. What a tremendous loss. I'll miss this forum greatly as well. One Love...
Son of a bitch! I was really, really, really hoping that this was some kind of awful prank, or "better" yet another Misidentified Black Man.
You never knew me personally, but you were always gracious when I commented here, and I looked forward to reading you every day. It's a smaller, meaner world without you. Thank you for your part in bringing a lot of joy to my life.
I am very sad to hear of your passing. I deeply enjoyed your writing and conversation on this site and in older media over the years; I learned a lot. You will be missed.
David, you were one hell of man, Undercover, Black, or otherwise. I was blessed to have interviewed David just when he found out that HBO had picked up Treme. Here's the link and the story: http://bit.ly/bRDzEA
What a loss. Everyone should know that David was an extremely generous writer. He flew up to the Bay Area on his own dime (well, I did take him to see Savion Glover and McCoy Tyner) to talk to my UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism class Reporting on Arts and Culture. He was funny, informative and candid about his experiences at the Washington Post, and in creating this blog. If you ever have a chance to read his Wash Post work, he was an excellent journalist. RIP.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!!!!!??????!!!!!!!!!!?!!!!!!!!!!!???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I log onto this page just to check in with my boy and at the top, I see 52 Fucking Posts!!!! Thinking it was some heated debate, that I might want to throw my two cents in on (however cheap it may be), and suddenly, there's like RIP's ALL OVER THE PLACE!!!! I..I'm at a loss. I'm truly at a loss. David, you were one of my personal heros. I only wish I had gotten to know you personally. My prayers go out to your fam, loved ones, colleagues and ALL THE PEOPLE THAT POST HERE! Godspeed, my brother.
Goodbye, David. I was so thrilled to find him after a long absence of reading him regularly and I was stunned to hear of his passing just 10 minutes ago. I guess God needed a really good writer up there, huh?
I am just so saddened by this. David was a wonderful writer. I worked with him and for him and let me just say, I've never met a finer, nicer human being. In an industry filled with jerks, he was the classiest of acts and a real original.
ubm/dm very sorry you have exited this world that you have left mark upon, the context that u have channelled in your writing for urself and others is outstanding...
I interviewed David many years ago when he was working on NYPD Blue and I was a totally green reporter in Boston. He was totally candid, pulled no punches. The best kind of interview a reporter could hope for. (He gave good quote!) Naturally because he was a reporter, too. I was grateful. He was a generous.
After many months of being a lurker I want to say how much I'll miss Mr. Mills/UBM. I would always stop here every few days to check out the latest posts, and they always gave me something to think about.
I'll miss you, Mr. Mills. You were a great interview and you helped me tremendously in getting interviews with others. Without realising it, you helped me shaped one of my books. I wish we'd gotten to sit down for a meal together as you'd suggested. Too young, bruh. Way, way too young. And you died fourteen years to the day after my mother died. Please tell her you got to know me a little bit.
Well damn, some things just suck. I am stunned and saddened at this unhappy news. UBM, thanks so much for all the music & thoughts you shared here on this fine blog - I was pointed in this direction a few years ago, and it became a regular stop. You will be sorely missed.
My sincere condolences to David's family and friends on the heartbreak you are experiencing with this too-sudden loss.
Goodbye David Mills. My Friend, my buddy. Mi Hermano. I'm hoping you win a couple more Emmy's posthumously (It cracked me up a couple of years ago when you lost count of how many you had won in 'The Wire' that's how Gangsta you were. You'll be deeply missed. From our conversations about music, the 2nd season of Kingpin and what could the Wire had been if you had written one more season. Love you bro. I'll pour a 40 for ya tonight!
This is my first time reading his blog. This type of news you never want to hear. I was a huge fan of 'The Corner' in 2000. Thought it was a masterpiece. So great that I even went out to purchase the DVD afterward. I am looking forward to Treme and hope it takes off.
Brilliant, funny and I always thought he seemed like a fearless dude. I got a lot of great music from his site that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. Thanks UBM!
Funny as hell. All week I've been laughin' to myself about his March 27 post from LA where he got some chocolate buttertop cookies and talked about dipping them in peanut butter. "Mmmm... yums. I’m doing it right now, bitches!!"
I've been a huge fan of your work including The Corner, The Wire and Homicide: Life on the Street. I also remember you from your Washington Post days. I'm looking forward to watching Treme.
RIP Big Guy, you will be deeply missed. Absolutely loved The Wire and will remember you always through the great work you helped build over your all-too-short career.
I interviewed David for a story about The Wire back in 2007. As many people have noted on here, he was a great interview. He also was just as interested in what I was doing. He encouraged me to send him my own writing, and he'd give me feedback, too. A fascinating, warm-hearted person. I only kept in touch with him a little bit after that, but I'll miss him.
I met David decades ago when he was self publishing a beautifully written and designed 'zine called UNCUT FUNK. He is the ONLY person I have ever admitted is a bigger P.FUNK fan than myself. I remember a genius video he shot that gave a tour of the Jersey neighborhood where p.funk was born. He went there for Eddie Hazel's funeral. That was his level of commitment to some of the greatest music ever made.
When the whole PE thing blew up, I never doubted his motives....I knew he loved the group. He always had impeccable musical tastes. But he was a reporter with integrity, and that was that.
Over the years, I begged him to write a p.funk screenplay I would direct. He was never interested. But he would hit me off with great obscure p.funk covers, and a AWESOME p.funk mousepad he made himself (oh how I hate that it was taken from me that same night by some ass).
As great as his fiction and non-fiction writing was, this website is also one of his great achievements. Brilliantly designed, amazing breath of topics, and connected me to so many other sites and people I connect with regularly.
I go here several times a day. I just love it. And since the site was such a great reflection of him, I loved him.
Through this site, I found Denmark Vesey and others. I post both here and at DV because the convo is so good. I haven't been to DV's yet, but I hope they honor him there. He debated them with honor. He debated them because he cared.
I never asked him what he thought about him revamped site,but I wanted him to like it. I never told him I named it my favorite site of last year, but really it's my favorite site period. He crushed me when he almost retired from it. Now that he's gone, I am in a daze.
Perhaps yourself or DeAngelo can start looking into the best way of preserving, archiving or continuing this site.
I know David held you both in high regard and it would be even more tragic if we were to lose not only this large bank of information, but where David and the rest of us left large pieces of ourselves on the blog pages as well.
It is all to precious to lose and we have had too much loss here already.
I can't believe this. This is just shocking. I feel like I've been dialoguing w/ one helluva cool dude ever since I found your site here man during the tail end of the Wire. RIP brother, RIP. Thank you for everything man. I just can't believe this.
i have only peeked in on your blog ubm, but we have debated with passion over at dv's spot...you will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. always..tgn
Still can't believe that I won't have updates anymore from UBM. Glad you enjoyed your chocolate-covered butter cookies a few days ago. RIP seems so inadequate...
He was so young and this is so shocking. We didn't always agree with him, but he was never boring and kept us thinking. So many, including myself, loved The Wire. I am sure we'll enjoy his upcoming series, 'Treme, and I'll be watching.
Thank you for three of the greatest anythings ever done for television.
I can't get past the irony that you put Alex Chilton on your front page, another giant who left us too soon. I can only hope at that big netherworld meet-and-greet, you two are slapping hands and offering congratulations on each other's work.
Fuck. I am so sad and sorry to know you're gone David. I feel lucky I got to read you, and I'll try my best to emulate your smarts and go-your-own-wayness.
What a legacy you left with your writing for TV and this blog. Its our loss but we'll celebrate your life in the New Orleans way that you would have appreciated.
Stunned, shocked, and deeply sad -- I've enjoyed this blog for many months and have been a fan of his work for years. We've lost a great voice. Peace be unto his family and friends.
I feel silly and uninformed. I work in the medium in which David worked, deal with writers every day, and was a fan of many of the shows David worked on, but never knew of him until this untimely loss.
Now that I've learned of him, I feel cheated. Beyond a talented writer, it would seem that first and foremost, David was an amazing human being. I would've loved to have met him and talked to him for an hour about everything other than this business. His greatness apparently transcended his day job.
RIP David. And my condolences to those who did get the chance to know you. Your heart must be much heavier than mine.
I don't even know what to say... Thanks for the your work. Thanks for being a voice to those who have been ignored for so long. Thanks for being the one who inspired me to start a blog even though I wasn't sure if I had anything interesting to say. You'll be missed.
Dear David -- We met so many years ago in the hallway of the Student Union at Maryland. You were talking about publishing This magazine. I wrote features articles for you and you published every single one. You supported my emergence as a writer and I learned so much from you. Then you ran out of money and This Magazine was gone. We kept in touch until you had to take a year off to fight leukemia. Later that year when I saw you in offices above the South Dining Hall, you looked so pale and weak and I feared the worst. I chattered like a fool filling up the airspace to avoid the big truth that sat between us -- your illness, our mortality, and I couldn't face either one. You, on the other hand, stared at the eternity with both eyes and went on. I soon left UMD to go on to a different career. I heard you went to the Wall Street Journal, then the Post. I heard about the Sister Souljah moment in 1992 and I had to smile. "I need to get back in touch with David one of these old days," I thought, but never did. Then I completely lost track of you, until now. I watched the shows you wrote and loved them all, especially for the writing but I never knew it was you! Oh dear old long lost friend, blessings on you and your family. You are truly unforgettable, a life well-lived but far too brief. I am so sorry to be too late to reconnect with you.
There is a very nice tribute to Dave on ebonyjet.com. Here's the link: http://ebonyjet.com/ A couple of appreciation essays and past writings of Dave's.
Rest in Peace, UBM. You gave me great music to look up as well as reminisce over these past few years. I've loved your social commentary as well. You will be greatly missed by all of us.
I suddenly lost my uncle last week. My family is in shock at his passing, as he had just turned 49 two days before. I only mention this because of the parallels between UBM's death and my uncle's.
I enjoyed this blog for several years, and the unique perspective UBM brought every day. You will be missed UBM.
I enjoyed your blog, your television work, and your musings in general. I was shocked to hear of the passing. My condolences to your family and loved ones. You will deeply be missed.
wow, I am so gonna miss you. Silver Spring never had the same flare since you left, the little stories you use to write. I'll hold on to that and to your memory, always my friend. Shalom.
Although I love blogs in general, UBM was the only one I ever cared to read regularly. David Mills taught me so much about music, politics, culture. I posted links to his blogs dozens of times. I wish his death wasn't real. Although I've never seen The Wire, I'll definitely be watching it and Treme to have his legacy live on. We never knew each other, but I miss him incredibly.
You were right, you are 'kind of a big deal', so 'what the hex an Emmy' right? We still talking abt u on the interwebs in a big way, iWish there was some way you could see the maaad tributes of your boys DV, CNu, UBJ, BigMan n my hi-jack on the diff blogs. DV's got a maaad archive and your gems, offsides & battles will always be there, to remind folks, 'this is school...Accept no substitutes.' ; )
R.I.P. Mills.
May love, comfort & strength be blessed upon the Mills family in this time. Bless.
R.I.P. UBM. This was may favorite blog of the very few that I followed. I also enjoyed your TV work and journalism a great deal. If there is some small silver lining it's that you went out while you were on a personal roll and doing what you loved. Fair ye well, my friend.
On a different note I'd like to add UBM did not receive even the simplest of R.I.P.s from "Thrasher" who came here only to insult David several times a week while adding NOTHING of value. I hope you feel like the asshole we all know your are you weak bitch.
So now Dave takes us into new territory again...is this a "ghost blog", with no one able to change its contents but the late author/owner?
The great part is that it becomes a cyberspace memorial to a cyberspace pioneer. But will it eventually go away? Must "rent" be paid to maintain it? Can it be captured in any other way?
As much as I would love to take up the banner, and will shameless bite many of his innovations in my website, we came here because of David's mind, his world view, and that cannot be duplicated.
David was a mentor...gave me great encouragement as a writer years back...his Uncut Funk newspaper was a P-Funk fans dream...needless to say, he is deeply missed by all; by those knew him personally or through UBM.
Disclosure ( I coined the label "one drop"'one drop rule" )for David during many of our rants on his blog..He called me a cockroach after I was mad that he would not develop my script and character I created Dr.Cukoo..I will miss our banter it was hot and heavy but I truly know he loved it..I kept him grounded..
Yawn...
ReplyDeleteI, for one, am waiting in breathless antici..........pation.
ReplyDeletewill the HBO-less be able to see it on Hulu?
ReplyDelete^ Sorry, Kellybelle. HBO doesn't roll with Hulu. Gotta wait for the DVDs.
ReplyDeleteDavid Z's review hit a great point about the flow and use of music in Treme. I have to think a lot of that is due to your savant skills. How much of the music selection is Simon, or yours, or?
ReplyDeleteI saw someone reading the New Yorker on the subway today and there was an ad for "Treme" on the back. Aside from that I haven't seen many ads posted around the city. :?
ReplyDeleteYou guys can make a show about poo and I'll watch it. I know I'll be blown away by it at the end.
ReplyDeleteAlso early reviews are very encouraging.
Can't wait for this, looks awesome and some damn fine acting talent, I'll be waiting for the DVD release.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye, UBM. You'll be missed.
ReplyDeleteDavid, you were & always will be an inspiration...I still have the first email you sent me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a fine writer. I am lucky to have gotten to know you through this blog.
ReplyDeleteRIP David. Your musings will be greatly missed. So sad.
ReplyDeleteI am completely heartbroken. RIP UBM!
ReplyDeleteFarewell, UBM. I am...speechless right now.
ReplyDeletewow. I'm blown away. I hardly ever comment - but have been a big fan here and of Davids - kingpin, the wire - his old school leanings and reminisces. I just saw the info as a Breaking News headline.
ReplyDeleteThere's always solace knowing that someone lived and died doing what they truly loved. But still feels like I've lost a friend - although he would have no idea who I am.
oh, david--will miss you so very, very much! like [fŭng'kē] [blak] [chik] i have every email you ever sent me saved....
ReplyDeleteplease have an ever so peaceful, beautiful journey--loved every minute of having you around
Holy fucking shit.
ReplyDeleteI am so blown away.
You will be missed David/UBM. So young, such a tragic loss.
My heart skipped a beat.
ReplyDeleteMissing you already. *sigh*
Your "blog wife,"
d
This is heartbreaking that you're gone UBM & the only way we have of saying goodbye (an ineffectual one at that) is here.
ReplyDeleteCondolences to everyone
i've been reading here for years even though i seldom commented. i'm so very, very sad to hear of your passing. condolences to your loved ones.
ReplyDeleteI am just so shocked. I hadn't been reading here for a while, but UBM, you always managed to give me a laugh, piss me off, and make me think. :-) You will be missed.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to his family and friends.
ReplyDeleteA tragic loss to the creative world at large.
"Fare thee well! And if forever, Still forever fare thee well." -Byron
Wow! Sad, sad, sad news this morning! So unexpected.
ReplyDeleteRIP Mr David Mills. You will be sorely missed.
REST IN PEACE, DAVID
ReplyDeleteDamn, David. This is the only thing you've ever done that I really didn't like. You were always encouraging but realistic about my own little writings, and that meant a lot to me. Losing you hurts.
ReplyDeleteRIP
ReplyDeleteMr. Mills, your work meant a great deal to me. I'm so sorry to see you go.
ReplyDeleteI just can't believe this
ReplyDeleteI can hardly believe it.
ReplyDeleteRIP David :(
OH MY GOD! I just read it on the HuffPo and couldn't believe it. I am heartbroken.
ReplyDeleteYou were a big part of my day and I visited your site when I woke up each day to see how you'd make me laugh - or think. My condolences to your family - and your readers. I enjoyed their comments as well.
Please rest in peace.
Treme looks like something I will watch and enjoy.Thanks HBO.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to the family and friends of David Mills. I hope you all find comfort and strength with each other in these difficult days and nights.
Wow. I was hoping it wasn't the UBM David Mills name I saw in the SLate Twitter feed. What a tremendous loss. I'll miss this forum greatly as well. One Love...
ReplyDeleteSon of a bitch! I was really, really, really hoping that this was some kind of awful prank, or "better" yet another Misidentified Black Man.
ReplyDeleteYou never knew me personally, but you were always gracious when I commented here, and I looked forward to reading you every day. It's a smaller, meaner world without you. Thank you for your part in bringing a lot of joy to my life.
Requiscat in Pace.
I remember meeting you at the WGA an being inspired by your story. Rest in Peace and thanks for the words and wisdom.
ReplyDeletes
Damn.
ReplyDeleteTerrible, terrible loss, and my condolences to his family and friends.
Thank you for all the amazing things you've accomplished, David. You will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace David.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoyed reading UBM's blog and listening to the tunes posted. Although we never met, in part, David inspired me to start my own blog.
A hole has opened in my universe. He'll be missed very much.
Condolences and prayers go out to David's family.
I am very sad to hear of your passing. I deeply enjoyed your writing and conversation on this site and in older media over the years; I learned a lot. You will be missed.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences. So hard to believe.
ReplyDeleteRIP, David. You will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteRIP-GONE TOO SOON
ReplyDeleteDammit :( R.I.P., David, and thanks for all the fun on your blog and in e-mail.
ReplyDeleteCame by now and again, enjoyed your blog every time I did, and you worked on some of the best television man has ever seen.
ReplyDeleteRIP
David, you were one hell of man, Undercover, Black, or otherwise. I was blessed to have interviewed David just when he found out that HBO had picked up Treme. Here's the link and the story: http://bit.ly/bRDzEA
ReplyDeleteRIP
Kevin Ross
Rest in Peace, David.
ReplyDelete--bad dad
This is a sad sad day. Sail on....
ReplyDeleteRest in Peace
ReplyDeleteTerribly sad news. Safe journey UBM...
ReplyDeleteYou leave an outstanding legacy, Mr. Mills. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Rest in peace, and sincerest condolences to your family.
ReplyDeleteThere will be a large hole in my online and real life with you not here.R.I.P.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to your family UBM. Thanks for being a part of my day for so long.
ReplyDeleteWhat a loss. Everyone should know that David was an extremely generous writer. He flew up to the Bay Area on his own dime (well, I did take him to see Savion Glover and McCoy Tyner) to talk to my UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism class Reporting on Arts and Culture. He was funny, informative and candid about his experiences at the Washington Post, and in creating this blog. If you ever have a chance to read his Wash Post work, he was an excellent journalist. RIP.
ReplyDeleteRIP man, RIP
ReplyDeleteyour work will last forever
I am just shocked. You will be missed, as will your words.
ReplyDeleteRIP, David. This is such a great loss for so many people. You will be missed. Thank you for the work you've left us. It's a legacy to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteI feel like shit right now a total piece of nothingness.....I brought to David a lot of drama ... I hope to make up for it on the other side..
ReplyDeleteYou were right about me I am a cockroach;-((((((((((((((((((((
RIP
Thank You Mr. Mills...RIP
ReplyDeleteARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!!!!!??????!!!!!!!!!!?!!!!!!!!!!!???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I log onto this page just to check in with my boy and at the top, I see 52 Fucking Posts!!!! Thinking it was some heated debate, that I might want to throw my two cents in on (however cheap it may be), and suddenly, there's like RIP's ALL OVER THE PLACE!!!! I..I'm at a loss. I'm truly at a loss. David, you were one of my personal heros. I only wish I had gotten to know you personally. My prayers go out to your fam, loved ones, colleagues and ALL THE PEOPLE THAT POST HERE! Godspeed, my brother.
ReplyDeleteJunebug.
RIP Davidelic, my friend, my inspiration, my sushi and poker pal. My heart is in a billion pieces. Fuck.
ReplyDeleteYou were a vivid, wonderful man. I wish you were still here.
ReplyDeleterip for David
ReplyDeleteGoodbye, David. I was so thrilled to find him after a long absence of reading him regularly and I was stunned to hear of his passing just 10 minutes ago. I guess God needed a really good writer up there, huh?
ReplyDeleteI am just so saddened by this. David was a wonderful writer. I worked with him and for him and let me just say, I've never met a finer, nicer human being. In an industry filled with jerks, he was the classiest of acts and a real original.
ReplyDeleteGod, this is horrible.
ubm/dm very sorry you have exited this world that you have left mark upon, the context that u have channelled in your writing for urself and others is outstanding...
ReplyDeleteI interviewed David many years ago when he was working on NYPD Blue and I was a totally green reporter in Boston. He was totally candid, pulled no punches. The best kind of interview a reporter could hope for. (He gave good quote!) Naturally because he was a reporter, too. I was grateful. He was a generous.
ReplyDeleteAfter many months of being a lurker I want to say how much I'll miss Mr. Mills/UBM. I would always stop here every few days to check out the latest posts, and they always gave me something to think about.
ReplyDeleteGodspeed.
Bollocks.
ReplyDeleteThe world is a less interesting place.
Peace.
R.I.P
ReplyDeletefan of both H:LOTS and The Wire.
I'll miss you, Mr. Mills. You were a great interview and you helped me tremendously in getting interviews with others. Without realising it, you helped me shaped one of my books. I wish we'd gotten to sit down for a meal together as you'd suggested. Too young, bruh. Way, way too young. And you died fourteen years to the day after my mother died. Please tell her you got to know me a little bit.
ReplyDeletethanks for the unmistakable wit and cool tunes, ubm! you will always be missed.
ReplyDeletelove from the turntables :)
(just)judith
Well damn, some things just suck. I am stunned and saddened at this unhappy news. UBM, thanks so much for all the music & thoughts you shared here on this fine blog - I was pointed in this direction a few years ago, and it became a regular stop. You will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteMy sincere condolences to David's family and friends on the heartbreak you are experiencing with this too-sudden loss.
Goodbye David Mills. My Friend, my buddy. Mi Hermano. I'm hoping you win a couple more Emmy's posthumously (It cracked me up a couple of years ago when you lost count of how many you had won in 'The Wire' that's how Gangsta you were. You'll be deeply missed. From our conversations about music, the 2nd season of Kingpin and what could the Wire had been if you had written one more season. Love you bro. I'll pour a 40 for ya tonight!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time reading his blog. This type of news you never want to hear. I was a huge fan of 'The Corner' in 2000. Thought it was a masterpiece. So great that I even went out to purchase the DVD afterward. I am looking forward to Treme and hope it takes off.
ReplyDeleteI miss you old friend. I am glad we were able to get together a couple times when you were home last summer.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, funny and I always thought he seemed like a fearless dude. I got a lot of great music from his site that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. Thanks UBM!
ReplyDeleteFunny as hell. All week I've been laughin' to myself about his March 27 post from LA where he got some chocolate buttertop cookies and talked about dipping them in peanut butter. "Mmmm... yums. I’m doing it right now, bitches!!"
Much too young, so vibrant -- what happened?
ReplyDeleteAnna
Thank you and goodbye...
ReplyDeleteR.I.P.
RIP David.
ReplyDeleteI've been a huge fan of your work including The Corner, The Wire and Homicide: Life on the Street. I also remember you from your Washington Post days. I'm looking forward to watching Treme.
i am a jerk for crying over someone I've never met in person? dammit david, i'll miss you blogging and getting into arguments on DV's blog. much love.
ReplyDeletewandarful
The good die first,
ReplyDeleteAnd they whose hearts are dry as summer dust
Burn to the socket.
RIP
RIP Big Guy, you will be deeply missed. Absolutely loved The Wire and will remember you always through the great work you helped build over your all-too-short career.
ReplyDeleteI interviewed David for a story about The Wire back in 2007. As many people have noted on here, he was a great interview. He also was just as interested in what I was doing. He encouraged me to send him my own writing, and he'd give me feedback, too. A fascinating, warm-hearted person. I only kept in touch with him a little bit after that, but I'll miss him.
ReplyDeleteI am in total shock. Rest in peace UBM.
ReplyDeleteKingpin was amazing.
ReplyDeleteRIP.
A huge loss. A person whose writing made me wish I knew him. Peace.
ReplyDeleteI'm in shock that you are no longer with us, I found your blog too late, a real shame, a terrible loss.
ReplyDeleteBless you wherever you may be.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry, that link didn't work. David Simon remembers his friend, David Mills. Keep posting people. I know wherever he is now, David will be touched.
ReplyDeletehttp://bit.ly/dqKTyu
I know the mix tape by heart.
ReplyDeleteOh my God, David! Although we never met in person, you were a good friend, and always worth reading. My condolences to your family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gigantic loss.
ReplyDeleteI met David decades ago when he was self publishing a beautifully written and designed 'zine called UNCUT FUNK. He is the ONLY person I have ever admitted is a bigger P.FUNK fan than myself. I remember a genius video he shot that gave a tour of the Jersey neighborhood where p.funk was born. He went there for Eddie Hazel's funeral. That was his level of commitment to some of the greatest music ever made.
When the whole PE thing blew up, I never doubted his motives....I knew he loved the group. He always had impeccable musical tastes. But he was a reporter with integrity, and that was that.
Over the years, I begged him to write a p.funk screenplay I would direct. He was never interested.
But he would hit me off with great obscure p.funk covers, and a AWESOME p.funk mousepad he made himself (oh how I hate that it was taken from me that same night by some ass).
As great as his fiction and non-fiction writing was, this website is also one of his great achievements. Brilliantly designed, amazing breath of topics, and connected me to so many other sites and people I connect with regularly.
I go here several times a day. I just love it. And since the site was such a great reflection of him, I loved him.
Through this site, I found Denmark Vesey and others. I post both here and at DV because the convo is so good. I haven't been to DV's yet, but I hope they honor him there. He debated them with honor.
He debated them because he cared.
I never asked him what he thought about him revamped site,but I wanted him to like it. I never told him I named it my favorite site of last year, but really it's my favorite site period. He crushed me when he almost retired from it. Now that he's gone, I am in a daze.
UBM, you were a true brother.
RIP
Reginald Hudlin
www.hudlinentertainment.com
Shocked to the bone. All I could do is commit my man to the dots, way tot soon. RIP David.
ReplyDeleteJames C. Collier
www.actingwhite.com
Reginald,
ReplyDeletePerhaps yourself or DeAngelo can start looking into the best way of preserving, archiving or continuing this site.
I know David held you both in high regard and it would be even more tragic if we were to lose not only this large bank of information, but where David and the rest of us left large pieces of ourselves on the blog pages as well.
It is all to precious to lose and we have had too much loss here already.
David Mills, I never met you, but I admired you. I'm going to miss you and your wonderful talent.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe this. This is just shocking. I feel like I've been dialoguing w/ one helluva cool dude ever since I found your site here man during the tail end of the Wire. RIP brother, RIP. Thank you for everything man. I just can't believe this.
ReplyDeleteUBM's blog was one of the few I consistently followed over the past four years. I'll miss him.
ReplyDeletei have only peeked in on your blog ubm, but we have debated with passion over at dv's spot...you will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
ReplyDeletealways..tgn
RIP Dave I'll Miss you :-(
ReplyDeleteThere are no words to express how sad I am - I will miss you friend.
ReplyDeleteThis sucks.
Still can't believe that I won't have updates anymore from UBM. Glad you enjoyed your chocolate-covered butter cookies a few days ago. RIP seems so inadequate...
ReplyDeleteRIP and condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
ReplyDeleteFrom,
www.charactercorner.blogspot.com
www.pinkcottonent.com
RIP Brother.
ReplyDeleteWe will always have your words.
He was so young and this is so shocking. We didn't always agree with him, but he was never boring and kept us thinking. So many, including myself, loved The Wire. I am sure we'll enjoy his upcoming series, 'Treme, and I'll be watching.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to his loved ones.
Condolences. I got to speak to David on News and Notes in the past... much love to his friends and family.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe this. I am in shock.
ReplyDelete...atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.
ReplyDeleteAm just stunned.
ReplyDeleteMy heartfelt condolences go to his family and colleagues.
I hope someone is able to archive this blog (and the amazing music on his Vox site) as an homage to his wonderful talent.
This blog was one of my daily stops and I'll certainly miss it.
so sad, rip david
ReplyDeleteGonna miss this blog big time. Thanks for some wicked, wonderful insights, humor and music.
ReplyDeleteZydetwostep
Thank you for three of the greatest anythings ever done for television.
ReplyDeleteI can't get past the irony that you put Alex Chilton on your front page, another giant who left us too soon. I can only hope at that big netherworld meet-and-greet, you two are slapping hands and offering congratulations on each other's work.
-30-
RIP, I enjoyed the music you shared with us.
ReplyDeleteHeartfelt condolences to David's friends and family.
ReplyDeleteWe will keep it moving in his honor....
Thanks for the inspiration, bonhomie and encouragement -- not to mention some of the most meaningful "entertainment" on the planet.
Love,
Amy (on blues Drums today)
Fuck. I am so sad and sorry to know you're gone David. I feel lucky I got to read you, and I'll try my best to emulate your smarts and go-your-own-wayness.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a bit of your life with us on this blog. Thanks for the music, the debate, the observations, and the humor.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping to giving us some great television over the years.
Rest in peace UBM, you'll be missed.
miss you deeply.
ReplyDeleteWhat a legacy you left with your writing for TV and this blog. Its our loss but we'll celebrate your life in the New Orleans way that you would have appreciated.
ReplyDeleteStunned, shocked, and deeply sad -- I've enjoyed this blog for many months and have been a fan of his work for years. We've lost a great voice. Peace be unto his family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have been kicked in the stomach. I really loved this blog. RIP, David.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace David.
ReplyDeleteI will miss your talent David. God Bless. New orleans needs to do a second line in your honor.
ReplyDeleteMy friend, look at how many were connected, touched, moved by your words, your storytelling.
ReplyDeleteToo short a life, but you made your time and your work count.
Much love and forgetting nothing,
DS
WTF?
ReplyDeleteMaybe Mills is playing an April Fools Joke a day early.
But no...
The news is true.
Damn...
I feel silly and uninformed. I work in the medium in which David worked, deal with writers every day, and was a fan of many of the shows David worked on, but never knew of him until this untimely loss.
ReplyDeleteNow that I've learned of him, I feel cheated. Beyond a talented writer, it would seem that first and foremost, David was an amazing human being. I would've loved to have met him and talked to him for an hour about everything other than this business. His greatness apparently transcended his day job.
RIP David. And my condolences to those who did get the chance to know you. Your heart must be much heavier than mine.
The World is better for having you in it, even for just a short time. I'm better for having known you, even if just online.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Rest.
The ultimate death is to be forgotten. You will not be forgotten.
rest in peace
ReplyDeleteThere have been some sad losses for me this year. This one really hurts. Rest in peace, David, you will be missed.
ReplyDeletethe wire was the greatest show in the history of television...peace out brother
ReplyDeleteRIP
ReplyDeleteI'm so saddened by this, condolences to all his loved ones.
ReplyDeleteCe sont toujours les meilleurs qui partent en premier !
ReplyDeletePeace.
my condolences to his family.
ReplyDeleteI don't even know what to say...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the your work.
Thanks for being a voice to those who have been ignored for so long.
Thanks for being the one who inspired me to start a blog even though I wasn't sure if I had anything interesting to say.
You'll be missed.
RIP
such sad news.
ReplyDeleteyou gave us so much that was extraordinary and profound.
you are missed already/
Dear David -- We met so many years ago in the hallway of the Student Union at Maryland. You were talking about publishing This magazine. I wrote features articles for you and you published every single one. You supported my emergence as a writer and I learned so much from you. Then you ran out of money and This Magazine was gone. We kept in touch until you had to take a year off to fight leukemia. Later that year when I saw you in offices above the South Dining Hall, you looked so pale and weak and I feared the worst. I chattered like a fool filling up the airspace to avoid the big truth that sat between us -- your illness, our mortality, and I couldn't face either one. You, on the other hand, stared at the eternity with both eyes and went on. I soon left UMD to go on to a different career. I heard you went to the Wall Street Journal, then the Post. I heard about the Sister Souljah moment in 1992 and I had to smile. "I need to get back in touch with David one of these old days," I thought, but never did. Then I completely lost track of you, until now. I watched the shows you wrote and loved them all, especially for the writing but I never knew it was you! Oh dear old long lost friend, blessings on you and your family. You are truly unforgettable, a life well-lived but far too brief. I am so sorry to be too late to reconnect with you.
ReplyDeleteYour words touched my mind and heart. You will be missed David. I'm about to refill my Kleenex box.
ReplyDeleteThere is a very nice tribute to Dave on ebonyjet.com. Here's the link: http://ebonyjet.com/
ReplyDeleteA couple of appreciation essays and past writings of Dave's.
Rest In Peace Mr. Mills.
ReplyDeleteRest, brother.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed. Condolences to family and friends. God Speed UBM.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Travel well. You were a great treasure in your many endeavors in life...and an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteChauncey DeVega
Rest in Peace, good man.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog for your insights and sense of humor.
You will be missed.
Muna
Rest in Peace, UBM. You gave me great music to look up as well as reminisce over these past few years. I've loved your social commentary as well. You will be greatly missed by all of us.
ReplyDeleteI suddenly lost my uncle last week. My family is in shock at his passing, as he had just turned 49 two days before. I only mention this because of the parallels between UBM's death and my uncle's.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this blog for several years, and the unique perspective UBM brought every day. You will be missed UBM.
Damn, the world is less smart. This blog was an almost every day thing for me. Dave you will be missed.
ReplyDeleteRIP David.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog, your television work, and your musings in general. I was shocked to hear of the passing. My condolences to your family and loved ones. You will deeply be missed.
A good man gone.
ReplyDeleteHe died doing something that he loved.
Peace.
Thank you for coming to our town and leaving your mark.
ReplyDeleteYour comments at the Tennesee Williams Fest were a nice introduction to who you were as a person.
I can not express how much I am saddened by your departure.
Blessings to your family and friends.
Thank you for being a part of our life here in New Orleans.
wow, I am so gonna miss you. Silver Spring never had the same flare since you left, the little stories you use to write. I'll hold on to that and to your memory, always my friend. Shalom.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I love blogs in general, UBM was the only one I ever cared to read regularly. David Mills taught me so much about music, politics, culture. I posted links to his blogs dozens of times. I wish his death wasn't real. Although I've never seen The Wire, I'll definitely be watching it and Treme to have his legacy live on. We never knew each other, but I miss him incredibly.
ReplyDeleteI just read in the paper. Horrible loss. Great, great artist and great, unique, irreplaceable blog.
ReplyDeletestill checkin bruh..thinkin..just maybe
ReplyDeleteUBM,
ReplyDeleteYou were right, you are 'kind of a big deal', so 'what the hex an Emmy' right? We still talking abt u on the interwebs in a big way, iWish there was some way you could see the maaad tributes of your boys DV, CNu, UBJ, BigMan n my hi-jack on the diff blogs. DV's got a maaad archive and your gems, offsides & battles will always be there, to remind folks, 'this is school...Accept no substitutes.' ; )
R.I.P. Mills.
May love, comfort & strength be blessed upon the Mills family in this time. Bless.
Awfully sad. I lurked off and on for one year and don't post. Its so sad. How truly sad.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P. UBM. This was may favorite blog of the very few that I followed. I also enjoyed your TV work and journalism a great deal. If there is some small silver lining it's that you went out while you were on a personal roll and doing what you loved. Fair ye well, my friend.
ReplyDeleteOn a different note I'd like to add UBM did not receive even the simplest of R.I.P.s from "Thrasher" who came here only to insult David several times a week while adding NOTHING of value. I hope you feel like the asshole we all know your are you weak bitch.
So now Dave takes us into new territory again...is this a "ghost blog", with no one able to change its contents but the late author/owner?
ReplyDeleteThe great part is that it becomes a cyberspace memorial to a cyberspace pioneer. But will it eventually go away? Must "rent" be paid to maintain it? Can it be captured in any other way?
As much as I would love to take up the banner, and will shameless bite many of his innovations in my website, we came here because of David's mind, his world view, and that cannot be duplicated.
Any funeral or tribute information?
Reginald Hudlin
www.hudlinentertainment.com
Russell --
ReplyDeleteScroll up.
" RIP, David. This is such a great loss for so many people. You will be missed. Thank you for the work you've left us. It's a legacy to be proud of.
March 31, 2010 12:03 PM
Blogger Thrasher said...
I feel like shit right now a total piece of nothingness.....I brought to David a lot of drama ... I hope to make up for it on the other side..
You were right about me I am a cockroach;-((((((((((((((((((((
RIP
March 31, 2010 12:06 PM "
--bad dad
David was a mentor...gave me great encouragement as a writer years back...his Uncut Funk newspaper was a P-Funk fans dream...needless to say, he is deeply missed by all; by those knew him personally or through UBM.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P.
I kept coming back after Tuesday hoping for an update. I did not realize until this morning that he had passed.
ReplyDeleteDavid, you will be missed.
Fresh Air http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125364838&sc=fb&cc=fp
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125364838&sc=fb&cc=fp
ReplyDeleteFresh Air interview
Disclosure ( I coined the label "one drop"'one drop rule" )for David during many of our rants on his blog..He called me a cockroach after I was mad that he would not develop my script and character I created Dr.Cukoo..I will miss our banter it was hot and heavy but I truly know he loved it..I kept him grounded..
ReplyDelete