The Wire at 20 Official Podcast | Episode 2 with Hassan Johnson | HBO

Hassan Johnson, who played Roland “Wee-Bey” Brice, joins The Wire at 20 for an animated conversation between old friends. He and Method Man reminisce about growing up together on Staten Island, share behind-the-scenes memories of their time on The Wire, and reflect on the show’s lasting pop culture influence, including the ubiquitous Wee-Bey meme.
The Wire is now streaming via HBO on HBO Max.
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[@jayraider521614]

That scene where Wee Bay finds out she was a cop...His reaction is so authentic it deserved an oscar!

[@targetegrat]

ahahahaha. I've seen the gif on social media. People are using it as their reaction when they look at gas prices.

[@patrickbyrne5070]

He got made a meme instead

[@AustinIsSoTheMan]

that moment it was the best acting ever achieved by a human.

[@balabanasireti]

​@@AustinIsSoTheManNo

[@jasonmeas]

@@patrickbyrne5070underrated comment 😂😂😂

[@modise9009]

Favourite Weebey scene for me is when he was eating all those murders for the team over some fries and potato salad

[@rb6120]

He was smashing that pit beef

[@brownpunk1794]

NAAHHHHHH!!!

[@BruteStrength99]

I always thought that made him a sucka.

[@dankdank2u]

Lotta horseradish 😂

[@brownpunk1794]

@@dankdank2u medium rare

[@delgadogarces]

Wee-Bey and Bunny Colvin discuss Namond's future was one of the best scenes in the wire.

[@mattyoufat1000]

💯💯💯

[@mrsblackson1]

Method Man as Host??!!! It don't get no better!!!❤️

[@GalactusOG]

A new season or reboot would be better.

[@matthewevans4186]

Probably would of been hosted by Michael K Williams… RIP

[@jamesleedale3099]

Haha

[@patrickbyrne5070]

@@GalactusOG don’t even touch it. David Simon has a new show tho with many of the wire cast - I’m looking forward to seeing it

[@GalactusOG]

@@patrickbyrne5070 A New season would be better. I don't care about the actors. Only their characters storylines.

[@Ahmedkhan8802]

It doesn't matter that The Wire didn't win any Emmys. The show's excellence is generally acknowledged by all who view it and over time has acquired an ever-increasing audience and public awareness, all around the world.

[@kidreem6823]

Because it rubbed to many top tiers the wrong way and good they deserve to see there truths thrown back at them this show literally formatted everything we see now

[@davehan241]

Method Man has the Midas touch: Everything he does is gold. This was such an insightful, fun interview with Hassan Johnson. Though there were many "soldiers" in the show (e.g. Snoop, Bodie, Chris)...Wee-Bey being old enough to be father AND choosing to be a good father even while jailed made him the character we love so much.

[@TheBlackKakashi]

Hassan always plays a loyal and straight up dude in his roles

[@jaysilver9925]

On brooklyn finest, he did plot on Tango before he knew he was a cop. He begged for his life when his boss (played by Michael K Williams) executed the hit on the overall boss so he could take the helm.

[@williams3846]

What a great conversation. I have watched the show many, many times, but Method Man and Hassan brought up many different things about these characters that I never thought about. Well done.

[@1cryogen]

Greatest show of all time and you both were fantastic in it. You should both be very proud. Thank you.

[@cvgodd1432]

Watch The Corner.. it came out before the wire and is about the addicts in Baltimore. Dope show but only like 6 episodes

[@earlbanister5514]

Brother Hassan Johnson needs to get more roles! I love him and Meth's energy that they bring to their craft.

[@FuNati]

Like two close cousins sharing life stories. A beautiful moment.

[@robertjacobsen3742]

I used to go back and forth over what the best show ever on TV was. I had it down to the Sopranos and The Wire. After many times re-watching both it has become clear, I enjoy The Wire a good deal more. I watch it ever couple of years and every time I watch it I pick on some things I missed. This podcast is making me want to watch it again even though I just watched it last month.

[@82habit]

We need this show back

[@jasminehill6312]

I want it back sooo bad 😫 I wish they would follow up with Dukie, Namond, Michael and Randy!!!

[@82habit]

@@jasminehill6312 for sure and they can show what Avon,Webey and Chris doing in jail.

[@PaulGLarsson]

Nah what nobody needs is more sequels. This show has been marinating slowly, aging better and better as America turns for the worse. Just letting it sit and be truer for every year is the best honour The Wire can have.

[@jasminehill6312]

@@82habit Yes!!! And Segei and Ziggy too.

[@roaddawg3217]

​@@jasminehill6312 Ziggy❤😂😂😂 poor guy... awesome acting by the fella that played him

[@MrParker-ux2mh]

I’ve watched the wire from start to finish 1000 times….literally. I just noticed the other day that when Carcetti sent all his officials out to clean the city….the car towed…..was Ziggy’s burned Camaro!!! DETAILS!!!

[@tapset]

Literally?

[@davehan241]

Nice catch.

[@MrParker-ux2mh]

@@tapset to be honest bro...probably I've had the box set for years and it's been streamable since covid & whenever there is nothing on TV (which for me is when nfl & nba seasons are off) I'll watch from S1 E1....🤷🏿‍♂️)

[@tapset]

@@MrParker-ux2mh I was making fun of you using literally but seeing as you're a wire an NBA fan I take it back

[@MrParker-ux2mh]

@@tapset I didn't take it personal or offensive. I was explaining that I really think I have watches it 1000x. Lol....

[@pavgreen440]

Love this - the fun yall have is contagious

[@DixiePokerAce]

Hassan and Method Man were both great characters on one of the best TV shows of all time.

[@drjcup3228]

Still the most important show I’ve ever had the privilege of watching, and I live well away from the United States and Baltimore. Required viewing for anyone on the planet.

[@TheMkfan123]

They keep replaying the audio from certain scenes, the AUDIO, and I can see each scene as vivid as ever. Thank y'all for this podcast. God, I love this show!

[@Mr_Damion_Scott]

Robert Chew is/was My cousin in real life, it's great to see him immortalized in the wire.

[@johnjones442]

🗣🙏🏾

[@debiwilliams1588]

This conversation was a privilege to hear. 🔥🔥

[@olubukonla7352]

WeeBey was Avon's Lucabrasi

[@rb6120]

True solider. Don’t get any more loyal.

[@nicholasjones1011]

My favorite Wee Bey scenes all of them. But when he gets caught and tell'em he will go a few more for another pit sandwich and some potatoe salad. And when he was talking to his son in jail. You either real out there or ain't Nay!!!!

[@biggpdizl]

Big up!! Absolutely love this podcast 🙌 👏 🔥🔥

[@davidguiney1746]

Aiden Gillen is NOT British, he's Irish. Love the show

[@p0cr0c71]

He was born in Northern Ireland, making him British.

[@H3OnTheRoad]

I love this!

[@miscellanyman263]

Never realized during the show that both Dominic and Idris were British. Rest-in-Peace, Michael ("Omar"). How did Ed Norris go from NYPD officer to B'more Police Commish? First time I laid eyes on Norris on the show, I KNEW he was a cop -- don't ask me how I knew -- it was something about his body language. If you have not binge-watched the entire show like I did, then get with it, peeps, it is well-worth it!

[@MrParker-ux2mh]

Deanna barksdale actress is British as well

[@ayejay2140]

Jay the det. Sgt. In the wire McNulty boss in homicide was Baltimore commish in we own this city with jon bernthal , kinda funny lol

[@DoubleRDubPlays]

It’s funny that they mention Brown Sugar, because the person who ended up playing the Puffy-kind of roll was Wendell Pierce, who also played The Bunk in The Wire. Good stuff!

[@kentonbelton1068]

Wait a minute. . . .Cheese was Randy's dad?????? That's crazy, had no clue. I totally missed that their last names are the same. Smh.

[@analisekeating4838]

Wow that's crazy!

[@amurray0806]

Lol, yes, both wagstaff. I am a Wire nerd. Here is something else. Wee Bey and D’Angelo were talking in the car. Wee Bey pulls over in front of a carry out. They get out and they both stand near the restaurant. It tells you the caliber of person they are. Go with me here it is not a reach. Wee Bey stands underneath a sign that says beef and D’Angelo stands under sign of chicken….. Wee Bey took all the charges and D’Angelo crumbled initially.

[@paisan8766]

@@amurray0806 my response to this is the Wee Bay meme from the print shop… 🤯

[@amurray0806]

@@paisan8766 lol

[@ThirteenAmp]

He also said or brother but it was never addressed

[@jayman3915]

Best wee bay scene was his baby mama visiting him in jail and him checking her over the direction of their son future

[@JonesyTerp1]

"Remember who I am....." I've watched that scene on youtube 150 times if I've watched it once.

[@luisdunn2748]

Other than Kennard, Weebay was the only one who hit Omar. All those people could never touch him.

[@savii4912]

i think chris hit him in the apartment shootout

[@paulgreen5700]

Whaaaaaat was that Kennard who got him??? I watched it 1000 times and I didn't put that together.

[@ryanduray1]

@@paulgreen5700 You missed the part where Kenard was standing there stunned holding a smoking gun after Omar hit the ground? Maybe sarcasm?

[@paulgreen5700]

@@ryanduray1 I did not know that was Kennard. I thought it was someone else. Obviously I knew Omar was killed.

[@renzopeterson153]

@@savii4912 you thought wrong sir

[@BtrDaze]

Love when two friends talk

[@CaptLoquaLacon]

I wish the meeting between Method Man and Tom McCarthy had been filmed, it sounded like it was hilarious. Spotlight is fantastic and it really popped me when I realised it was that POS Templeton who directed and co-wrote it I'd love to know if what happened with D'Angelo played on Wee Bay's mind when it came to Namond. The last conversation with Brianna and D'Angelo had a tale where she let him get beaten to toughen him up, and for me that really echoes in Namond's story. You could try to make him fit the streets, but it seemed unlikely it would go any better for him than D'Angelo.

[@machomcfly1525]

My man was on point with that analogy! If Loyalty was a person, Wee Bey’s flick would be emblazoned above the Word! Ten toes down!

[@CornerstoneLegalGroup]

Prosecutor: If you want to think of anything but straight life you need to be waking up talking about Avon Barksdale and Stringer bell! Bey: NOPE

[@jclheriteau]

Wee Bay character is a monster in Season 1. He kills people, he doesn't care about the girl over-dosing etc... He is indeed loyal to the crew. Then he changes over the season. Maybe more accurately we see another side of the character. The scene with Colvin is one of my preferred. He knows his son is not for this life and he loves him (and want to give him a chance)

[@StoutProper]

My favourite character, what a performance

[@mattyoufat1000]

Smashing the little prosecutor lady, 😂😂😂

[@JaySplash00]

Great listen!

[@busstopbench]

Love this! I live in dc now and strongly stand by not eating crab or crab cakes unless I’m in my home town of bmore. Bmore > dc

[@ReppinCTandATL]

Free Wee Bey!

[@mjdf122]

Nice another great episode

[@firstube]

Favorite cheese is getting shot by Brother Mouzone. Fave Wee bay is conversation with Bunny Colvin about letting his son go.

[@johnjones442]

🗣🔥🔥💪🏾Im only mad there's no video to these

[@9wardslugga]

Feds:: if u ever wanna think about straight life in jail, better give up stringer n Avon Bey:: NAH

[@bumpthecrypto3059]

Season 4 was the best just cause they brought old characters in a new light with wee bey and prezbo

[@bananaempijama]

"Nah." Wee Bey

[@alistent21]

Cheese a deadbeat daddy

[@mrperfect1695]

We should get a spinoff

[@jasminehill6312]

If we get the originals 😉

[@mrperfect1695]

@@jasminehill6312 I was thinking like a spin-off with Avon Stringer and Wee bay on how they came up when they were younger and took control of the towers

[@jasminehill6312]

@@mrperfect1695 I would love that!! To see how they actually became the Barksdale organization

[@matancohen4495]

Great episode!!

[@mithaelreed1995]

BRING THE WIRE BACK

[@kiddbyname]

Aidan Gillen is Irish, not British

[@CultureScreen]

Simply amazing

[@CayMauzTheVlog]

Webey and Culvin talking about naymond took me off guard at first. I thought he was just taking him off the corner not taking him into his home

[@GalactusOG]

Are they going to make a new season?

[@jbstuff4472]

Rewatch from the beginning. You will see it from a different prospective. I binged during the pandemic

[@olubukonla7352]

@@jbstuff4472 It is a hard watch post Freddie Grey. They even talk about Rough Rides in the show. Simon and Burns are geniuses.

[@jasminehill6312]

@@jbstuff4472 No lies told! Everytime I do a rewatch I notice something new and important!

[@marklachney420]

@@jasminehill6312 season 5 even talks about fentanyl becoming a problem

[@ejkboxing]

Black American culture is American culture. Hip-hop doesn't push the culture forward, Black Americans, as a group, push the culture forward. If we don't co-sign it, create it, invent it or build it, it's wack, no matter what other group is co-signing it.. Also, why would anyone call Mef Cheese when he's already Mef.

[@shakeenjatt4824]

who is the method man and hassan? all i hear is weebay and cheese hhahaa

[@mars3676]

Real ny interview

[@robertmartin1414]

The truth is I loved this interview

[@jbstuff4472]

Was Randy Cheese’s son?

[@KtotheG]

Yes... it's crazy how they didn't have a relationship, living in the same city.

[@robertbanks8421]

Sadly it happens every day

[@jasminehill6312]

Yes!

[@Ray-gd3zo]

I hope randy finally meet his dad on this podcast

[@robertbanks8421]

@@Ray-gd3zo No way the wire too real for fantasy

[@Wondertroy1TV]

The Greatest show ever

[@ThirteenAmp]

It was the farmer in the dell, not a hunting we will go because he said multiple times "the cheese stands alone" that's farmer in the dell

[@jasminehill6312]

It was " A Hunting We Will Go". In the book, " All the Pieces Matter" the writers stated that and here's a fun fact: Michael K. Williams couldn't whistle so it was a recorded track of a lady whistling 😁😁

[@jaesyin]

I really wanna know how many years did Avon get the 2nd time he was caught cos it wasn’t specified but some people saying 5yrs

[@jasminehill6312]

25 years I think....and he had to do the 5 years which is what was left of his original 7 years. Remember he only did 2 years when he got out in Season 3

[@Paul-vf2wl]

@@jasminehill6312 Yeah I guess when you violate your parole you have to do the entire sentence which was 7 or 8 years. It kind of sounded like all his people were going to take the rap for all the weapons they got caught with so I don't know if he got any extra charges.

[@robertbanks8421]

He had to do rest of his sentence for violating parole. So about 5 yrs would be right. He ate none of those gun charges

[@da1calledj54]

why did Bird not get out of prison since Bay took his charge?

[@onlydaprecum]

Omar testified as an eyeball witness

[@brownpunk1794]

Any of yall got some spare tater salad?

[@onlydaprecum]

We out, you good wit slaw?

[@brownpunk1794]

@@onlydaprecum *kisses teeth* in dissapointment...deep sigh

[@nerndawg1145]

Aidan Gillen is Irish

[@9wardslugga]

FREE BEY

[@monkigrass]

Shout out to everybody who got shouted out

[@tonyjohnson5047]

never new randy was cheese son WOW

[@JoshuaThompson-z6n]

...And Jezabelle over there somewhere. I don't know. She thinks she cute WeeBay's best line I think.

[@GraceArie]

That line always takes me out!!!!😂😂

[@antdogg422]

Cheese's Dog Gone Confession

[@nupc717]

nice graphics

[@lucozade8373]

Neeeeed video

[@wyteboii3688]

the only thing this show was missing was more accurate accents for Bmore.

[@KtotheG]

They couldn't hire all Baltimore actors... you mainly heard it with the extras. Some of the main characters had it, though, like Prop Joe, the principal Mrs Connelly, Snoop (of course), and Cutty. Everybody else was either NY/NJ or foreign. Wood Harris is from Chicago, but he had a NY accent..

[@wyteboii3688]

@@KtotheG yeah I didn't mean hire all bmore actors. But if idris can do that good of an accent that he sounded like he from NY they could have all worked on bmore accents

[@KtotheG]

@@wyteboii3688 That takes skill and training... big A list film actors will get that kind of accent coaching and still have trouble pulling off the local dialects in their roles. Matt Damon and Will Smith come to mind. Idris Elba and that guy who played McNulty did let their British accents slip out from time to time. Simon just basically told them to mimic Northeast accents. I think the guy who played Lt. Daniels and the guy who played Bunny Colvin did the best in covering up their native accents, because they're both from the Caribbean. Omar tried, but he still had too much NY in him. Most of them didn't even try.

[@mwenvlay]

and better hip hop. i know after the second season they tried to get someone local to help them place b'more club music in the "scource," but they really did a bad job with the hip hop that made it into the show.

[@wyteboii3688]

@@KtotheG yeah Omar didn't do bad. Mcnulty did a really good white bmore accent I thought for being Irish or British.

[@fedecano7362]

I know this is a pod cast but at least give me a video feed of the actors while talking or some editing with the scenes being talked about...just a still frame? mehh boring

[@Ms.Opinionated]

Nope, didn't know Wee bays 1st name

[@Timeizmoney35]

So no footage in 2023 smh