Omar Little

According to many critics, HBO's drama series The Wire (2002-2008) is arguably the greatest television series ever made and one of the most accomplished works of fiction of the 2000s. The most memorable character of this groundbreaking series is the homosexual stick-up gangsta -- the Robin Hood-esque -- Omar Little.

Omar walks the mean streets of West Baltimore wearing a trench coat, a bulletproof vest and toting a shotgun while whistling the "The Farmer and the Dell". He robs drug dealers, lives by a strict moral code, refuses to use profane language, accompanies his grandmother to church once a month, all while being feared and revered by everyone in his presence.

Highly intelligent, cunning, consistently executing well-laid plans, anticipating moves, and outsmarting his adversaries every step of the way, Omar is legendary in Baltimore. Children dress up like him, the police respect him (while not exactly agreeing with his actions), and his name is so well known that streets empty as soon as someone screams "Yo, Omar Comin'!".

Omar is played by critically acclaimed actor, Michael K. Williams. Williams chose to try for the part of Omar Little because he felt that the well rounded, unique, contradictory nature of the character would make him stand out from other African American actors, and he received the role immediately after a single audition.

Williams used the Meisner Technique (learned from his relationship with off-broadway theater), immersing himself by researching many details to inner city Baltimore, to prepare for the part of Omar. His work paid off beautifully, and his character was praised for his uniqueness in the stale landscape of TV crime dramas and for the wit and humor that he brought to the portrayal.

The Baltimore City Paper named the character one of their top ten reasons not to cancel the show and called him "arguably the show's single greatest achievement," and USA Today named Williams' portrayal of Omar as one of ten reasons they still love television.

It's true! Our own commander and chief himself, Barack Obama, has stated publicly that his favorite TV show is HBO's The Wire and his favorite character on the show is none other than everyone's favorite black, gay, homosexual thug, Omar Little!

"Omar is a great guy ... That's not an endorsement. He's not my favorite person, but he's a fascinating character" -- Barack Obama

"He's this black, gay gangster who only robs drug dealers, and then gives back ... He's the toughest, baddest guy on this show, but he's gay, you know. And that's really interesting." -- Barack Obama

A president with good taste in quality TV? Now this is the kind of change we're talking about!