‘The Wire’s Omar: Just Wants To Dance; Loves Janet Jackson & Weeps At Every Season Finale – HBO OnDemand Launches Premiere Early

When one thinks of Omar Little, the ruthless, but moralistic gun-toting gay thug of HBO’s “The Wire” (the best show on television, bar none), one thinks of out-of-nowhere stick-’em ups, a criminal’s ethical code and a man not to be fucked with.

However, the real Omar (Michael K. Williams) is actually a softie according to an interview with New York magazine’s Vulture blog.

You were a professional dancer and choreographer before you started acting. How did you initially get into dance?
I was always dancing. I came out the womb dancing. But before I became a professional dancer, I was 23 years old, working for Pfizer pharmaceuticals and going to BMCC — a.k.a. the thirteenth grade. I had a very turbulent teenage life — drugs, rehab, all that crap — and that was my way of getting my life together, going to school, getting a job. And then here comes Janet Jackson flashing her ass across the screen, talking about Rhythm Nation — I went crazy. I set off to become a Janet Jackson dancer. I wore the tour jacket, the Doc Marten boots, all that. She inspired the shit out of me.

As for the commraderie that brings tears…”Yeah, I always say I’m not going to, but I cry every fuckin’ season finale — every time a season wraps.”

Whodathunk Omar was so sentimental? “The Wire” season 5 is supposed to debut this Sunday, January 6, right? Wrong. HBO subscribers turn to your OnDemand now. The season 5 premiere has been available since Sunday (we watched it last night). What’s in store for this fifth and final season? Williams gives a foreboding hint. “Keep your eyes on the children. Watch those kids. They’re gonna really take it to another level this year. But all I can really say is, brace yourself.”

Sounds great, right? However, Baltimore’s own, The Baltimore Sun is panning the 5th season (though it just might be too close to home for the Sun since they are the subject therein). We don’t even want to link to it, but Time Out New York’s review of season 5’s first half has some McNulty spoilers if you feel like reading them. We already did (d’oh!), so it’s too late for us, but they’re their if you’re truly curious.