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Oz on HBO

1997, TV Show

Oz: TV Guide News

A grim and graphically raw drama about life (and often death) in an experimental prison ward called Emerald City at the Oswald State Correctional Facility (nicknamed Oz). It was alternately praised and criticized for its profane language and extreme violence, but creator Tom Fontana's uncompromising study of men and women behind bars---staffers as well as prisoners---is compellingly written and performed.

Exclusive: The Closer Stages a Very Oz-some Reunion | Today's News: Our Take | 5/8/2009
Hey, Vern — Toby is back!

Lee Tergesen will reunite with fellow Oz alum JK Simmons — and vex Kyra Sedgwick's Brenda along the way — when he guest-stars on TNT's The Closer, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.

In the season premiere, airing June 8, Tergesen will play ... read more 13 Comments
'Unorthodox' | TV Show Recaps | 1/16/2008
For all you bloggers who want L&O:SVU to go back to investigating sex crimes I think we can all agree that the rape of a young boy is going to qualify.Now since Olivia was the featured detective in last week's episode it was pretty obvious that we'd be treated to a little Elliot Stabler tonight. But lo and behold who is that dapper chap standing next to him? Well if my eyes don't deceive me I do believe it's our long lost conspiracy minded investigator Det. John Munch. Haven't seen too much of Richard Belzer since NBC sidelined him at the beginning of this season. NIce to have him backWonder what came first though? Did the Orthodox Jew storyline logically dictate Belzer's presence or did they figure: well we're committed to putting Richard in one episode this year so let's throw his religion into the mix? If that's what its going to take I guess we won't see Munch again until SVU starts investigating hate crimes or someone defaces a synagogue. Shame. They even dumped him ... read more
'Snitch' | TV Show Recaps | 12/5/2007
I have more news on the Richard Belzer front. I spoke with the actor himself this week and he is very grateful that you guys all miss Detective Munch and it turns out we weren't imagining things: Belzer’s contract this year was reduced from 22 episodes to a measly 13. No word on why this happened. Belzer is as mystified as we are but the 63 year old's character was pretty much replaced by 35 year old Adam Beach this season. Nobody is saying its ageism and maybe I am just as conspiracy minded as Detective Munch but you do the math and tell me what you think.Executive Producer Neal Baer would not comment further. Although he told me last week Munch wasn't going anywhere, they have sure found screen time for Adam. I think every episode this season. Personally Munch is one of my favorite characters. He is funny, cynical and real. If you want to see more Munch let your voice be heard. Write to NBC or send a letter to TV Guide Magazine and let the show’s producers know ho... read more
Not only do I think Damages ... | Matt Roush | 10/15/2007
Question: Not only do I think Damages was the best new show to air this summer, I now have to say it is the best show on television! I usually can't stand it when shows do flashbacks, then revert to real time and go back and forward again. But Damages does it so well, and that device makes its stories all the more compelling. Here's my question, though: Will Damages be back for a second season? I ask because they have killed off so many of their major players; will enough cast members be left to do a second season, and if so, what storyline could they possibly come up with next? Glenn Close's performance is out-of-the-park superb. Most times Patty is cold, calculating, vindictive, cruel (remember the doggie?) and downright nasty. (Didn't we all love it when Ellen told her off and even again last week when she declined to come back to the firm?) That makes it all the more compelling when we see even the slightest humanity or compassion from her. She is riveting. Also, I've been a fan of ... read more
Back to Prison: Gimme a Break | Matt Roush | 4/3/2007
Those last rites you heard coming from my place Monday night? That was me mourning what had become of the serialized thriller on the Fox network, after sitting through the silly finish of Prison Break's sophomoric sophomore season and yet another hour of the sadly diminished 24. Honestly, there was more natural tension in Dancing with the Stars last night (thanks, Heather Mills), and certainly more satisfying twists and turns during the various tangos and jives.It was pretty clear that there was really only one place for Prison Break to go after this endless season on the run, and that was back to prison, albeit this time a Panama hellhole that makes HBO’s Oz look like the wizard's own Emerald City. Gee, do you think Michael has a tattoo that can get him out of this fine mess? Among his fellow inmates (or at least also in captivity by episode's end): Mahone, framed with drugs planted on his purloined boat by the brothers; T-Bag, naturally; and the bellicose Bellick. In what I s... read more

more Oz spoilers, news and recaps (14 total news articles)

Oz: TV Listings

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Oz: Impotence
In the Season Five finale, Robson goes to...
Network: iTunes
Posted: 8/21/2008 Length: 58m 15s
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Oz: Good Intentions
Hill's recovery leads to renewed friction...
Network: iTunes
Posted: 8/21/2008 Length: 56m 21s
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Oz: Variety
As Cyril's trial gets off to an...
Network: iTunes
Posted: 8/21/2008 Length: 56m 58s
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Oz: Wheel of Fortune
Robson stirs up problems between White and...
Network: iTunes
Posted: 8/21/2008 Length: 58m 23s
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Oz: Next Stop: Valhalla
Penders, Hill and Alvarez are given a...
Network: iTunes
Posted: 8/21/2008 Length: 56m 39s
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Cast & Details

Premiered: July 12, 1997, on HBO

Rating: TV-MA

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Premise: A grim and graphically raw drama about life (and often death) in an experimental prison ward called Emerald City at the Oswald State Correctional Facility (nicknamed Oz). It was alternately praised and criticized for its profane language and extreme violence, but creator Tom Fontana's uncompromising study of men and women behind bars---staffers as well as prisoners---is compellingly written and performed.

Cast