By Lana K. Wilson-Combs | OBSERVER CORREPONDENT

HBO's gritty series "The Wire" is one of the most critically acclaimed shows on television. Yet for a show that has won a Peabody Award and garnered critical acclaim from most everyone, including the man who would be president, Barack Obama, you would think the ratings would be off the hook. But that hasn't been the case.

The final episode of "The Wire," entitled "-30-", will premier Sunday, March 9 and will be available on HBO On Demand for the month of March.

Still, after five seasons, "The Wire," which concludes its amazing run on March 9, has maintained a faithful following since its debut in 2002. The reason largely for this is that the show, created by David Simon, depicts the political, economic and social realities of urban life not just in Baltimore Maryland - which serves as the back drop for the series - but speaks to the problems in many cities across the country. In addition, "The Wire's" compelling stories are played out by a phenomenal cast.

Among the many memorable characters on "The Wire" are Andre Royo (aka, Reginald Cousins and "Bubbles”). Royo plays a street smart, homeless heroin addict.

Sacramento Observer Correspondent Lana K. Wilson-Combs recently spoke with Royo during a telephone interview from his home in Los Angeles. He talked about his "Bubbles" character, the enormous popularity of "The Wire," its bittersweet ending, the exceptional cast, who Barack Obama's favorite character is, and the possibility of the "The Wire" coming to the big screen, and a few other things. Here's what Royo had to say.

Lana K. Wilson-Combs: Has it been difficult to accept that after March 9, there will be no more of "The Wire?"

Andre Royo: Yeah, it's been a tough pill to swallow for all of us. It's been such an amazing journey. But you can't stay in school forever. You've got to graduate at some point. Graduation time is here.

LKWC: Is the mood pretty somber among the cast?

AR: It's pretty bittersweet. We realize that we are a part of something that none us had any idea would turn out to be so incredibly huge and popular. So that's really exciting. And because the show has one of the best casts around, we hate to see it end because it's rare to have a show with a predominately black cast like this one.

LKWC: What do you say to people who come up to you and tell you that they love your character?

AR: I'm honored and flattered that "Bubbles" really resonated with so many people. I have a running joke and I tell them that those five years of playing a junkie is enough for me. I gotta clean myself up now. And they laugh and go yeah, man I feel you (lots of laughter).

LKWC: Is it true that when you were first approached to play this role you were reluctant to do it?

AR: Yeah because I felt that it played right into the stereotypes of young, Black men. And our culture seems to have an unforgiving heart and some of the roles that we take can be frowned upon. Also the character didn't sound all that compelling to me initially. But the more I read what David Simon had written about the character, I realized that this was something unique that I could make my own. Looking back, I'm so glad that I didn't walk away from it. Needless to say it's been a huge career boost for me.

LKWC: The writing on the show is superb. What do you think about writer and creator David Simon's vision?

AR: David Simon is so very smart. He along with the rest of the writers and producers had a five year plan. It's almost mind-boggling when you think about the storylines that he and the other writers come up with. They are more like novel writers than filmmakers. But Simon's vision and the realism he brought to the show blows me away.

LKWC: Is it true that some of the cast approached David Simon and asked him to consider bringing "The Wire" to the big screen?

AR: Yes, some of us did. We do feel that there are still so many stories left to tell that could work even better on the big screen.

LKWC: Have you heard back from him or the show's producers about that?

AR: Not yet.

LKWC: Did you know that Barack Obama is a huge fan of "The Wire?"

AR: Yes, I heard him say that during an interview and that his favorite character is Omar Little (Michael K. Williams). When I heard that, I became a big Obama fan. I've been wearing my "Obama For President" shirt regularly. Author Cornell West and Chris Rock are big fans of the show too. Those are some pretty impressive endorsements.

LKWC: Now that Omar got killed, do you think we should have a moment of silence in his honor?

AR: Yes. (Short pause, then laughter).

LKWC: What have you been doing now that the show is ending?

AR: I've been spending more time with my family. We recently attended a school field trip to Sacramento for my nine-year-old daughter. It was my first time to Sacramento and she was there to visit the Capitol. We had a great time and then we went to Tahoe. I'd been to Tahoe before but I love it because it's so beautiful. And I was able to do some snowboarding.

LKWC: Are you a good snowboarder?

AR: Not really. I was just being stupid and trying to hold on to my youth.

LKWC: Any other projects you have coming up?

AR: I have a movie called "August" that stars Josh Hartnett. It comes out later this year. It's about two brothers fighting to keep their Wall Street, Dot-com Company from going under. I work there and the company self-implodes because we've spent o
much money. Naomie Harris also is in it. That's about it right now. Like the rest of the cast we'll all be looking for work. They're making "Terminator 4" ("Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins"), so maybe I can get aboard that project and take some shots at Arnold (Schwarzenegger).

LKWC: Now that you have cleaned yourself up in this season of "The Wire” women are saying "Bubbles" is starting to look pretty good to them. What are your thoughts on that?

AR: That's not a surprise. (Lots of laughter). "Bubbles" has a large romantic side that hasn't been seen. It's so big that it really does need to be shown on the big screen. (Lots of laughter).

Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a syndicated music and entertainment writer who lives in
Sacramento. Contact her at www.N2Entertainment.net.