(S01E01) Unlike my esteemed colleagues at various print publications, I did not have access to John from Cincinnati's press screener weeks before the show's broadcast. I would have to write my review within an hour or two after watching the premiere with the rest of America. This is all well and good, but I was a little nervous about what I would make of David Milch's latest outing without some time to reflect. I didn't want my commentary to be mired in superfluous comments about how Ed O'Neill and Rebecca De Mornay are looking these days. This series is drawing on an "everything and the kitchen sink" range of literary and philosophical references. It deserves more from me so I prepared by reading everything that was available – namely the script, interviews with Milch and the early reviews.

Former 90210 heartthrob Luke Perry has joined the cast of Deadwood scribe David Milch's latest outing for HBO, John from Cincinnati. Production on the series began this month with Perry in a guest starring role that has turned full-time.

If you've been following news about Deadwood, you know that John from Cincinnati is the project responsible for truncating our beloved Black Hills-set episodic. HBO chief Chris Albrecht told reporters back in July that he was the guy who suggested ending Deadwood early to get started on John, a project for which he apparently has more enthusiasm. I personally have yet to forgive him for this.