CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The Television Critics Association began its winter press tour this week in which the various broadcast and cable networks talk about their upcoming plans to the nation's top critics and entertainment reporters.

Here's a breakdown of the highlights of HBO's presentation (via press release):

THE SOPRANOS

Joining the cast of THE SOPRANOS as a regular this season is Steve Buscemi ("Ghost World"), playing Tony Soprano's cousin Tony Blundetto. Guest stars for the fifth season include Polly Bergen, Tim Daly, Patty D'Arbanville , Robert Loggia, Joe Santos, David Strathairn, Frankie Valli, and Frank Vincent.

SIX FEET UNDER

Mena Suvari, Ellen DeGeneres and Veronica Cartwright are among the guest stars slated for the fourth season of SIX FEET UNDER, now in production in Los Angeles and returning to HBO next summer.

THE WIRE

Renowned crime novelists Dennis Lehane ("Mystic River") and Richard Price ("Clockers," "Samaritan") are writing for the critically acclaimed HBO drama series THE WIRE, it was announced today by Carolyn Strauss, executive vice president, HBO Original Programming.

HBO'S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ON THE RECORD WITH BOB COSTAS RETURNS FOR ITS FOURTH SEASON OF LATE-NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT, STARTING APRIL 2

HBO Sports, widely recognized for its pioneering, award-winning and distinctive productions, will again present the fourth season of the critically acclaimed series ON THE RECORD WITH BOB COSTAS as part of HBO's Friday late-night entertainment lineup, beginning FRIDAY, APRIL 2 (11:00.-11:45 p.m. ET/PT). Hosted by Costas, one of TV's most accomplished broadcasters, this provocative, engaging and issue-oriented 45-minute program is designed to appeal to audiences interested in entertainment, sports and news, and will once again be scheduled as a 12-week series, with other new editions debuting on subsequent Fridays at the same time. HBO's Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein will serve as executive producers of the program, which will again draw on the talents of HBO Sports' Peabody- and Emmy(r)-winning production department.