Boomtown (2002 TV series)

Last updated
Boomtown
BoomtownDVD1.jpg
Season 1 DVD cover
Genre
Created by Graham Yost
Starring
ComposerPhilip Giffin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes24
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time45 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseSeptember 29, 2002 (2002-09-29) 
December 28, 2003 (2003-12-28)

Boomtown is an American action drama television series created by Graham Yost, that aired on NBC from September 29, 2002 to December 28, 2003. The show's title is a nickname for its setting: Los Angeles, California.

Contents

Overview

The show portrayed a criminal investigation each week, seen from various points of view: the police officers and detectives, the lawyers, paramedics, reporters, victims, witnesses, and criminals.

The series premiered on September 29, 2002. The first season order was for 18 episodes. After disappointing ratings, the series was retooled: the reliance on non-linear storytelling was lessened, some characters were written out, and others were introduced. Ratings did not improve, and the series was canceled, with the last episode airing on December 28, 2003.

Despite its low viewership, Boomtown received several awards and nominations, including Emmy Awards, Golden Satellite Awards, and Television Critics Association Awards.

Cast and characters

Boomtown season 2 promotional image Boomtown.jpg
Boomtown season 2 promotional image

Main

Recurring

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 18September 29, 2002 (2002-09-29)April 20, 2003 (2003-04-20)
2 6September 26, 2003 (2003-09-26)December 28, 2003 (2003-12-28)

Season 1 (2002–03)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
11"Pilot" Jon Avnet Graham Yost September 29, 2002 (2002-09-29)2101
A drive-by shooting is investigated from several angles. We meet Fearless, detective and Gulf War veteran with a list of things to do before he dies, and a habit of telling stories; Joel, a detective who is still attempting to hide the suicide attempt of his wife Kelly; Teresa, the kind-hearted paramedic who was on duty the night of said attempt; David McNorris, the manipulative deputy district attorney; reporter Andrea Little, his secret mistress; Ray Hechler, a cop under suspicion of corruption; and his young partner Tom, a mediocre officer who is frequently criticized by his father.
22"Possession"Jon AvnetGraham YostOctober 6, 2002 (2002-10-06)1002
After a telemarketer overhears a murder plot on the phone, Joel, Fearless, Ray and Tom scramble to find him; while David and Andrea find the pressure of their affair building.
33"The Squeeze"Jon Avnet Michelle Ashford October 13, 2002 (2002-10-13)1003
A prominent attorney gets murder charges against him dropped, and everyone takes different paths in an attempt to get him to confess.
44"Reelin' In the Years" Bobby Roth Laurence AndriesOctober 20, 2002 (2002-10-20)1004
After Joel and Fearless solve the murder of Tom's father's former partner, Tom and Andrea face their past.
55"All Hallow's Eve" Frederick King Keller Graham YostOctober 27, 2002 (2002-10-27)1005
On Halloween, David is stunned when Andrea breaks up with him on the same night that Marian accuses him of adultery; Ray and Tom go undercover to stop pumpkins thieves; while Joel and Fearless try to save Teresa - whose ambulance has been hijacked.
66"The Freak"Jon AvnetMichelle AshfordNovember 3, 2002 (2002-11-03)1006
Ray and Tom investigate a bizarre case while Fearless risks his life to save a little girl, because of a haunting memory of an old war buddy.
77"Insured by Smith & Wesson" Peter Werner Story by: Chris Brancato & Albert J. Salke
Teleplay by: Chris Brancato
November 10, 2002 (2002-11-10)1008
When Ray goes undercover into a hostage situation inside a sporting goods store, he discovers that the store manager is a former actor of Ray's favorite 1980s TV show. While attempting to convince the manager to help him save the day, Ray's illusions are shattered.
88"Crash" Jeremy Kagan Fred Golan November 17, 2002 (2002-11-17)1009
Fearless's ex-girlfriend joins him and Joel on a case to crack an insurance fraud ring.
99"The David McNorris Show"Peter WernerLaurie D. ArentDecember 1, 2002 (2002-12-01)1010
While Joel and Fearless investigate the death of a teenage girl, McNorris makes some dirty deals which collapse just as his marriage does.
1010"Coyote" Alex Zakrzewski Ronald A. BurlaDecember 8, 2002 (2002-12-08)1007
Joel and Fearless must convince Andrea to face a psychotic homeless man who she went to school with to find a kidnapped teenager.
1111"Monster's Brawl" Rodrigo García Javier Grillo-Marxuach January 5, 2003 (2003-01-05)1011

On a tip from Teresa, Joel, Fearless, Tom and a slowly falling apart David team up to convict a group of filmmakers inspiring homeless people to kill each other.

Guest star: Neil Patrick Harris as Peter Corman.
1212"Sinaloa Cowboys" Michael W. Watkins Graham YostJanuary 12, 2003 (2003-01-12)1012
A simple domestic disturbance call becomes a life-changing event for Ray and Tom as they find themselves in the middle of a drug war, while Joel and Teresa grow closer.
1313"Home Invasion" Tucker Gates Joel Anderson ThompsonMarch 2, 2003 (2003-03-02)1013
Joel and Fearless must reluctantly let Andrea in on their case when they discover a group of killers who stake out a family home before torturing and killing the family.
1414"Execution"Jon AvnetLaurence AndriesMarch 9, 2003 (2003-03-09)1014
On the night of his execution, a criminal gives McNorris an ultimatum: save his life or risk the death of a kidnapped cop. While McNorris attempts to save him, Ray and his fellow officers attempt to take a more pragmatic course, unaware of what they are up against.
1515"Storm Watch"Jon AvnetStory by: Chris Brancato & Kevin Dunigan
Teleplay by: Chris Brancato
March 16, 2003 (2003-03-16)1015
Ray, Joel, Tom and Fearless are locked down in the station along with their fellow cops when a mole is suspected and Ray has no choice but to ask Andrea - who almost cost him his badge a year earlier - to help; meanwhile McNorris continues on a downward spiral.
1616"Fearless"Frederick King KellerStory by: Graham Yost & Mykelti Williamson
Teleplay by: Graham Yost
March 30, 2003 (2003-03-30)1016
In a rather different episode (featuring only one point of view, Fearless's), Fearless investigates the shooting of a drug dealer, and faces his past.
1717"Blackout" Jack Bender Fred GolanApril 13, 2003 (2003-04-13)1017
With his wife having left him, and Andrea refusing to take him back, McNorris finds himself drinking into blackouts, which ultimately leads him to wake up with blood on his car. When he learns about a hit-and-run incident, he begins to act fearfully, and his suspicions tip off Joel, who is working with Fearless, Ray and Tom to crack the case.
1818"Lost Child"Frederick King KellerMichelle AshfordApril 20, 2003 (2003-04-20)1018
Already agonizing over his feelings for Teresa, Joel is put on the case of a kidnapped newborn. While Fearless, Andrea, Ray and David (preparing for rehab) investigate, Joel finds himself finally confronting his wife's suicide attempt and the death of their newborn daughter; while Tom finds himself being coerced into snitching on Joel.

Season 2 (2003)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
191"The Love of Money" Jon Avnet Graham Yost September 26, 2003 (2003-09-26)2001

Joel, Fearless, Ray and Tom work together to investigate a group of cop killers, who threaten Joel's family. Joel has Robbery/Homicide detective Katherine Pierce reassigned to their division to assist. Meanwhile, David recovers in rehab and Teresa considers her future.

Guest star: Rebecca De Mornay as Sabrina Fithian.
202"Inadmissible"Jon AvnetAnne McGrailOctober 3, 2003 (2003-10-03)2002

Ray and Katherine testify against the cop killers; David comes out of rehab and gets straight onto the case despite his recent alcoholism; and Teresa joins the police academy.

Guest stars: Rebecca De Mornay as Sabrina Fithian, Stacy Keach as Mac McNorris, and Roma Maffia as Sally Jacobson.
213"Wannabe"Jon Avnet Fred Golan December 27, 2003 (2003-12-27)2003
Joel and Fearless investigate when Teresa discovers a body at the police academy; Ray, Tom and Katherine work to stop a gang of thieves who pose as police officers.
224"Haystack" Frederick King Keller Clyde Phillips December 27, 2003 (2003-12-27)2004
A gang of fleeing bank robbers take a group of hostages at a shopping center, including Teresa.
235"The Hole-in-the-Wall Gang" Kevin Hooks Laurence AndriesDecember 27, 2003 (2003-12-27)2005

A frat boy killed and buried in the wall of a frat house twenty years ago is found, and David, Katherine, Joel and Fearless investigate.

Guest star: LeVar Burton as Marvin Lloyd.
246"The Big Picture"Frederick King KellerLaurie D. ArentDecember 28, 2003 (2003-12-28)2006

Not following his instincts on a domestic disturbance call, Tom is horrified when the woman goes missing and the chief suspect is murdered; so he works with Katherine in a desperate effort to find the truth.

Guest star: Virginia Madsen as Erika Ashland.

Reception

Critical response

Boomtown received largely positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 96% with an average score of 10/10 based on 26 reviews. The website's critical consensus is, "Boomtown gives the police procedural innovative pep with its dense ensemble and warring perspectives, bringing a refreshing moral ambiguity to primetime." [1] On Metacritic, the first season has a score of 89 out of 100 based on 31 reviews, signifying "universal acclaim". [2]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for Boomtown
YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2003 American Film Institute Award TV Program of the Year Won
Casting Society of America's Artios Award Best Casting for TV, Dramatic PilotMeg Liberman and Camille H. PattonNominated
Imagen Foundation Award Best Supporting Actress - Television Lana Parrilla Won
NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Mykelti Williamson Nominated
Online Film & Television Association Award [3] Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Neal McDonough Nominated
Best Direction in a Drama Series Jon Avnet (For the pilot episode)Nominated
Peabody Award NBC Studios, in association with DreamWorks Television Inc., and Nemo FilmsWon [4]
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Main Title Theme Music Philip GiffinNominated
Television Critics Association Award Program of the Year Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Drama Won
Outstanding New Program Won
Individual Achievement in Drama Neal McDonough Nominated
2004 Satellite Award Best Television Series – Drama Nominated
Best Supporting Actor – Television Series – Drama Neal McDonough Won

DVD release

Lionsgate Home Entertainment release Season 1 of Boomtown on DVD in Region 1 on July 20, 2004. Season 1 was subsequently released in Region 2 as well. Despite strong sales of season one and popular demand on TV-DVD websites, season 2 was never released in the USA or UK. The season two episodes were made available, however, on the French DVD box set Boomtown Complet, which also includes a short interview with French film critic Alain Carraze, who offers comments about the show. The DVD's released in the United States contain an optional commentary soundtrack by individuals who were involved in making the show but this is absent from the French and British DVD releases.

The Region 1 release has been discontinued and is now out of print. [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Dragnet</i> (franchise) Radio, television, and film series, mostly about LAPD detective Joe Friday

Dragnet is an American media franchise created by actor and producer Jack Webb, following Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Detective Joe Friday and his partners as they conduct by-the-book police work and solve crimes in Los Angeles. Originating as a radio drama on NBC in 1949, Dragnet has been adapted into several successful television shows and films, though the franchise's popularity has reduced since Webb's death in 1982. Its name is derived from the police term "dragnet", a system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Webb</span> American actor, producer, director, and writer (1920–1982)

John Randolph Webb was an American actor, television producer, director, and screenwriter, most famous for his role as Joe Friday in the Dragnet franchise, which he created. He was also the founder of his own production company, Mark VII Limited.

<i>NYPD Blue</i> American television police procedural (1993–2005)

NYPD Blue is an American police procedural television series set in New York City, exploring the struggles of the fictional 15th Precinct detective squad in Manhattan. Each episode typically intertwines several plots involving an ensemble cast. The show was created by Steven Bochco and David Milch, and was inspired by Milch's relationship with Bill Clark, a former member of the New York City Police Department who eventually became one of the show's producers. The series was originally broadcast by ABC from September 21, 1993‚ to March 1, 2005. It was ABC's longest-running primetime one-hour drama series until Grey's Anatomy surpassed it in 2016.

<i>Emergency!</i> American television series

Emergency! is an American action-adventure medical drama television series jointly produced by Mark VII Limited and Universal Television. Debuting on NBC as a midseason replacement on January 15, 1972, replacing the two short-lived situation comedy series The Partners and The Good Life, it ran for a total of 122 episodes until May 28, 1977, with six additional two-hour television films during the next two years, 1978 and 1979.

<i>Police Story</i> (1973 TV series) Television series

Police Story is an American anthology, crime-drama, television series that aired weekly on NBC from September 25, 1973, through April 5, 1977, followed by a season of irregularly scheduled television film specials from September 27, 1977, to May 28, 1978, with three further television films screened in 1979, 1980, and 1987. The show was created by author and former police officer Joseph Wambaugh and was described by The Complete Directory of Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows as "one of the more realistic police series to be seen on television". It was produced by David Gerber and Mel Swope.

<i>The Shield</i> American drama television series

The Shield is an American crime drama television series starring Michael Chiklis that premiered on March 12, 2002, on FX in the United States, and concluded on November 25, 2008, after seven seasons. Known for its portrayal of corrupt police officers, it was originally advertised as Rampart in reference to the true-life Rampart Division police scandal, on which the show's Strike Team was loosely based. The series was created by Shawn Ryan and The Barn Productions for Fox Television Studios and Sony Pictures Television.

Homicide: Life on the Street is an American police drama television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Police Department's Homicide Unit. Created by Paul Attanasio, it ran for seven seasons and 122 episodes on NBC from January 31, 1993, to May 21, 1999, and was succeeded by Homicide: The Movie (2000), which served as the series finale. The series was created by Paul Attanasio and based on David Simon's book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets (1991). Many of the characters and stories used throughout the show were based on events depicted in the book.

Monk is an American comedy-drama detective television series that originally ran on the USA Network from July 12, 2002, to December 4, 2009, with 125 episodes broadcast over eight seasons. The series follows Adrian Monk, a private detective with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, and his assistants Sharona Fleming and Natalie Teeger. Monk works with the San Francisco Police Department in solving unconventional cases while investigating his wife's unsolved murder. The show also incorporates elements of comedy and drama through exploring the main characters' personal lives and lots of struggles.

<i>Cannon</i> (TV series) Television program

Cannon is an American detective television series produced by Quinn Martin that aired from 1971 to 1976 on CBS. William Conrad played the title character, private detective Frank Cannon. The series was the first Quinn Martin production to run on a network other than ABC.

<i>T. J. Hooker</i> American police drama television series (1982–1986)

T. J. Hooker is an American police drama television program starring William Shatner in the title role as a 15-year veteran police sergeant. The series premiered as a mid-season replacement on March 13, 1982, on ABC and ran on the network until May 4, 1985. The show was then picked up for a further single season by CBS.

<i>Martial Law</i> (TV series) American action-adventure comedy television series

Martial Law is an American action-crime-adventure-comedy television series created by Carlton Cuse that aired on CBS from September 26, 1998, to May 13, 2000. The title character, Sammo Law, is a Chinese law officer and martial arts expert who comes to Los Angeles in search of a colleague and remains in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Parrilla</span> American actress (born 1977)

Lana Parrilla is an American actress. She was a regular cast member in the fifth season of the ABC sitcom Spin City (2000–2001) and in the fourth season of 24 (2005), and starred in Boomtown (2002–2003), Windfall (2006), Swingtown (2008), and as Dr. Eva Zambrano in the short-lived medical drama Miami Medical (2010), and as The Evil Queen / Regina Mills in the ABC fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time (2011–2018). Among her awards and nominations is a 2012 ALMA Award win for Outstanding TV Actress - Drama. In 2021, she played the role of Rita Castillo in the second season of Why Women Kill.

<i>Southland</i> (TV series) 2009 American television crime drama series

Southland is an American crime drama television series created by writer Ann Biderman and produced by John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. The series originally aired on NBC for one season from April 9 to May 21, 2009, and then on TNT for an additional four seasons from March 2, 2010, to April 17, 2013.

<i>Hawaii Five-0</i> (2010 TV series) American action police procedural television series (2010–2020)

Hawaii Five-0 is an American action police procedural television series that centers around a special police major crimes task force operating at the behest of the governor of Hawaii. It is a reboot of the 1968–1980 series Hawaii Five-O, which also aired on CBS. The series was produced by K/O Paper Products and 101st Street Television, initially in association with CBS Television Studios. The show received praise for its modern take on the original series.

<i>Psych</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of Psych originally aired in the United States on the USA Network television network between July 7, 2006 and March 2, 2007. Produced by Universal Cable Productions and Tagline Television, the series was created by Steve Franks, who served as executive producer with Kelly Kulchak and Chris Henze.

<i>Detroit 1-8-7</i> American police procedural drama series

Detroit 1-8-7 is an American police procedural drama series about the Detroit Police Department's leading homicide unit, created by Jason Richman for ABC. It featured an ensemble cast of actors including Michael Imperioli and James McDaniel. It ran for one season consisting of 18 episodes on ABC from September 21, 2010 to March 20, 2011. It was filmed on location in Detroit, except for the pilot, which was filmed in Atlanta.

<i>True Detective</i> American TV series

True Detective is an American anthology crime drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto. The series, broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States, premiered on January 12, 2014. Each season of the series is structured as a self-contained narrative, employing new cast ensembles, and following various sets of characters and settings.

<i>Bosch</i> (TV series) American drama television series

Bosch is an American police procedural television series produced by Amazon Studios and Fabrik Entertainment starring Titus Welliver as Los Angeles Police Department detective Harry Bosch. The show was developed for Amazon by Eric Overmyer, and the first season takes its inspiration from the Michael Connelly novels City of Bones (2002), Echo Park (2006), and The Concrete Blonde (1994). It was one of two drama pilots that Amazon streamed online in early 2014, and viewers offered their opinions on it before the studio decided whether to place a series order. The seventh and final season was released on June 25, 2021.

<i>True Detective</i> (season 2) Season of television series

The second season of True Detective, an American anthology crime drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto, began airing on June 21, 2015, on the premium cable network HBO. With a principal cast of Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Taylor Kitsch, Kelly Reilly, and Vince Vaughn, the season comprises eight episodes and concluded its initial airing on August 9, 2015.

<i>Lethal Weapon</i> (TV series) American television series (2016–2019)

Lethal Weapon is an American buddy cop action comedy-drama television series developed by Matt Miller and based on the Lethal Weapon film franchise created by Shane Black. The series served as a reboot, which ran for three seasons on Fox, from September 21, 2016 to February 26, 2019.

References

  1. "Boomtown: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  2. "Boomtown: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  3. "2002-03: The Season of Angels in America". Online Film & Television Association. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  4. 62nd Annual Peabody Awards Archived 2014-10-06 at the Wayback Machine , May 2003.
  5. "Boomtown: Season One (DVD 2004) - DVD Empire". dvdempire.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2018.