AZINDN
One of the most innovative, best directed, and conceived dramatic series which lasted only a brief two seasons, Boomtown is now defunct and it is our loss. Each weekly episode featured the seven different perspectives of the principle characters, beat cops Tom and Ray, detectives Fearless Smith and Joel Stevens, self-loathing alcoholic deputy D.A. McNorris, his rich-girl mistress and investigative reporter Andrea, and heart of gold EMT, Teresa. Using the L.A. streets and iconic landscapes to situate the weekly stories of crime and punishment, the cast gives mini-one act plays that feature the storyline from their unique pov. It is a subtle method of storytelling and obviously one that was much too subtle for NBC which dropped the production after it won several awards. However, the series is preserved on DVD which makes this exceptional work available. With Neal McDonaugh, Donny Wahlberg, and Jason Gedrick, directed by Graham Yost, the individual performances marked the epitome of ensemble casts. The only drawback to the series is the tinkering which NBC initiated in the second season that changed the format of the individual perspectives to feature a single actor, however that did not lessen the superior scripts and exceptional cinematography as well as performances that were showcased each week.
Anne Findlay
The plots were thought provoking and kept you on the edge of your seat. Each actor played their roles with an honesty and realism that is so sadly lacking in so many shows today! It should never have been canceled! Each week they gave us something to look forward to. The problems that each character had only made them more REAL. It showed the trials and struggles that police deal with on a daily bases, showing their strengths and weaknesses without being over the top. That they had problems in their personal lives that affected their work is completely real life! Yet it didn't rule the show, just added to it. Each character made you want to hold them and hit them, sometimes at the same time! It is a series that should have continued for years to come! Even critics agreed. Why it was canceled, I will never understand!
Jeremy Jacobowitz (Yankj1)
I watched some of this while it was on television, but unfortunately missed most of it. Then I bought the DVD set, and I was completely blown away. This is one of the greatest shows to ever be broadcast. Donnie Wahlberg is fantastic in his role as Joel, Neal McDonough also shine as the ADA David McNorris. One great thing about this show is that each of the characters has a complex history, which we see as the season goes on, once these are revealed you can look back at episodes and say "thats why he did that". I only wish that people had given this show a chance, what made this show wasn't the unique way of story telling, but the wonderful writing and acting that went along with it. Episodes to definitely watch are: "The David McNorris Show", "Home Invasion" and "Stormwatch"
fabfemfatale
How can NBC be such a wishy washy network? Finally a cop show that covered criminal activity from the point of view from all involved. From the "perp" to the uniform to the detective to the paramedic to the ADA and so on. There were great story lines and wonderful acting from the phenomenal ensemble cast. Adding Vanessa Williams to me was just what the show needed. Then boom...to Boomtown. Why weren't people watching? I don't get it. This show had promise. They did however show 4 new episodes on the last weekend of 2003. I'm not a big "cop show" watcher and this show was my link to excellent TV. Now it's gone. How depressing. With all the talent that was on the show, I'm sure these marvelous actors with rise above and show us true acting talent.