Best of TV (Short Run), No. 5


We start the countdown off today with a look at the No. 5 show on my list of shows that were cancelled before finding an audience. Killed too soon, if you will.

5. Boomtown (2002-2003)
Network: NBC
About: This show from Graham Yost ("Band of Brothers," "Justified") was a unique take on cop shows. It showed you a crime for a bunch of different angles, from people in a bunch of different roles. Donnie Wahlberg and Mykelti Williamson were the detectives, Jason Geddrick and Gary Basaraba were the beat cops, Neal McDonough was the D.A., Lana Parilla was the paramedic, and Nina Garbiras was the reporter. The shows were well written, well-crafted, and well put together. The show filled two familiar, popular niches on TV — it was a cop show and a self-contained procedural, at least for the most part. The cases wrapped up in an hour, but there was a slow burn in terms of character development. Also, because of the way stories unfolded, "Boomtown" defied the typical procedural. It had depth, creativity, and strong performances. In fact, many of the show's stars are prominent performers on other shows. "Boomtown" got one full season, was low-rated, and earned a pick up anyway. The second season was six episodes (most of which aired in a single night), and you can't even find that second season on DVD. In an era where almost every show (including failed pilots) earns a DVD set, that's really saying something. Essentially, "Boomtown" was a one-hit wonder. Yost bounced back, working on the mini-series "The Pacific" with HBO and Steven Spielberg and then creating the show "Justified," based on the Elmore Leonard writing, for F/X. "Justified" is one of the best shows on television right now, so at least we haven't been robbed of Yost's creativity. And, he's managed to bring back some of his "Boomtown" favorites on "Justified," including Williamson and McDonough this past season. Still, I can't help but wonder what would have happened had "Boomtown" been allowed to continue. Sadly, it's on this list because we'll never know.
Viewing Options: Season One of "Boomtown" is available on DVD

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