Boardwalk Empire (Boardwalk Empire episode)

"Boardwalk Empire"
Boardwalk Empire episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 1
Directed byMartin Scorsese
Written byTerence Winter
Cinematography byStuart Dryburgh
Editing bySidney Wolinsky
Original air dateSeptember 19, 2010 (2010-09-19)
Running time73 minutes[1]
Guest appearances
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"Boardwalk Empire" is the pilot episode of the HBO crime drama of the same name. Written by series creator Terence Winter and directed by Martin Scorsese with a budget of $18 million, the episode introduces the character of Nucky Thompson, played by Steve Buscemi, as the corrupt treasurer of Atlantic City who is involved in gambling and bootlegging in 1920. The show used a large ensemble cast and a specially constructed boardwalk set to re-create the Prohibition and Jazz Era,[2] and was based on Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson. Filming for the pilot took place at various locations in and around New York City in June 2009. The episode first aired in the United States on September 19, 2010.[3]

David Hinkley of the New York Daily News awarded the episode five stars, saying, "Watching HBO's new 'Boardwalk Empire' is like sitting in your favorite tavern and hearing someone say, 'Drinks are on the house.' Friends, it doesn't get much better."[4] Paige Wiser of the Chicago Sun-Times called it "... an event not to be missed," and praised Buscemi in particular, calling his performance "fascinating."[5] The episode gained a 2.0/5 ratings share among adults aged 18–49 and garnered 4.81 million viewers.[6] This was the highest rated premiere for an HBO series since the pilot of Deadwood in March 2004. Following this successful debut, HBO immediately renewed the series for a second season.[7]

  1. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (August 7, 2010). "HBO lays big-bucks bet on 'Boardwalk'". Variety. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  2. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (2012). "HBO lays a big-bucks bet on 'Boardwalk' – Entertainment News, TV News, Media – Variety". variety.com. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  3. ^ "Shows A-Z – boardwalk empire on hbo". The Futon Critic. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  4. ^ Hinkley, David (September 17, 2010). "'Boardwalk Empire' impressively recounts roaring 20's". New York Dailys News. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  5. ^ Wiser, Paige (September 17, 2010). "HBO hits jackpot with mob series 'Boardwalk Empire'". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on September 21, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  6. ^ Seidman, Robert (September 21, 2010). "SundayCable Ratings: Boardwalk Empire Premieres; Rubicon Still Struggling + The Glades, Mad Men, Kardashians & Lots More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  7. ^ Seidman, Robert (September 21, 2010). "Boardwalk Empire Renewed By HBO; Premiere Telecast Averages 4.8 Million". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 24, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2010.