We all knew Boardwalk Empire was going to remind us a little bit of The Sopranos. They’re both shows about a New Jersey gangster with a messy love life, after all. But here’s something we didn’t expect: Boardwalk Empire is, in fact, every classic HBO TV series combined into one giant package. From period pieces like Deadwood and Rome to silly comedies like Entourage and Bored to Death, from the gritty realism of The Wire and Oz to the dark fantasy of Carnivàle and True Blood, there’s a little something from nearly every part of HBO’s history inside of Boardwalk Empire. Just consult our helpful visual aid below for a completely scientific analysis. (Click on the image to expand!)
(Designed by Jef Castro)
PopWatchers, did we miss anything? Where would you rather hang out: the boardwalk on Boardwalk Empire or the thoroughfare on Deadwood? Is it possible that all the HBO protagonists are actually related to one another? And do you realize that we’re just one inside-showbiz subplot away from The Comeback, Extras, The Larry Sanders Show, and Curb Your Enthusiasm? Come on, season 2!
The Protagonist of Boardwalk Empire “doesn’t own a Casino” and this show isn’t “Immaculately Contructed Boredom.”
Yep, seems like someone has sand in their lady parts. And that same someone probably got his or her lady feeling hurt while watching this show. Mysogyny, you say? Well, duh, it’s a period piece, it needs to have a certain degree of it to have at least a parcel of authenticity. And it’s much better to have a show like Boardwalk Empire, which grown-ups can watch. Instead of the usual borefests on network shows where everything’s a cliche and every character is politically correct and self-righteous. Also better : the fact that there’s no stupid emo soap opera annoyances which cause bloggers/recappers to cry in front of their TV. In short, if you don’t like it, F**K off =]
Thanks K. I’ve heard a lot of people say Boardwalk Empire is boring, which I don’t understand at all. There are fascinating characters, intrigue, violence, sex, politics, power struggles, insights into the racism/sexism of the period, and more. It might be a bit quieter and not as in-your-face as some other HBO shows, but I have not once been bored watching the show.
Unless I’m misinterpreting the phrase, I’m pretty sure that the phrase “Immaculately Constructed Boredom” isn’t meant to suggest that the show is boring. Rather, it’s an indicating that the show wrings entertainment out of ‘the boring’ (ie, conversations about political backing) rather than relying solely on gratuitous ‘entertainment’ (ie, violence). As you’re suggesting, it’s the show’s ‘slow’ or ‘boring’ bits that are actually its most entertaining and engaging.
Actually Thompson does own a Casino. Eli was even shot there
I thought this would be a recap and instead it’s a stupid waste of space and someone’s time trying to be a bit too precious.
why are u guys so hateful? it was a clever attempt at analyzing this great show and thinkin up the HBO dna..if there’s such a thing
Funny
Seriously? If you don’t like the show stop covering it. I can go to other sites with writers that appreciate this show as much as I do.
Yeah! Entertainment magazines shouldn’t cover things they don’t like! If you want hard hitting entertainment journalism you should really hit up Access Hollywood. Today’s episode features Mario Lopez visiting the cast of Boardwalk Empire and they’re going to tell us their favorite Real Housewife of New Jersey!
@Joey- You know whats funny? I just saw in either People or EW (can’t remember) where they interviewed Michael Shannon and asked him how he felt about Snooki and Jersey Shore. You could tell from his reponse that he was annoyed.
Either way, I love Boardwalk Empire, find this article to be a little weird, something I would’ve expected from Doc Jensen actually, but frankly am over the fact that EW doesn’t seem to like this show. As long as its on the air and I get to watch it, that’s all that matters to me. It’s not like EW has flawless taste in anything these days.
I did not interpret that the writers don’t like the show from this. In fact, I seem to recall EW gushing about it so far in their sporadic coverage. I just don’t get the point of this article, period.
Someone at EW thought of something somewhat funny and posted it on the entertainment blog? Seems pretty straightforward to me.
Love this show. What i don’t love is, why are there no recaps of this show?
I think you left out that it’s boring as sin and is incredibly overpraised from critics merely because its on HBO, and they spent a fortune on it
EW’s lack of love for this show is just reflective of the “dumbing down” of this site, which used to be my go to resource for all things Entertainment. Instead it is now a sad site that will write a full 3 page recap of crappy reality tv- that is full of snark and “cleverness” but completly ignore shows that actually take their time to fully develope characters and story lines. I am done, this just shows that at 28 years old I am now to old for EW and their endless coverage of all things Tween.
this comment wins.
Except it’s “too old,” not “to old”
grammar FAIL
So much this!! F*** you, Darren Franich, you glib tw*t!
So you’ve never made fun of something you actually liked? Taking the time to construct a parody like this seems to indicate a strong level of interest, to me.
I too love this show and wish EW had recaps. Also, The Good Wife gets recaps sometimes, but not always, and is not listed as one of the regularly reviewed TV shows. Now, there are a lot of reviewed TV shows that I question why?
I still can’t believe EW doesn’t have recaps for this show either. We get recaps for pretty much every reality show out there and even 90210 gets one, but not one for Boardwalk?? Now that Mad Men is gone till next year I have been enjoying my Sunday nights watching Boardwalk, but so wish I could read what other viewers think of the show the next morning. I enjoy the insight that others might have that I might have not caught during my viewing. Thank God EW still finds the time to recap 90210, now that is a show that so desperately needs next day dissecting by the viewing population-NOT!
I’m sorry, but can EW point out the gratuitous male nudity in any of the 94 episodes of Sex and the City?
Richard’s wang-chung while diving into the pool? Certainly not ‘gratuitous,’ but definitely male nudity.
Yup, that’ll do it. You have my aprpceiatoin.
I LOVE Boardwalk Empire! And I completely agree with @SLB where are the recaps of this show?
They recapped the first couple of episodes, but then stopped for some reason…
I love this show. I don’t understand why Michael Pitt (Jimmy Darmody) isn’t getting more rave reviews for his performance. He is simply mezmerizing
I so agree with you on Michael Pitt/Jimmy. He is so good at playing the part that I find myself totally believing everything he says and does. He is a breakout star in the making and I can’t believe nobody in the news media is talking about him. He is the rare actor who is handsome and can actually act. I love me some Brad Pitt, but even I know he is just a so-so actor. Please somebody at EW or any other news entertainment media please take note of this kid.
omg!! i too am sooooo blown away by michael pitt!! he is acting pants around steve buscemi!!! he is phenomenal and starting to be the only reason i watch the show. totally agreee, he DEFINITELY needs more press!! and ew is tripping with the no recaps. you’ve had loyal fans who put up with 10 pages a week from dalton ross on lost, so you know there are people that want recaps on intelligent tv.
EW only covers shows geared toward women, gays, tweens and retards. Something along the lines of Boardwalk Empire is not in the demographic of EW editors and “writers”.
Damn, you nailed it right on the head!! I second this.
Hey, I’m a gay, and I resent that comment! I’m really increasingly being turned off of EW’s coverage and their fascination with the crap that comprises much of today’s TV.
@satanixx : ur bigotry and narrow mindedness baffles me. maybe if u hate this site so much u should stop posting here.
I’d like to see you work First and Ten in there.
SATC – “confused feminism”?! What kind of dig is THAT?
I love love love this show!! I saw previews months ago and could not wait to see it. I used to watch Dexter and DVR BE, now I DVR Dexter and watch BE…I have to agree (Pitt) Jimmy I love him…My favorite character on the show!!!