Valley of the Boom
{{Short description|American docudrama television miniseries}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image = ValleyOfTheBoom.png
| genre = {{nowrap|Docudrama miniseries}}
| creator = Matthew Carnahan
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Bradley Whitford
- Lamorne Morris
- Oliver Cooper
- John Karna
- Dakota Shapiro
- John Murphy
- Steve Zahn
}}
| composer = Kyle Dixon
Michael Stein
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_episodes = 6
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- David Walpert
- Brant Pinvidic
- Jason Goldberg
- Arianna Huffington
- Matthew Carnahan
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Denise Pleune
- Falguni Lakhani-Adams
- Arielle Boisvert
- Shawn Williamson
- Joel Ehninger
}}
| location = Vancouver, Canada
| cinematography = François Dagenais
| editor = {{Plainlist|
- Suzy Elmiger
- Jon Corn
- Jeff Groth
- Jeff Mee
- Mikki Levi
}}
| camera = Single-camera
| runtime = 43–48 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
- Matthew Carnahan Circus Products
- STX Television
}}
| network = National Geographic
| first_aired = {{Start date|2019|01|13}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2019|1|27}}
}}
Valley of the Boom (stylized as Valley_of_the_BOOM) is an American docudrama television miniseries created by Matthew Carnahan that premiered on January 13, 2019, on National Geographic. The series centers on the 1990s tech boom and bust in Silicon Valley and it stars Bradley Whitford, Steve Zahn, Lamorne Morris, John Karna, Dakota Shapiro, Oliver Cooper, and John Murphy.
Premise
Valley of the Boom takes a close look at "the culture of speculation, innovation and debauchery that led to the rapid inflation and burst of the 1990s tech bubble. As with its hybrid series Mars, Nat Geo [uses] select doc elements to support the scripted drama to tell the true inside story of the dramatic early days of Silicon Valley."{{cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |title=Nat Geo Greenlights Silicon Valley-Themed Limited Series From Matthew Carnahan, Arianna Huffington & StxTV |url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/nat-geo-greenlights-silicon-valley-themed-limited-series-matthew-carnahan-arianna-huffington-1202208747/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=March 16, 2018 |date=November 15, 2017}}
The series features interviews with many of the people depicted in the dramatized portions of the production in addition to other Internet personalities such as Mark Cuban and Arianna Huffington. Notably absent from these interviews are Netscape co-founder and former vice president of technology Marc Andreessen, who declined to be interviewed,{{cite magazine |last=Patterson |first=Troy |title="Valley of the Boom," Reviewed: A Rah-Rah Reënactment of the Dot-Com Cataclysm |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/on-television/valley-of-the-boom-reviewed-a-rah-rah-reenactment-of-the-dot-com-cataclysm |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=January 25, 2019 |date=January 14, 2019}} and Jamie Zawinski.
Although the program is primarily focused on the quick rise and fall of three influential technology companies, namely Netscape, theGlobe.com, and Pixelon, the program also highlights smaller companies of that era, such as sfGirl.com.{{cite web |last1=Barney |first1=Chuck |title='Valley of the Boom': TV series recalls '90s tech craziness |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/01/10/valley-of-the-boom-tv-series-recalls-90s-tech-craziness/ |website=The Mercury News |access-date=January 30, 2019 |date=January 10, 2019}}
Cast and characters
=Main=
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Bradley Whitford as James L. Barksdale
- Lamorne Morris as Darrin Morris
- Oliver Cooper as Todd Krizelman
- John Karna as Marc Andreessen
- Dakota Shapiro as Stephan Paternot
- John Murphy as Jim Clark
- Steve Zahn as Michael Fenne
{{div col end}}
=Recurring=
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Raf Rogers as Sean Alvaro
- Chiara Zanni as Sheila
- Fred Henderson as Mike Egan
- Camille Hollett-French as Tara Hernandez
- Mike Kovac as Balding Ponytail Coder
- Nick Hunnings as Ed Cespedes
- Tom Stevens as Phillip
- Siobhan Williams as Jenn
- Vincent Dangerfield as Lee Wiskowski
- Jacob Richter as Dan Goodin
- Hilary Jardine as Patty Beron
- Paul Herbert as Paul Ward
- Carey Feehan as Robert Dunning
- Donna Benedicto as Kate
{{div col end}}
=Guest=
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
- Keegan Connor Tracy as Rosanne Siino ("Part 1: print ("hello, world")")
- Luvia Petersen as Mary Meeker ("Part 1: print ("hello, world")")
- Michael Patrick Denis as Thomas Reardon ("Part 2: pseudocode")
- Jesse James as Barry Moore ("Part 4: priority inversion")
- Siobhan Williams as Jenn ("Part 4: priority inversion")
- Doug Abrahams as Ace Greenberg ("Part 4: priority inversion")
- David Stuart as Pit Boss ("Part 4: priority inversion")
- Connor Tracy as Rosanne Siino ("Part 5: segfault")
- Rachel Hayward as Joyce ("Part 5: segfault")
- Tom Stevens as Phillip ("Part 6: fatal error")
{{div col end}}
Episodes
{{Episode table |background=#18B843 |overall=5 |title=19 |director=13 |writer=31 |airdate=12 |viewers=9 |country=U.S. |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Part 1: print ("hello, world")
|DirectedBy = Matthew Carnahan
|WrittenBy = Matthew Carnahan
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|1|13}}{{efn|name=fn1|The first two episodes were made available on December 21, 2018 on the National Geographic website.{{cite web |last=Longo |first=Chris |title=Nat Geo's Valley of The Boom To Stream Early (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/valley-of-the-boom/278271/nat-geos-valley-of-the-boom-to-stream-early-exclusive |website=Den of Geek! |access-date=January 30, 2019 |date=December 20, 2019}}}}
|ShortSummary =Jim Barksdale and team take Netscape on a road show in search of potential investors; Stephan Paternot and Todd Krizelman struggle to secure financing for their virtual community platform, TheGlobe.com; Michael Fenne changes his physical appearance.
|LineColor = 18B843
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = Part 2: pseudocode
|DirectedBy = Matthew Carnahan
|WrittenBy = Matthew Carnahan
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|1|13}}{{efn|name=fn1}}
|ShortSummary = Jim Barksdale leads Netscape through a successful IPO, making it the dominant browser; Microsoft retaliates, sparking the browser wars; Michael Fenne excitedly starts a new company that promises to deliver revolutionary streaming technology.
|LineColor = 18B843
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Part 3: agile method
|DirectedBy = Gary Goldman
|WrittenBy = David Walpert
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|1|20}}
|ShortSummary = With the browser wars in full swing, Microsoft attacks Netscape; TheGlobe.com team hesitates to bring on a potential investor, unconvinced he'll be a good fit; using stolen technology, Michael Fenne launches a new company called Pixelon.
|LineColor = 18B843
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Part 4: priority inversion
|DirectedBy = Tamra Davis
|WrittenBy = Tracy Barone
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|1|20}}
|ShortSummary = Microsoft bundles Internet Explorer with every new Windows PC; Stephan Paternot and Todd Krizelman run on fumes; as Pixelon prepares for a live event, Michael Fenne's management style grows more erratic, grabbing the attention of an employee.
|LineColor = 18B843
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Part 5: segfault
|DirectedBy = Matthew Carnahan
|WrittenBy = David Walpert
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|1|27}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary = Jim Barksdale takes drastic measures to re-establish Netscape as an innovator; TheGlobe.com struggles to maintain focus on virtual communities; Pixelon launches a massive concert in Las Vegas as it introduces its revolutionary streaming technology.
|LineColor = 18B843
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Part 6: fatal error
|DirectedBy = Matthew Carnahan
|WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s=Cristina Boada & Matthew Carnahan|t=Matthew Carnahan}}
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|1|27}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary = Jim Barksdale keeps up with the Microsoft antitrust case; Stephan Paternot and Todd Krizelman try to save TheGlobe.com as they discover some potentially damaging news; Pixelon's investors and board members confront Michael Fenne.
|LineColor = 18B843
}}
}}
Production
=Development=
On November 15, 2017, it was announced that National Geographic had given the production a series order consisting of six episodes. Executive producers included Matthew Carnahan, Arianna Huffington, Jason Goldberg, Brant Pinvidic, and David Walpert. Carnahan acted as showrunner for the series and directed as well. David Newsom was co-executive producer and led the non-scripted unit of the production. Joel Ehninger acted in the role of producer. Production companies involved with the series included STXtelevision and Matthew Carnahan Circus Products.{{cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |title=National Geographic Channel Orders Tech Industry Drama Series 'Valley of the Boom' |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/national-geographic-valley-of-the-boom-arianna-huffington-matthew-carnahan-1202615587/ |website=Variety |access-date=March 16, 2018 |date=November 15, 2017}}{{cite web |last=Stanhope |first=Kate |title=NatGeo Orders Silicon Valley Limited Series From Arianna Huffington and 'House of Lies' Creator |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/natgeo-orders-silicon-valley-limited-series-1058510 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 16, 2018 |date=November 15, 2017}}{{cite web |title=National Geographic Greenlights Irreverent Six-Part Limited Series Set in '90s Tech Bubble, Valley of the Boom from STXtv |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171115006207/en/National-Geographic-Greenlights-Irreverent-Six-Part-Limited-Series |website=Business Wire |access-date=March 16, 2018 |date=November 15, 2017}} On September 24, 2018, it was announced that the series would premiere on January 13, 2019.{{cite web |last=D'Addario |first=Daniel |title=TV Review: 'Valley of the Boom' |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/reviews/valley-of-the-boom-review-1202954370/ |website=Variety |access-date=October 3, 2018 |date=September 24, 2018}}
=Casting=
On March 16, 2018, it was announced that Bradley Whitford, Steve Zahn, Lamorne Morris, John Karna, Dakota Shapiro, and Oliver Cooper had joined the series' main cast.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |last2=Petski |first2=Denise |title='Valley Of The Boom': Bradley Whitford, Steve Zahn & Lamorne Morris To Star In Nat Geo's Silicon Valley-Themed Limited Series |url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/valley-of-the-boom-bradley-whitford-steve-zahn-lamorne-norris-nat-geos-silicon-valley-themed-limited-series-1202339218/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=March 16, 2018 |date=March 16, 2018}}{{cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |title=Bradley Whitford, Steve Zahn and Lamorne Morris to Star in Nat Geo's 'Valley of the Boom' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bradley-whitford-steve-zahn-lamorne-morris-join-valley-boom-1095034 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 16, 2018 |date=March 16, 2018}}{{cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |title=Valley of the Boom: Bradley Whitford, Steve Zahn, Lamorne Morris to Star in Nat Geo's Silicon Valley-Set Series |url=http://tvline.com/2018/03/16/valley-of-the-boom-national-geographic-cast-bradley-whitford/|website=TVLine |access-date=March 16, 2018 |date=March 16, 2018}}
=Filming=
Principal photography for the series began on March 26, 2018 in Vancouver, Canada and was expected to conclude by May 28, 2018.{{cite web |last=Takeuchi |first=Craig |title=Filming in Vancouver: Fresh Off the Boat stars, 1990s tech bubble, Canadian medical drama |url=http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2018/03/26/filming-in-vancouver-fresh-off-the-boat-stars-1990s-tech-bubble-canadian-medical-drama/#more-83752 |website=Inside Vancouver |access-date=April 23, 2018 |date=March 26, 2018}}
Release
=Marketing=
On July 24, 2018, the first trailer for the series was released.{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Patrick |title=First look: Nat Geo's tech drama 'Valley of the Boom' tells Internet origin story |url=https://usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/07/24/exclusive-nat-geo-goes-boom-first-trailer-silicon-valley-drama/818878002/ |website=USA Today |access-date=July 24, 2018 |language=en |date=July 24, 2018}}
=Premiere=
On September 21, 2018, the series held its world premiere during the second annual Tribeca TV Festival in New York City. Following a screening, a conversation took place featuring members of the cast and crew including creator Matthew Carnahan, actors Bradley Whitford, Steve Zahn, Lamorne Morris, and real-life subject Stephan Paternot, founder of theGlobe.com.{{cite web |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |title=Bryan Cranston, 'Ray Donovan,' 'Shark Tank' and 'Law & Order: SVU' Set for Tribeca TV Fest |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/tribeca-tv-festival-bryan-cranston-ray-donovan-shark-tank-law-order-svu-set-for-tribeca-tv-fest-1202913424/ |website=Variety |access-date=August 22, 2018 |date=August 22, 2018}}
=Distribution=
Reception
The series has been met with a mixed response from critics upon its premiere. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 72% approval rating with an average rating of 5.90 out of 10 based on 18 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "A visual collage of dot com history, Valley of Boom {{sic}} proves to be just as sprawling and ramshackle as the docuseries' subject."{{cite web |title=Valley of the Boom |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/valley_of_the_boom/s01 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango |access-date=January 26, 2019}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 58 out of 100 based on 11 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web |title=Valley of the Boom |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/valley-of-the-boom |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=January 26, 2019}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/valley-of-the-boom}}
- {{IMDb title|7768092}}
{{National Geographic TV}}
{{Dot-com Bubble}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Valley of the Boom}}
Category:2019 American television series debuts
Category:2019 American television series endings
Category:Documentary television series about computing
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:National Geographic (American TV channel) original programming