CBS' New Shows for the 2007-08 Season

Viva Laughlin

Premieres: Thursday, Oct. 18
Airs: Sundays at 8 p.m.

The Pitch: It's a gambling drama! With a murder mystery! And a family melodrama! Plus, they sing!

Based on the British "Viva Blackpool!" format, it's the story of a small-time convenience story owner (Lloyd Owen) plotting to launch a major resort in the small-time casino town of Laughlin, Nevada. When a former business partner turns up dead and he has to approach his rival (Hugh Jackman) for financing, things go a bit pear-shaped.

What They Got Right: "Viva Blackpool!" had many fans (though not nearly enough to support a major network show) and "Viva Laughlin" has kept much of that show's format intact, right down to the over-looped musical numbers. Jackman, also an executive producer, steals every scene he's in.

What's Oh, So Wrong: Unfortunately, Jackman has the charisma leading man Owen lacks. Doubly unfortunately, Jackman is only committed to making occasional guest appearances. Triply unfortunately, when Jackman isn't on screen, "Viva Laughlin" becomes a bit of a leaden bore, with musical numbers that seem both sparser and less extravagant than in the British original. And who was the wise guy who thought the best lead-in for CBS' edgiest, most stylistically challenging drama in years would be "60 Minutes," the network's oldest-skewing and most stylistically conservative show.

Recommended If ...: You want a show you'll only need to commit to for three or four episodes.

'Viva Laughlin' Photo Gallery

'Viva Laughlin' Video Clip: 1

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