CBS Cancels 'Laughlin,' Sets 'Amazing Race' Premiere

Zap2It.com | October 22, 2007

Lloyd Owen, 'Viva Laughlin'

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Hugh Jackman-produced 'Viva' bites the dust after only two airings

The first scripted cancellation of the fall season is CBS' "Viva Laughlin."

The network knew it was taking a chance with "Laughlin," a Hugh Jackman-produced adaptation of a quirky British musical miniseries, but apparently CBS' willingness to stand by the show was minimal, particularly with a fresh season of "The Amazing Race" already in the can.

"Laughlin" aired only twice, squandering a massive "CSI" lead-in on Thursday (Oct. 18) and then falling even harder in its first regular Sunday airing just days later. The Sunday "Laughlin" premiere did only a 1.2 rating in the key 18-49 demo, an embarrassingly low figure, particularly for a first place network.

Effective immediately, "Laughlin" is off CBS' schedule, replaced by a "CSI" repeat next Sunday.

The following week, on Nov. 4, CBS will premiere the 12th installment of its Emmy-winning reality juggernaut "The Amazing Race."

Winner of the last five Emmys for outstanding reality competition series, "The Amazing Race" will return to the Sunday night 8 p.m. ET slot it occupied in its most recent "All-Stars" edition.

"If there ever was a season that I consider one of the best, it's this one," says Bertram van Munster, series executive producer, director and co-creator. "It's insanely funny, fast-paced and dramatic all at once. Teams are in hot pursuit of one another at every location and its reality television at its nail-biting best."