Described by press materials as a "mystery drama with music," CBS's new show, Viva Laughlin, represents an uncomfortable mixture of all three. The show, based on the British show Viva Blackpool, centers around Ripley Holden (Lloyd Owen). Holden is a former convenience store chain owner who has managed to pull together enough money to open a casino in the town of Laughlin… sort of.
Within the first twenty minutes of the pilot, Holden's backer and partner, who had been about to pull his money out of the casino, is murdered. Making matters more complicated for Holden is the fact that Nicky Fontana (Hugh Jackman), a rival casino owner, is aware of Holden's financial problems. Holden mistakenly went to Fontana for help after the funding was pulled but before his backer died. Fontana turned Holden down as he was already aware of Holden's misfortune (and quite possibly helped orchestrate it). Holden's final hope for opening his casino on time may be Bunny (Melanie Griffith), who happens to the be wife of the murdered partner.
The fact that Holden's two children and wife (Mädchen Amick) care deeply for him, want to spend more time with him, and are worried about him doesn't seem to make Holden's life any easier. Holden is an "A-type" personality and needs to succeed. Quite possibly (but this critic doesn't think so), Holden needs to succeed badly enough that he would commit murder.
So, that is the "mystery drama" part of the show. There's also, inexplicably, the music bit. Characters just break out into song here and there in an odd and disturbing way. None of the songs are original music made for the show, and as the character sings the classic tracks are played underneath. Thus, when Hugh Jackman first appears stepping out of a helicopter, his character is introduced singing "Sympathy for the Devil" with the Stones in the background. The show even has a tendency during the pilot to cut away from the character who is singing the song, and there are points, it seems, when only the original track can be heard.
Article comments
1 - Nathan
I've seen the pilot of this show too. As a fan of Blackpool (though something that has to be cleared up is that Blackpool was not a ratings success in the U.K) I was looking forward to seeing what they would do. In short? It's a disaster. It has none of the quirk or spirit that made Blackpool so good (and the musical numbers so palatable). I'd be surprised if this makes it past the 3rd episode.
2 - Josh Lasser
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3 - Ashley
I saw a commercial for this the other day and am looking forward to seeing the premiere of the show. I think it has so much potential to be a really great thing. The fact that it is so different from what the market is used to gives it a great advantage to really dominate!
4 - Betty Girl
I watched the show last night and was thoroughly entertained. It was an enjoyable refreshing change from the crime/laywer/medical dramas that seem to be taking up most of the airwaves anymore. Hugh Jackman was great and it was nice to see D.B. Woodside, too. It was an hour of fun and they set a good storyline that I will tune in again to find out what's happening. It was entertaining with a "retro" feeling to it of good old shows that are long gone. I'm not sure yet how I feel about the singing yet, only time will tell! I'll be tuning in for more to find out!
5 - Jill Feynman
I think this show is a breath of fresh air. People are slow to accept the different but I think they will warm to the show as the season progressess.
Stay with it.