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« Ausiello Report

Exclusive: Backstage Shake-up at Viva Laughlin

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Hugh Jackman and Lloyd Owen by Robert Voets/CBS
Trouble's a-brewin' over at CBS' bad-buzz magnet Viva Laughlin.

Sources confirm that Bob Lowry has been let go as show-runner on the Eye's new fall drama, although he's expected to retain his executive-producer credit (and thus continue getting paid). To fill the void, co-executive producers Steven S. DeKnight and Tyler Bensinger will be assuming more of the day-to-day responsibilities.

The move wasn't entirely unexpected since, as you'll recall, producer Sony was wooing Rob Thomas to take over as Viva's boss even before Veronica Mars was officially laid to rest last May.

The behind-the-scenes shakeup comes amid rumors that test audiences aren't responding favorably to the show's musical interludes, although one Viva insider denies that that had anything to do with Lowry's demotion/ouster. That same insider maintains that "the singing is staying in the show," which is good news for people who like to laugh at stuff that isn't supposed to be funny.


Posted by Michael Ausiello
Aug 19, 2007 2:46 PM
I'm not complaining, Steven S. DeKnight did some great things on Buffy, I'm sure he'll do well on Viva Lauglin

I've decided to stay positive on this show. Everyone is railing on it, but I think it sounds just ballsy enough to be great. I'm not going to be influenced by you Negative Nancy's. This show's going to be awesome!
Posted by Oskar
Aug 19, 2007 3:38 PM
I'm almost always willing to give a new show the benefit of the doubt, and I will do it with this one. But Viva Laughlin has lots of strikes against it. For one thing, what made them think Laughlin would make a quirky, interesting setting? It's a little rinky-dink place based on the idea of a more family-friendly mini-Vegas across the river from Bullhead City, Arizona. The population is about 8000, barely qualifying it as a dot on the map. It's for people from Arizona too lazy to drive another 50 miles.

My main problem with it, however, it that's it's not even a real musical. They don't perform original music, they sing along with the same old crapola you hear on your parents' presets nowadays. If they're going to do a musical, they could at least have the guts to come up with some actual music, instead of just playing an oldies station so the characters can sing along.
Posted by Staley
Aug 19, 2007 4:41 PM
I'll reserve judgement until I see an entire episode. I saw extensive promos for it while in Vegas this summer at CBS Television City and thought it will be either great or will totally bomb.
Posted by happinessdance
Aug 19, 2007 8:29 PM
Hugh Jackman and Lloyd Owen..It's gotta be terrific! Wasn't Owen in Monardch of the Glen?
Posted by hicpip87
Aug 19, 2007 8:31 PM
"Viva Laughlin is an American re-do of a British series called Viva Blackpool and Blackpool is basically a rinky-dink seaside resort with arcades. In the Brit series, the cast break into more-or-less lyp-synch versions of such songs as "Viva Las Vegas" that fit the mood of the scene. They're just following the same pattern in the American show by not using original music. If it was a short-run series it may have a chance but I can't see the gimmick working for your average 22 episodes.
Posted by bluesheep
Aug 19, 2007 9:55 PM
I agree bluesheep. The British original was awesome and worked great as a mini-series, but I am not sure it can be sustained over a full 22 ep season. I will give it a shot, given how much I liked Viva Blackpool, but am not holding out for anything great. Here's hoping the new show runners can pull it together.
Posted by rmiriam12
Aug 20, 2007 12:11 AM
I've seen this program's pilot. Its not nearly as horrible as Ausiello says it is. The musical elements are a miniscule part of the show and family storylines are great.
Posted by mushu_jj
Aug 20, 2007 9:50 AM
DUDE, Veronica Mars on Heroes and you get scooped!?!?!?!?
Posted by anation18
Aug 20, 2007 10:06 AM
Having seen the pilot, I can assure you that it is nothing as awful as some would have you believe. It was quite an entertaining and original show. My only cringe moment was a short little number with Melanie Griffith singing along to One Way or Another. It was just bad. Other than that, I loved the family dynamic in the show and the Hugh Jackman character is quite interesting. Perhaps this latest change will help things along.
Posted by xwiseguyx
Aug 20, 2007 1:36 PM
Mmmm...musical interlude. Reminds me of a wonderful few weeks in the fall of '90 when a little show called "Cop Rock" aired. Dancing judges, singing cops; there's a reason such hijinks are usually contained to two minute skits on Leno. Any longer and it turns from entertainment to torture worthy of Abu Ghraib. Musical numbers are complex and require a deftness of hand that one normally doesn't associate with network TV. Buffy the Musical, yes. Scrubs the Musical, sure. Singing card sharks? Eh.
Posted by StonyG
Aug 20, 2007 1:39 PM
Love that comment about Arizonans too lazy to go another 50 miles to Vegas. Well, I'm an Arizonan who has been to Laughlin exactly once, 22 years ago. I fly to Vegas, so I can't comment on the laziness of Arizonans.

This show does sound risky, but it sure sounds a lot more interesting than, say, Bionic Woman 2007.
Posted by steve7701
Aug 20, 2007 2:50 PM
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