Viva Laughlin

[katemonster]

Has anyone heard of this show? it premiers on CBS on october 21 and hugh jackman is gonna be in it!! he is the executive producer and has a recurring role in it! i LOVE him ! im definitely gonna have to check the show out..

[SpringHeelJack]

I say it again. American Musical TV Shows never work. I might check it out, but either way I can't see this sticking around.

[ichabod]

I think the fact that a US netwrork has taken a successful British show and tried to remake it, is what will make it not work. Out of the 2784 British shows they have tried to remake about 4 have been successful.

I bet they remove all the aspects that made the original work. Like they usually do.

[xxhplinkxx]

I really cant wait for this show. Hopefully America will wise up to good T.V. when they see it... I doubt it though. That'd be asking too much.

[Rowlf_The_Dog]

This one is definitely on my list of pilots to check out ...

It looks like a lot of fun ...

[2099net]

Hummm. How long is this?

Blackpool (as it was known on the BBC) was 6 hour long episodes and even then I thought it was a little strung out for what it was. It could certainly have been told in a shorter run-time.

Is this to be 13 episodes? 22? I don't think the format is capable of withstanding an extended run-time. It's quirky and it plays upon its quirkyness to make it appealling - otherwise its just another standard drama with the odd flash of comedy with nothing really to make it stand out from the 999 other dramas that have been shown on TV.

I hope the American version is just as brief, and has a proper beginning, middle and end.

[katemonster]

I think the musical idea will work because i think that viewers are sick of the same old same old (i know i am!) and will like the idea of a murder mystery muscial..I also agree that the quirkiness of the show is really attractive and hopefully poeple will watch it over some of the other run of the mill shows on TV right now..

[2099net]

It's not really a musical as such. Music play's in the background - sometimes in context to the environment and sometimes not - and the leads sort of sing/mime along to it. All the songs are established popular songs too - nothing is written expecially for the series. Its not a musical in a traditional sense.

Here's an example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8H6jnH61ms

[katemonster]

Thanks for posting, that looks great!! makes me really excited for the premier of Viva Laughlin

[2099net]

Here's some more (watch teh Tennant get his head wobbling wrong!). It could be a spoiler, but I'm not sure how close the remake is going to be to the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CriRJywTDfQ

[katemonster]

Looks great too! i love british television, and i think the music works surprisingly well...Also i dont think you need to worry about Blackpool spoiling Viva Laughin because i think its just based on Blackpool, not necessarily a full on "remake"... Thanks so much for posting these!

[Anthony]

I predict this show will be cancelled or pulled by episode 3.

[Dottie]

I predict this show will be cancelled or pulled by episode 3.

...no matter how good it is, it could be the best show ever and still get cancelled (Wonderfalls, anyone?)
I'll watch the first episode and then decide if I like it. But it might be just weird enough for me to like it.

[Anthony]

I predict this show will be cancelled or pulled by episode 3.

...no matter how good it is, it could be the best show ever and still get cancelled (Wonderfalls, anyone?)
I'll watch the first episode and then decide if I like it. But it might be just weird enough for me to like it.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want this show to fail at all. I'd love it if it became the next big TV smash hit. I mean a musical drama with all the glitz and glamour of being set in a casino, what can be better than that? But CBS just doesn't seem too interested in promoting the show, plus bad buzz from the critics and the fact that CBS will want to air the next season of The Amazing Race pronto, doesn't bode well for this new series.

[katemonster]

I hope it doesn't get cancelled, its such an original concept! but i guess we'll just have to hope for the best. I think the fact that hugh jackman is in it gives it credibilty and will draw a lot of viewers...

[2099net]

It must be awful living in an environment were shows are pulled without concluding their runs.

Not so long ago, that would never happen in the UK, but ITV (a commercial broadcaster) has started to do this. And, as has been pointed out, normally its quality shows that are pulled while cheap crap like "Weddings from Hell 6" manage to stay on screen.

The BBC has occasionly moved an underperforming show from primetime to a late-night slot, but at least they would let it finish as intended. But 'Bod tells me they cut short the French and Saunders retrospective by one episode, so it appears that rot is even affecting our "public service" broadcasting now.

[Dottie]

Hugh Jackman is in it???!!!! I am soooo watching this.

[Anthony]

I think the fact that hugh jackman is in it gives it credibilty and will draw a lot of viewers...

Hugh Jackman is in it???!!!! I am soooo watching this.

I think it must be stated that Hugh Jackman will only be appearing in the first couple of episodes. If the series doesn't get cancelled, he'll only be in future episodes when his movie schedule permits.

[Dottie]

But still this might be the reason for many to start watching the show and continue watching even after he leaves. I just hope the show doesn't end up being cancelled after 4 episodes. Even if it isn't a success they should still finish the 13-episode season and make it a mini-series.

[katemonster]

Even though Hugh only has a recurring role, i think his appearances are spaced out through out the season so i dont think they'll cancel it after 4 episodes. Also i think once people start watching they'll like the show in general and not just for hughs involvment...although it is a major plus!