Did these fools learn nothing from Cop Rock? Viva Laughlin, the universally panned musical/mystery/drama/casino-intrigue series has been canceled after just two airings. What's worse, the show has been pulled after just one try in its regular Sunday-night time slot. While the CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) show was rife with talent, including star Melanie Griffith and executive producer/star Hugh Jackman, it suffered from pitifully low ratings and even worse reviews. On Sunday, the program scored a 1.2 rating and a 3 share among adults 18-49. Last Thursday's premiere, helped by a CSI lead-in, turned in ratings that were also disappointing. The show was based on a successful BBC series, Viva Blackpool. This strategy has certainly been hit (The Office) and miss (Coupling) when it comes to stateside programming.
Filling the Sunday 8 p.m. time slot will be reruns of CSI until the new season of Emmy-winning reality show The Amazing Race begins November 4.
One of the biggest questions of every fall season -- what new program will get the ax first? -- has now been laid to rest. Laughlin was the first scripted series to bow -- and the only one on the chopping block after airing just one episode at its regularly scheduled time -- but Nashville, on News Corp (NYSE: NWS)'s FOX Network and Online Nation from the CW Network have also been terminated.
Now on to the next question ... what's next? Some new offerings, such as Gossip Girl (The CW) and Private Practice on Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS)'s ABC Network, have already been issued full-season orders and are in the clear. ABC's Big Shots -- has a high-profile cast but isn't scoring great ratings or decent reviews. K-Ville, part of FOX's Monday lineup, is bringing a lot of money into New Orleans with its production located on site, but does it have a hook to keep people watching? And is the CW's Life is Wild still even on?
Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.
Now on to the next question ... what's next? Some new offerings, such as Gossip Girl (The CW) and Private Practice on Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS)'s ABC Network, have already been issued full-season orders and are in the clear. ABC's Big Shots -- has a high-profile cast but isn't scoring great ratings or decent reviews. K-Ville, part of FOX's Monday lineup, is bringing a lot of money into New Orleans with its production located on site, but does it have a hook to keep people watching? And is the CW's Life is Wild still even on?
Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-24-2007 @ 7:39PM
Joann said...
I think the next show to go should be Caveman.
I love comedy and I viewed this show twice. Each time it was boring and NOT in the least bit funny.
1-13-2008 @ 4:29PM
aymeric said...
I think the broadcast co-orperation are missing out on great shows. While admittedly Viva laughlin might not be part of that category I still think that a lot of shows are never given a chance to grow. Look at Seinfeld. It did not become a hit untill the middle of the second season. But since even big network executives want instant gratification I guess we dont have time anymore to have shows mature into something that will give them the big audience that they so crave. I think case in point was 77 sunset strip with matt perry. Oh and the other thing. Stop moving shows around! Instead of moving new shows around they should move the old established shows around. I am just happy that I have Tivo!
10-30-2007 @ 1:32AM
Gary Bowman said...
CBS has a VERY annoying habit of cancelling shows with NO NOTICE, remember Nash Bridges, how about The District ? I saw the first episode of VIVA Laughlin, and found it refreshingly different. A great cast and the "break out" into song and dance during a drama WOW ! I am 52 years old and actually related o the music on this show - reruns of CSI and the Amazing Race - Give Me A Break !
I am working on a story line for a Magnum PI movie, I hope it doesn"t wind up at CBS, the Cone Heads that work there would probably cancel it !
10-31-2007 @ 2:40AM
Angela said...
I agree with Gary Bowman!!!! I am 51 years old and also related to, and even got up and danced to some of the music(exercise and entertainment..something you don't get with most tv shows) Please take this and all the other positive things I have seen and heard about this new show into consideration and give it another chance!
11-03-2007 @ 8:31AM
Marsha Barksdale said...
I liked the show! I have been to Laughlin Nev. It brought back fond memories. I enjoyed the songs after I got used to them. Kinda like the blurred flash back only more fun. I loved all the actors. Just as I was getting into the story, telling friends to wacth, it vanished.
Networks that make huge incomes DO NOT always know a good thing when they see it. Maybe thats why they copy the BBC shows. Could we please have a show, although it has already had one murder, that is based on something (striving to succeed) besides teaching more and more creative ways to kill our fellow man
Why rely on polls, and how do those things work anyway, and re-runs of re-runs?? I could get a book, but how many great works are lost because someone known as an editor (pompus know-it-all) nips it in the bud.
11-03-2007 @ 5:01PM
scott langfitt said...
i agree with Gary Bowman, im 16 and i liked the show i watched both episodes an i was really disapointed when it wasnt aired last sunday, i hope they give it a second chance.
11-06-2007 @ 8:54PM
Pat said...
Guess I'll quit searching for Viva Laughlin every night to find out which night it's on now. How disappointing to find it canceled after only two shows. Time to quit watching new shows -- if it's interesting it'll be taken off the air.