The murder mystery format is one of the more fascinating and riveting genres on television. Arguably, so are musicals, or at least, the presence of appropriately placed songs or scoring in a show. Debuting series,
Viva Laughlin, attempts to marry music and mystery in a bona fide musical drama.
Imagine big screen heavyweights
Hugh Jackman of
X-Men and
Van Helsing fame and
Melanie Griffith of
Bonfire of the Vanities and
Shining Through, singing along to Blondie and The Rolling Stones. That's exactly what you'll get on the maiden season of CBS'
Viva Laughlin, which begins October 18.
"I totally see [
Laughlin] as a risk,” Nina Tassler, chief of CBS Entertainment confessed. “That's why we went for it. We see it as something groundbreaking and provocative. The beauty of it is that right now, with the schedule as strong as it is, you've got great promotional platforms."
"What makes us unique is the musical element of the show, so I think it's only natural for people to focus on that," executive producer Bob Lowry added.
However, Lowry is the first to admit that
Viva Laughlin is far more than just a musical extravaganza. He stresses the fact that it also combines family drama with a casino story beset by a murder mystery.
"So there are four balls in the air at all times to juggle and to balance," Lowry pointed out.
Carat media buyer Shari Anne Brill commends ABC for its bold venture into uncharted turf although she admits that it remains to be seen whether the gamble will pay off.
"I admire CBS for trying to take chances," Brill noted. "
Viva Laughlin represents a departure for them, [but] I don't know if it's the right thing."
Aside from Jackman and Griffith,
Viva Laughlin also stars
Madchen Amick of Central Park West and Twin Peaks, DB Woodside from
24 and
Lloyd Owen as series lead, Ripley Holden. Fortunately for viewers, Owen, who also belts out Elvis Presley's “Viva Las Vegas,” is an accomplished baritone. Hugh Jackman also serves as executive producer on the show.
-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: UPI
(Image Courtesy of E! Online)