Check out all our lists for BuddyTV's Top 7 of '07 to relive the best and the worst of the year in television.


Being original for the sake of being original is worthless. Oftentimes, people will confuse uniqueness with quality. I can only assume this is how Viva Laughlin made it to prime time. The drama/musical/murder mystery/all-around crapfest involved an up and coming casino owner who became entangled with a murder mystery. Fine, there's potential there

BuddyTV writer and editor John Kubicek is a featured commentator on Baltimore's WBAL morning radio program hosted by David Durian every Tuesday at 8:40am EST.

The big story this week in television is the new show Death Watch. This past week, two new shows were officially cancelled, both after airing just two episodes. What's the reason behind such quick decisions by the networks, and what will they do to fill that space? Read on to find out and to listen to an mp3 recording of the radio segment.

Viva Laughlin, universally regarded as the worst new series of the Fall TV season, has been canceled by CBS after only two episodes.  The Viva Laughlin pilot aired on Thursday, with CBS showing the second episode on Sunday (which was supposed to be its permanent time slot).  The ratings were abysmal on both nights, almost historically so, prompting CBS to enact the quickest series cancellation of the 2007 season.  The Amazing Race, originally slated to return in January, will be moved up a few months and premiere on November 4 in the Sunday 8pm slot.  Next Sunday, a repeat of CSI: will fill the 8pm slot while The Amazing Race prepares to take the air.

Viva Laughlin is s a new musical/drama/comedy/soap opera from CBS which will premiere tonight on CBS at 10pm, following CSI.  CBS is calling this a preview of the Viva Laughlin pilot.  It will re-air this Sunday in its permanent time slot at 8pm.  The show is based off the English series Viva Blackpool, originally created by Peter Bowker.  Viva Laughlin was adapted by Bowker and Bob Lowry, and are joined as executive producers by John Palermo, Paul Talegdy, Gabriele Muccino (who directed the pilot) and Hugh Jackman.  Jackman is also the sometimes-star of the series who will appear in some, but not all, episodes of Viva Laughlin.  The series follows an optimistic gambler/family man named Ripley Holden as he attempts to open his very own casino in Laughlin, Nevada.

In attempt to bring forth a groundbreaking and provocative pilot, CBS has decided to launch a new series that fuses murder, comedy and chockfull of great music.  Viva Laughlin, which CBS admits to being a huge gamble, will try to capture the hearts of spectators despite some hints that U.S. audiences are not yet ready for a singing TV protagonist.

But looking at the trend nowadays, many shows and movies have already earned acclaimed reviews and a solid fan following with its musical-themed programs.

Much has been said about the unconventional format for CBS' new series Viva Laughlin.  The non-traditional song and dance drama has never been tested for weekly television programming.  Even CBS Entertainment chief Nina Tassler acknowledges the risk they're taking with such a far-fetched idea as that employed by Viva Laughlin.

"I totally see [Laughlin] as a risk,” Tassler confessed.  “That's why we went for it.  We see it as something groundbreaking and provocative."