"This place is cursed." - Danny McCoy during the Las Vegas Danny couldn't be more right. Over the years, Las Vegas switched timeslots so many times that I've lost counts. It also went through as many casino owners as timeslots! No matter, the show was an entertaining one. It's the type of show I enjoyed watching on Friday nights (or in most cases Saturday afternoon thanks to my old VCR) because of its lightness. I didn't have to think much while watching the gang try to catch the bad guys, Delinda put her foot in her mouth and Sam try to please her whales so they would lose big bucks on the tables.
A few days after a cliffhanger season finale, NBC decided that fans would have to do without the Montecito crew from now on; Las Vegas was canceled.
In mid-December, I wrote a midseason analysis of the show. Since then, my point of view on the show didn't change much. The last episodes of the series pretty much followed the usual Las Vegas format: a few bad players, Danny and Mike teaming up to save the day, Sam trying to help her whales, Delinda having to put out fires while trying to learn about life, a mysterious owner, and Mike trying to find love. Even the season finale had a recycled storyline that was featured in pretty much all season finales: the ownership of the casino/hotel up in the air.
But what changed to me is the use of new character Piper. Back in December, I raised concerns about the character saying that she didn't act much like a casino concierge and that she didn't have meaty storylines. That totally changed in the winter episodes. Not only did we finally get to see her as a concierge but she also got fair storylines that led to her and Mike getting married. I even found myself rooting for Mike and Piper!
The last episodes showed me a Las Vegas that was getting back on track after saying goodbye to two of its key players. We were finally getting to know more about Cooper (played by Tom Selleck) and Piper (played by Camille Guaty) was now part of the group. Even if some storylines were repetitive (then again, a lot of series recycle; just look at ER!), the show was still achieving what I wanted it to: light entertainment.
Sadly, fans will not be able to get closure. The series fell victim of the writers' strike. In an interview, creator Gary Scott Thompson admitted that the final episode was meant to be the first part of a two-parter and that they expected to be able to complete the three episodes left in the season. Thompson adds that they talked with NBC about a two-hour movie to wrap things up but that it's the network's decision ($$$). Since it's unlikely that we will get a proper ending be it on NBC, the web, or on DVD, I'll imagine that Danny and Delinda's baby is fine and that they become great parents and get married; that Mike and Piper have a fairytale ending; that Sam remains single and a casino host; that Cooper stays as the owner; and the the Delines patch things up and that Ed can see his grandkid without having to hide.
If you want to let NBC know that you are not happy with the show ending, you can take part in the Save Las Vegas campaign.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-26-2008 @ 8:15PM
Christopher said...
Bring it back!
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2-26-2008 @ 8:49PM
Darren said...
As you said it's an easy show to watch, not much thinking, light hearted - NBC needs to use more brains when making decisions!
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2-26-2008 @ 9:17PM
Christopher said...
Yeah, cause we all know that My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad is sitting atop Mensa's shows to watch.
2-26-2008 @ 8:51PM
Edward said...
yet another show I follow is cancelled!!!
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2-26-2008 @ 9:01PM
segsig said...
It really makes no sense as it's comparitively the best rated scripted show that isn't a L&O on the entire network. Every other scripted show either comes in third or fourth in their timeslots and Las Vegas consistently finished first or second. They really must be looking at all reality and game shows in their future.
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2-26-2008 @ 9:32PM
Oreo said...
Why did they end on a cliffhanger? That seems dumber than canning this show.
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2-26-2008 @ 9:34PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
They ended with a cliffhanger because there were supposed to have at least 3 other episodes to wrap things up for the season. They didn't know they were going to get canceled nor that those remaining episodes wouldn't be shot.
2-26-2008 @ 10:06PM
Rob said...
TV Squad is to blame, as you never did recaps of Las Vegas episodes to help get exposure out to those who never seen it.
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2-27-2008 @ 5:45PM
Jamie said...
Oreo -
You can thank the strike for that! It only finished with three episodes to go, and the last episode shown was supposed to be a two parter thing (with the to be continued at the end).
Ironic if to be continued is the last words we will ever see from that show. I could go either way with it coming back, either in another season or in some sort of wrap up movie. But I would like to see an end of sorts ...
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2-26-2008 @ 11:05PM
Jake said...
I for one am disappointed in NBC's decision. If they felt the show was weak and they may cancel it, they owed it to Gary Scott Thompson let him know so he could deliver a proper finale for the fans. Instead, they made the cancellation at the 11th hour. In my opinion NBC accomplished two things by doing this. 1. They alienated fans of a show that had been on NBC for 5 years (read: regular viewers of NBC). 2. They hurt themselves when it comes to introducing a new scripted series in this age of countless other options(read: cable is kicking your ass).
Not only is NBC looking like Fox in terms of stupid reality shows, but now they are canceling new and old shows with little warning. I for one will not be watching any new NBC shows, just like I don't take a chance on anything Fox puts out. Unless a show is averaging 12-20 million viewers(in a non-strike tv schedule), NBC shouldn't expect this viewer, nor many others to trust that these new shows will be around for long or have any sort of conclusion to them.
That said, if they give Las Vegas a proper send off, I might reconsider. But since they are also dumping on Scrubs as well, I am not optimistic.
Finally, note to inspiring show creaters:
1. If you can, make sure the production studio and airing network aren't the same
2. Write a potential series ender every single year.
Or: give up on good television and work on a reality show.
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2-26-2008 @ 11:31PM
Bill said...
You know this really gets to the heart of what's wrong with television compared to the HBO's and Showtimes of the world. Why would I even start to watch something new when it's obvious the networks could care less about anything except the all mighty dollar and could just up and decide to cancel it in a moments notice? We loved this show for the shear fact that it was nothing more than bubble gum. Unlike LOST, you could literally pick up in the middle of any episode of Vegas and know what you were getting. Now not only are we left with a yet another cliffhanger that will never be resolved, we also have another excuse to stick with the premium channels.
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2-26-2008 @ 11:26PM
PB said...
The same thing happened to CW's Kelsey Grammer produced "Girlfriends." The show had 8 eps to complete the end of its 8th season and it was canned during the strike.
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2-27-2008 @ 5:25AM
Bash said...
Just wanted to add that that guy is not the one from "Cheers" and "Frasier".
2-27-2008 @ 1:15AM
Mike said...
I am an all-time fan. It jumped the shark when Caan left. The oversexed Piper and Sam characters added little to the show. OK they're mean girls. We get it. Now, if Sam had been kiled by her abductor, there you'd have something. But the bad guy was perfect until they had to stop him for plot reasons. And Danny and Mike reminded me so much of any buddy cop movie duo. They always win. Everyone always wins. Blah blah blah. Sure the sets were top-notch and some of the swerves were nice. Polly's exclamaitons were hilariously non-PC. But it never felt like anyone was truly challenged. It should have ended last year with the shooting. What did this season add? (besides residuals to the actors)? We got to watch rich people be rich people in nice clothes. I wasted Tivo time on this season.
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2-27-2008 @ 5:18AM
Lynn said...
NBC please bring back Vegas. I resisted watching this show for years (either busy or dis-interested) and I just started watching it when Tom Selleck came onboard. I am now hooked on this show. It was one show that my husband and always looked forward to watching together. It was fun, and entertaining. I think you have a wider demographic that has been untapped - give this a chance to develop and continue. Thanks.
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2-27-2008 @ 5:23AM
Bash said...
"It also went through as many casino owners than timeslots"
As many than?
Interesting. Didn't learn that one in school. But then again I'm not a paid author for a blog.
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2-28-2008 @ 12:58AM
PB said...
Bash,
can you pleeeease do me a favor and "google" Kelsey Grammer. You'll see that THE GUY FROM FRASIER AND CHEERS is executive producer of GIRLFRIENDS. If you watched the show you would've know he's production company produces the show. In the future please do not try to correct people unless you have the facts.
Thanks!!
2-27-2008 @ 8:54AM
Anthony said...
So will other NBC series continue to use the Montecito as their favorite fictional casino?
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2-27-2008 @ 12:36PM
Jeff N. said...
The lack of respect NBC gives it's audiences gives me a lot of mistrust of this Network. Most Networks will at least let a series that has been on 5 years to let them have a proper finish or final episode. But NBC,... well hell no! They don't care. For fans of Heros be wary. If the ratings go down a bit they'll just end it in mid-plot line. NBC is a second rate network. And that is being kind.
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2-27-2008 @ 12:44PM
Jeff N. said...
Note that NBC decided not to let Friday Night Lights finish their episodes for the 2nd season, so the audience was left wondering what was going to happen to many characters and if the team made the playoffs. Similar to Las Vegas. It's this disrespect for it's audiences that should be a dire warning to everyone about watching a scripted series on NBC. In two years the Network will have the 3 Law & Order shows and the rest will be bad reality shows and game shows. They are pretty close to that already.
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