“VEGAS” (2012) Review

This was a review I had wanted to post about the now "canceled" series "VEGAS" with Dennis Quaid -- originally written in December 2012, it NEVER saw the "post" stage.

Here it is ... 

As some of you may know, I have had a love-hate relationship with any and all things “Las Vegas”.  This stems from a lot of personal losses, some changes in the city, and just the “B.S.” that accompanies life here.

It’s no real shock that when I heard CBS was going to launch a new series by the name of “VEGAS”, I was tad perturbed and disgusted. I didn't know whether it was an original or a remake of the 1978 version. After all, I am not a fan of remakes. For me, they’re a mixed bag. 50% of the time they’re good, and 50% of the time they’re bad.

While I get the idea is to take a proven formula and update it – some people, like myself feel the original is the best and to leave it alone. A remake is a lack of creativity.

So, I felt this way about the name “VEGAS” for a series.

To be honest we’ve had two series to carry an identical/similar name:

1978-1981 – VEGA$ (Robert Urich)

2003-2008 – Las Vegas (James Caan)

Naturally I felt that a TV show about the city had been done enough – once in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s; and the early to late 2000’s. Why did we need another series? It was about the MOB? We had a 1986-1988 series called “Crime Story” for that, not to mention other movies.

I don't get a say in production of TV shows, which can be a good or bad thing. Right now, I'm left as undecided.

This new “VEGAS” (2012) series is loosely based on Sheriff Ralph Lamb and the mob in the 1960’s. It’s a different take, I’ll admit that. How were they going to pull it off though? 

It's hard to be retro with the strip and downtown looking the way they do, so I figured they will have to build sets for the action – either in the desert regions of California or Arizona to be as accurate as possible. 

From the clips, it looked “interesting”. 

Because of school, personal commitments, business, and other events – I wasn’t able to see the series on its premiere date, nor the episodes to follow – BUT – I had them on the DVR.  So, mom and I decided to do some cleaning out of the DVR this past weekend (Thursday – Saturday for us).

I will be honest – I deeply ADORE Dennis Quaid, so that was another reason I decided to tune in. He’s handsome, charming and a bit roguish. This role suits him.  I’ve read the criticism of the series and Quaid’s acting. Some have even wondered why a movie star would turn to a TV series.

In some respects, TV is far better than movies any more, especially with the economy. A TV series hits more homes, is more affordable to the public and is steady employment for the actor. Some actors can get $300k per episode. With 22 episodes, that’s $6,600,000 PER YEAR. Not bad. And, you can usually stay close to home. I’d do it!

Ok, let’s get past the “this is based on a real-life person, but fictionalized for TV” element. Because it's only got the "Ralph Lamb, Lawman" deal going for it in that department.

Good.

Now my review:

I’m creating my own scale here. 5 stars = excellent, 4 = great, 3 = fair, 2 = good and 1 = stinks. I decided to use 4 grading criteria of the actors, characters, story-lines and historical accuracy (including geography).

Actors:  

Reason?

Being a fan of Dennis Quaid (“Great Balls of Fire”, “The Parent Trap”, “Yours, Mine and Ours”, “The Day After Tomorrow”) and Michael Chiklis (“The Commish”, “Fantastic Four”, “The Shield”) they play off of each other so well, you honestly don’t know which one you want to win the weekly battle.

The two seem believable in their roles. Because he is from Houston, Texas; I can definitely see Quaid as a shotgun-toting sheriff. There is something about the way he walks, talks and carries a shotgun that makes it work. They were both born on the same day and even have the same shoe size (Lawrence, 2012). Coincidence? Perhaps.

Chiklis’ exudes what a mobster would look like, dress like, and act like – he has the charm, style and looks.

Not that I have experience with mobsters. I was here in Las Vegas at the time of the Spilotro Brothers disappearance. They were an integral part of the 1970’s Las Vegas era and something that we learned about in school. 

Characters:  

Reason?

Quaid is both likeable and a pain as Lamb. He’s moody and broody, but he can still crack a smile or leave us laughing. Chiklis’ Savino is a master of acting like he’s trying to do the right thing while still living the mob life.

Quaid draws us in with the difference between the law and justice.

Storyline:  

Reason?

Living in Las Vegas, I know what our city’s history is/was. It isn’t pretty. The mob was quite influential and one of our mayors was a mob lawyer (Oscar Goodman). It stands to reason that most of the stories deal with how our city grew, and became what it was.

Historical Accuracy/Geographical History: 

Reason?

It’s not even close. How do I know? I grew up here. Yuck! There I admitted it. I grew up in Las Vegas, NV.

As a result, I know Las Vegas’ history. The historical inaccuracies on this series are off-putting.

Tremendously.

I’m not talking about vehicles. I know it’s difficult to find good running 1960’s vehicles. I’m pretty cool with it. As long as Lamb or Savino isn’t driving a Toyota Prius, I think we can give them a plus/minus 4-5 years on the cars.

If anyone has more accurate 1960’s cars – then contact the producers and offer them up. Otherwise … I’d button it.

My problem is the obvious creative liberties – namely the geographically challenged ones. Like one character mentioning the area of Bonanza and Charleston. I lived on Lamb near Owens for 2 years. I also rode the bus from Lamb/Charleston to Lamb/Owens (and vice versa) for two years, so I KNOW that area quite well.

Bonanza and Charleston run parallel (they never meet). When traveling  north on Lamb you hit Charleston, Stewart, BONANZA, Washington, etc.  While I admit I don’t know the area prior to 1985 when I moved here – I don’t think Bonanza and Charleston ever crossed.  Many of these roads were already named back in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Another big pet peeve is the location of the casinos in and around the downtown area. 

Granted this is FICTION, but this is about a REAL city after all. Some people who live here KNOW where everything is or was located.  It should have SOME element of reality to it.

The downtown area was much “bigger” than the series is depicting (see the picture below):

During one scene it is obvious it is a soundstage as the street is no bigger than one lane in each direction with parking on the street. The picture above depicts a 4-lane road with parking on the street. Much more accurate.

Also, the Sahara was on Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue, nowhere near downtown:

I can assure you that was nowhere near the Fremont as one episode depicted. The Sahara is (or was) on the strip (part of Las Vegas Boulevard from Sahara to approximately Russell Road). The Sahara (until its closure on May 16, 2011) sat on the corner of LV Boulevard and Sahara Avenue.

The Fremont was diagonally across from the Golden Nugget, always has been.

I can understand that the editors and writers have to take some creative liberties as some casinos may not want their names or past to be associated with mob activities or history (even if that IS accurate). But, to place a hotel near another that is not accurate? Loses credibility. 

I am not going to go any farther, except to mention where McCarran Airport is located and the Lamb ranch might have been, it seems like a stretch for Lamb to come riding up on horseback. I don’t know where it was, but I am a tad leery on the logistics though.

The series loses/lost a lot of points in this category for me for these reasons.  

Surprisingly none came from the most blatant error: smoking, or lack thereof. I don’t care if there is or was smoking in it despite the era. That I can get over. It’s not integral.  

Overall rating: 3.5 stars 

The reason?

You add 5, 4, 4, 1 – that should equal 14; which divided by the four standards is 3.5.

I think it has entertainment potential. Certainly how the characters and storylines develop will be key to how successful it is. I don’t count on the historical accuracy improving.

All in all, it’s probably not going to get a second season. It’s averaging about 10 million+ viewers per week and is #1 in the time slot. CBS has a winning line-up on Tuesdays – NCIS/ NCIS: LA/VEGAS. Will I keep watching “VEGAS”? Quite likely. Just don’t expect my ratings/feelings to change though.

References:

Lawrence, C. (2012, September 25). 'Vegas' series based on former sheriff lamb debuts tonight. Las Vegas Review Journal. Retrieved from http://www.lvrj.com/news/-vegas-series-based-on-former-sheriff-debuts-tonight-171077521.html

Screenshots of Google Maps (these have been cropped by me)