It is amazing how terrible this show is. The original series, the BBC's Viva la Blackpool is well acted, original, and surreal. It is a joy to watch. I would highly recommend it.There have been a lot of British shows that have been butchered by their American adaptations, but none have missed the mark as badly as Viva Laughlin. The original works because the music punctuates the feelings of an otherwise very serious and dark story. The result is surreal and edgy. Laughlin is a painful over the top Broadwayisation of the original. Laughlin's horrible acting and reworked script makes it impossible for you to connect to any of the characters. Laughlin fails miserably at capturing any of the emotion or beauty of the BBC version.

Was the show cheesy? Yes -- of course it was. How could something with its premise not be? That said... I had a smile on my face the whole time. Too many of the shows now have such dark themes, sets, etc... that you end up enrapt in the plot, but depressed about the state of the world. Viva Laughlin dealt with real life themes, but made the whole process fun. It had an excellent cast, the sound track and performances were witty and professionally executed. For all that the plot included some heavy issues, it was not an intense show and left you feeling well entertained. I wanted to applaud after Fontana's opening number.Again, I'm sorry its gone. I'm not surprised, but I am sorry.

I congratulate the Americans for being brave enough to take some thing British with an edge and try to make their audience accept something that does not have a laughter track, go for 15 minutes plus adverts, and include "in" jokes that will not last 6 months of currency.It just worked with "The Office", but even it is not exportable.Unfortunately Viva does not work and the terrific Blackpool original needed an understanding of the working class of the UK, which the yanks will never comprehend.The music and songs is an escape from the drab cloudy dirty streets of Britain and Blackpool is their escape to fun (sitting on a beach in socks and sandals with a handkerchief with knotted corners on their heads, and trouser legs rolled up - the only escape from normal working life - a 'fun parlour'.Viva should have taken a New York beach resort like Brighton Beach or Coney Island during the colder months and the carnival type characters who live in the shadows conning the punters.

The critics are ripping this one apart but not many have seen more that what those of us who tuned in last night, saw. I like it and enjoyed it.I like daring shows and I can't think of not too many things more daring than singing along Elvis, Jagger and Blondie in national television. The acting is pretty decent and the show is tremendously entertaining.The questions would be, how long can't Viva Laughlin! maintain the entertaining factor? How many good songs that are familiar to their target audience can they find to shoehorn into the script? That is not an easy task.I am not sure of the answers, but what I know is that I am tuning again next Sunday and that I am recommending the show.