You want to see more of Alexis? Track down a copy of The Misadventures of Margaret. ;)

Shiai | September 21, 09:13 CET

So we get a singing, dancing Principal Wood instead?

Anusien | September 21, 10:19 CET

I'd like to see anything with Alexis, even if the show is crappy. TV suffers without his presence.

deepgirl187 | September 21, 11:36 CET

I agree that TV suffers without Alexis's presence, but can't agree that I'd be willing to settle for seeing him in something crappy. Especially something that sounds this "cringe-worthy", as Kristin put it.
I've already had the impression that not even Hugh Jackman can save this one.

Shey | September 21, 14:34 CET

I think this is very much a matter of taste. The UK original, 'Blackpool' - which was quite well reviewed and considered one of the more original ideas to hit TV in a while - did well enough to get a one-off sequel 'Viva Blackpool' (as well as being BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated).

I completely missed it (and the musical aspect put me off, not generally a fan) but friends that saw it were reminded of Dennis Potter's 'The Singing Detective'. Pretty high praise IMO.

(of course, the US remake may well be an unmitigated disaster, in which case nice one Alexis, bodyswerve ;)

Saje | September 21, 14:51 CET

Wouldn't we have loved to see an all-singing, all-dancing Alexis?

Only if he did a remake of the (out-take) ballet scene from "Waiting in the Wings". (I kid.)

OneTeV | September 21, 16:38 CET

I want to see more of AD on TV, but I want him to be in a vehicle that will bring him back weekly for at least five years. Glad he didn't get sucked into this -- but I'm equally sorry that DBW did.

palehorse | September 21, 18:23 CET

Too bad. I liked the original, and I at least had middling hopes for this one. I'll still watch the pilot, just not as optimistically...

kishi | September 21, 20:26 CET

From USA Today:

"I totally see (Laughlin) as a risk. That's why we went for it," CBS Entertainment chief Nina Tassler says. "We see it as something groundbreaking and provocative."

When a big network takes a chance of something other than - say - CSI Skegness, they should probably have a little support. Instead, people sneer. I expect we'll get CSI Scunthorpe next year instead.

gossi | September 21, 20:33 CET

Well said, gossi. I intend to watch and support this show. If it turns out to be absolutely godawful... well, I'll still say thank you to the Powers That Be for taking a chance on something unique. At least it's not another 'America's Next Top Heroin Addict' or 'Big Brother's House of Ill Repute'.

Haunt | September 21, 20:53 CET

It is encouraging that the networks are trying some new off-beat and scripted shows, although I think it was the success of 'Ugly Betty' that convinced them to try new things (along with the dropping ratings for all the tired 'reality' shows).

So my question is: is it better for an actor to avoid being on a failed stupid TV show (risking looking like he would take ANYTHING), or is it better to be seen as being out there getting on TV? Personally I can't understand why we haven't seen Alexis get more shows, he can do it all!

embers | September 21, 21:28 CET

gossi; "CSI:SKegness" sounds promising, not that I've evEr watched the existing ones :-).

I once imagined Giles retiring to a beach house 35 miles south of there until I found out he was a Bath type.

DaddyCatALSO | September 21, 21:43 CET

When a big network takes a chance of something other than - say - CSI Skegness, they should probably have a little support. Instead, people sneer. I expect we'll get CSI Scunthorpe next year instead.

People are sneering not because the show is different, but because it's terribly put together. Doing something original, and doing it badly, is not deserving of praise in my opinion.

MindPieces | September 21, 22:21 CET

"I expect we'll get CSI Scunthorpe next year instead."

As a Scunthorpe local I forbid this idea. There is no way I want one of those boring procedural shows associated with my town.

Now, if Joss wants to place a Hellmouth here, that I'm fine with... ;)

Koven | September 21, 23:06 CET

Skeggy makes more sense anyway, Mablethorpe is natural spin-off material and caravan parks just ooze glamour. Besides, with a few amusement arcades thrown in it's sort of like England's Vegas.

Are we assuming it's terribly put together because of this one sketchy outline from Kristen or has it been pretty universally slated ? Because, as I say, a mystery comedy drama with people spontaneously breaking into song and (surreal) dance routines isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea.

(one person's cringe inducing is another person's 'The Office' after all)

Saje | September 22, 00:08 CET

It has pretty much been universally panned, even by people who would normally love this sort of thing.

Also, the previews look pretty abismal. With those you can also sort of check it out preliminary for yourself.

Storyteller | September 22, 00:14 CET

Odd, I hadn't heard much in the way of advance loathing on this one. Of course I really haven't been paying much attention to critics since I'd already decided to check this out (musicals, Vegas and Hugh Jackman? What the hell's not to love??)... but I just don't recall hearing a lot of panning going on. *shrug*

I tend to despise "professional critics" anyways. My natural petty spitefulness occassionally means all it takes for me to enjoy a show is for enough highly paid spoilsports to tell me how bad it is.

To quote Mel Brooks: "And of course, with the birth of the artist came the inevitable afterbirth - the critic."

Haunt | September 22, 00:27 CET