Thursday, October 4, 2012

Post 2 cars, cars, cars.

VEGAS has done rather well for itself, so far. The shows ratings have been better than average. Nielsen has reported CBS as the winner of the second night of the ten o'clock hour premiers for the 2012-2013 season. Vegas managed to swing into first place with a rating of 2.5 within their demographic, and an over all rating of 3.3. The new ratings are a tell tale of the shows ability to reach well outside of its demographic, ages 18-49, particularly for viewers above the age of 50. Although the show has seemed to do well, there was a decrease in the numbers between the first and second week. week one was bombarded with a viewing audience of 17.2 million. and a 2.9 rating reported by Nielsen overnight. week two did rather well, but not as well as last seasons show (Unforgettable) which carried a 2.9 throughout the second week and was cancelled before achieving the green light for a second season. This leaves Vegas's 2.5 rating for the second week in a very delicate spot. Chances are they will be green lighted for the remainder of the season, but given the numbers, a second season may be just outside of the shows reach.  www.cbs.com is now showing full episodes of the drama Vegas, making easy access for viewers to find and watch the show at their leisure.
CARS, CARS, CARS.
Although Vegas seems to be one of the top shows of the season, viewer complaints have skyrocketed. Those who know their cars, (like most americans do), have voiced their knowledge and opinions based on the shows lack of historical accuracy.
Viewer reviews from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2262383/reviews have had multiple complaints about the automobiles being from the mid 60's as apposed to the late 50's. Which would have been more accurate, given the show is based in the early 60's, when most of the automobiles displayed in the background had yet to be manufactured. This goes to show how small historical errors from the set and prop designers can ruin the credibility of a well thought out series.

GOOD WRITING.
The writers of Vegas have done an excellent job bringing drama to the screen, with and original concept that intrigues audiences of all ages. 
But once again, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2262383/reviews  have had complaints about a cowboy sheriff cleaning the streets of Las Vegas, and (Vegas) has been given a bad wrap. Due to these viewer reports, it's obvious the show Vegas has neglected to declare to EVERYONE, that (Vegas) is based on true events, and ("Ralph Lamb" really was a cowboy rancher turned sheriff.) 
  
BAD WRITING
IMDB viewers have once again voiced their complaints. But I have to say this complaint is legitimate and I do agree with the context, which is poorly written dialog. In other words, people didn't talk that way in the 60's. The dialog is much too modern and stands out like a sore thumb, particularly against the setting and background which is based in the early 60's. This lack of historical accuracy really does take away from the suggested time frame, and has a way of disrupting our  (suspension of disbelief). Lets hope it's not enough to ruin what could be the best drama CBS has conjured in quite some time.  

3 comments:

  1. I know in class there was a lot of hype about this show, and rightfully so according to those numbers. Defiantly seems like this show has the right dynamics to be a hit and I can see it staying around for a few years. I personally wasn't a hug fan, don't think I'll be tuning in. But, as for the rest of America, I can totally see why they would.

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  2. This is the show that I really felt would do good. Networks can't really go wrong with gangsters and cops in the 60's where gangsters stayed in suits and drove nice cars. With the theme of the showing being interesting adding Dennis Quaid doesn't hurt. I see Vegas staying around for at least three seasons.

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  3. This was one I was looking forward to watching, but I have to confess that the pilot left me saying "meh." It seems like this should be hitting one out of the ballpark -- Dennis Quaid? Check! Mobsters? Check! 60's Vegas? Check! The acting was better than it should have been, but the script didn't feel engaging. And unlike Mad Men, it really didn't look like a 1960's drama. It looked like a CBS procedural drama with costumes and cars from the 60's placed in front of a CGI Golden Nugget. I'll keep watching, but I have to confess I'm not in a hurry to play the next episode on my DVR.

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