CBS pulls plug on "Viva" musical drama

By Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - CBS' musical drama "Viva Laughlin" has become the first major casualty of the 2007-08 season.

The network canceled the Hugh Jackman series after two dismal showings -- a special premiere on Thursday and a time slot premiere Sunday.

"Laughlin," based on BBC's "Viva Blackpool," drew 8.4 million viewers in the 10 p.m. hour Thursday, holding onto only 40% of its "CSI" lead-in audience. The number slid to 6.8 million on Sunday, and the show managed to shed almost a third of its audience between the first and the second half-hour.

Production was shut down Monday. The series was in the midst of shooting Episode 9 of its 13-episode order. Besides Jackman, the cast included Lloyd Owen and Melanie Griffith.

CBS will air a rerun of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" in the time period this week before bringing back "The Amazing Race." The reality veteran will return for a 12th cycle November 4.

Other shows to get the ax this season include the Fox reality show "Nashville" and CW's video magazine "Online Nation."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter