26th
The good news about CBS’ new period drama Vegas is that it did not bring to mind the forced glamour of TV’s failed Playboy Club or Pan Am retro dramas, both of which put a lot of money on screen and earnestly waved their retro bona fides—the costumes! the sets! the props!—in our faces whenever possible.
The period production design in the Vegas pilot—even the expensive (see link below) casino set—was there as atmosphere, and for the most part it remained in the background. (It’s far more readable in this single still image than it ever was on screen, unless you’re a playback viewer who hits pause frequently.) The dominant image on screen most of the time was that of Dennis Quaid as Ralph Lamb. Nevada rancher turned deputy sheriff, dressed in his cowboy hat and leather jacket and with his brothers* in tow, Lamb’s like Ben and Adam Cartwright all rolled into one, making Vegas come off like CSI: Bonanza. I plan to tune in next week in part to see if the female A.D.A. gets a wardrobe and grooming upgrade to some genuinely period-looking costumes, hair and makeup, to go with the bitchin’ Thunderbird she gets to drive.
(CBS photo via CBS brings back the glamour, intrigue of Sin City circa 1960 for stylish drama ‘Vegas’ | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com)
*is the young guy another brother? son? We named him “Little Joe.”
