Slog - Comments on When Bad Means Boring: The Lessons of Viva Laughlin http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv When it comes to bad art, I trust no one like I trust my friend Mindy. She's my best friend from high school, now a lawyer and mom in Los Angeles. Most importantly, she's the person who introduced me to Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls, the holy grail of cinematic badness, which Mindy insisted I watch in 1999, and which I've watched several times a year (often with others) ever since. So when Mindy called to tell me that I was required to watch the new CBS show Viva Laughlin, I obeyed. She'd seen the premiere episode and had been blown... Copyright 2008 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:45:29 -0800 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:59:31 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Chrissy Try to dig up Viva Blackpool. Scarecrow has it in PAL and there are NTSC EMMY screener copies floating around eBay. It's just a magical ride and is also one of the few productions David "Doctor Who" Tennant has appeared in whilst using his real, Scottish accent.

]]> Chrissy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837181 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837181 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:00:29 -0800 Comment by David Schmader I shall, I'm totally curious about it. Did Viva Blackpool do a similar sort of singing-along-to-the-car-radio performance style for the musical numbers?

]]> David Schmader http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837186 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837186 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:03:40 -0800 Comment by Amelia I LOVE Showgirls.

]]> Amelia http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837193 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837193 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:08:49 -0800 Comment by Chrissy Um, David, I'm the one who sent you some Jon Stewart stuff and promised not to stalk you. Still not stalking! But I do have VIVA BLACKPOOL recorded from BBC (by friends) and I can send you a copy if you like. It's currently on my hard drive, 'cause a friend wants it.

They do the singing to the radio bit, yes. The best way to think of it, I feel is to remember the times in your life when a song seemed to sum up that was in your head at that moment. Thus, when Ripley's daughter marries the man twice her age, the musical number is the Communards "Don't Leave Me This Way".

]]> Chrissy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837196 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837196 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:13:23 -0800 Comment by monkey I haven't pronounced Versace correctly since about 1997.

]]> monkey http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837197 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837197 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:13:48 -0800 Comment by Michael I had the same reaction to the monumentally craptacular movie, The English Patient that your friend Mindy had to Forrest Gump. I still can't figure out how The English Patient won any Oscars at all.

]]> Michael http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837206 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837206 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:23:31 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Brit accent, slow motion, class undertones they couldn't hear: MADE for the Oscars. Ditto "Chariots of Fire", my own pick for worst piece of shit to win an Oscar. Or any Merchant Ivory production. Ugh.

Chrissy, I'm on my way to Scarecrow for "Viva Blackpool", it sounds fantastic. EVERYBODY should get an all-region DVD player.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837224 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837224 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:33:21 -0800 Comment by Amelia Monkey, you are the greatest.

]]> Amelia http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837225 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837225 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:35:07 -0800 Comment by anna Reassure your friend she was completely right about Forrest Gump.

]]> anna http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837227 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837227 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:35:40 -0800 Comment by Chrissy Fnarf, if you get this!!!! Viva Blackpool was the US title; the DVDs from the UK will be found (in the British TV section) under "B". It was just called Blackpool over there.

]]> Chrissy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837249 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837249 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:56:29 -0800 Comment by wench David Tennant? I'm so getting that.

]]> wench http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837252 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837252 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:59:43 -0800 Comment by WenG No Wolverine? Moonves is a dead man.

]]> WenG http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837254 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837254 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:01:00 -0800 Comment by David Schmader Chrissy! First, thanks for the Jon Stewart stuff. And yes, I would love to see some of the original Blackpool, thanks for the offer.

]]> David Schmader http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837272 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837272 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:09:25 -0800 Comment by Abby I saw a clip from Viva Blackpool and it was incredible. Choreography, slightly hammy acting, David Tennant, more choreography, The Smiths...it just makes me sad about what could have been. I mean, in the episode of Viva Laughlin I made myself sit through, they only sang twice in the whole hour. If you're going to make a terrible musical, make it as over-the-top as possible since that's the only way you'll get people to care.

]]> Abby http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837296 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837296 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:23:36 -0800 Comment by Chrissy Oh yes, I was gonna mention that Viva Blackpool has much, much more singing.

David, I'll bung a copy in the mail to you. It was recorded off air, but the quality is still very good.

]]> Chrissy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837357 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837357 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:13:34 -0800 Comment by Fnarf I'll find it, Chrissy. I know the Scarecrow Brit TV section pretty well. I was just in Blackpool recently, and it was probably the greatest place I've ever been. Ten miles of pure tat. Can't wait to see the show.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837370 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837370 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:23:39 -0800 Comment by Chrissy I've been to Blackpool too, but years ago. Need to get there again if our dollar ever recovers.

As you watch the series you'll wonder, as did I, whether David Tennant had a special rider on his contract in case he developed Type 1 Diabetes during the shoot. He was never without some sugary, greasy, salty snack in his hand or mouth.

]]> Chrissy http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837423 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837423 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:30:47 -0800 Comment by Fnarf That sounds like Blackpool all right. I think the average life expectancy there is about 49 years. I ate some things there that defy description.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837437 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837437 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:41:14 -0800 Comment by Algernon A CENSORED Sympathy for the Devil. "I was 'round when Jesus Christ had his moment of doubt and pain" is nowhere. Die, Laughlin.

]]> Algernon http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837476 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837476 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:04:05 -0800 Comment by Princess Sparkle Pony This reminds me of the line in Ghost World, when Enid comments that the band at their graduation party is "so bad they go beyond good and back to bad again."

]]> Princess Sparkle Pony http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837656 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c837656 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:34:51 -0800 Comment by Fawkes Blackpool is amazing.

Viva Blackpool, which I haven't seen yet, is the sequel.

]]> Fawkes http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c838615 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/when_bad_means_boring_the_lessons_of_viv#c838615 TV Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:59:31 -0800