LLOYD OWEN, MADCHEN AMICK, P.J. BYRNE, ERIC WINTER, DB WOODSIDE, ELLEN WOGLOM AND CARTER JENKINS STAR IN "VIVA LAUGHLIN," A NEW MYSTERY DRAMA WITH MUSIC PREMIERING ON A SPECIAL NIGHT, THURSDAY, OCT. 18 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

"The Pilot" - Freewheeling businessman Ripley Holden attempts to open a casino in Laughlin, Nev. despite overwhelming obstacles including a lack of financing and the murder of his ex-business partner, in VIVA LAUGHLIN a mystery drama with music premiering on a special night, Thursday, Oct. 18 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. One of the series' executive producers, Gabriele Muccino, directed the episode from a script by executive producer Bob Lowry.

VIVA LAUGHLIN is a mystery drama with music about eternal optimist and freewheeling businessman Ripley Holden, whose sole ambition is to run a casino in Laughlin, Nev. Occasionally using upbeat contemporary songs to accentuate the drama and humor and advance the story, the series is based on the hit BBC show "Viva Blackpool." Ripley is the ultimate gambler with an infectious personality who is on the brink of making a killing. just as soon as he opens his casino that's nowhere near completion. When his financing suddenly falls through, the fearless and tenacious Ripley approaches his enemy - dashing, sarcastic, wealthy casino owner Nicky Fontana, and his lieutenant Marcus, for help. Though the odds are stacked against him, Ripley doesn't miss a beat, even when he becomes embroiled in a murder investigation headed by Detective Carlyle after the body of his ex-business partner is found at his club. At home, Ripley uses his dry wit to adjust to the demands of his family: his gorgeous wife Natalie wants more attention; his teenage daughter Cheyenne wants his approval; and his son Jack wants to help him at work. All of this adversity would defeat a lesser man, but for the outgoing and passionate Ripley there's no such thing as bad news, only deals to be struck and wagers to be won in the intoxicating neon glow of Laughlin, where the cards are on the table, romance is in the air and music is on the stage.

SERIES REGULARS:

Lloyd Owen: Ripley Holden
M�dchen Amick: Natalie Holden
Eric Winter: Peter Carlyle
DB Woodside: Marcus
P.J. Byrne: Jonesy
Ellen Woglom: Cheyenne Holden
Carter Jenkins: Jack Holden

RECURRING CAST:

Hugh Jackman: Nicky Fontana
Melanie Griffith: Bunny

GUEST STARS:

Buddy Baxter: Wings Hauser
Diane: Missy Doty
Steve: Patrick Fabian
Felix Wang: Keisuke Hoashi
Helicopter pilot: Herbert Hess
Construction dancer: Nicolas Jerome Baga
Construction dancer: Dante Corde
Construction dancer: Paul Dew III
Construction dancer: Craig Hollamon
Construction dancer: Anthony Lofendo
Construction dancer: Harry Shum, Jr.
Construction dancer: Lucas Raumaid
Construction dancer: Nick Drago
Construction dancer: Kevin Connolly
Construction dancer: Anthony Michael Bean
Casino dancer: Arike Rice
Casino dancer: Shelby Rabara
Casino dancer: Sandra Colton
Casino dancer: Victoria Parsons
Casino dancer: Lesley Lewis
Casino dancer: Au-Harehoe Vaitiare
Casino dancer: Jessica Cropper
Casino dancer: Allysa Shorte
Casino dancer: Ashley Godby
Casino dancer: Hannah Feldner-Shaw
Casino dancer: Liana Blackburn
Casino dancer: Anika Berhang
Casino dancer: Loriel Hennington
Casino dancer: Shirlene Quigley
Casino dancer: Allison Kyler

RATING: To Be Announced