"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

Mädchen 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

GENRE:     Mystery, Drama, Music

RATING:  To Be Announced