Summary

One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media’s Media as Lens series. Held at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles, this evening honors “Las Vegas,” a drama series about the lives of the security staff at Montecito, a high-class casino in Sin City. Host Rebecca Faez (director of administration, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks before bringing moderator Sam Rubin (KTLA entertainment reporter) to the stage. Rubin gives background on the show, which is nearly its 100th episode, and then introduces creator and executive producer Gary Scott Thompson, who introduces the episode “My Uncle’s a Gas,” which is screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM B:91831.)

Following the episode, Rubin introduces the panelists: Thompson, executive producers and writers Matt Pyken and Kim Newton; Camille Guaty (Piper Nielsen); James Lesure (Mike Cannon); Josh Duhamel (Danny McCoy); and Molly Sims (Delinda Deline).

The discussion touches on such topics as: the “size” of the show, including its large, extravagant sets; the humor and absurdity of scenes like the dream sequences in the screened episode; the unusual demise of Lara Flynn Boyle’s character Monica Mancuso and varying audience reactions; why the show no longer films in Las Vegas; the difficulties of shooting on location, including bizarre run-ins with tourists; Sims’ experience acting for the first time; the rapport between the actors; the departure of James Caan’s character of Ed Deline and entrance of Tom Selleck’s character of A.J. Cooper; the process of “reeling in” Selleck and their desire not to simply replace Caan; the challenges of keeping the show “fresh” after one hundred episodes; the theme of “expecting the unexpected” both on the show and on the set; the show’s fun, frivolous nature and Duhamel’s advice to “not overthink it”; how the cast and crew frequently argue and banter like family members; whether the cast enjoys visiting the real Vegas; the show’s popularity in over seventy countries; multiple changes in its timeslot and its “Friday-night quality”; long-term plans; and how the show managed to survive against other, initially higher-rated shows.

Questions from the audience lead to a discussion of the following topics: the fates of various departed characters; Duhamel’s earlier role on “All My Children” and his experience landing a role in the “Transformers” franchise because of director Steven Spielberg’s recommendation; his audition process for the show; and the cast and crew’s most memorable moments, including scenes involving Duhamel’s negligible dance skills and Sims’ inability to keep a straight face.