Sept. 29, 2003
Television: Not Always a Sure Bet

By STEVE FRIESS

With the success of “CSI,” it’s no wonder TV shows are rolling into Las Vegas with the hope of a ratings boost. “If ‘Friends’ went to Iowa, who would care?” asks Gary Scott Thompson, executive producer of NBC’s new “Las Vegas.” But, by itself, shooting on the Strip may not be a guaranteed money move.

OF THE EIGHT shows that sent casts to Vegas the past two seasons, only two saw any major ratings boost, and three shows actually lost viewers. “We anticipated [a bounce], but I guess it didn’t happen,” says Bob Heath, producer of ABC’s “According to Jim,” which lost 12 percent of its audience on its Vegas-based season ender. (Note to ABC: if you want to get lucky in Vegas, don’t go up against “American Idol.”) Though maybe it’s just us. “Every time a European show shoots an episode in Las Vegas, their ratings go way up,” insists Jeanne Corcoran of the Nevada Film Office. How does “Vegas, baby! Vegas!” soundin German? 

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