“Cop Rock,” the 1990 singing TV police drama, left a legacy in broadcasting, if nothing else.
Since then, no American TV series has tried to blend singing with gritty stories, except for the occasional plot turn in “Ally McBeal” or the rare special episode of “Buffy” or “Scrubs.”
The combination has worked elsewhere, particularly in England, home of not only “The Singing Detective” but, more recently, “Viva Blackpool.”
The latter drama, which characters sing along to pop songs at crucial points, is the source material for the new CBS series “Viva Laughlin,” which starts tonight.
But the lack of music in promotional ads may make you think they’re trying to hide that aspect of the series.
Lest you think of “Cop Rock,” of course. See “TV Eye,” Page D2.
