Another Vegas series? Here’s what won’t work …

It’s never too early to start thinking about next TV season.

Especially when we’re mired in this TV season.

With that in mind, Deadline.com reports ABC is developing a drama from Las Vegas-based pickpocket/sleight-of-hand artist Apollo Robbins and “Leverage” co-creator Chris Downey about a female FBI forensic psychiatrist who solves crimes with the help of a Las Vegas magician.

The project, reportedly to be directed by Martin Campbell (“Casino Royale”), sounds a bit like one ABC bought four years ago that would have starred Penn &Teller as crime-solving Las Vegas magicians.

While that series sadly never made it to the air, it was one of numerous attempts by the networks to recapture the magic, so to speak, of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and NBC’s “Las Vegas.”

None survived to see a second season. But, in their failures, the networks are slowly zeroing in on what viewers don’t want.

Although Robbins is no stranger to Hollywood, having served as a consultant on Will Smith’s upcoming movie “Focus” and as a producer and deception specialist on National Geographic Channel’s “Brain Games,” here are some unsolicited suggestions for creating a successful Southern Nevada-set series:

■ No singing, no dancing, even if you do land a Hugh Jackman cameo (CBS’ “Viva Laughlin”).

■ No bizarrely animated versions of Siegfried &Roy (NBC’s “Father of the Pride”).

■ Don’t make it too serious (CBS’ “Vegas”).

■ Don’t make it too silly (CBS’ “Dr. Vegas”).

■ Don’t hire Jerry O’Connell (CBS’ “The Defenders”). Look, we love the guy. But given his recent TV track record — “Carpoolers,” “Do Not Disturb,” “Mockingbird Lane” and “We Are Men” — it’s becoming increasingly obvious that large segments of the viewing public really, really do not.

Your loss is their gain: Real estate investors Scott and Amie Yancey are back to turn a profit by renovating foreclosed homes, and to remind you of your own housing woes in the process, with a new season of “Flipping Vegas” (10 p.m. Saturday, A&E).

Special screenings: Help scare up some good will during a benefit screening of “Friday the 13th” at 10 p.m. Tuesday at the Colonnade. Tickets are $6, $5 for Regal Crown Club Members, with proceeds going to the American Red Cross and its assistance to Denver-area flooding victims. And it’s really more of a Christmas movie, but the Galaxy Cannery is celebrating Halloween by showing “Gremlins” at 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $7, or get two tickets and a large popcorn for $15.

Contact Christopher Lawrence at clawrence@ reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4567.