Putting the Laughlin in ‘Viva Laughlin’

Despite its title, CBS' new "Viva Laughlin" series doesn't plan to spend much time in its namesake hometown.

The prime-time drama, like other network shows set in Southern Nevada (CBS' "CSI; Crime Scene Investigation" and NBC's "Las Vegas") shoots in Los Angeles.

Over the weekend, however, Stargate Digital was scheduled to put the Laughlin in "Viva Laughlin" -- by filming visual-effects background footage.

Stargate's crew planned to capture "eight or nine hours' worth of footage," from casino exteriors to driving shots, during the 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. shoot, explains visual effects supervisor Scott Ramsey (an Emmy nominee for his work on "Grey's Anatomy").

"It's a small but big city," Ramsey says of Laughlin. And in keeping with the show's mystery elements, "it lights up really great at night."

Telethon time: The countdown's on for the 42nd annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Sunday from the South Point.

It's the second year the telethon has been back in Las Vegas -- and at the South Point -- after a decade in Southern California, notes producer Lee Miller.

"We learned a lot" during last year's return to Las Vegas, Miller says. For one thing, "we learned that coming back to Las Vegas is very healthy for the show."

Night and day: For his day (make that night) job, Frank Marino headlines the Riviera's "An Evening at La Cage."

For his day-and-night job, however, Marino's headlining "Frank: My Way," a year-in-the-life reality series expected to debut in January on the new, all-Vegas-all-the-time VTV cable channel.

So far, three of 12 half-hour episodes have been shot, Marino says, focusing on everything from his beauty treatments to his dog Cherie's birthday bash -- with 50 canine friends.

This week, production on the fourth episode includes a cover shoot for Q Vegas magazine and catching "Little Legends" at Planet Hollywood's Harmon Theatre at Krave.

"Most people get 15 minutes of fame," Marino quips. "I get a half-hour."

On the "Strip": Documentary filmmaker Frantz Hall, who previously directed "Conversations With a Las Vegas Escort," continues production on "Strip City," an upcoming HBO cable series focusing on the lives of strippers, exotic and topless dancers. This week's itinerary includes a planned stop at Seamless.

"We've started editing the first episode," reports Hall. The 12 hour-long episodes are expected to air starting in February.

Infomercial, please: Las Vegas infomercial expert Ben Kalb's back in action with another fitness-belt promotion (his fourth), shooting at local residences Monday and Tuesday and at DK Studios Thursday and Friday.

Carol Cling's Shooting Stars column appears Mondays. Contact her at 383-0272 or e-mail her at ccling@reviewjournal.com.