SHOOTING STARS: Local atmosphere keys visits by ‘CSI,’ ‘The Odds’

  Locals know that the flagship of CBS’ smash “CSI” franchise — the original, set-in-Vegas “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” — doesn’t always reflect its hometown accurately. (Just the other day, Review-Journal features staffers recalled, with great amusement, a “CSI” episode from a few seasons ago, filmed in Southern California, that was set in Las Vegas’ supposedly thriving Koreatown — which is really a few blocks along Spring Mountain Road, mixed in among the Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and other Asian business.)
  This week, however, “CSI” makes a rare location trek to the scene of its crimes, with locations ranging from the Luxor to an iconic only-in-Vegas landmark: the Bonanza General Store, at the corner of the Strip and Sahara Avenue.
  “It’s the fourth time they’ve filmed with us,” notes Angie Hurt, assistant manager of the Bonanza corner stores.
“CSI” will shoot in the general store and the parking lot, taking advantage of the fact that “we photograph well,” according to Hurt.
  Other locations include an alley east of the Flamingo, site of a crime scene, and a street west of Luxor — where “CSI” investigators will check out a car.
  These “CSI” scenes will figure in the penultimate episode of the show’s 10th season, showcasing exteriors with views of the Strip, according to location manager Paul Wilson.
  “It’s to get more good exteriors,” he says of the Vegas road trip. “You will be able to see the Strip” from the chosen locations — giving viewers a genuine glimpse of Glitter City.
  Meanwhile, back at the Bonanza General Store, Hurt expects business to pick up once the latest “CSI” episode airs.
  “They just like working with us,” she says of the long-running series. “We’ve always been very cooperative.” Which isn’t always easy — because the store remains open for business during the shoot.
  “Odds” on: The “CSI” connection continues with the CBS pilot “The Odds,” directed by “CSI” veteran Ken Fink.
  The prospective buddy-cop series, which shot at Planet Hollywood Towers last week, moves downtown this week, with locations ranging from the Fremont Street Experience and Fremont East entertainment district to the Plaza and Casino Center Boulevard.
  In “The Odds,” Donald Faison trades in his “Scrubs” to play Tyler LaSalley, who’s just taken over as lead homicide detective from his now-demoted predecessor, Wade Simms (played by Sullivan Stapleton). Jeff Wadlow (whose directorial credits include “Cry_Wolf” and “Never Back Down”) serves as writer and executive producer. (And we know one CBS star who’s rooting for his show to make the network schedule: Wadlow’s aunt Katie, alias “CBS Evening News” anchor Katie Couric.)
  Reality bites: Two Las Vegas-based reality series are back in production.
History’s “Pawn Stars” is rolling once again at the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, with three generations of the Harrison family — patriarch Richard, son Rick and grandson Corey — in the spotlight. The show’s expected to shoot through early May, according to executive producer Brent Montgomery, president of Leftfield Pictures, the show’s production company.
  Leftfield’s also got another Las Vegas-based series in development: WEtv’s “Wild Flowers” (a working title, Montgomery says), about the women of Enchanted Florist on Highland Drive, which is owned by Kathryn Null and Teresa Stewart.
  The florists first showed up on Leftfield’s radar during production of a previous reality series, “Happily Ever Faster,” Null notes, when the show hired Enchanted Florist to do some arrangements and “they got to know us and liked the people working here,” she explains.
  Null also suspects Leftfield was intrigued by the fact that most of the staff members “are either former or current punk band members,” she says. (Maybe her pink hair gave her away.) “It’s an interesting mix of people.”
  And “Holly’s World” — featuring “Peepshow” headliner Holly Madison — has been picked up for eight episodes on E! That means production has resumed at Planet Hollywood, and around town, as the former “Girls Next Door” regular continues her Las Vegas adventures on and off stage.
  Also expected to hit town this week: Bravo’s “Bethenny’s Getting Married?” — featuring “Real Housewives of New York” regular Bethenny Frankel, who really did just get married last month.