Vegas (2012)
A rancher-turned-sheriff battles organized crime in the neon-lit, morally complex world of 1960s Las Vegas in this CBS period drama.
Vegas - Series Information
- Original Title: Vegas
- First Air Year: 2012
- Last Air Year: 2013
- Created by: Nicholas Pileggi
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Western, Drama, Crime
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (44 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 21
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 25, 2012 (United States - TV-14), September 25, 2012 (Brazil - 12)
- Networks: CBS
- Production Countries: United States of America
Vegas - Plot
Ralph Lamb wants to be left in peace to run his ranch, but Las Vegas is now swelling with outsiders and corruption which are intruding on his simple life. Recalling Lamb's command as a military police officer during World War II, the Mayor appeals to his sense of duty to look into a murder of a casino worker – and so begins Lamb's clash with Vincent Savino, a ruthless Chicago gangster who plans to make Vegas his own.
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Vegas - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Nicholas Pileggi
Main Cast
- Dennis Quaid
- Michael Chiklis
- Carrie-Anne Moss
- Jason O'Mara
- Taylor Handley
- Sarah Jones
- Anna Camp
- Karina Logue
- Jeanette Brox
- Geoffrey Blake
Writers
- Greg Walker
- Matt Payne
- Nick Santora
- Jessica Queller
Vegas - FAQs
Is Vegas based on a true story?
Yes, Vegas draws from real history. Sheriff Ralph Lamb was an actual Nevada lawman who policed Las Vegas during the 1960s mob era, and Vincent Savino is a fictional composite inspired by real Chicago Outfit figures who sought to dominate the city's booming casino industry during that turbulent decade.
Why was Vegas cancelled after one season?
CBS cancelled Vegas in 2013 after a single season of 21 episodes, primarily due to declining ratings over its run. Despite a strong cast and an appealing period setting, the show struggled to maintain a large enough audience to justify renewal in a competitive primetime landscape.
Where can you stream Vegas the 2012 CBS series?
Streaming availability for Vegas varies by region. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your area, including any subscription streaming services, digital rental or purchase platforms, and free ad-supported options that may currently carry the series.
Who plays Sheriff Ralph Lamb in Vegas?
Dennis Quaid plays Sheriff Ralph Lamb, the rancher-turned-lawman at the heart of the series. Michael Chiklis stars opposite him as Vincent Savino, the menacing Chicago mobster. Carrie-Anne Moss, Jason O'Mara, and Taylor Handley round out the principal cast as key figures in 1960s Las Vegas.
What is the setting and time period of Vegas?
Vegas is set in Las Vegas, Nevada during the early 1960s, a pivotal era when the city was rapidly transforming from a desert outpost into a glittering gambling capital. The show captures the tension between old-fashioned frontier values and the encroaching influence of organized crime and big money.
Who created the CBS series Vegas?
Vegas was created by Nicholas Pileggi, the acclaimed journalist and screenwriter best known for writing the books and screenplays behind Goodfellas and Casino. His deep expertise in organized crime history gave the series an authentic, richly researched foundation for its portrayal of mob influence in 1960s Las Vegas.
How was Vegas received by critics and audiences?
Vegas earned a mixed-to-positive critical reception, with most praise directed at Dennis Quaid's grounded performance and the show's handsome period production design. Reviewers found the procedural format somewhat formulaic, but the central rivalry between Quaid and Chiklis gave the series genuine dramatic energy throughout its single season.
What shows are similar to Vegas?
Fans of Vegas often enjoy Crime Story (1986), which similarly explores 1960s mob activity with a gritty procedural edge, and The Wild Wild West (1965) for its Western-meets-crime flavor. Vega$ (1978) and Alias Smith and Jones (1971) also share the show's blend of period atmosphere and law-versus-outlaw storytelling.
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