With the upcoming premiere of CBS’ Vegas, based on real-life Sheriff Ralph Lamb in the 1960s, we thought it appropriate to take a look at how Las Vegas has been portrayed in other televisions shows:

• Photo by: N9NE Group

  Vega$

  Aired: 1978-1981

  Plot: A private eye solves cases.

  Verdict: That drive-in living room; that red Firebird; the empty lots where now stand behemoth resorts. Oh, and it was all shot in Las Vegas. Good times, Dan Tanna.

• Photo by: N9NE Group

  CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

  Aired: 2000-present

  Plot: The Las Vegas crime lab investigates murder scenes.

  Verdict: We like the attempt to include actual street names, but other than the Fremont Street Experience, it’s all shot in LA. And yeah, we don’t get many decapitations under the canopy.

• Photo by: N9NE Group

  Las Vegas

  Aired: 2003-2008

  Plot: The goings-on at fictional casino the Montecito.

  Verdict: So over the top as to be unintentionally hilarious. Really guys? A topless waffle house? You think that’s how we live here? If only.