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Following what could be described as a CW-quality audience, CBS looks to be readying to pull the plug from its new show "Viva Laughlin," making it the network's first casualty of the season.

So what will replace it? "The Amazing Race"? Most likely. But there's still a chance -- even a slight one -- that CBS could be gearing "Jericho" up for a debut that may happen in weeks rather than months.

"Viva Laughlin" scored a 5.8 rating/10 share according to Fast National Ratings from Nielsen Media Research in its special Thursday premiere, but its rating in the key audience demographic of adults 18 to 49 was dismal -- a 1.2. So while "Viva Laughlin" may have finished just ahead of "Big Shots" on ABC, the show lost more than half of its audience from its "CSI" lead-in.

Unfortunately, with a writers strike less than a couple weeks away, it's likely that CBS may save "Jericho" until mid-season when scripted programs will be at much more of a premium. Plus, according to TV Guide's Stephen Battaglio, the network may want a few weeks to promote the show's premiere, something it wouldn't get if it had to fill "Viva Laughlin's" spot just before November sweeps.

"Jericho" was originally canceled by CBS after just one season. Centered on a Kansas town that survives a nuclear holocaust, fans rallied to save the show after its cancellation, sending more than 20 tons of nuts to CBS headquarters. The network later renewed the show for seven episodes, and is expected to come back at some point this season.

UPDATE: CBS has canceled "Viva Laughlin," and will air "CSI" repeats before premiering "The Amazing Race" for its 12th cycle beginning Nov. 4. No word yet on when CBS will premiere "Jericho."