Getting Dealt a Weak Hand on ‘The Strip’

“The Strip” is prime time’s latest derivative, gratuitously savage crime series. The setting is Las Vegas, where it flaunts its chorus line of high-stepping cliches tonight in a violent UPN premiere that, falling short of lowbrow, is no brow.

On the surface, “The Strip” is a less amiable version of “Vegas,” the ABC (1978-81) hour starring Robert Urich as a private eye who tooled around town in a 1957 Thunderbird convertible.

UPN’s protagonists--cops-turned-casino-security- sharpies Elvis Ford (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Jesse Weir (Guy Torry)--also blitz Vegas in a vintage open-top convertible. But it’s the trashy exploits and volcanic ambience of his own “Lethal Weapon” movies that executive producer Joel Silver is mostly paying homage to here.

Unlike those buddy cop adventures, “The Strip” is vacant of charm. And Flanery and Torry will remind no one of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, as Elvis and Jesse quit the force in a huff over tactics and are asked by wealthy casino owner Cameron Greene (Joe Viterelli) to investigate a kidnapping.

Actually, turning in their badges was not Jesse’s idea. “How come we Dirty Harry ourselves outta a career?” he asks Elvis, in an example of “The Strip” having the white partner always take the lead and the African American Jesse be never quite swift enough to see the big picture.

Although Jesse is from Philadelphia (whatever that’s supposed to entail), it would be nice, also, to have his speaking skills (“Whas’ wrong wichu, man?”) upgraded a bit.

More interesting than Elvis and Jesse is Viterelli’s Greene, a mug with a face like a squash and a mouthful of “dis” and “dat,” en route to the hour’s predictable ending that finds the powerful casino owner mightily impressed by the efforts of these two ex-cops: “Dis whole thing has got me thinkin. How do I keep my guests safe?”

Duh.

“I’d like ya t’come t’work fer me.”

Elvis decides for both of them. Not that characters or plot are all that significant in a series where the neon strip is star. Bright lights, dim show.

* “The Strip” will be shown tonight at 9 on UPN. It is rated TV-PG (may be unsuitable for young children).