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Sep 19, 2011 By Hays Davis Web Exclusive

With the legendary Chicago venue as its central scenery, there’s an inclination to view The Playboy Club as a Mad Men-type period drama set in the early ‘60s. One of the central characters is attorney Nick Dalton (Eddie Cibrian), a smooth figure that would be this show’s Don Draper. For the most part, such comparisons end there.

Though the club’s entrance is occasionally displayed, little in the settings truly brings out the period, placing the focus squarely on the characters. When new Bunny Maureen (Amber Heard) accidentally kills the head of a mob family, Dalton steps in to try and help make the problem disappear. Meanwhile, Carol-Lynne (Laura Benanti), a long-established Bunny, takes advantage of management issues to unexpectedly boost her position.

The Bunnies live at the Playboy Mansion, and the figure of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner appears occasionally by reference and in passing. While revelers at a late-night party at the Mansion hint at indiscretions, the scene is kept light and network TV-friendly.

Such a backdrop offers considerable promise as to themes the show might embrace, particularly regarding evolving social mores. First, however, we need to care about these characters, and as long as some dark spaces are left in their sketches, things could get really interesting. (www.nbc.com/the-playboy-club)

Author rating: 6/10