By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – St. John Parish residents who tune into cable station TNT tonight at 9 p.m. might just see some familiar locations and familiar places.

Memphis Beat, a cop drama that has been filming in several locations in the parish over the past six months, premiers tonight on the cable network.

According to the network’s website, the show centers on a quirky Memphis cop named Dwight Hendricks, played by Jason Lee. Hendricks, who still lives at home, also moonlights as an Elvis impersonator at a local bar favored by many on the Memphis Police force. The show also stars Alfre Woodard, DJ Qualls and Celia Weston. It was produced by actor George Clooney and others.

Three of the shows expansive sets have taken up most of the soundstage area at the St. John Civic Center. Filming for the first season is complete, but tourism officials are hoping to get word in the next few weeks whether the show was picked up for another season.

Locally, TNT can be found on channel 42 on RTC and channel 21 on Comcast.