Poll : 04 July - 17 July 2018

Steve Cyr--for a day of stories about whales and high rollers, famous meltdowns, etc.  I will sign any required confidentiality agreement!
  
Mac King--to teach me to juggle.  This will likely take a whole day.  I have the book.  I've tried.  Some 'how to's' of his magic tricks would add to the fun.

Joan Rivers--to take me on a tour through the high-end shops of Vegas.  Which outfits would make (or not) her Red Carpet approval, all the while dishing funny dirt on celebs.  Lunch, of course!  Can we talk?

Understand you can’t include all Las Vegas folks, but a little disappointed Cook E wasn’t on this list

How is Jenna Jameson on this list but not Jay Sarno?

I met Jerry Lewis several decades ago when he was making an appearance for his "Nutty Professor" film. It was at a neighborhood movie theater called "The Royal" in Detroit. The movie wasn't doing too well, and the "house" was light. He apparently wasn't very happy about that, and he wasn't very funny at all. He was a bore!

How about Rita Rudner?  Saw her with her dog in LAS--clean, funny comedy without the nasty side--so rare in the current environment!

I would love to hang out with Elvis since he and I are both from Memphis. I only saw him perform once in my life at the Memphis Auditorium (1960-ish). I would love to go back in time and see his performances in LV.  I also picked Jimmy Kimmel and Joan Rivers because I enjoy their humor and outlook.  Finally, I would add Bette Midler to my list to talk about her career and perspective on the world.

He was always so warm, so smooth. He always exuded a sense of fun and we loved his music.

I chose the poker players, not because they're "celebrities", but because I know I could learn a lot from them.  I've met Doyle and Daniel briefly but would love to "pick their brains."  I'm also lucky to be friends with Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher, from whom I also learn a lot.
I've dined with Jean Scott a few times (in a group) and found her to be very gracious.  I haven't met AC but I think he would be very informative. 
Otherwise, I think the whole "celebrity worship" thing in our society is ridiculous.  I would much rather talk with people who make a real difference, like doctors, teachers, scientists, etc.  

Why not Sonny King?  Dean Martin's pal knew all the details, didn't he?

I always wanted to hang out with such a talented construction engineer.LOL

Jean Scott, because I think we have a lot in common.

Carolyn Goodman, because I would like a peek at the inner workings of Las Vegas city government.

Andre Agassi, because, even though I'm old enough to be his mother, I still think he's hot! Is that too weird?

Sammie Davis Junior was the ultimate entertainer, and seemed like a truly nice person (after he got his life together) He seemed to really enjoy his audiences, and always did his best to entertain them.

Some I didn't think of in time:

Bill Harrah--bet he could tell some stories of the early days.  

Clint Holmes--first casino-based show we ever saw, and only because our Host at Harrah's talked us into going.  What a voice, what a stage full of talent!  We'd see it every trip from then on until he left Harrah's.  No telling how many folks he convinced to get their first colonoscopy; he shared his story every concert following a personal colon cancer scare.  He convinced us.

Barney Vinson--another one who probably knows where some bodies are buried.  I would ask him to get me into a casino surveillance room for a few hours.  Might be entertaining, or might just be really boring.  But I've always wondered.

The Gold and Silver Pawn Shop guys--All four or any one of them? I thought about them but couldn't decide.

Dean and Elvis, with their personas I think it would make for an interesting time...Oscar (really charming man) and history of the old days, and maybe Carolyn could be there too...Teller, because Penn is already an open book and getting behind his silence would be fun...the showgirls in general...and Sam Boyd, could he ever have thought that the Boyd gambling empire would get this big? I guess this would cover much of the aura of Las Vegas.

Great music, great showman!  Really appreciates his fans!

Unless I missed them....  Sigfreid and Roy didn't make the cut?

Just for a few hours. He buys the drinks,during which I may get the inside scoop on the down town plans.
 Last year,when he bought the property that the train cars sat,I bet 10 bucks that the planned to build a parking garage on that property. I win.
Thanks.

I had to pick Jean because she is the reason we've enjoyed so many free vacations in Las Vegas!   I would love to talk to her and thank her personally.    2nd choice would be the classic Vegas entertainers, the Rat Pack, Elvis and Liberace.   3rd choice would be Sam Boyd.  My husband would like to talk to the gangsters, but only if you would guarantee his safe return! 

How did Frank Marino not make the list?

"I was a card counter back in the '60s and '70s, It was 3 a.m. and I was on my way from downtown to Henderson to play blackjack at the old Nevada Club. I passed the old Showboat and having a new 78 Caddy, I saw a Cadillac station wagon limo with the license plate Sami1. I pulled in and asked the lot guy whose car was that and he said Sammy Davis Jr. and he was inside.

"He sat with me and talked well over 30 minutes. He bought the car from Evel Knievel; true story. When I asked why he was at the Showboat, he told me he was an alcoholic and bowled after his show to burn off energy and get tired so he could sleep.
 
"After our talk, his bodyguard, a large guy, told him it was time to go. Sammy said, "He's bigger than the both of us and I do what he says," and he laughed.  

"A great guy. When I tell this story once a year or so, I proudly show my business card with his signed name: 'My very best, Sammy Davis Jr.'"

1st pick would be Celine Dion, but I'd probably go all "fan boy" and wouldn't be able to talk. 2nd choice would be Marc-Andre Fleury because he is awesome. From the past, Peggy Lee because no one has ever or will ever sound like her. I truly loved her voice.

In my opinion, Siegfried & Roy will always be the epitome of talent, showmanship and charisma.  

The whole Rat pack, Jackie and Michael Gaugan, Howard Hughes,Steve Wynn, Bob Stupack, Oscar Goodman,Moe Dalitz, and Anthony Curtis. I want the history, I want to know what made Vegas ,Vegas. I want the golden era of Vegas to come back, the old vegas, the Wynn Vegas, the Themed Vegas, the family friendly vegas, every vegas before this actual corporate vegas witch only cares about lining the pockets of themselves and the investors, they clearly don't care about the customer except for the Whale. 

I voted none of the above. My selection would be Ann Margaret when she was shooting Viva Las Vegas. To have the opportunity to spend an entire day around someone that stunningly beautiful beats all of the other selections. It would probably creep her out, though.

hmm  how many people know that rose Marie opened The Flamingo - so in theory, She was the  opening act  for all the shows that followed ?

Really? I can't believe he's at the top. Why would people want to spend the day with a psychopathic cold blooded murderer? I don't see how that could end well.

Your analysis says that Don Rickles came in fourth. But reviewing the results, he is listed last - with zero votes. And there are a couple of duplicates in the listings. WTF? 

I believe the names on the results page are messed up and in the wrong order.

The results are totally off, as is eminently clear by the rankings. Spilotro number one? As Doug rightly points, the result of that would be worse than the results of this poll. And Melinda number three? She's only performed briefly in the past 15 years. The Analysis was written from the real results before they went live and somehow got screwed up this morning, so that'll give you some idea of the way they should be. We're working on restoring the proper rankings. Thanks for your patience.
 

Nothing "snarky" here. . . .just curious--for those that voted for Melinda First Lady of Magic--WHY?

... that ends well. Poll's fixed and the results are right. Sorry for the confusion. 

Betty Willis (designer of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign and the Blue Angel statue) was on the original list, but seems to be MIA now. Could you please add her in to this final tabulation? Thanks.