Casino regulators in Iowa have dealt a sweeping rebuff to Gov. Chet Culver (D). While the Hawkeye State’s Racing & Gaming Commission gave its nod to a casino targeted primarily at the South Dakota market, it backhanded three other proposals. Cannibalization of the state’s already-saturated casino market was the primary motive for voting down proposals from Ottumwa, Fort Dodge and Tama (some of Yr. Humble Blogger’s old stomping grounds). Commissioners also made it clear they wouldn’t entertain new proposals until at least 2013 … plenty of time for Iowa to revert to a “growth” market, depending on larger economic forces.
The three vetoed projects faced an uphill battle even before Culver (left) blundered into the fray. In an unprecedented (in my experience) instance of executive meddling in matters regulatory, Culver put not just a thumb on the scales of policy but a big, meaty fist. He endorsed all four casino proposals even before the IRGC had finished its due diligence and, given that the governor can sack commissioners not only at will but without reason, there was more than an idle threat behind his intervention. For his gross interference, Culver is now the subject of a political-corruption inquiry. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
Once too often. When the Las Vegas Hilton didn’t extend — for whatever reasons — Menopause The Musical, MGM Mirage made an astute decision to pick it up. It’s obviously been a success for Luxor because MGM Grand is experimenting with a rather-too-similar girl-power tuner called Girls Night (second item). Even if the show hadn’t been jimmied into the cramped confines of Studio 54 at a date so late it forced the postponement of the show’s debut, the Green Monster would have a dud on its hands, artistically speaking.
Just as menopause the biological phenomenon is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so is Menopause The Musical. Box office-wise, the execrable Girls Night could easily see an extended run, judging by the large number of women yukking it up at Sunday night’s performance. Guys, no matter how much you love your special lady, do not let her drag you to this one. You’ll thank me later.
