Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Emperor Loveman’s new clothes

Posted on September 7, 2012 by David McKee

When I said a Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy was a matter of when, not if, little idea did I have how soon that might be. Earlier this week, Fitch Ratings Service lowered Caesars’ bond rating to “negative,” a veritable kiss of … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dan Gilbert, Harrah's, International, Internet gambling, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | 7 Comments

Insufficiently “Awesome”

Posted on September 5, 2012 by David McKee

After seemingly endless previews (months of them, I believe), Sirc Michaels Productions has folded its second V Theater show, Awesome 80s Prom. Actually, to call it a “show” would be a misnomer. It was more of a semi-scripted “happening,” at … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Colony Capital, Current, Entertainment, Marketing, Movies, The Strip, Tourism | 3 Comments

Programming note

Posted on September 4, 2012 by David McKee

For reasons unknown (Red Chinese hackers?), Internet access last Thursday and Friday came in three forms: slow, slower and nonexistent. Hence, no S&G for two days. (My outdated Mac at home no longer supports the home page either.) So for … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Internet gambling, Louisiana, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip | 1 Comment

Our long national nightmare has ended

Posted on September 4, 2012 by David McKee

Last week, in fulfillment of the wishes of both New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and myself, the “reality” series Jersey Shore was mercifully canceled after six seasons (i.e., seven too many). In commemoration of the historic moment at which … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, history, TV | 1 Comment

Pinnacle’s cockeyed optimist

Posted on August 29, 2012 by David McKee

Call me Nostradamus: As Hurricane Isaac essentially sits parked on the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines, I am again given cause to wonder what in Heaven’s name made Pinnacle Entertainment CEO Anthony Sanfilippo think he could hold the L’Auberge Baton Rouge … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current, Environment, Louisiana, Mississippi, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Tourism, TV | Comments Off on Pinnacle’s cockeyed optimist

Non-quote of the day; After Harmon, what next?

Posted on August 28, 2012 by David McKee

As Hurricane Isaac forced the closure of 18 casinos in Louisiana and Mississippi (including the Silver Slipper [left]) and casino-expansion measures in Illinois and Michigan came to a head, what story did the American Gaming Association deem its highest priority today? … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Detroit, Downtown, Environment, Illinois, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Slot routes, The Strip, Tourism, Vdara Death Ray | Comments Off on Non-quote of the day; After Harmon, what next?

Isaac: Flood waters hit Beau Rivage

Posted on August 28, 2012 by David McKee

First, the good news: Since thousands of people are being adversely affected by Hurricane Isaac, still gathering strength, one of them is Donald Trump. The bloated bloviator has been promising another of his shocking revelations — too shocking to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Election, Environment, Florida, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Penn National, Racinos, Regulation, TV | 1 Comment

The hottest ticket in Vegas

Posted on August 28, 2012 by David McKee

Seriously, you cannot get tickets to the Poor Richard’s Players production of David Mamet‘s November, starring Benjamin Loewy and directed by Lysander Abadia, for love or money. The pure brilliance of these viral videos surely has much to do with … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Entertainment, Maryland | Comments Off on The hottest ticket in Vegas

Batten down the hatches!

Posted on August 27, 2012 by David McKee

Tropical Storm Isaac is charting a path across the Gulf of Mexico and, with aspirations to “hurricane” status, is on a collision course with New Orleans, the City That Couldn’t Catch a Break. So far, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Dining, Environment, Harrah's, history, International, Louisiana, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, Technology, TV | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 27, 2012 by David McKee

“To me, the American Dream today seems like nothing more than sitting back and being entertained.” — Neil Armstrong (1930-2012), war hero, test pilot, astronaut and first man to set foot on the Moon, quoted in 2007. No less a … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, history | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

“Eaten” by Las Vegas; Icahn’s hard bargain

Posted on August 24, 2012 by David McKee

Today is being spent at home, buried ‘neath page proofs for Eating Las Vegas 3.0 (with assistance from sibling kitties Leona and Rascal, the latter incredibly well-named). Tonight brings Tournament of Kings — which I’ve never seen — and Evil … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Current, Dining, Fontainebleau, George Maloof, MGM Mirage, Pets, Phil Ruffin, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Living here can be hazardous to your health; “Summer Camp!” and Shakespeare in Sin City

Posted on August 23, 2012 by David McKee

We live in a fair city where a trip to the nearest Dairy Queen means being in mortal peril of being attacked with a whacking great sword. Also, you’ll get to learn more about Commercial Center than you probably want … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Living here can be hazardous to your health; “Summer Camp!” and Shakespeare in Sin City

Tilman Fertitta, Indian giver; Meet Charles S. Weinberg

Posted on August 21, 2012 by David McKee

When he took over the Golden Nugget and its Laughlin sibling, Landry’s Restaurants CEO Tilman Fertitta quickly developed a reputation among employees as a skinflint and micromanager. Whether or not the micromanagement has gone by the boards as Fertitta’s Nugget-branded … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cretins, Current, Donald Trump, Regulation, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Mob, Tilman Fertitta | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 21, 2012 by David McKee

“I must have missed that lecture in school.” — Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) on senatorial aspirant Todd Akin‘s curious theories of reproduction. Dr. Heck, it should be noted is not only an M.D. but a battlefield surgeon who has tended … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current, history | 1 Comment

Pure bull in Las Vegas

Posted on August 21, 2012 by David McKee

Other cities have major-league sports teams for distraction and entertainment. Las Vegas has Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins (D). The latter has been much in the headlines of late. First, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Collins was “was drinking and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current, Election, Entertainment, Midnight Jim Gibbons, North Las Vegas, TV | Comments Off on Pure bull in Las Vegas

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 20, 2012 by David McKee

It’s history in the (un)making: The fastest transition from winner to “loser” in the American epoch. Even Sheldon Adelson‘s associates at Crossroads GPS are getting the hell out of Dodge.

Posted in Current, Election, Sheldon Adelson, TV | 7 Comments

No longer “Crazy” after all these years

Posted on August 20, 2012 by David McKee

Stick a fork in Crazy Horse Paris. After an honorable, 11-year run at MGM Grand, it’s ringing down the curtain for the last time on Oct. 1. No plans for the space have been announced beyond “a surprise new joint … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

TV time!

Posted on August 20, 2012 by David McKee

Whilst I’m tinkering with the third edition of Eating Las Vegas by John Curtas, Max Jacobson and Al Mancini, here are a couple of recent episodes from Vegas Video Network. The first features Bally’s Las Vegas lounge singer — and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on TV time!

Speed: The Ride … found!; Dueling Ferris wheels and Caesars’ wonderful life

Posted on August 17, 2012 by David McKee

Remember all those rumors that had the Sahara‘s now-vanished Speed: The Ride packed up and headed for Circus Circus? Not so! The good folks and inquiring minds at VegasChatter.com were sussing out some dormant South Strip developments and discovered … … … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, California, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, International, Internet gambling, Marketing, Maryland, Massachusetts, MGM Mirage, Movies, New York, Racinos, Rhode Island, Sahara, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Journos muzzled in Sin City

Posted on August 17, 2012 by David McKee

Sheldon Adelson couldn’t do it but Las Vegas Sun Publisher Brian Greenspun could. The hard-money-lending business in Las Vegas is a dodgy, high-risk one at the best of times and close scrutiny of it by Sun-related publications is especially touchy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current, New York, North Las Vegas, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, TV | 4 Comments