Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Clarkson 1, Cosmopolitan 0; ‘High Roller’ kaput?

Posted on August 16, 2012 by David McKee

On the one hand, I applaud The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for setting itself apart from the pack by centering much of its appeal upon leading-edge musical acts (like Adele and Florence + The Machine [twice!]). However, it makes Deutsche … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cosmopolitan, Cretins, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, George Maloof, Hard Rock Hotel, Harrah's, Marketing, The Strip | 5 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 16, 2012 by David McKee

“No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.” — Mark Twain, greatest newspaperman in Nevada history, bar none. But he needn’t fear the 112th Congress, which has massively underachieved the notorious (and perhaps unfairly … Continue reading →

Posted in history | 4 Comments

A hard dose of truth

Posted on August 14, 2012 by David McKee

Every so often, when the economy fails to do their bidding, Wall Street analysts speak wistfully of “pent-up demand” among players. This unicorn-like phenomenon mostly romps in their collective imagination, although occasionally a gaming CEO or two falls into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Marketing, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Taylor Hicks: Vegas’ newest star?; Adelson hates on Vegas

Posted on August 14, 2012 by David McKee

Last  night being my wonderful wife’s birthday, I took her out to dinner and thence to Taylor Hicks at Bally’s, now in the 10th week of an eight-week run (and, no, that’s not a typo). Big ups to Caesars Entertainment, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Current, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Iowa, Marketing, Maryland, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 14, 2012 by David McKee

“If a girl is willing to neck with me, she’s liberal. If Mr. Buckley is willing to neck with me, he’s very liberal.” — Woody Allen, in a rapier duel of wits with William F. Buckley. This one-two comedic punch … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Politics, TV | 1 Comment

Atlantic City: Revel debuts disappointingly, Mohegan Sun moves in

Posted on August 10, 2012 by David McKee

OK, let’s take a deep breath and remind ourselves that one swallow doesn’t make a spring and one month doesn’t determine history’s verdict on a casino, but there’s only a single word for $2.4 billion Revel‘s first full month of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Downtown, Harrah's, history, Pennsylvania, Revel, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 5 Comments

Opening tonight!; DIY Vdara Death Ray

Posted on August 10, 2012 by David McKee

Hoping to join Evil Dead The Musical and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in the progression of locally produced musicals to casino showrooms is Summer Camp! The Musical, which opens tonight at the Onyx Theatre, near what used to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, Sahara, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Vdara Death Ray | Comments Off on Opening tonight!; DIY Vdara Death Ray

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 9, 2012 by David McKee

“You force me to talk about it. This should be a secret strategy to protect the nation.” — Cambodian despot, er, Prime Minister Hun Sen, huffily responding to opposition members of parliament who dared to question him (what sauce!) during … Continue reading →

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

Your father’s Las Vegas

Posted on August 9, 2012 by David McKee

When liberated from his helicopter (he’s on the traffic beat) KSNV-TV‘s Tom Hawley endeavors to educate early-rising Las Vegans on Sin City’s past. Here he takes a look at the lasting influences of architects Martin Stern Jr. and Homer Rissman, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, history, MGM Mirage, TV | 1 Comment

Nevada: We’re skewed!; Dark Side of the Force

Posted on August 9, 2012 by David McKee

I always hate doing Nevada gaming numbers because A) it’s redundant with the coverage in the local dailies and B) almost every month you have to trot out the caveat that — as was the case in June — the … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Cosmopolitan, Current, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Marketing, Mesquite, Movies, North Las Vegas, Reno, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Nevada: We’re skewed!; Dark Side of the Force

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 8, 2012 by David McKee

“A swift letter from [Sheldon] Adelson‘s lawyers produced an apology, and the removal of the offending [Democratic Congressional Committee] blogs. That made Adelson happy, according to a spokesman, who added, ‘More broadly, this should serve notice to those who would … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, history, Sheldon Adelson, Transportation | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

“Surf”: What if they gave a Strip spectacular and nobody came?

Posted on August 8, 2012 by David McKee

You’ll have to pardon me today if I enjoy a victory lap, having beaten the dailies to the announcement of Surf The Musical‘s demise by a good 97 minutes.* (Suck that, Thomas F. Mitchell!) However, if you set store by … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson | 1 Comment

Surf’s out

Posted on August 8, 2012 by David McKee

It’s all over for Surf The Musical. That’s the word coming from multiple, credible sources in Strip entertainment circles. Cast members allegedly just got their two-week notice for the bloated extravaganza that basically consisted of wall-to-wall Beach Boys songs, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Surf’s out

Adelson sees Wynn, raises him

Posted on August 7, 2012 by David McKee

Since Garth Brooks has been a money-spinner for Wynncore, rival Venelazzo is seeing Steve Wynn one Tim McGraw and raising him one Faith Hill. So there! Sheldon Adelson was (understandably) absent from today’s big announcement, which was the worst-kept secret … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Marketing, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Adelson sees Wynn, raises him

Get to the polls!

Posted on August 7, 2012 by David McKee

… as in the Las Vegas Advisor weekly poll. Tomorrow’s promises to be a real doozy. The question is,  What was the worst show in recent Strip and Downtown history? The dog kennel hasn’t been completely filled but I can … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cirque du Soleil, Colony Capital, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, Sahara, Sports, The Strip, TV, Wayne F. Newton | 6 Comments

Ch-ch-ch-changes at the Riv

Posted on August 4, 2012 by David McKee

CEO Andy Choy‘s makeover of the Riviera may be slowed by skepticism in the bond market but it keeps moving ahead. My Desert Companion profile of the Strip dowager has made print and, despite the long lead time, we were … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Entertainment, Marketing, Riviera, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 2, 2012 by David McKee

“It was not clear to me that the symbols that I have tattooed on my chest could have any connotations or even by used by Nazis and neo-Nazis.” — swastika-tattooed baritone (and world’s stupidest man, apparently) Yevgeny Nikitin, who was … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Choo-Choo to Infinity … and beyond!

Posted on August 1, 2012 by David McKee

Our favorite welfare queen, Xpress West (née Desert Xpress) isn’t letting its plans be constrained by anything so mundane as reality. Original pitchman Sig “The Fixer” Rogich has crawled off into the underbrush somewhere but his Choo-Choo-to-Nowhere has found additional … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California, Colorado, Economy, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Regulation, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 5 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 1, 2012 by David McKee

“There is no human problem which could not be solved if people simply do as I advise.” — Gore Vidal (1925-2012), novelist, historian, polemicist and provocateur par excellence.

Posted in Current | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Put your money on Nevada!

Posted on August 1, 2012 by David McKee

No, not in some phony-baloney Chamber of Commerce way. I mean, there could be some good wagering to be had on behalf of Nevada were its sports books were to petition for the right (which is theirs, in principle, according … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Election, Ohio, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | 2 Comments