Category Archives: Entertainment

Sorry, Ralph Lamb; Twain spoofed at IP

Posted on December 18, 2012 by David McKee

Las Vegas‘ most famous sheriff (mythologized weekly by Dennis Quaid on Vegas) was the victim of this, er, unfortunate Los Angeles Times gaffe … … which The Atlantic has selected as one of the best typos of 2012. I’ve had … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Marketing, The Strip, TV | Comments Off

Twain: Not the One

Posted on December 14, 2012 by David McKee

If I’d spent the last 20 years under a rock and didn’t know who Shania Twain is, I’d have spent Wednesday evening wondering who this person was, why she was headlining a Caesars Palace show … and couldn’t they have … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 3 Comments

Blackout at the Plaza

Posted on December 14, 2012 by David McKee

S&G has learned — and LVA staffers have confirmed — that all main-stage shows at Tamares Group‘s flagship Plaza Hotel have gone dark until further notice. A promotional appearance by Best Little Whorehouse in Texas cast members at South Point, … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Isle of Capri, Mississippi, Tamares Group, Tilman Fertitta | 4 Comments

Coming, going, gone …

Posted on December 13, 2012 by David McKee

This just in … One weekend of performances of Peepshow was all that Mrs. Ice-T managed to do before fleeing back to New York City, at least temporarily, according to an S&G source. So if you’ve got Peepshow tickets this … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism | 7 Comments

“Soul” too soulless?; The Sunshine Boys

Posted on December 10, 2012 by David McKee

One weekend down, nine to go. Bear that in mind if you simply must see Faith Hill and Tim McGraw play The Venetian. The clock’s a tickin’. Since my knowledge of the McGraw-Hill oeuvre (separately and together) consists of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, North Las Vegas, Penn National, Plaza, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

The bigger-than-ever loser; Shania’s rump rocks Vegas

Posted on December 3, 2012 by David McKee

If Sheldon Adelson played the ponies as he does politics, he’d enter a Shetland in the Kentucky Derby and put all his money on it to win. What could be better than knowing the Las Vegas Sands CEO blew $100 … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Downtown, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group, The Strip | 1 Comment

If you’re staying at a Hilton …

Posted on November 30, 2012 by David McKee

Here’s a handy guide to using the online Las Vegas guidebooks written by yours truly — sort of a tourist’s extension of S&G, available through all Hilton-branded hotels and timeshares. Since these only concentrate on carefully selected highlights of Sin … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

Lou Lang up to old tricks; Dog-and-pony show at Sahara

Posted on November 20, 2012 by David McKee

For months, state Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), has been threatening to push an enormous gambling expansion through the Illinois Legislature during its lame-duck session. He says he’s “getting very close” but we’ve heard that kind of braying from Lang previously. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Carl Icahn, Cosmopolitan, Current, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, George Maloof, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Slot routes, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 4 Comments

New cowgirl in town; “Zarkana” opens quietly

Posted on November 15, 2012 by David McKee

There may be a new Cirque du Soleil production show at Aria but it’s been drowned out in the thundering hooves and comparable hype that marked Shania Twain‘s arrival at Caesars Palace. It was quite a sight: 20 horses and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Strange but sad and true

Posted on November 14, 2012 by David McKee

At first, I thought this news item and the accompanying video report were pure fantasy. Alas, truth proves stranger than fiction once again and we could be looking at the audio equivalent of the dreaded Christmas fruitcake. In previews since … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | Comments Off

D, Trop try something different; Cannibalization comes to Ohio

Posted on November 12, 2012 by David McKee

Nothing says ‘November in Las Vegas‘ quite like a beach club. Yes, after unending delays, Nov. 16 is the date certain for the opening of Bagatelle Beach & Supper Club. If Bagatelle does, as promised, deliver “afternoons that transport guests … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Dan Gilbert, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, MTR Gaming, Ohio, Penn National, Racinos, The Strip | Comments Off

A few days at the Riv, Part One

Posted on October 29, 2012 by David McKee

A big S&G ‘thank you’ to generous reader Jeff_in_OKC and his lovely wife Lisa, who shared the following observations from a recent Las Vegas sojourn, with a particular emphasis on the Riviera: Although I will pick some nits, I must … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Dining, Entertainment, Marketing, Riviera, The Strip | 1 Comment

Behind the glamour …

Posted on October 29, 2012 by David McKee

Considering the number of resident spectacles, topless shows and convention gigs that require showgirls galore, you’d think casting directors would be receptive to the female form in all its wonderful variety. You’d think that. However, a former Jubilee! dancer and … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Riviera, The Strip | 2 Comments

And some fourth-graders shall lead them

Posted on October 23, 2012 by David McKee

Finally, something constructive comes out of the “Call Me Maybe” phenomenon. If the cute and inspirational Harlem Prep Hawks are any indication, our country’s future is bright indeed. As they sing, “Vote for somebody.” (Or something.) Your franchise is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Election, Entertainment | Comments Off

Harrah’s: “Legends” out, “Quartet” in

Posted on October 22, 2012 by David McKee

No wonder Harrah’s Las Vegas gave Legends in Concert an eviction notice a scant two days after a major promotional event. The venerable casino landed Million Dollar Quartet, which played a critically acclaimed but very limited engagement at the Smith … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's | Comments Off

Seen at G2E …

Posted on October 22, 2012 by David McKee

No, not Russian hookers (you have to go to Macao for those) but Interblock‘s virtual casino dealers. The Slovenian company unveiled these robo-lovelies under high-security conditions that the Las Vegas Sun likened to Marquee “on a busy weekend night” … … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, G2E, Technology | Comments Off

Splitsville: Harrah’s and ‘Legends’; Wanna buy used Hooters?

Posted on October 19, 2012 by David McKee

If you want to see Legends in Concert at Harrah’s Las Vegas, better get a move on: The tribute act and Harrah’s LV “have mutually agreed” to go their separate ways on Dec. 30. This doesn’t mean that Caesars Entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Hooters, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group, The Strip | 5 Comments

Pinnacle saves September in Louisiana; Echelon under wraps; The red-headed stepkids of Station, Sands and Caesars

Posted on October 18, 2012 by David McKee

Folks down in the Pelican State had better things to do than gamble last month … like clean up after Hurricane Isaac. This might account for a 5% year/year decline in casino revenues. Louisiana‘s gambling venues grossed $200 million last … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Louisiana, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, Wall Street | Comments Off

Parlez-vous faux pas?

Posted on October 18, 2012 by David McKee

OK, so Cirque du Soleil‘s Zarkana is certain to be a slam-dunk at the box office and a better financial performer than its predecessor, the unlamented Viva Elvis. However, does anyone find this invitation a bit culturally off-key? English and … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Hooters, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Station Casinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Shame on you, Derek Stevens!

Posted on October 16, 2012 by David McKee

Vue Bar at The D used to be one of the stronger bargain plays Downtown. In the land of the $8 draft, Vue offered $1 pulls and a Blue Moon would set you back a whole two bucks. However, The … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Derek Stevens, Downtown, Entertainment, Marketing | Comments Off