Category Archives: Entertainment

Down Memory Lainie, er, Lane

Posted on August 29, 2011 by David McKee

On Oct. 26, the erstwhile “Gossy Room” at The Palms will host a fundraiser for AFAN. Headlining the event will be Lainie Kazan, who — the press release informs us — is “widely known for her starring role in My … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Charity, Current, Entertainment, George Maloof, history, Marketing, Riviera, Silverton, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, TV, WMS Industries | 2 Comments

The lost weekend; Machine Gun Bloom

Posted on August 26, 2011 by David McKee

When casino revenues weren’t as bad as expected, earlier this summer, one Atlantic City property executive called it a light at the end of the tunnel. Elsewhere, S&G reader American Gaming Guru pithily remarked that the light was an oncoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Current, Dennis Gomes, Donald Trump, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, G2E, Genting, Harrah's, history, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Neil Bluhm, New York, Oscar Goodman, Slot routes, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism | 6 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 26, 2011 by David McKee

“Might be worth seeing, even if Anthony Cools is involved.” — early reaction to Swingers, the new dueling pianos/miniature golf nightclub at the Plaza, which opens both Swingers and Waiting for Godot on Sept. 1.

Posted in Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Tamares Group | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Case Bets: Station, Isle, Cosmo, Loveman & the horsey set

Posted on August 16, 2011 by David McKee

Revenue growth accelerated at Station Casinos in 2Q11, with cash flow up 8.5% (compared to +4% for the year so far). Keeping room rates steady at an average of $71 appears to have boosted occupancy, up from 81% to an … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Marketing, Missouri, Penn National, Pokergeddon, Politics, Racinos, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 15, 2011 by David McKee

“As a journalist writing about casinos [and] gaming at David McKee’s Stiffs [&] Georges, I’m sure you get a lot of questions from readers about how they can improve their poker games.” — uhhhh, no … I don’t, actually. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Internet gambling, TV | 1 Comment

Next stop, Wynncore?

Posted on August 12, 2011 by David McKee

I guess a casino hasn’t truly “arrived” until Carmen Electra graces an event on its premises. This time it’s Palazzo‘s turn, as Carmencita hosts something nightclub thing or other. Which reminds me that Electra performed at Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon … Continue reading →

Posted in Encore, Entertainment, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on Next stop, Wynncore?

Colony craps out again

Posted on August 10, 2011 by David McKee

Gaming’s Mr. Magoo, the disaster-prone CEO of Colony Capital, Tom Barrack has done it again. The Las Vegas Hilton has defaulted on one of its loans (again), a too-familiar revelation where a Colony-owned property is concerned. Although it lost $1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Cretins, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Goldman Sachs, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Elvis & Eva have left the building

Posted on August 10, 2011 by David McKee

Two axes fell upon CityCenter in one day. It’s tough to decide which is more newsworthy. I’ll go with the Beso story because it has a not-so-hidden upside. Golden Nugget CEO Tilman Fertitta is feeling sufficiently bullish to plant his … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, International, Marketing, Massachusetts, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism | 1 Comment

Thanks but no thanks

Posted on August 9, 2011 by David McKee

My birthday coincides with “Free Ride” day on the Desperado at Primm Valley Resorts. From 12:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., on August 16, you can be terrorized to your heart’s content. And terrifying it is: My wife and I tried … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Herbst Gaming, Tourism | Comments Off on Thanks but no thanks

Spinmeister Santo

Posted on August 8, 2011 by David McKee

Remember how the Union Plaza used to be on track for a “grand soft reopening” (love that phrase!) on August 24? Somewhere along the way, that target date fell by the wayside. Solution? Generate a blizzard of stories like this … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Carl Icahn, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Herbst Gaming, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tamares Group, Technology, Tourism | Comments Off on Spinmeister Santo

Boob job

Posted on August 5, 2011 by David McKee

Bankrupt, 38-year-old Hooters Hotel got a two-month reprieve yesterday, as owners obtained a judge’s permission to keep spending creditors’ monies to keep the place open for an additional two months. That will at least give employees time to update their … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Columbia Sussex, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Hooters, IGT, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Riviera, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 7 Comments

A different Vegas

Posted on August 5, 2011 by David McKee

If you’re coming to Las Vegas and wish to see how it’s experienced by those of us who live here, then check out the photographs of Angela Bellamy. Her “Pano Project” will be on display at the Charleston Heights Arts … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Tourism | Comments Off on A different Vegas

Kiss of death

Posted on August 5, 2011 by David McKee

All things must end. The forced exit of Jerry Lewis from the Muscular Dystrophy Association‘s annual telethon puts the penultimate nail in the coffin of an ancient Las Vegas institution. The telethon format is cumbersome and inefficient compared to emerging … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, The Strip, TV | 2 Comments

Casino Cacophony

Posted on August 4, 2011 by David McKee

As my growing freelance workload continues to limit my S&G time, I’m happy to yield the floor to University of South Carolina journalism professor — and frequent Vegas visitor — Augie Grant, who has another guest contribution to make. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment, Technology, The Strip | 3 Comments

Oscar™

Posted on August 4, 2011 by David McKee

Considering that Sheldon Adelson would try to trademark the rays of the sun, if only he dared, who can blame Oscar Goodman for getting into the franchising game? According to Tamares Group‘s media rep, Amy Maier, the ex-mayor doesn’t own … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Marketing, Oscar Goodman, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group | Comments Off on Oscar™

New Blue Eyes

Posted on August 3, 2011 by David McKee

Las Vegas is rife with Frank Sinatra impersonators but construction worker Gary Russo is better than any I’ve heard. Sandy Hackett, sign this guy up, stat!

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Riviera | 3 Comments

Somebody sent us these …

Posted on August 3, 2011 by David McKee

It is difficult to say what looks phoniest about that picture: the cryingly obvious studio background of Venelazzo; the frozen grins on the faces of the agonized-looking models; or maybe it’s the fact that you could go into any Vegas … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, California, Cretins, Current, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, International, MGM Mirage, New York, Oscar Goodman, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

Twin births

Posted on July 29, 2011 by David McKee

There’s a new dolphin — as yet unnamed — at The Mirage. It’ll probably be a while before the little pup goes on public display. In the meantime, S&G congratulates The Mirage, and hopes mother and child are resting comfortably. … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | 1 Comment

Gorging at the trough

Posted on July 29, 2011 by David McKee

How do you turn a $100 million savings into a $92 million one? Leave it to Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman, that’s how. If you’ve noticed that the food quality at The Rio‘s Carnival World Buffet has declined (the “New … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Sports, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | 2 Comments

No respect for CityCenter

Posted on July 28, 2011 by David McKee

CityCenter‘s public art collection (now with 100% fewer explanatory plaques!) and its “pocket park” get the spoof treatment from artist Justin Favela, as shown in this DIY video report by the Wall Street Journal‘s Alexandra Berzon, who dryly narrates.

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments