Category Archives: Entertainment

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 3, 2010 by David McKee

Ladies and gentleman, Mr. Steve Wynn … Unlike many other CEOs, Wynn expresses himself with clarity and a precise vocabulary that shows his English Lit degree is more than just a sheepskin on a wall.

Posted in Architecture, Entertainment, history, Marketing, The Strip | 2 Comments

It’s beginning to look a lot like Crystmas

Posted on December 3, 2010 by David McKee

It’s that time of year again at Crystals, the place America shops when it has a sudden impulse to buy a Pucci handbag or some Balenciaga shoes. This month, The Island of Misfit Shops promises three new retailers (Stella McCartney, … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Cosmo attempts suicide; a big (Para)bounce?

Posted on December 2, 2010 by David McKee

Maybe Union Gaming analyst Bill Lerner knew something the rest of us didn’t when he predicted the opening of The Cosmopolitan (aka “Osmopo”) would improve business for other high-end hotels on the Strip. After all, what could send New Year’s … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dining, Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Wall Street | 9 Comments

Steelman: Small is profitable

Posted on November 15, 2010 by David McKee

Before he got elbowed aside in favor of ‘starchitects,’ Paul Steelman was one of the go-to designers on the Las Vegas Strip. He’s also one of the very few people who can say they’ve worked — without repercussion — for … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Atlantic City, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, IGT, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | 5 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 10, 2010 by David McKee

“Garth Brooks may be a very talented performer but he’s not worth $253. Hell, I wouldn’t even pay $253 to see Elvis if you could resurrect him.” — Las Vegas Sun reader Phillip McWatt, balking at a $100 price increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | 6 Comments

Tropicana memory lane

Posted on November 10, 2010 by David McKee

Heartfelt thanks to S&G reader Pete F. for sharing his video of the Tropicana Las Vegas‘ Tokyo Suite, circa 2005. That’d be in the waning days of the Aztar Corp. era, while the footage above was taken during the short-lived … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Current, Entertainment, history, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | 12 Comments

Steve Wynn & the Half-Blood Princes; Harrah’s thinks ahead; rough road for Revel

Posted on November 9, 2010 by David McKee

Count Wynn Las Vegas President Andrew Pascal among the casualties of Steve Wynn‘s divorce from ex-wife Elaine Wynn. As of Monday, former nephew-in-law Pascal joined the ranks of Nevada‘s unemployed, ceding authority to Marilyn Winn. Pun opportunities aside, Winn’s sudden … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, California, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Indiana, Macau, Missouri, Movies, Regulation, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Twilight of the gods?

Posted on November 2, 2010 by David McKee

It’s been obvious since jump street that MGM Resorts International bit off more than it could chew when it upsized its ambitions for the old Boardwalk site into a civic citadel, a Valhalla on the Strip. Behind CEO Jim Murren‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Dubai, Entertainment, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

“Lion King” to close

Posted on October 28, 2010 by David McKee

Lion King cast members learn they’ll be joining the ranks of the unemployed. MGM Resorts International announced today that it is “extending” The Lion King through the end of next year … which is a nice way of saying they’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 4 Comments

Galaxy Cotai postponed; MGM stages a comeback

Posted on October 25, 2010 by David McKee

It’s not official but, seeing as two top executives at the Macao megaresort (including its COO) just got the chop, it appears pretty likely. A project that was expected to open in late March of next year now looks as … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Harry Reid, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pansy Ho, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, Tropicana Entertainment, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Suicide Sharron; Gossy-ness is back; Borgata’s buyer unmasked

Posted on October 21, 2010 by David McKee

Sharron Angle‘s latest kamikaze dive into the CityCenter aircraft carrier has sparked quite a bit of discussion in the S&G “Comments” threads. A couple of things spring to mind. One, if she is now alleging that MGM Resorts International imported … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Economy, Election, Entertainment, George Maloof, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Politics, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 5 Comments

Harrah’s on new spending spree

Posted on October 18, 2010 by David McKee

As predicted and dreaded by skeptical bond analysts, proceeds from Harrah’s Entertainment‘s semi-IPO of 17% of the company, it has been officially disclosed, will be rolled into retail therapy for CEO Gary Loveman. An anticipated $575 million will be used … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, George Maloof, Harrah's, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Regulation, The Strip, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Dr. Loveman on the case; Death Ray designer stays mum

Posted on October 15, 2010 by David McKee

Confronted with an anemic patient — i.e., the Las Vegas Strip — attending physician Gary Loveman, Ph.D, has been prescribing a series of stimuli. (Possibly the only “economic stimulus” that all Americans can support.) Since customers are spending more selectively, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Riviera, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Vdara Death Ray | 7 Comments

Singapore: Our whales lose more than your whales!

Posted on October 12, 2010 by David McKee

Think you’re so big, Las Vegas? Well, Singapore just went all “In your face” on Sin City. One area tycoon recently blew $50 million at Marina Bay Sands and/or Resorts World Sentosa. Not to be outdone, a Singaporean zillionaire dropped … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Boulder Strip, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Genting, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Reno, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tamares Group, The Strip | 2 Comments

Celebrity justice; Harrah’s goes to the dogs

Posted on October 12, 2010 by David McKee

As you all probably know by now, Palms owner George Maloof was busted on a DUI last weekend. Under any other circumstances, it would be endearing to learn that the generally unassuming Maloof doesn’t have himself chauffeured about town. Lack … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, Lake Las Vegas, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Pets, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 2 Comments

The Primm mystery deepens

Posted on October 7, 2010 by David McKee

So is Herbst family hubris about to claim one or more victims in Primm? LVA sources report that perhaps 240 cars were there on a recent weekend, a sixth of them at Whiskey Pete’s, which wasn’t taking room bookings either … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Herbst Gaming | 3 Comments

Correction

Posted on September 29, 2010 by David McKee

Dave Kirvin of Kirvin Doak called and, in a most gentlemanly manner (certainly much better than I’d have handled it), pointed out an erroneous assumption in a now-deleted item about the Liberace Museum. Fortune reported that a PR firm was … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment | 2 Comments

Jump le sharque: Cirque bombs in Macao

Posted on September 28, 2010 by David McKee

After sinking a reported $150 million into Cirque du Soleil‘s Zaia, Las Vegas Sands may find itself in possession of a very expensive “loss leader.” According to The Australian, “attendances [sic] have been poor and tickets have been heavily discounted.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cirque du Soleil, Current, Detroit, Economy, Entertainment, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off on Jump le sharque: Cirque bombs in Macao

Leaving Liberace

Posted on September 21, 2010 by David McKee

This is a cruel year for Nevada. Vision-care and dental programs for the elderly are being cut back, funding for treatment of problem gambling is in short supply, entire degree programs (you read that right) at UNLV are being eliminated … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, history, TV | 2 Comments

Snooki Nation

Posted on September 17, 2010 by David McKee

Like it or not, this is the new Las Vegas, folks. If you don’t want to be trampled by the douchebagerie, you probably shouldn’t come here. Last night, Encore‘s casino floor and hallway looked like a Jersey Shores casting call. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current, Election, Encore, Entertainment, Harrah's, Morgans Hotel Group, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | 4 Comments