Category Archives: Entertainment

Money quote

Posted on January 12, 2010 by David McKee

“Even so, some experts say that it might be a blessing in disguise that Macau wasn’t overly reliant on entertainment-related revenue during the downturn. Analysts point out that one reason Las Vegas casinos have yet to recover is that U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Entertainment, International, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Money quote

There’s life after Midler

Posted on January 12, 2010 by David McKee

Being a member of the troupe in The Showgirl Must Go On was good while it lasted but a “Caesars Salad Girl”‘s gotta eat. In the case of CSGs Kamilah Marshall and Shayna Steele that means cutting a solo CD … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment | Comments Off on There’s life after Midler

Garth Brooks, City Center’s art: the reviews

Posted on January 7, 2010 by David McKee

Much has been made of the $40 million in art lavished upon CityCenter. Virtually all of it is stunning in isolation but how does it work in context? CityLife dispatched me on a mission to evaluate CC’s many installations. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pets, Politics, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 5 Comments

From the S&G Twitter feed …

Posted on January 5, 2010 by David McKee

Whilst I try to decipher my notes from the New Year’s Day performance by Carlos Mencia, here’s what you’ve been missing if you don’t follow the S&G Twitter feed (Twitter handle: @stiffsgeorges): • Pittsburgh‘s Rivers Casino sacks exec team, brings … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cordish Co., Current, Entertainment, Florida, Harrah's, International, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Racinos, Riviera, Singapore | Comments Off on From the S&G Twitter feed …

Damsel in distress

Posted on January 4, 2010 by David McKee

Until 2005, when Harrah’s Entertainment devoured Park Place Entertainment, its flagship property in Las Vegas was The Rio. Since then the lady has fallen upon hard times. During the period 2007-09, while Harrah’s CEO Gary Loveman blew hundreds of millions … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, Penn National, Regulation, Wall Street, World Series of Poker | 4 Comments

Douchebag of the Year

Posted on January 4, 2010 by David McKee

This is one of Steve Friess‘ brainchildren, but S&G had a chance to get in on the fun. As they say in Chicago, vote early and often! Stripper Poll Who was the biggest douche bag of 2009? (Pick 3) Charlie … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Cirque du Soleil, Cretins, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Harry Reid, Illinois, International, MGM Mirage, Politics, Sports, TV | 3 Comments

Case Bets: Mohegan Sun, Alabama, Weidner, Dubai & a big bet on MGM Mirage

Posted on January 4, 2010 by David McKee

Could default or bankruptcy be in the offing for Mohegan Sun? The tribal supercasino’s attempts to get out from under an onerous fee arrangement with Sol Kerzner and Len Wolman are not only facing heavy weather, Mohegan Sun is also … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Carl Icahn, Charity, CityCenter, Current, Dubai, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Riviera, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tribal, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Greetings for the day

Posted on December 25, 2009 by David McKee

… from ABBA! (What? Like you think I wasn’t going to work the Fab Swedish Four into our seasonal celebration?)

Posted in ABBA, Entertainment | Comments Off on Greetings for the day

Merry Christmas to all …

Posted on December 25, 2009 by David McKee

… and to all a good night! To send us along our way, here’s Johnny Mathis — somewhat diminished of voice but still bringing to this holiday song unmatched verve. Perhaps only Ebenezer Scrooge at his most sclerotic could resist … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment | 1 Comment

‘Tis the season

Posted on December 23, 2009 by David McKee

Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson cuts the ribbon on Boot Hill Casino. The gentleman at the rear in the red tie is the Kansas Lottery’s Ed Van Petten, taking time out from carrying water for Mike Ensign. Having been on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Archon Corp., Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Carl Icahn, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Don Barden, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Environment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Harry Reid, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, Jack Binion, James Packer, Kansas, M Resort, Macau, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Oscar Goodman, Penn National, Pets, Phil Ruffin, Politics, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal | 8 Comments

CityCenter giblets

Posted on December 17, 2009 by David McKee

While I’m gathering my thoughts — and notes — from yesterday’s Orgy o’CityCenter (and trying to maintain a Cone of Deafness, as far as other commentators), here are a few stray tidbits: Even MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren can’t hide … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Current, Donald Trump, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV | 3 Comments

We have a winner!

Posted on December 17, 2009 by David McKee

S&G reader Dawn was the first to guess which state in our great nation has the second-most casinos (after Nevada, natürlich). It’s the Sooner State, Oklahoma — where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, as native Jeff in OKC … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Oklahoma, The Strip, Tribal | 2 Comments

Sign of the Times

Posted on December 15, 2009 by David McKee

Seen on Saturday, at the top of the Riviera‘s giant rear marquee, in huge letters: “VERSAILLES THEATRE.” Mind you, the Riv doesn’t have anything (according to its latest press release) actually playing in that space, Ice having gone the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, The Strip | 8 Comments

Case Bets: Pinnacle, Macao, Sahara & Mirage

Posted on December 15, 2009 by David McKee

No trouble in River City: The opening of Pinnacle Entertainment‘s River City casino complex has leapt forward from May to March. Bully for Pinnacle, if this means that the project is going to be finished ahead of schedule. If this … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Herbst Gaming, Louisiana, Macau, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, The Strip | 4 Comments

Torrents of Greed

Posted on December 14, 2009 by David McKee

A few random musings … MGM Mirage CEO Jim Murren can wax eloquent on the subject of sustainable development but I suspect that any pensées he might have offered Dubai World on the subject would have been pearls before swine. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, CityCenter, Current, Dubai, Economy, Encore, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Wall Street | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 14, 2009 by David McKee

“Let’s stick to the cash.” — Steve Wynn, in response to Garth Brooks‘ offer to work for food money. Brooks was making a joke at the expense of his own avoirdupois.

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Worth the money

Posted on December 14, 2009 by David McKee

Those three words are all you need to know about Garth Brooks‘ show at Wynncore. (Also, I’m pledged to cover it for WizardOfVegas.com, so I can’t spill all the beans here.) If you’re lucky — as we were — your … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Sahara, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Tamares: the can’t-do spirit

Posted on December 10, 2009 by David McKee

Downtown has quite enough problems without Tamares Group‘s continued rubbishing of several former Jackie Gaughan casinos adding to the malaise. Now Tamares — or its casino-management sock puppet, BRH Gaming — has sent LVA the following, very depressing bulletin: “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Current, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Riviera, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tribal | 7 Comments

Rumpus @ The Rio, Vdara & other Case Bets

Posted on December 10, 2009 by David McKee

It’s shaping up to be a news-intensive day — and I have off-site commitments that will keep me away from the keyboard, but let’s see what we can cram in … “The kiss that rocked The Rio”: The steamy scene … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Harrah's, IGT, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Phil Ruffin, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Tribal, TV | 6 Comments

Case Bets: The Wayner, G2E, Packer & Kerzner

Posted on December 8, 2009 by David McKee

Say what you like about Wayne Newton‘s Once Before I Go at the Tropicana Las Vegas, it has the biggest band you’ll see on the Strip: 20 strong, plus backup singers. Most Strip headliners have to make do with one-third … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Australia, Carl Icahn, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, G2E, Genting, International, James Packer, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Problem gambling, Racinos, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Case Bets: The Wayner, G2E, Packer & Kerzner