Category Archives: Entertainment

Wynncore: the best revenge

Posted on November 5, 2009 by David McKee

If Wynn Resorts legal beagle Kevin Tourek didn’t make a complete fool of himself with his self-aggrandizing cease-and-desist letter to VegasTripping.com, then VT.com owner Chuck Monster finishes the job with a lengthy and subtly humorous rebuttal. In a lightly ironic … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Encore, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Steve Wynn, Technology, Tourism, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Much ado about something?

Posted on November 5, 2009 by David McKee

Vive le Roi! After much coy hugger-mugger, Cirque du Soleil has just announced the name of its Aria show is … wait for it, people … Viva Elvis. (I cannot decide if the uninspired logo, which looks like a Ronco … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Encore, Entertainment, Harrah's, Missouri, Pinnacle Entertainment, Regulation, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 31, 2009 by David McKee

“What [Steve] Wynn forgets is that his tired old trickle-down-and-deregulate song-and-dance is exactly what got us into this fine mess in the first place.” — Las Vegas CityLife Managing Editor Andrew Kiraly, on Wynn’s reinvention as a political pundit. CityLife … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Entertainment, Labor, Politics, Regulation, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

They’re just wild about Harry

Posted on October 30, 2009 by David McKee

Despite his (at best) tepid standing with the Nevada electorate — whether the right or the left — Sen. Harry Reid (D) has almost every important name in the casino industry in his corner. Sheldon Adelson may yet choose to … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Cordish Co., Economy, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Harry Reid, International, Macau, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on They’re just wild about Harry

Signs of the Times

Posted on October 29, 2009 by David McKee

Oh, how I wish I’d had the presence of mind to snap a photo of the Tropicana Las Vegas marquee last night. It reads, in part: WAYNE NEWTON Once Before I Go NOW The concluding imperative makes the sign look … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, The Strip, TV | 6 Comments

Critiqued by Tomlin

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David McKee

When conducting interviews, I rarely think about how I’m doing them other than thinking that the questions are tumbling out sounding stupid or that I’m blathering on like the dreaded Charlie Rose (an excellent example of how not to interview … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David McKee

“It’s not legal, and anyone who thinks this is legal is wrong. They are guilty of a misdemeanor if they do this.” — Steve Wynn, who’s not a lawyer but plays one in the newspapers. If he’d read a little, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 3 Comments

“Don’t panic”

Posted on October 28, 2009 by David McKee

Most of you will recognize that as a critical maxim from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It’s also what to do if you comments don’t appear straightaway on the S&G site. In our new setup they won’t post immediately … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Entertainment, Sahara, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Adieu F-bleau, hello Hollywood?

Posted on October 26, 2009 by David McKee

Look what just fell into the S&G mailbag: Beginning January 1, 2010 Penn National Gaming will partner with RPM Advertising to develop and execute a brand identity for Hollywood Casinos.  The full service assignment will incorporate research, brand development, media … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

From the mailbag #9

Posted on October 22, 2009 by David McKee

One reader asks, regarding senatorial aspirant Sue Lowden‘s esteemed Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall: I’m confused (as usual, but…) – Isn’t the Pioneer NOT a gambling hall now, its shell hosting an ABC convenience store & various other small shops? … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Archon Corp., Downtown, Entertainment, Harry Reid, Laughlin, Oscar Goodman, Tamares Group, Tourism, TV | Comments Off on From the mailbag #9

Eight Vegas shows reviewed

Posted on October 19, 2009 by David McKee

As promised, Mike Shackleford's WizardOfVegas.com site has launched. It took a while to get the bugs worked out, hence my review of Scarlett & her Seductive Ladies of Magic didn't appear until after the show had closed. However, to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Dining, Don Barden, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tourism | Comments Off on Eight Vegas shows reviewed

Great O'Day in the morning

Posted on October 16, 2009 by David McKee

Peepshow star/trainwreck-in-progress Aubrey O'Day likes to speak her mind, for whatever it's worth. Evidently the recklessly candid utterances of Ms. O'Day were worth not one, not two but, yes, three dispatches by Richard Abowitz. The fascination is understandable, given an … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, Entertainment, Macau, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Great O'Day in the morning

Signs of the Times

Posted on October 15, 2009 by David McKee

In less than an hour, Steve Wynn is going to make an extra-special, triple-secret, top-hush "entertainment announcement" via a Wynn Resorts Web-cast. Don't tell anyone but … he's going to reveal that Garth Brooks will be playing Encore. Which we … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Encore, Entertainment, George Maloof, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Signs of the Times

Night of the living dead

Posted on October 15, 2009 by David McKee

Will the last person leaving the Riviera please take down the Charo in Concert, Abra-ca-Sexy! and Tom Stevens posters? Everything about last night's visit to the casino suggested a business that's died but doesn't realize it. Not that it helps … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Regulation, Riviera, The Strip | Comments Off on Night of the living dead

Why does Steve Wynn hate America?

Posted on October 13, 2009 by David McKee

Or maybe the question should be, What was Steve Wynn smoking before he told CNBC "Money Honey" Maria Bartiromo that Wynn Macau was making more than all other 30 Macao casinos combined? Perhaps he meant his joint is the single-highest-grossing … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Encore, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, Macau, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Why does Steve Wynn hate America?

Case Bets: Reid, Goodman, Madison (Holly) & a kegger

Posted on October 12, 2009 by David McKee

As they say on Dancing with the Stars, in no particular order … Eight against Harry: For a speedy primer on the myriad challengers to Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), you can't go wrong with Jon Ralston's droll and speedy primer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Environment, Harry Reid, Oscar Goodman, Politics, Steve Wynn, Technology, TV | Comments Off on Case Bets: Reid, Goodman, Madison (Holly) & a kegger

East Coast antics

Posted on October 12, 2009 by David McKee

Wrong again. There I was, thinking the proposed $10 million upfront fee for table games in Pennsylvania was a done deal when the GOP-controlled state Senate upped it to $15 million (and if you don’t pay by June 1, it … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Economy, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Horseracing, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off on East Coast antics

Case Bets: Reid, Goodman, Madison (Holly) & a kegger

Posted on October 12, 2009 by David McKee

As they say on Dancing with the Stars, in no particular order … Eight against Harry: For a speedy primer on the myriad challengers to Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), you can't go wrong with Jon Ralston's droll and speedy primer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Environment, Harry Reid, Oscar Goodman, Politics, Steve Wynn, Technology, TV | Comments Off on Case Bets: Reid, Goodman, Madison (Holly) & a kegger

Case Bets: California crisis, M cutbacks, "Guiding Light" in LV, etc.

Posted on October 8, 2009 by David McKee

Ist California kaput? That’s the question posed by the The Observer and it makes for troubling reading. If Gov. Jim Gibbons (R-NV) is right that tourism from California is the carotid artery of Nevada‘s economy, then the Silver State is … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, California, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, M Resort, Macau, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Tourism, TV | Comments Off on Case Bets: California crisis, M cutbacks, "Guiding Light" in LV, etc.

Case Bets: Corzine, Penn vs. MTR, Pinnacle, Manilow & strippers

Posted on October 7, 2009 by David McKee

Forbidden by New Jersey law from directly contributing to political campaigns, casino companies are making an end run through Virginia. Harrah’s Entertainment, Boyd Gaming and IGT are among those funneling campaign cash into a reverse version on the Underground Railroad. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Horseracing, IGT, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Regulation, The Strip | Comments Off on Case Bets: Corzine, Penn vs. MTR, Pinnacle, Manilow & strippers