Category Archives: Entertainment

Optimism in Macao, euphoria at CityCenter

Posted on September 8, 2009 by David McKee

Relaxation of stringent visa restrictions from Guangdong Province came a full four months sooner than expected, starting Sept. 1. Now, residents will be able to visit Macao once a month instead of quarterly. While this has prompted J.P. Morgan to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Architecture, Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, California, CityCenter, Cordish Co., Current, Economy, Entertainment, IGT, Indiana, Kansas, Macau, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street, WMS Industries | Comments Off on Optimism in Macao, euphoria at CityCenter

'Peepshow''s little Hitler problem

Posted on September 8, 2009 by David McKee

Congratulations (not!) to the producers of Peepshow, whose rent-a-headliner stratagem has finally blown up in their faces. They're replacing a Jew (Shoshana Bean) with a fan of the leadership abilities of — I kid you not — Adolf Hitler. Oh, … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Entertainment, International, Macau, Marketing, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Singapore, Technology | Comments Off on 'Peepshow''s little Hitler problem

From the mailbag #3

Posted on September 4, 2009 by David McKee

Reader Kerr_Mudgeon writes, re the case of a Columbia Sussex executive who was the victim of age discrimination: She was 67 years old, for gosh sake! She should have taken her token (socialist) Social Security checks and gone on (fascist) … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Downtown, Entertainment, Movies, TV | Comments Off on From the mailbag #3

"Viva Elvis"

Posted on September 2, 2009 by David McKee

Yes, Viva Elvis will be the long-awaited, enshrouded-in-secrecy title of the Cirque du Soleil show scheduled to debut this December at CityCenter.* Wow, they must have had to really burn the midnight oil in Montreal to come up with that … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Entertainment, George Maloof, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on "Viva Elvis"

No more "free" play?; Sahara sleaze; Donny & Tina; Criss F. Angel

Posted on August 31, 2009 by David McKee

In a decision that could have wide-ranging implications, Foxwoods Casino Resort and Mohegan Sun have been ordered to count (and pay taxes on) “free play” coupons as though they were revenue. This isn’t a sock-it-to-the-players move like the one the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Illinois, MGM Mirage, Sahara, Taxes, The Strip, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on No more "free" play?; Sahara sleaze; Donny & Tina; Criss F. Angel

Stat of the Day

Posted on August 31, 2009 by David McKee

Beloved by critics and bloggers, Encore is proving to be something of a millstone around the neck of Wynn Resorts. Average daily rates at 'Wynncore' are down 39% for the year to date, compared to a "mere" -25% at neighboring … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Economy, Encore, Entertainment, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on Stat of the Day

Electra-fying news bulletin

Posted on August 28, 2009 by David McKee

You asked, MGM Mirage listened. No, they’re not offering free rooms at CityCenter but something much better: a 20-performance return engagement by Carmen Electra, who will put some spice back into Crazy Horse Paris in October. At $75 a seat, … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | Comments Off on Electra-fying news bulletin

Chintz thy name is …

Posted on August 22, 2009 by David McKee

… Harrah's Entertainment. We've just returned from the formal opening of Matsuri. The 8 p.m. show started at 8:16, due in no small part to the fact that the Imperial Palace had one usher working the entire showroom. One showroom. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on Chintz thy name is …

Abraca – OMFG!

Posted on August 21, 2009 by David McKee

Scarlett, Princess of Magic has settled into her new revue, Scarlett and her Seductive Ladies of Magic, which finally gives me a reason to encourage people to visit the Riviera. The video below is taken from Scartlett’s family-friendly V Theater … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, Goldman Sachs, MGM Mirage, Pets, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Riviera | Comments Off on Abraca – OMFG!

Illinois does it again; Storm over CityCenter

Posted on August 20, 2009 by David McKee

A new law in Illinois that legalizes video poker statewide may have some unforeseen consequences. Namely, video gambling at truck stops throughout the Land of Lincoln. This represents a much bigger expansion than was originally sold to the public. Whenever … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Economy, Entertainment, Illinois, Iowa, MGM Mirage, Missouri, Wall Street | Comments Off on Illinois does it again; Storm over CityCenter

Economic recovery in sight?

Posted on August 19, 2009 by David McKee

Vegas casino F&B directors seem to think so. From our trusty LVA research department comes word that The Orleans and Mandalay Bay are ending their one-price-all-day buffet specials. Better/worse still, Palace Station is hiking the price of its buffet — … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Station Casinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Economic recovery in sight?

Privé: behind the juice; Chucky vs. Jaws; Wynn pages Scalia

Posted on August 19, 2009 by David McKee

Had the Nevada Gaming Control Board not come down upon Planet Hollywood like a hod of bricks, it's entirely probable that Privé would still be up to its scofflaw antics. That's because Clark County has a long history of looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Economy, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Privé: behind the juice; Chucky vs. Jaws; Wynn pages Scalia

Economic recovery in sight?

Posted on August 19, 2009 by David McKee

Vegas casino F&B directors seem to think so. From our trusty LVA research department comes word that The Orleans and Mandalay Bay are ending their one-price-all-day buffet specials. Better/worse still, Palace Station is hiking the price of its buffet — … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Monte Carlo fire, Station Casinos, Taxes | Comments Off on Economic recovery in sight?

Privé: behind the juice; Chucky vs. Jaws; Wynn pages Scalia

Posted on August 19, 2009 by David McKee

Had the Nevada Gaming Control Board not come down upon Planet Hollywood like a hod of bricks, it's entirely probable that Privé would still be up to its scofflaw antics. That's because Clark County has a long history of looking … Continue reading →

Posted in Cannery Casino Resorts, Economy, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Sports, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Privé: behind the juice; Chucky vs. Jaws; Wynn pages Scalia

Greek Isles sold, few care

Posted on August 18, 2009 by David McKee

Vegas' hardest-luck casino changed hands … again. Short of another irrational spike in off-Strip land valuations, Canpartners Realty Holding Co. IV LLC is never going to see its $67 million again. The Greek Isles is in a dead zone, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Economy, Encore, Entertainment, Morgans Hotel Group, Politics | Comments Off on Greek Isles sold, few care

Kitty rescue at Caesars; Stingy Station

Posted on August 14, 2009 by David McKee

As we were driving to LVA HQ this morning, we spotted a disoriented-looking little cat running through the Flamingo Rd./I-15 interchange, across from Caesars Palace. We were in a quandary about what to do until it turned and started ambling … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Pets, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off on Kitty rescue at Caesars; Stingy Station

Comedy Quest

Posted on August 13, 2009 by David McKee

Having made the rounds of a few laugh lounges lately, I can report that L.A. Comedy Club is not to be sneezed at, especially in its new digs at the Four Queens. However, Tickled Pink, at Planet Hollywood, is one … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood | Comments Off on Comedy Quest

Stanley Ho, ailing monarch

Posted on August 10, 2009 by David McKee

Not many of us make headlines by waking up in the morning and saying something. But when the future of over 50% of Macao's casino market hinges on A) your health and B) your plan of succession, and C) your … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Macau, MGM Mirage, Stanley Ho | Comments Off on Stanley Ho, ailing monarch

New flavor of Tropicana; M is infectious; Penn is persistent

Posted on August 7, 2009 by David McKee

Alex Yemenidjian has busted out a new logo for his Strip casino: Hey, it’s a start. Still no word on a new evening show for the Tiffany Theater (and somehow I don’t think Dirk Arthur is going to cut it … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Election, Entertainment, Penn National, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on New flavor of Tropicana; M is infectious; Penn is persistent

Get 'em while they're young

Posted on August 6, 2009 by David McKee

One of the Atlantic City Hilton‘s most valued players was a 19-year-old from Brooklyn. This baby whale was sufficiently lucrative to the Colony C(r)apital property that he received a comped stay and qualified as a “rated player.” Better still, A.C. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Entertainment, International, Regulation, Riviera, Station Casinos, The Strip | Comments Off on Get 'em while they're young