Category Archives: George Maloof

Buy a Vegas condo, get a political donation

Posted on February 15, 2010 by David McKee

A piquant news item, cobbled together from two @RalstonFlash tweets: “This is embarrassing: George Maloof, tapped to host POTUS for DNC fundraiser this week in LV, gave $2,400 to [Sen. Harry] Reid foe [Danny] Tarkanian in Sept. Maloof gave to … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, George Maloof, Harry Reid, Politics | 2 Comments

And now for a word from our sponsor …

Posted on February 11, 2010 by David McKee

There are only a few opportunities remaining to catch Rainbow Company Youth Theatre‘s Unsung Heroes of Nevada’s Past. This speedy theatrical primer on the founding of Las Vegas is far more delightful than didactic (including a quintet sung by four … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, Entertainment, George Maloof, Movies, Steve Wynn, The Strip | Comments Off on And now for a word from our sponsor …

If LV simply *must* have a pos…

Posted on January 29, 2010 by David McKee

If LV simply *must* have a poster boy, better Goss than Gosselin.

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, The Strip | Comments Off on If LV simply *must* have a pos…

Palms: “Matt Who?”

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

“Freddy Mercury meets Andrea Bocelli.” That’s one description applied to androgynous vocalist Jimmy Hopper, whom The Palms has signed for a once-a-week concert series. This is a sweet deal for customers: It’s a three-hour show and it’s free. The seating … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, George Maloof, Riviera, The Strip | 1 Comment

Food for thought

Posted on January 28, 2010 by David McKee

“[Matt] Goss also would bring back some of Sinatra’s bygone sensibilities, chief among them being loyalty to friends.” That’s an interesting remark, considering that the singer began talks with Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner a month after Palms owner George … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Marketing, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Food for thought

Quote of the Day

Posted on January 25, 2010 by David McKee

“There’s [sic] still rumors about Lady Gaga signing with the Palms. Singing sensation Matt Goss has ended his four months at the Palms, so there may just be room available for someone new.” — Monti Rock III, from his latest … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof | 1 Comment

Ghost town

Posted on January 22, 2010 by David McKee

Economic forecasting is a forbiddingly tricky science but you still have to wonder what convinced MGM Mirage that there was either A) an unabated market for ultra-high-end retail in Las Vegas or B) that such demand as already existed could … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Economy, Entertainment, George Maloof, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | 7 Comments

Memo to George Maloof

Posted on January 19, 2010 by David McKee

Forget about hiring Lady Gaga for a Palms residency. Just hire Christopher Walken to give his inimitable interpretations of Ms. Gaga’s lyrics. It’ll be much funnier … and perhaps a scintilla more understandable.

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof | 2 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 23, 2009 by David McKee

“Anyone who tells you they are expanding or improving on their existing property is lying. No one has any money right now to do that. We’re all just grinding it out, operating, trying to stay smart and ahead of it … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, George Maloof, The Strip | 9 Comments

Douchebags-R-Us

Posted on December 8, 2009 by David McKee

If you have a closetful of Ed Hardy apparel and fancy the lifestyle of a pimp, The Palms wants your business … Of course, ever since George Maloof introduced his garish Fantasy Suites, The Palms has been pushing the envelope … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof, Marketing, TV | 1 Comment

Aria, Vdara discounting already

Posted on December 3, 2009 by David McKee

In its discussions with J.P. Morgan analysts, MGM Mirage has regularly been boasting that Aria’s room rates are running higher (very, very slightly higher) than Bellagio. Being a skeptical fellow by nature, my instinct was that Aria was being propped … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Silverton, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | 6 Comments

Gossy-ed out; Peep-less Show; Phat Phantom

Posted on December 2, 2009 by David McKee

According to the latest issue of Las Vegas Advisor, bland-as-butter Palms headliner Matt Goss is not announced for any dates past Dec. 5. However, if Goss has Timberlaked his way across the lounge floor for the last time, S&G believes … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Entertainment, George Maloof, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on Gossy-ed out; Peep-less Show; Phat Phantom

Shows! Shows! Shows!

Posted on November 9, 2009 by David McKee

Another clutch of reviews by Yr. Humble Blogger has appeared on TheWizardOfVegas.com, though my notes on the current Wayne Newton fiasco at the Tropicana Las Vegas are of such dubious legibility that they may never see the light of day. … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 6 Comments

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

Trop, Sands purges continue

Posted on September 30, 2009 by David McKee

It’s official: “Pit Bull of Comedy” Bobby Slayton has snarled his last at the Tropicana Las Vegas. Thus endeth a brief, inauspicious reign by Anthony Cools over the Trop’s upstairs showroom. A well-placed source advises LVA that Beatles tribute show … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Economy, Entertainment, Fontainebleau, George Maloof, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Station Casinos, The Strip, Tropicana Entertainment | Comments Off on Trop, Sands purges continue

Pod People

Posted on September 11, 2009 by David McKee

Now that our linking capability is back, here is the Strip Podcast episode in which I pinch-hit for an absent co-host. The father of new sensation Elijah Johnson had trouble finding Steve Friess' studio and the show was already on … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Entertainment, George Maloof, Technology | Comments Off on Pod People

"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"

Rumble in Macao

Posted on June 2, 2009 by David McKee

Although an oft-promised loosening of visa restrictions by Peking stubborny refuses to materialize, an air of cautious hopefulness has crept back into Macao now that City of Dreams has opened on schedule — and it looks dazzling. Aggressive revenue projections … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, Cosmopolitan, Current, Economy, Genting, George Maloof, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Stanley Ho, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip | Comments Off on Rumble in Macao

Super-screwed at Santana

Posted on June 1, 2009 by David McKee

Morgans' gradual obliteration of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino continues apace, in this February photo. Actually, this was one of the few flattering angles to be found. Ever since Morgans Hotel Group plunged into the Las Vegas market, first … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Entertainment, George Maloof, Morgans Hotel Group, Station Casinos | Comments Off on Super-screwed at Santana

Looking for good news in Vegas

Posted on February 12, 2009 by David McKee

If I wanted to drive myself to strong drink, I could write about depressing, atrocious numbers coming out of Nevada casinos in December. But as that great philosopher, Linus in Peanuts, would remind me, it's better to light a single … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Downtown, Economy, Gary Goett, George Maloof, Harrah's, Laughlin, MGM Mirage, Michael Gaughan, Morgans Hotel Group, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, Texas, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tribal, Wall Street | Comments Off on Looking for good news in Vegas