Category Archives: Planet Hollywood

Dark days at the Plaza

Posted on December 18, 2012 by David McKee

Last week’s abrupt cessation of three shows at the Plaza sent gloom and presages of doom through the theatrical community over the weekend. Lichtenstein-based Tamares Group was rumored to be pulling the plug on Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Bite … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Current, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, Tamares Group | Comments Off

Strange but sad and true

Posted on November 14, 2012 by David McKee

At first, I thought this news item and the accompanying video report were pure fantasy. Alas, truth proves stranger than fiction once again and we could be looking at the audio equivalent of the dreaded Christmas fruitcake. In previews since … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | Comments Off

Shadow-puppetry at the Sahara; TropiHilton of LV; Melco goes southerly

Posted on October 26, 2012 by David McKee

“Lightweight” might be a apt term to describe the braintrust forming around the SLS/Sahara project. So would “miscast.” Reporting to casino novice and owner Sam Nazarian, its president will be J.P. Morgan investment banker Sam Bakhshandehpour. His main qualification for … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Colony Capital, Cosmopolitan, Current, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, International, James Packer, Lawrence Ho, Marketing, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Sahara, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Wall Street | Comments Off

Splitsville: Harrah’s and ‘Legends’; Wanna buy used Hooters?

Posted on October 19, 2012 by David McKee

If you want to see Legends in Concert at Harrah’s Las Vegas, better get a move on: The tribute act and Harrah’s LV “have mutually agreed” to go their separate ways on Dec. 30. This doesn’t mean that Caesars Entertainment … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, Hooters, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, Tamares Group, The Strip | 5 Comments

Just another week in Vegas

Posted on October 17, 2012 by David McKee

D’ya remember that Flava Flav restaurant venture, just off “Crack Alley,” that sounded “too crazy to be true“? Nah, me neither. It quietly went bust earlier this year. Well, now the “aging reality TV star” is in a different sort … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, California, Cretins, Current, Dining, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, The Strip | 8 Comments

USA Today’s best of the Strip

Posted on October 6, 2012 by David McKee

Pursuant to our last S&G dispatch, here are the USA Today choices for top attractions on the Strip (uniqueness and affordability being prime considerations). If you’re not staying at a Hilton property right now, you aren’t vouchsafed access to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Dining, Entertainment, Environment, George Maloof, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Movies, Planet Hollywood, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

Colony Capital and the Temple of Doom; Big Gaming’s come a long way, baby

Posted on September 25, 2012 by David McKee

Earlier today, I penned a 1.5-page Question of the Day on the recent past and dubious future of the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, which I habitually type as “Las Vegas Hilton.” Even if one confines the narrative to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Colony Capital, Culinary Union, Current, Dennis Gomes, Downtown, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Goldman Sachs, Planet Hollywood, Politics, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Tamares Group, The Strip | Comments Off

Hicks is back; Sheldon Adelson, misery broker

Posted on September 19, 2012 by David McKee

Give Caesars Entertainment for making a good call this week. It’s inked a one-year residency deal with American Idol winner Taylor Hicks to return to Bally’s, starting Oct. 17. Prices will still begin at a wallet-friendly $40/seat and, in light … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Economy, Election, Entertainment, Florida, Goldman Sachs, Harrah's, International, Movies, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, The Strip, Wall Street | 1 Comment

“Eaten” by Las Vegas; Icahn’s hard bargain

Posted on August 24, 2012 by David McKee

Today is being spent at home, buried ‘neath page proofs for Eating Las Vegas 3.0 (with assistance from sibling kitties Leona and Rascal, the latter incredibly well-named). Tonight brings Tournament of Kings — which I’ve never seen — and Evil … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Carl Icahn, Current, Dining, Fontainebleau, George Maloof, MGM Mirage, Pets, Phil Ruffin, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Wall Street | 3 Comments

Living here can be hazardous to your health; “Summer Camp!” and Shakespeare in Sin City

Posted on August 23, 2012 by David McKee

We live in a fair city where a trip to the nearest Dairy Queen means being in mortal peril of being attacked with a whacking great sword. Also, you’ll get to learn more about Commercial Center than you probably want … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Taylor Hicks: Vegas’ newest star?; Adelson hates on Vegas

Posted on August 14, 2012 by David McKee

Last night being my wonderful wife’s birthday, I took her out to dinner and thence to Taylor Hicks at Bally’s, now in the 10th week of an eight-week run (and, no, that’s not a typo). Big ups to Caesars Entertainment, … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Cordish Co., Current, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, Iowa, Marketing, Maryland, Penn National, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 3 Comments

Opening tonight!; DIY Vdara Death Ray

Posted on August 10, 2012 by David McKee

Hoping to join Evil Dead The Musical and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas in the progression of locally produced musicals to casino showrooms is Summer Camp! The Musical, which opens tonight at the Onyx Theatre, near what used to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Current, Downtown, Entertainment, Environment, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, Sahara, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Vdara Death Ray | Comments Off

“Surf”: What if they gave a Strip spectacular and nobody came?

Posted on August 8, 2012 by David McKee

You’ll have to pardon me today if I enjoy a victory lap, having beaten the dailies to the announcement of Surf The Musical‘s demise by a good 97 minutes.* (Suck that, Thomas F. Mitchell!) However, if you set store by … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Planet Hollywood, Sahara, Sheldon Adelson | 1 Comment

Surf’s out

Posted on August 8, 2012 by David McKee

It’s all over for Surf The Musical. That’s the word coming from multiple, credible sources in Strip entertainment circles. Cast members allegedly just got their two-week notice for the bloated extravaganza that basically consisted of wall-to-wall Beach Boys songs, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, Marketing, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off

Get to the polls!

Posted on August 7, 2012 by David McKee

… as in the Las Vegas Advisor weekly poll. Tomorrow’s promises to be a real doozy. The question is, What was the worst show in recent Strip and Downtown history? The dog kennel hasn’t been completely filled but I can … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Cirque du Soleil, Colony Capital, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Riviera, Sahara, Sports, The Strip, TV, Wayne F. Newton | 6 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on July 31, 2012 by David McKee

“I remember staying up late many Saturday nights to watch Porky’s, Meatballs and Revenge of the Nerds on HBO. And like any, red-blooded, prepubescent male, I always thought there was way too much story between the shower scenes. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Cretins, Current, Entertainment, Movies, Planet Hollywood | 1 Comment

Wipeout: “Surf the Musical”

Posted on July 18, 2012 by David McKee

All photos: © Scott Roeben Surf the Musical officially washed ashore last night at Planet Hollywood and one can only hope this bit of flotsam goes out with the next ebb tide. Although it’s not quite as craptastic as a … Continue reading →

Posted in ABBA, Cirque du Soleil, Entertainment, Harrah's, Movies, Planet Hollywood, Technology, The Strip | 3 Comments

Shocking preliminary finding

Posted on June 21, 2012 by David McKee

Although I’m still swotting on USA Today copy, the finish line is within sight and the Las Vegas Strip property with the most name-checks to date is — surprise of surprises — Paris-Las Vegas, singled out in multiple categories. Who’da … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Donald Trump, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tourism | 5 Comments

“Smurf The Musical”

Posted on May 30, 2012 by David McKee

That’s the LVA office nickname for jukebox tuner Surf The Musical, currently in rehearsal at Planet Hollywood. As many as 35 Beach Boys songs have been laid end-to-end to create a midget version of a Broadway musical. The show’s creators … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Harrah's, Movies, Planet Hollywood, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 1 Comment

Dump that Trump!; Caesars takes big British bath; F-blew claims another victim

Posted on May 21, 2012 by David McKee

What took them so long? That has to be the operative question now that Trump Entertainment Resorts owner Marc Lasry and CEO Robert Griffin have belatedly put Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino on the market, at an undisclosed price. (Probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Donald Trump, Election, Fontainebleau, International, Internet gambling, Planet Hollywood, The Strip, Tribal | Comments Off