Category Archives: TV

Fire sale in Vicksburg; Win or loss for Gettysburg?

Posted on April 15, 2011 by David McKee

Update: An earlier version contained a gross error/AARP moment on Yr. Humble Blogger’s part. I have amended the story so that it contains greater “factiness.” Also, fellow Canadian firm Gateway Casinos is the likely operator-to-be. In a curt announcement, Tropicana … Continue reading →

Posted in Bally Technologies, Carl Icahn, Columbia Sussex, Current, history, Indiana, International, Isle of Capri, Massachusetts, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Racinos, Regulation, Slot routes, Tourism, Tribal, Tropicana Entertainment, TV, Wall Street | 5 Comments

At the winner is … Isle of Capri; Big shakedown in Ohio

Posted on April 14, 2011 by David McKee

That ongoing Isle of Capri Casinos Comeback Tour comes to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, which won Pennsylvania‘s final “resort casino” license earlier today. Situated in the greater Pittsburgh area, the rural getaway is owned by lumber tycoon (and “george” political donor) … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Election, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, M Resort, Maryland, Ohio, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, TV, Wall Street, West Virginia | 6 Comments

Blast from the past

Posted on April 11, 2011 by David McKee

Has Steve Wynn taken voice lessons? The unmistakable, mellifluous baritone that soothingly emanates from the mogul’s prerecorded messages to hotel guests and Web site visitors is a far cry from the high-pitched, nasal tones heard in this ancient TV interview. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, history, Steve Wynn, The Mob, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Blast from the past

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 9, 2011 by David McKee

“Trump … sounds very self-assured. This is because before he was a reality-show host, he was in the New York real estate business, a profession in which it is vital to be able to say imaginary things with total certainty.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, New York, TV | 1 Comment

Let’s do the Time Warp

Posted on April 8, 2011 by David McKee

Hallucinations are not considered a symptom of fibromyalgia but I sure thought I was seeing things yesterday when noon-hour TV newscasts led with Union Village. Somebody obviously thinks it’s still 2007, as they’re proposing a $1.5 billion, 171-acre hospital-cum-retirement-community complex … Continue reading →

Posted in Boulder Strip, Current, Economy, Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 1 Comment

Goodman and Station win Round One; MGM’s Free(dom) Ride

Posted on April 6, 2011 by David McKee

The Las Vegas electorate had a lovely parting gift for Victor Chaltiel and Sheldon Adelson. Which is to say that Carolyn Goodman didn’t win the Las Vegas mayoralty outright yesterday but is a relatively low hurdle away from inheriting husband … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Downtown, Election, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Midnight Jim Gibbons, Oscar Goodman, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, The Mob, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on April 4, 2011 by David McKee

“Celebrity Apprentice is widely regarded as terrible and cheesy programming, but, actually, it has its moments. I recently saw an episode in which a former top model had a serious discussion with a fellow competitor about whether this was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Donald Trump, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Sheldon Adelson’s court jester yuks it up

Posted on April 1, 2011 by David McKee

Las Vegas Sands-backed mayoral candidate Victor Chaltiel rolled out the following prank ad today … I’m not sure that there’s any percentage in going after the grandmotherly (but hopelessly vague) Carolyn Goodman in the snide fashion that is quickly becoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Archon Corp., Current, Downtown, Election, Florida, Harrah's, International, Laughlin, Macau, MGM Mirage, Minnesota, Mississippi, Politics, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Texas, The Strip, TV | 1 Comment

Salvation for Illinois? “Golden Boys” strike again

Posted on March 31, 2011 by David McKee

According to lobbyists for MGM Resorts International‘s Grand Victoria riverboat, the smoking ban in Illinois has stove in casino revenues by 33%. Statewide, the average is -28% since 2008 — costing the state no small amount of tax monies — … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, Current, Economy, Florida, Harrah's, Illinois, Indiana, Internet gambling, MGM Mirage, Politics, Regulation, Sports, Station Casinos, Taxes, Tilman Fertitta, TV | Comments Off on Salvation for Illinois? “Golden Boys” strike again

“In the beginning was The Mob …”

Posted on March 30, 2011 by David McKee

Following several delays and even more advance hoopla, the Las Vegas Mob Experience is open. And it’s, as my wife said, “a mob scene” (pun intended). At last night’s grand gala, a PR guy was overheard saying that — for … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Dining, Downtown, Entertainment, Harrah's, history, MGM Mirage, Movies, Oscar Goodman, The Mob, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV | 3 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 29, 2011 by David McKee

“I don’t take him seriously even as a guy who runs casinos.” — Bill Maher on the subject of Donald J. Trump, on tonight’s edition of Hardball.

Posted in Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Election, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Crazy, party of one

Posted on March 28, 2011 by David McKee

It’s been years — if not decades — since Donald Trump was taken seriously. Why should his publicity-stunt “presidential campaign” be any different? If Winston Churchill had nothing to offer his countrymen but blood, toil, tears and sweet, Trump has … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Current, Election, Sheldon Adelson, TV | Comments Off on Crazy, party of one

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 27, 2011 by David McKee

“Complaining about high gasoline prices in a free-market economy is a bit like doing the proverbial at the wind.” — Richard Quest on CNN‘s Your Money, last Saturday.

Posted in Current, Economy, Tourism, Transportation, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Courting the curious

Posted on March 25, 2011 by David McKee

This is the fifth in a six-video series that The Cosmopolitan has been running on cable TV. But not on the usual casino-friendly channels like ESPN. No, the Cosmo has targeted the Sundance Channel and IFC for these spots. People … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dining, Election, Entertainment, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, The Strip, TV | Comments Off on Courting the curious

From the bookbag

Posted on March 25, 2011 by David McKee

Having made less than the most of my college years, I’ve been sporadically trying to compensate ever since. (Although the extent of any Remedial Philosophy consists of my current reading matter, the anthology ‘Family Guy’ and Philosophy: A Cure for … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, history, International, Pennsylvania, TV | Comments Off on From the bookbag

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme

Posted on March 23, 2011 by David McKee

… some money after midnight: Evidently it’s not enough that gaming revenues and other casino-related retail taxes underwrite the State of Nevada. Lawmakers would extend a grubby mitt into the casino kitty and scoop up any unclaimed moolah. “[W]hy does … Continue reading →

Posted in ABBA, Cretins, Current, Donald Trump, Economy, Election, Horseracing, Louisiana, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Politics, Racinos, Texas, TV, Wall Street | Comments Off on Gimme, Gimme, Gimme

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 20, 2011 by David McKee

“Paying there [sic] repsects [sic]” — onscreen graphic prefacing a 6 p.m. Saturday KSNV-TV news segment on a memorial service for victims of the fatal bus crash that killed 15 Mohegan Sun patrons. KSNV News Director Bob Stoldal really has … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, New York, Transportation, Tribal, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Just another night at Aria

Posted on March 18, 2011 by David McKee

This TV spot has been out a while but I didn’t chance upon it until I was home yesterday, nursing a Combo Meal of maladies. Isn’t it nice that that the oversexed young couple has 4,000-room Aria all to themselves? … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Marketing, MGM Mirage, TV | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on March 18, 2011 by David McKee

Olivia Munn cuts through the usual morning-talk cr@p in an unforgettable blend of inebriation and performance art, proving the old saying, in vino veritas. These are the merest highlights. The unexpurgated version is much funnier.

Posted in Current, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

The second coming

Posted on March 16, 2011 by David McKee

To follow the local media, you’d think Jesus Christ was returning to Earth at Caesars Palace. Instead, it’s Céline Marie Claudette Dion, who owns a just slightly smaller fanbase. Back when her first Caesars residency was announced, at a time … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Economy, Encore, Harrah's, history, The Strip, Tourism, TV | 8 Comments