When it comes to comedian Louie Anderson, it’s not just his Las Vegas Strip show that’s Larger Than Life—his king-size heart is right up there, too. Beloved by millions for his fun, relatable family- and upbringing-oriented comedy and quick-witted audience interactions, Anderson truly seems to care about people. The comic is involved with numerous charities, including co-founding the H.E.R.O. organization, which assists the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless to achieve self-sufficiency through training. 

Residing in Vegas for a few years in the ’90s before moving to Los Angeles, Anderson returned to the Entertainment Capital of the World with an open-ended contract, performing nearly nightly to regularly sold-out audiences at the Excalibur. 

“Vegas still feels homey to me and let me tell you why: Stage actors go to Broadway. Movie actors go to Hollywood. Comedians, Vegas,” Anderson said. “I mean, it’s really true. From the moment that you become a professional comedian, one of the aspirations, at least in my era, is to headline in Vegas.” 

Luckily for us all, that aspiration came to fruition. Today, Anderson, like his counterparts Rita Rudner, George Wallace and Carrot Top, is quite content staying put for a while, because, as he explained, “The steady gig is a whole different world than the comics who come into Vegas for a week.” 

The best part about performing six nights a week, though, according to this funnyman, is that he has become a stronger comedian because regular repetition sharpens the skills. 

“The way most comics’ minds work is that they’re tinkering with their act at all times, trying to make it better. Once you have a hit song, it’s a hit song, but a routine could get better even if it’s a great routine,” Anderson said. 

Growing up 10 of 11 children, overweight and with an alcoholic father, Anderson’s childhood was not the easiest, so it really comes as no surprise that he had to find the humor in life early on.

“I came from a family where laughs were important—we needed as many as we could get,” Anderson said. “So I think that was the first thing (that attracted me to comedy), probably a defense mechanism. Humor can be that.” 

That, and much more, according to the grateful comic. “Every night, from last night, to tonight, to tomorrow night, every night there is a different thing in that audience when I am talking to them that I get out of it, that they get out of it, that we enjoy together that makes it a very singular experience, and people really enjoy it.”

That’s a big part of what makes it all worthwhile for Anderson. First slaying audiences after taking the stage for an open-mic night on a dare back in 1978, one of the main reasons he was drawn to comedy in the first place was because “it’s a nice feeling making people feel better.” Now that’s the Louie Anderson we all adore.

Louie Anderson
Where: Excalibur
When: 7 p.m. Sat.-Thurs. (dark Jan. 13)
Cost: $59.40, 18+
www.lvshowbiz.com

Dancing fountains create an emotional mood.
By  Alan Katz/Las Vegas Magazine

Although Las Vegas is designed to satisfy all appetites, the soul needs nourishment, too. Touring the city’s gaming palaces and points of interest, we are alternately impressed, aroused and amused, but less often are we emotionally moved. That’s why a visit to the Fountains of Bellagio belongs near the top of every Vegas visitor’s have-to-do list.

Conceived by hotel tycoon Steve Wynn, the Fountains of Bellagio are a perfect melding of technology, popular culture and art. The wondrous fountains are on an 8-acre man-made lake separating the Bellagio from the Strip. Far more than just a fountain, it’s a stirring water ballet, set to a variety of music pieces and played at intervals throughout the afternoon and evening. It’s some of the best entertainment to be found in the city—and it’s free to the public.

The optimum time to view the three-minute show is at night when the water, propelled high in the air and spanning more than 1,000 feet in width, is dramatically illuminated by 5,000 computerized lights timed to accompany both water and music.

There is nothing haphazard about the experience. Every moment is choreographed so that the water dances, sways and appears to enact the changing mood of the music as each number builds to an emotional pitch.

Carefully selected to create different moods—from
romantic (“Time to Say Goodbye”), to patriotic (“The Star-Spangled Banner”), to whimsical (“Singin’ in the Rain”)—the musical repertoire includes everything from Broadway to opera to pop. The sound is fed through 183 speakers around the perimeter of the lake and along the front sidewalk. Because this unforgettable experience generates so much word of mouth, large crowds tend to gather before every show. An alternate viewpoint might be your table at Olives restaurant, which is situated against Lake Bellagio. Or you might enter the Bellagio and take the enclosed escalators to the shops, where through two double French doors you’ll find a little balcony overlooking the fountains.  

Fountains at Bellagio
Where: Bellagio
When: Every half hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and every 15 minutes daily from 7 p.m. to midnight
Cost: Free
www.lvshowbiz.com

Vegas4Visitors.com Top 10 Awards: Best Hotels

1. Red Rock Resort
With a nearly perfect blend of service, comfort, and luxury, Red Rock Resort claims the first spot on this list for the second year in a row. The entire hotel (from the front door to the bedrooms) are a visual wonder, the staff (front desk, casino, restaurants) is unfailingly polite and efficient, and the sheer amount of things to do - casino, bowling, movies, restaurants, pool, spa, outdoor adventures - makes this the best hotel in Las Vegas.

2. Planet Hollywood
Taking a gigantic, boring, failed hotel and turning it into something hip, fresh, and exciting is no easy feat but the folks at Planet Hollywood have done it with an energetic revamp of the Strip entrances, casino, rooms, nightclubs, shopping, and restaurants that has turned this into one of the coolest places in town.

3. Green Valley Ranch
At Green Valley Ranch, they make luxury look effortless and keep it accessible. There is probably no other word to use to describe the place than "beautiful" and yet it has enough common-man touches to keep it from feeling austere or snobbish. Terrific service, great restaurants, a fun casino - this one is a no-brainer for this list.

4. Wynn Las Vegas
I really don't want to like Wynn Las Vegas. It's too expensive on just about every level for my budget (and most people's) but it's impossible to deny that they have created a triumph of design and amenities that (almost) make it worth what it costs to stay here.

5. Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas
There are lots of luxurious properties on this list but the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas outdoes all of them when it comes to the level of service you can expect to receive when staying here. Every person is treated as if they are the only person that matters and it makes you feel special to a degree that can't be matched by the hotels on The Strip. The beautiful surroundings are icing on the cake.

6. Golden Nugget
It's amazing what can happen when you throw a couple hundred million dollars at a fading hotel. The owners of The Golden Nugget not only reversed the downward trend this property was going through, they threw the trend away and created a stunning new hotel that still pays homage to its storied past proving that you don't need to implode a classic hotel to make it better.

7. Main Street Station
Every time I describe Main Street Station I keep coming back to the same word: gem. The rooms, the casino, the restaurants, and the overall decor of the place makes this a gem in the Downtown Crown that shouldn't be missed. The fact that it's incredibly affordable only makes it more precious.

8. Caesars Palace
Here's another example of the options that exist for older hotels with the right amount of money and creativity. Caesars has been around since 1966 but instead of a faded, dusty, out-of-date elephant the billions of dollars spent on the joint have kept it not only competitive but winning. History is honored here but with a package that is just as modern and luxurious as the brand new hotels that are being built.

9. Treasure Island
I still miss the Pirate doo-dads and I still hate the Sirens of TI show out front, but what the new Treasure Island may lack in silly fun it more than makes up for with solid, relatively affordable accommodations, shows, restaurants, and gaming. Throw in a great location and you've got an overall package that deserves a spot on this list.

10. Bally's
Once the largest and most luxurious hotel in the world, Bally's suffers only when you try to compare it to the newer resorts that cost four times as much to stay in. Taken on its own, the simple yet entertaining casino and surprisingly fine rooms conspire to make this my first choice for budget travelers. Yes, the concept of "budget" is much more expensive than it used to be, but if you're looking to save some money without sacrificing comfort this is where you should go.

Vegas4Visitors.com Top 10 Awards: Best Casinos

1. Planet Hollywood
I won a lot of money here, so that immediately makes me like a casino but the appeal of the Planet Hollywood casino goes beyond just a financial one. The soaring ceilings, well laid out floorplan, and plenty of slot and table options makes this a comfortable place to gamble and the visual enhancements (sculptures, wall-coverings, lighting, and staff) liven up the casino experience.

2. Green Valley Ranch
Classy without really having to try, the Green Valley Ranch casino is not the biggest in town but it is absolutely one of the most enjoyable. The lower limits on the slots and table games are welcome and the staff is much friendlier than what you'll find on The Strip. Throw in the unique, multiple progressive player jackpots and you have a really great place to play.

3. Red Rock Resort
The casino at Red Rock Resort is a retro/modern wonder filled with the kind of subtly gorgeous architectural and design details that make a difference. There's a energetic atmosphere to the entire room and more than enough gaming options to keep even the easily bored entertained.

4. Golden Nugget
The Golden Nugget casino used to be the classiest in the Downtown area but had suffered in years from ownership neglect. A recent top to bottom remodel has turned the space into a warm (albeit crowded) den that makes me feel immediately comfortable. Friendly dealers, too.

5. Bally's
Large enough to provide options yet small enough to not overwhelm, the casino at Bally's is the closest you'll get these days to classic Las Vegas without the kind of grunge factor common in older hotels. Sometimes simplicity is its own reward.

6. El Cortez
Everyone loves a Cinderella story and this one is a classic: rundown casino gets some attention and becomes a beauty. The money and attention paid to the El Cortez recently has turned this once smokey pit into a lively and attractive place to play. The revitalization of East Fremont outside makes walking to the place safer too!

7. Main Street Station
Another Downtown winner, Main Street Station makes the cut by placing the emphasis on customer relations, with one of the friendliest staffs in town. The casino is on the small side but there is still plenty to do here and the table game action is fun and pressure free.

8. New York-New York
I never seem to be able to win any actual money here, but the design of the place (almost) makes up for it. Done, like the rest of the hotel, as a tribute to the Big Apple, the casino at New York-New York is a visual feast and the energy is undeniable.

9. Venetian
As one of the biggest casinos on The Strip, The Venetian certainly has a lot to offer in terms of games and areas in which to play them. Yes, table limits are often on the high side of things and parking is a nightmare but the slots are wide ranging and often rewarding (in my experience) so it is often worth the effort.

10. Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Las Vegas wins a spot on this list primarily for its simple layout and visual appeal. The decor is rich without being heavy handed about it and the wide walkways make navigation a snap. Bonus points for this expensive of a hotel having this many low-limit (penny and nickel) slots.

Vegas4Visitors.com Top 10 Awards: Best Restaurants

1. Diablo's Cantina
I have to admit that I struggled with what to put first on this list. For me, the restaurants in the second, third, and fourth spots would actually be my first choices but all of them are located off The Strip and are not exactly what you'd call cheap. Diablo's Cantina on the other hand has a fantastic location right on The Strip at Monte Carlo, fantastic and incredibly affordable Mexican meals, a terrific waitstaff, and a lively atmosphere that includes an outdoor nightclub overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard. It's hard to imagine a more perfect combination and so I'm throwing the gold to Diablo's as the Best Restaurant in Las Vegas. Watch for a full review of Diablo's in the weekly column soon!

2. Hash House A Go Go
The twisted farm food food served here is a wacky delight, with pancakes the size of large pizzas, waffles the size of a chess board, and signature hashes that will make you never want to eat at a breakfast buffet again. The portions at Hash House are enormous, the prices are reasonable for the amount of food you get, and the fresh and finely prepared meals are memorable. Worth the drive.

3. Hannah's
Another one you have to go out of your way to get to, but once you do you'll wonder why you were spending so much time on The Strip anyway. The Asian fusion cuisine at Hannah's is a knockout with a menu that takes days to read, much less pick something from the tempting array. Fantastic service, an whimsically inspired decor, and a cocktail menu that beats most in town turn this neighborhood joint into a must-visit destination.

4. Austins
The best steaks in town, period, end of story. Don't argue with me - your pleadings will fall on deaf ears. Over the years I have sent hundreds of people to Austins through recommendations on this site and every single one of them has come away raving about the finely prepared cuts of beef, the service, and the prices, which are not cheap but are significantly lower than what you'll pay for a similar, inferior meal on The Strip. If you like steak, you owe it to yourself to visit Austins.

5. M&M Soul Food
Awhile back I took a road trip through the American south and experienced some of the best barbecue and down-home cooking in the world. M&M brings that magic touch to the Vegas desert and serves soul food that speaks for itself without needing the fancy decor that most restaurants spend their money on. Cholesterol be damned - go for the gravy smothered fried chicken. Your doctor may not like it, but you will!

6. Company American Bistro
Restaurants created by celebrities make me itch, generally speaking, but Company American Bistro at Luxor does a fantastic job of creating a hip and upscale dining experience without being all snobbish about the whole thing. The menu is American diner delightful, with everything from fine steaks and seafood to chicken and waffles or schnitzel, all done with a flair that makes eating here a special experience. Watch for a full review of Company American Bistro coming soon.

7. The Cupcakery
Yes, yes… technically this is supposed to be a list of the best restaurants and since The Cupcakery only serves cupcakes, I'm stretching the definition of "restaurant" but one bite of the remarkably moist cakes topped with the delectable buttercream frostings will tempt you to skip the main courses elsewhere and go straight for the dessert.

8. Capriotti's
Forget Subway and Quizno’s and head to this local Las Vegas institution, a wonderful Italian deli with sandwiches that will knock your proverbial (or literal) socks off. I have a friend who actually makes me stop at Capriotti's to pick one up for her before I come back to Los Angeles. It’s that good. Throw in the fact that you can get a sandwich big enough for two meals for about $10 and I don’t know what you’re waiting for.

9. Fellini's
Before visiting Fellini's, I always thought that Las Vegas was not very good at doing Italian food. One taste of their remarkable pastas changed my mind about all that and turned this classic, old-world experience into one of my favorites in town.

10. Chocolate Swan
See my note above regarding the definition of restaurants and then go eat some chocolate at The Swan. But not just any chocolate - finely constructed creations that I would place high on the list of the best chocolate in the world.