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Thank you for listening.  We hope you enjoy the show. 

We’re not saying there aren’t greedy people scamming money throughout the local nightlife industry. Au contraire. But Norm Clarke and Robin Leach seem determined to take sides and convince the public that PMG and MGM are the smoking guns at the epicenter of the controversy.

Xania Woodman, incidentally, seems to be fairly neutral on this front, sticking to the facts in her coverage of events. But Norm is using suspect, unnamed sources. While Leach, is throwing a lot of imbalance into his coverage by interjecting way too much personal opinion and disputable information.

Robin started his Tuesday blog on a somewhat factual note, quoting a recently-filed $90 million federal lawsuit accusing MGM promotional marketing partners of using terrorizing tactics and stealing confidential information.

The lawsuit (a story that Xania Woodman actually broke Sunday, praise The Lord) levels the allegations against the promotional marketing partners of MGM Grand’s Studio 54, its Tabu Ultra Lounge, the “opening soon” Wet Republic Pool Club and a nightspot planned to debut this fall on the hotel’s newly planned “club row.”

Leach contends the lawsuit puts the “world-famous DJ Tiesto (pictured) in the center of an epic struggle and our beloved Napkin Nights photo-femmes in a bruising tug-of-war. It even extends outwards to the involvement of major corporations such as Pepsi and Bacardi with the nightclub promotions.”

It’s obvious that Robin is trying hard here. But some of the stuff he reported is just plain wrong. A Pepsi executive who used to work for Mr. Leach tells us that Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiCo are NOT allowed to do promotions that involve alcohol or gaming. Any Pepsico attorney will confirm that in a heartbeat. They only thing they can promote is the shows, hotels, spas and entertainment.

Now, the casino-hotels DO get marketing money on a quarterly basis depending on how much product they sell at the fountain and in 20 ounce bottles. So we’ll forgive Robin his mistakes here. It’s AFTER he lists the facts that he goes seriously astray by taking sides against the defendants in the lawsuit. He describes the allegations against them as “disgraceful and disgusting” as if a jury had already rendered a verdict.

Robin also was quick to mention the federal lawsuit “comes hard on the heels of the IRS raid on Pure nightclub and probes of its sister LAX new hotspot at the Luxor.” Beating PGM over the head with the blame stick once again.

In Norm’s column today he repeats a “Denver friend’s” allegation that an MGM VIP host tried to bilk him out of $300 after agreeing to pay as much as $4,000 for bachelor’s party bottles and tables. Purely gossip with no court documents, receipts or anything to back it up.

Both Norm and Robin get preachy. Robin posits that “the shakedowns must end. The gouging must end. The violence and threats must end.”

Norm suggests the city of Las Vegas sign add an outstretched hand to emphasize the greed of the nightclub profession.

Robin has his heart in the right place. But Norm? I mean, how many free shows, food and drinks has he received over the years? I bet it tallies to a pretty large dollar amount.

Before we start pointing fingers guys, I think we should step back and remember that no one has been convicted yet. So why don’t we wait a bit before we start handing out pitchforks and torches to the mob?

And before you write anything else Norm, I want to ask: What’s in YOUR wallet?

Village Seafood Buffet is now open at The Rio.
Having taken the buffet concept to new heights, the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is set to once again redefine the category with the Village Seafood Buffet’s that is now open. From customizable sushi prepared right in front of the guest to sommeliers available to pair seafood selections with the finest of wines, Village Seafood Buffet is Las Vegas’ only seafood buffet. From freshwater prawns from Indonesia to Pacific salmon, Alaskan king crab, Canadian snow crab, Shrimp from China and slipper tail lobster from Southeast Asia, the Village Seafood Buffet purchases more than 200 tons of fresh seafood annually. “With our year purchase the size that it is, this makes Village Seafood Buffet one of the largest buyers in the world,” says William Becker, vice president of food and beverage, the Rio. Village Seafood Buffet is open daily at 4pm, closing at 10pm. Sunday through Thursday and 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are priced at $97.50, $77.50 and $67.50, not including applicable service charges and taxes and are sold at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, and Macy’s West at the Fashion Show Mall).  Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000.  

Chesney, the three-time and reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, and two-time and current Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, sold more tickets in North America than anyone last year.  He performed in football stadiums, singing the songs that capture the way country fans live their lives, dream their dreams and feel the moments that define them.  He is the only performer who has sold more than 1 million concert tickets for the past six summers consecutively.  His Flip Flop Summer 2007 Tour was the second biggest tour last year only behind legendary rock band The Police and their two-decades-in-the-making Reunion Tour.  

“People don’t realize going from arena to amphitheatre to stadium to amphitheatre keeps you on your game,” laughs Chesney.   The easy-going singer/songwriter enjoyed 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Country Singles chart as an artist and an additional three weeks as a writer.
http://www.casinotravelnews.com

If you've spent any time whatsoever on any Las Vegas related message board, blog or website, you probably know justJoey from his always funny and thoughtful posts about all sorts of Vegas stuff. You probably also may know that _justJoey operates his own blog - VegasLinks - which is a great daily starting point for Vegas freaks looking to surf waves of information they've probably never seen before. Joey is a bonafide Vegas nut, and being one of those nuts who understands that we all make better Vegas decisions when we share our experiences and tips, he has graciously and generously shared a slew of photos from his recent stay in the recently refurbished rooms at Planet Hollywood and some inside information on how to find great rates on the internet.

After spending some time chatting with Joey about his stay at the Planet Hollywood (excerpts of which accompany the photos below) I've come to realize that not only his he one of the most passionate Vegas freaks out there, but he is an expert at digging out the best room rates possible using travel auction sites, most notably Priceline.com . Joey scored this Planet Hollywood room for an unbelievable rate of $45/night. All of the comments related to the room must be tempered with the knowledge that this is an unreal value for the price, despite a few of the short comings in the room.

Along with my commentary and the photos, I've added some excerpts from a conversation I had with Joey via Instant Messenger about his experiences staying at Planet Hollywood.

More here: Note that this article has 9 pages.
http://www.vegastripping.com/features/feature.php?feature_id=133&page=1

The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino - formerly known as Hotel Nevada and Sal Segav (Las Vegas spelled backwards) - celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006. It is the oldest, and some would say the best, hotel and casino in Las Vegas. Built on property purchased at land auction for $1,750, the Golden Gate predates the presence of paved roads in Las Vegas. The first telephone ever installed in Las Vegas was at the Golden Gate - dial 1.

Forty one years after its opening, the newly renamed Golden Gate serves the first shrimp cocktail - striking fear in the hearts of crustaceans everywhere. In 1991, the Golden Gate served its 25 millionth shrimp cocktail.

With such a ringing endorsement of the Golden Gate's cocktail, one might consider trying this Las Vegas delicacy to be a no brainer. True. A price point of 99 cents, on the other hand, makes one question the quality of the shrimp and weigh its virtues with the potential for food poisoning.

I guess there's only one way to find out.

A year after moving here from the East Coast, I’m still getting my Vegas bearings. It takes time. You know it. Unless you were born here — and I rarely meet anyone who was. But maybe I move in the wrong circles. Which I do tend to do. But at my personal one-year mark, it's time to take stock and nail this city down.

You come from outside the piranafishbowl and Vegas is the almighty Strip. It’s neon. It’s smiling blackjack players and showgirls on travel brochures. That’s what you expect. And desert. Just the Strip surrounded by desert where Joe Pesci buries bodies. That’s it. Except you gotta have the hole dug first or else you’re there too long and somebody else comes along and before you know it you gotta dig a couple more holes. Or somethin like that.

Where was I? Vegas. What about Downtown? I think Downtown’s great. It was the embryo. The miners and soldiers and ladies of the night and day had digs there long before the Strip existed. Then the mob came and started throwing up the early Strip casinos and getting everybody to toe the line or else…no toes. So, y’know. That’s your abbreviated history lesson. Pretty sure I got it right. But it seems like not many people here know that much about Vegas history. Downtown? Fremont Street Experience and dirt cheap trinket shops. That’s what a lot of people know. But maybe that’s Vegas.

More here:
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/content/nc/las-vegas-voices/adrian-zupp-blog/blog/article/simply-editorial-9/

His popularity with the ladies became a bit of a problem.

Concerned about safety issues and some inappropriate fondling, the powers-that-be at the new hotel and casino ordered Bodacious to a backroom.

With credit tight and gas at $3.25 a gallon well before summer, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few shows fold their tents and move on.

Instead, Brett Daniels is bringing new afternoon magic to the Sahara. It will be the fifth show at a hotel not known for occupying the hottest corner of the Strip.

A few titles say goodbye but they get replaced — directly or by domino effect: "Fashionistas" leaves the Harmon Theater, so Amazing Johnathan moves in and Roseanne Barr takes his vacated spot at the Sahara. When Society of Seven leaves the Flamingo Las Vegas next month, Nathan Burton takes over and Gordie Brown — who recently closed at The Venetian — goes to the V Theater in Burton's wake.

More from The Las Vegas Review Journal here:
http://www.lvrj.com/living/16724831.html

Wolfgang Puck, who opened his sixth Las Vegas restaurant last week, is aiming for the stars: his first-ever Michelin three-star eatery.

During a stop at our table, I asked him if he's considered doing a dream restaurant to crown his career.

"I'd like to do one with about 45 seats, and make it a three-star," he told me during his VIP opening of CUT Steakhouse at the Palazzo.

It would be Puck's ultimate challenge.

Michelin, the world's most prestigious dining guide, had never published a Los Angeles or Las Vegas version until this year. The only three-star rating awarded to a restaurant in either city went to Joel Robuchon's at the MGM Grand.

Puck's next fine dining frontier is likely to be Singapore, where billionaire Sheldon Adelson, owner of The Venetian and he Palazzo, is building Singapore's first casino on a 50-acre waterfront site near the financial district.
http://www.lvrj.com/

If the widespread tipping shakedowns don't cease at local nightclubs, here's an idea: make room on the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign for a logo showing an outstretched hand.

The upturned palm, unfortunately, is the image too many tourists take home these days after being hassled for tips at every turn.

Even with all the horror stories and recent media criticism, the greedy practice continues.

A Denver friend, while coordinating a bachelor party for 18 the past few weeks, made lodging reservations at the MGM Grand's Signature luxury towers.

Partying at nearby Studio 54 in the MGM Grand made sense geographically, my source said.

But after getting set up with VIP tables and bottle service at an estimated cost of $3,000-$4,000, my friend said, the VIP host requested a final add-on: a $300 cash payment was expected at the door "to make sure you get a good table."

My friend bitterly backed out this week and took the party elsewhere, where there was no mention of palm-greasing expectations at the front door.

Which begs the question: Didn't hotels get rid of the maitre 'd showroom tipping system years ago because it was so off-putting?

Hospitality, long the foundation of the Las Vegas experience, has been replaced by soaking the customer in every imaginable way.

Add a teetering economy to the shakedown scandal and surfacing cases of excessive violence and an argument could be made that Las Vegas is at a tipping point.

I called Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, for his take.

"We are concerned about the overall experience people have in Las Vegas," he said. "We need to have customers come back."
http://www.lvrj.com/news/16810141.html

By HOWARD STUTZ/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Luxor is picking up two nongaming attractions from the Tropicana.

Atlanta-based Premier Exhibitions announced Tuesday it signed a 10-year agreement with the Luxor to covert 50,000 square feet of the resort's atrium level into exhibition space for "Bodies … The Exhibition" and "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition." Both shows are now on display at the Tropicana. No dates were announced as to when the shows would be relocated.

Since last year, MGM Mirage, which owns Luxor, has been renovating the pyramid-themed resort named for the historic Egyptian city, adding several restaurants and nightclubs. Luxor President Felix Rappaport said last year the atrium level would also be remodeled.

MGM Mirage spokeswoman Jenn Michaels said Premier will remove the King Tut exhibit, the IMAX theater and the arcade to clear the atrium level for the two attractions. She said work on the area was expected to begin next month.

In a statement, Premier Exhibitions said the Titanic exhibit would include one themed bar and restaurant and a reconstruction of Titanic's bow which will use a moving lifeboat for guests to gain access to the location. Gift shops will also be included in the space.

Premier said it expects the exhibitions to open sometime this year.
http://www.lvrj.com/business/16810056.html

By: Carla J. Zvosec/Las Vegas Magazine

Although he fronted two bands in the late '80s, it wasn't until gifted Texan Terry Fator took the stage of America's Got Talent and became the season two winner of the popular NBC television show that he really gained notoriety. Showcasing his amazing impersonation-ventriloquism abilities before the nation, Fator not only walked away with first place on the show, he ended up scoring a stint at the Las Vegas Hilton for at least 15 shows during 2008, so be sure to catch him when he springs his "magic" on audiences, March 28-30. Fator chatted with Carla J. Zvosec about why he's excited to come to Vegas.

24-hour town.
How can you not love a place that has something for you to do even when you wake up at 3 a.m. and can't sleep? I like to head down to the casino and play a little craps. It's so much fun when I'm alone at the table and can joke around with the dealers.

Late-night breakfast at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon.
Gone are the days of $1.99 ham, steak and egg specials, but for us late-night Vegas visitors, Bill's sends up the best. The toast is swimming with butter, and the cooked-to-order eggs are perfectly done just the way you want them. A real treat in the wee hours of the morning.

Fat Burger, In-N-Out Burger.
I know, these aren't Vegas exclusives, but for a Texas boy who had never heard of either, these burger joints quickly became one of my favorite reasons to visit this awesome city. They both do burgers right!

A romantic suite at the Hilton.
For years, my wife and I have gone once a year and gotten a suite (twice the size of our first apartment), had champagne and strawberries sent up to the room and floated away on the strawberry bubbles.

Lon Bronson All-Star Band.
A group of the most talented musicians in Vegas who get together to jam late-night at the casinos. They bounce around from room to room, so you may have to do a little sleuthing, but the time spent will be rewarded with one of the most amazing evenings of music you'll ever have!

Fountains of Bellagio.
For free entertainment, the best in my opinion is, without a doubt, the fountains at the Bellagio. The first time I saw the fountains go off to the music of "Hoe- Down" by Aaron Copland, I almost wept it was so beautiful. Truly spectacular!

Ronn Lucas at the Luxor.
He was the single most influential ventriloquist from my childhood. After seeing him perform, I realized just how much I needed to practice in order to reach his level of professionalism. You'll be amazed!

Yellow Brick Road.
Recently my manager took me to Boulder Station to see a band called Yellow Brick Road. If you love classic rock, then these guys are for you. An absolutely awesome experience for rock lovers like my wife and me!

TJ's Steakhouse at the Las Vegas Hilton.
While the steaks are top-rate, the side items are to die for. Definitely try out the Truffle Mac & Cheese and the fresh-cut potato chips. You'll love the food, the atmosphere is very romantic and the service is fantastic.

Star Trek: The Experience.
I know I'm a geek, but who couldn't love a place filled with Star Trek memorabilia and trivia, awesome motion simulator rides and even a Star Trek-themed restaurant!
http://www.lasvegasmagazine.com

With the proposed $40 million purchase of ambitious American artworks to be installed at the new MGM City Center project the old-time tackiness of our great playground finally gives way to a new classy Vegas. It’s one more dynamic face-change for the Strip in a series of multi-billion$ of ongoing advances and improvements that will surely rank it as one of the wonders of the world.

In the art world Maya Lin, Henry Moore, Richard Long, Claes Oldenbeurg are as important as Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Cher and Elton John are to our world. The artistic change in Vegas began with hotel tycoon Steve Wynn’s gallery for Monet and Renoir and was quickly followed by Sheldon Adelson’s branch of the world-famous Guggenheim Hermitage museum at his Venetian resort. Now the new City Center art works will be on display both inside and out the giant sprawling 65-acre $8-billion resort going up center-strip at an incredible pace. Vietnam Veterans Memorial sculptress Maya Lin is creating a 130-foot silver version of the Colorado River for the main lobby check-in area at a cost of $3-million alone! One massive marble statue alone is costing $7-million, three pieces of pop-art and a 245-foot LED ‘snake’ will highlight the entryway of the new Harmon condo-tel and a giant 85-foot by 65-foot ‘big boat’ sculpture will be placed in the park area!

By: Richard N. Velotta/Las Vegas Sun

Allegiant Air doesn’t advertise much in Las Vegas, but it climbed to become the seventh-busiest commercial air carrier at McCarran International Airport last year.

Now, with very little expense, the Las Vegas-based airline will get its name in front of thousands of tourists. Through an agreement believed to be the first between an airline and an entertainment company, Allegiant and Blue Man Group will use each other’s turf to broaden their brands.

The entertainers’ blue mugs will appear on the side of Allegiant’s twin-engine MD-80 jets and their blue handprints will be all over the overhead luggage bins. Cups and napkins will have blue men on them and flight attendants will sell show tickets on Vegas-bound flights.

More from The Las Vegas Sun here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/mar/21/blue-man-group-taking-flight/

By: Richard N. Velotta/Las Vegas Sun

Nevada casinos are moving toward new technology that will allow
managers to change the look, price and take of slot machines from a central computer. But before converting, the industry needs to convince gamblers the new system won’t cheat them by allowing a central office to snatch away looming jackpots at the last minute.

For the millions of people who play slots, the notion that somebody in a back room could change something about their machine without their knowing it could be a confidence killer for the integrity of the game.

“The player perception is, ‘They changed the game just as I was getting ready to win a jackpot,’?” said Faisal Khan, a technical compliance manager with New Jersey-based Gaming Laboratories International.

More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/feb/17/dont-worry-your-slot-bets-are-still-safe/

I presume the Saturday show is similar to what we saw in preview, and if so it's well worth attending. A member of the cast comes out and explains what is going to happen, then asks for a bunch of various things such as: name a song… what would you say to your boss… name a Broadway play… name a crime movie. I think you get the idea. Then he (or she) calls out the cast (this evening they used three members) and they begin to improv. They have a premise of where to start and then the rest is determined by the little pieces of paper tossed randomly on the stage (the audience words), when he or she picks one up, it can completely turn the conversation around: Say they are discussing a divorce and she picks up a paper and it says "Take This Job and Shove it." Right away she says I quit my job this morning and they're off and running. Each piece will change the subject. It's pretty clever and the brief preview we got to see I really enjoyed.

The scripted show, which is presented nightly at 8 p.m. (except Wednesday) with additional 10 p.m. shows on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, is a showcase of each member of the cast and their respective talents. The current cast of The Second City - Las Vegas includes Rob Belushi (who just happens to be the son of Jim Belushi), Michael Lehrer and Robyn Norris (veterans of Second City touring company). Katie Neff is in her second show at the Flamingo, and Paul Mattingly is a graduate of The Second City Training Center in Las Vegas.

Belushi follows in some big footsteps, what with his famous father and his equally famous uncle, John Belushi who died in 1982. The 26-year-old standup comedian does not disappoint either. Jim joined the cast of The Second City in Chicago in 1977 and honed his skills for the next three years - and it appears that his son will be honing his skills here in Las Vegas.

For a fun evening at a reasonable price I would say take in The Second City Improv show at the Flamingo Hotel. For reservations call (702)733-3333.
http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/norm/index.htm