So here I am really just a normal, regular guy who likes to read books about batteries, history and mathematical equations. Everyone wants to know what it’s like to be famous, how did it happen, what’s it like to be a Pawn Stars star, what is better now, how has it changed my life, so I thought I would give it to you.

In the beginning, we were a small, family-run pawnshop on Las Vegas Boulevard toward downtown, and every so often, someone would do a story. It would run in L.A. or some place out of market, and our business and visitors would increase.

So with all the reality stuff on TV, I decided that I wanted to check out the possibility of someone doing a show on my family and our pawnshop to help drum up some extra business. We talked to many production companies over a few years, and their concepts never really caught.

Then here comes this company out of NYC, Leftfield Pictures, and they were no-nonsense, East Coast mentality, and their vision was the same as mine. So we decided to work with them, and they sold the idea to The History channel. And as they say, “the rest is history.”

Did we ever think so many people would like the show? No! And I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. However, please know that I recognize the sacrifices that come with the rewards, as we are fortunate to have millions of viewers and so many fans that they want to get a chance to say hi and shake your hand. That means a lot to me, so I try and always make time for them.

One of the best parts of my job is that I enjoy meeting folks who have overcome the odds to succeed and survive, whether or not they are famous. They inspire me.

I know this isn’t indefinite. I want to make smart choices and make the most of the unbelievable and amazing gift I have been given with this show. I know I am lucky. I guess that is what I was hoping for back in the ’80s when I moved to Las Vegas, a town where Lady Luck is a good friend to have on your side.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/22/rick-harrison-empawn-starsem-isnt-taking-success-g/

Reva Rice appreciates the irony. She’s singing in the new “Vegas! The Show,” which celebrates the good old days. But she was there for the birth of the new Vegas.

Rice was straight from Broadway when she opened “Starlight Express” at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1993. The show ran four years but is more or less forgotten now. Cirque du Soleil’s “Mystere” opened at almost the same time, and it’s considered the watershed point when Vegas entertainment switched from past to present.

Being the Beatle of wicked humor, John Lennon might have liked the idea of an impersonator flanked by dancing girls in a Vegas tribute 30 years after his death.

Who’s to say? But this is for sure: You can’t watch a John Lennon show and not walk away with a love-thy-impersonator tolerance. So if this must be a year of stand-up comedy and tribute shows, let us not waste good karma protesting the very existence of “Just Imagine” in a big, nice theater at Planet Hollywood worthy of a more ambitious production.

More from The Las Vegas Review Journal here:

http://www.lvrj.com/neon/-just-imagine–98587479.html

Another Strip Hotel Bankruptcy. BY: Rick Garman.

While things may be looking up for some of the big Strip casino operators, it apparently hasn’t trickled down to the smaller guys. Last week the parent company of The Riviera filed for bankruptcy, which is not actually all that novel of a concept for them – it’s their third in the last thirty years.

The Chapter 11 filing will allow them to keep the doors of the hotel open and as far as most customers are concerned it should be business as usual.

The Riviera opened in 1955 and for years was one of the most luxurious properties on The Strip. But times have not been kind to the hotel over the last decade or two and it has not gotten the kind of upgrading and remodeling that other classic casinos have gotten.

South Point Expansion Unveiled. BY: Rick Garman..

It looks like the South Point is angling to become the biggest in more ways than one. It is already the biggest locals hotel in terms of the number of rooms, with over 2,000 in its inventory. Now an expansion on the main floor is pushing the square-footage closer to crown for locals casinos around town.

A 55,000 square-foot addition to the casino had its first look last week with room for more than 600 slot and video poker machines plus a redesigned race and sports book, a new keno room, and a new lounge. Work will continue on the expansion into the fall when two new restaurants will be added – a Japanese sushi place and an outlet of an old favorite Steak ‘n Shake.

Adding all that room to the casino makes it one of the biggest for locals properties (read: hotels that aren’t on The Strip or Downtown). But it still isn’t THE biggest. That honor still goes to Sam’s Town over on Boulder Highway.

Favorite Things to Eat in Vegas. BY Rick Garman.

Every December I do a series of “Best” lists, giving you my picks for the best hotels, restaurants, shows, attractions, and more for the year. My choices for these lists excel in every aspect of what they do, so if we’re talking about a restaurant it will usually have across-the-board good food, exemplary service, a good dining atmosphere, and prices that make you feel like you are getting your money’s worth.

But the following list gets much more specific in the dining category: my favorite things to eat, regardless of all the rest of that stuff. Granted, many of the restaurants that serve these dishes will probably wind up in the year-end Best Of list, but here it’s the food that trumps all other considerations. Maybe I’m just hungry. Maybe you will be too by the time you finish reading.

Warning: if you’re on a diet, absolutely nothing on this list is for you.

Filet at Austins Steakhouse
There is still lots to love about this local’s favorite but it is always the filet that I return to every time. It’s so tender you can practically cut it with a fork and so flavorful that you don’t need any sauces or dressings to amp up the taste.

Cadillac Nachos at Cabo Wabo Cantina
The problem with nachos, often, is that you have a layer of all the good stuff and then lots of layers of chips underneath it, which means that you often run out of the sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, and the like long before you ever get to the to the bottom of the plate. Cabo Wabo solves this by individually loading each chip with zesty meat and all the other fixings.

Ham and Cheese at Capriotti’s
Sandwiches don’t get any better than these and although there are plenty of more adventurous options, I always go with the traditional ham and cheese. The Italian bread sets off the juicy ham perfectly, turning it into a flavor sensation that will ruin all other sandwiches for you forever.

Oh My Gosh Ganache at The Cupcakery
Picking a favorite cupcake at this place is definitely a “Sophie’s Choice” experience, but the one I get every time I visit is the Oh My Gosh Ganache. It’s an insanely moist white cake with a big hunk of chocolate ganache baked inside and then topped with chocolate buttercream frosting. Need I say more?

Pork Green Chili at Gilley’s
I’m kind of picky about chili especially since I don’t like beans, so it’s difficult to find a truly exceptional version that meets my criteria. This dish at Gilley’s not only meets them, it beats them with tender chunks of pork and not-too-spicy poblano chiles. There’s a reason why it won a chili cookoff award.

Bacon Waffle at Hash House a Go Go
The mad geniuses at Hash House took a waffle, roughly the size of a checkerboard, and then baked gigantic strips of bacon right into. Of all the inventions throughout time including electricity, this one is actually more significant as far as I’m concerned.

Smothered Fried Chicken at M&M Soul Food
Lightly spicy and very juicy southern style fried chicken covered in a smooth brown gravy. Told you there was nothing on this list for people watching their weight.

Pulled Pork Sandwich at Memphis Championship Barbecue
Barbecue is like a religion to some, with all sorts of variations from sweet to vinegar. The tender pulled pork (as a sandwich or by itself) at Memphis Championship is like a favorite hymn that everyone wants to sing.

The Planet Hollywood Dog at Pink’s
The famed Pink’s hot dogs came from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and added a bunch of Sin City specials, including this one – a Polish sausage smothered in grilled onions, bacon, and cheese all piled so high that you need a fork to clean up the mess after you’ve polished off the dog.

Bacon Wrapped Tomato at Raku Grill
There are dozens of fantastic skewers available at this Japanese grill but the one that keeps popping back into my brain when I think about the place is relatively simple: a sweet, cool, cherry tomato wrapped in sizzling, wood-smoked bacon providing a taste combo that both surprises and delights.

Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3
Yes, the hype is justified. Basically a hot-chocolate flavored milkshake/sundae, this sweet concontion is the perfect antidote to the Vegas heat. Great for sharing too!

Prosciutto Appetizer at Sinatra
There’s a lot of pork based products on this list (which shouldn’t be surprising for those who know me well), but this is the Rolls Royce of them. Delicate and almost sweet, set off by fire roasted peppers, this prosciutto is simply the best.

Meatball Trio at Sirio
This appetizer dish could pass as a meal if you wanted and why not? This triple threat includes meatballs of veal in a sweet tomato and onion compote, lamb over braised lentils, and duck in wild mushrooms. share around the table and vote on which one you think is best – it’ll probably not get solved before dessert comes.

The Carvery at Todd English P.U.B.
For a fixed price you get your choice of about a dozen different meats (from prime beef to salmon), half-a-dozen breads (sourdough to pita), and multiple sauces (horseradish to blue cheese), which you can then mix and match to create the sandwich of your dreams.

Rumor of the Week: Bye Bye Bill’s? BY: Rick Garman.

You may remember Robin Leach as the guy who told tales of champagne wishes and caviar dreams on the syndicated “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” but these days he specializes in the rich and famous of Las Vegas on his site VegasDeluxe.com. He’s pretty well connected (certainly more than I am), which is why I’m giving a lot of credence to the story he put on his site about the future of Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall.

According to Mr. Leach, a deal is going to be announced “anyminutenow” that will turn the property over to a major nightclub operator who plans to do a top to bottom remodel and rebranding. The goal is to transform the hotel into a hip party spot with stylish, boutique accommodations, a sleek and modern salon type casino, and several upscale dining and drinking venues. Leach says he knows who the nightclub impresarios are but he’s not saying yet.

Although I’m not, in general, a fan of the Vegas nightlife scene, I do have to say that Bill’s definitely needs help. The place is way past its prime and has gotten several bum reviews lately.

Updated Hotel Review: Paris Las Vegas. BY Rick Garman.

Paris was one of the few hotels that opened in the late ’90s that could be described as “instant hit.” While many of the other mega-resorts stumbled out of the gate and took awhile to catch on (Venetian), Paris was immediately popular with just about everyone, including myself.

The concept is nothing new: take a scenic city, country, or locale and recreate it in the Nevada desert. It’s been done with Rome, New York, Venice, Egypt, New Orleans, and on and on. But from the massive Eiffel Tower replica to the cute little tins that the soap comes in, this place stands above the pack with nice touches and inspiring detail.

Of course the centerpiece of Paris is the Eiffel Tower replica, soaring some 50 stories above The Strip. As you pull in to the main drive you are greeted by a row of fountains leading to a faithful replica of the Arc de Triomphe. Since it is one of the few themed casinos in town that has retained its theme (I’m looking at you Luxor and New York-New York) I have to give them extra credit.

The casino area is surrounded by a Parisian village façade so you feel as though you are wasting your money in a park in the heart of the city. The ceiling is even painted to resemble the sky, lending to the feeling of openness. The turn of the century setting lends an air of romance and elegance that are probably missing from the real city at the turn of the millennium. When you come here you have to take some time to notice the little things like the ornate cherub statuettes holding up the light posts. Also notice the big things like the legs of the Eiffel Tower, which extend into the casino through the roof. They built the tower first and then built the casino around it.

Once you register in the ornate white marble lobby, it’s a short walk alongside the casino to the elevators. Standard rooms are not the biggest in town and compared to more modern affairs they are starting to feel a little frumpy (floral bedspreads? Really?). But they are more than adequate with one king or two queen beds, a couple of chairs, a writing desk, alarm clocks, high-speed Internet, irons and boards, and an armoire with a big TV featuring pay-per-view movies and other online services. The bathrooms are average size with lots of marble, hair dryers, and your typical bath amenities.

The up-market Red Rooms jazz up the furnishings with lots of purple tones. No, I’m just kidding. Red is the theme from the padded oversized headboards to the throws, drapes, and accent pillows. Funky suede lip-shaped couches are a fun touch.

Back downstairs you’ll find a host of entertainment and dining options scattered around the casino and through the French village themed shopping arcade plus a nightclub and a showroom. Check the related reviews below for a few of the things you can do at Paris.

There’s also a pool and spa on the roof above the casino. It’s a little too plain and expansive for my tastes but there is something about sipping a cocktail on a lounge chair at the base of the Eiffel Tower that is undeniably appealing.

Oh and of course there’s the Eiffel Tower itself. If you can handle the stomach churning ride in the glass elevators up to the top of the thing you won’t find a better close-up view of The Strip anywhere in town. It’s also a great vantage point from which to watch the Bellagio Fountain Show across the street.

The staff is required to say “Merci” and “Bonjour” all the time, which at first seems silly and affected – especially when you hear Myrna from Little Rock saying it to you at the sundry store. But after a few times it becomes charming and part of the fun. Everyone here in my experience has been friendly, attentive, and forgiving of people who lock themselves out of their hotel rooms. Thank you Paris security.

In terms of price, this has become a medium-tier hotel – cheaper than your Venetians and Wynns but usually more than other themed places like Excalibur and Luxor.

It’s hard to imagine using the word “charming” to describe a 3,000-room mega-resort on the Las Vegas Strip but I’m going to – Paris is a charming hotel and still one of my favorites in town.

Updated Hotel Review: Harrah’s Las Vegas. BY: Rick Garman

Over the years, Harrah’s has gone from being an “also ran” to a “contender” and now somewhere in between. To be sure, the place as it is these days is a tremendous improvement over what it used to be but it has a hard time competing against its grander and gaudier neighbors. It’s somewhere in the middle, but maybe there’s something to be said for striking a happy medium. Harrah’s has a fun carnival in Rio feeling that manages to be both upscale and whimsical at the same time. For every bit of marble you have a touch of humor that seems to say,”Relax, it’s just Vegas! We aren’t taking this too seriously and neither should you.”

The casino is very large and has all sorts of festive touches like fiber-optic fireworks explosions in the ceiling and confetti pattern carpeting. There are parts of it that are a little cramped but I forgive them primarily because I often win money when I gamble at Harrah’s. That will make you forgive a lot.

They offer up all of the usual slot, video poker, and gaming action plus their trademark “party pits” that throw in some pretty women for you to look at when the cards aren’t holding your attention. Also of note is the Sports Pit, a sports book with gaming tables and food service all baked into one tidy package. If they could just find a way for you to not have to get up to go to the bathroom, you’d never need to leave.

The rooms in the two main towers are spacious and comfortable, each with an extra triangle of space at the end for a sitting area. The furnishings are simple and modern and there is not a single trace of the “party” theme that you see downstairs – a blessing when you think about it but it does make the rooms a little bland.

Updated bedding and carpets are a welcome touch, but it’s nothing you can’t find in your nicer chain hotel. Amenities include mini-bars, high-speed Internet, irons and boards, and some rooms have coffee makers and flat screen TVs. It’s all very well-maintained, clean, and comfortable.

As you expect in a place this big there are several restaurants, several bars, a giant pool, a simple but satisfying healthclub/spa, some shops, and a few shows. Check the related reviews on the Harrah’s page for more information.

Outside you’ll find the Carnaval Court shopping and entertainment area, complete with an outdoor bar/nightclub and a bunch of vendors selling everything from t-shirts to souvenir mugs.

Improving the level of service has been high on the to-do list for all Harrah’s properties and it shows here. Everyone I dealt with was friendly, attentive, and eager to help. That makes a big difference.

Prices are often all over the map and sometimes too high for the product they offer here. But when rates are reasonable, this is one of those safe-bet hotels that will offer you a dependable, comfortable, middle of the road experience every time. Like I said, there’s something to be said for striking a happy medium.

Magician Nathan Burton’s hectic life as a bi-coastal headliner. BY: Nathan Burton/Las Vegas Sun.

 

 SHOW REVIEW: Greg London’s Icons.

Likable London puts on a well-assembled impressionist showcase. BY: Mike Weatherford/Las Vegas Review Journal.