John Katsilometes

Story Archive

In the shadows of Shadow Creek: ‘There’s no cleavage here’
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Shadow Creek might not be as sexy as a showgirl with a low-plunging gown, but she’s got curves. She’s gorgeous, not garish, more Pebble Beach than “Peepshow.” She’s Vegas, but not exactly Vegas.
Dr. Feelbad? Vince Neil goes away mad at the Las Vegas Hilton
Friday, March 25, 2011
The arm gave him away. All those tattoos. A forearm stained almost totally in ink. It was the arm of Vince Neil. The extended right index finger, also, was of Vince Neil. And that unmistakably high-pitched voice, of course, was that of Vince Neil.
Popular radio personality Scotty O'Neil collapses, dies onstage during Bono show at South Point
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Lorraine Hunt-Bono says nothing seemed amiss as she met with her husband, Dennis Bono, and Scotty O'Neil before today's broadcast from South Point Showroom.
She was a worldwide superstar, but Elizabeth Taylor was first and foremost an actress
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Elizabeth Taylor made news away from the screen for her personal life, including two rocky marriages to Richard Burton, but film scholars also will remember her grace and versatility onscreen.
On the dial: Human Nature's days with Michael Jackson; Hal Sparks recalls 'Queer As Folk'
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Midway through the March 11 episode of "Kats With the Dish," Human Nature sings something remarkable.
At The Mob Museum: A dead mobster, a barber chair -- and a mini-controversy
Monday, March 21, 2011
Readers have adamantly claimed that the infamous barber chair in which mobster Albert Anastasia was shot and killed and the chair to be displayed at The Mob Museum are not the same. But they are, city of Las Vegas officials say. They do look different, with the new chair’s footrest appearing to show a flat metal surface. The old photo shows the footrest as padded.
Transmission from MGM Grand: This is your dad's Bon Jovi
Monday, March 21, 2011
Jon Bon Jovi reminded the audience where they were and when they were there. The audience roared its approval.
In the face of driving concerns, Vince Neil says not to worry
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Vince Neil was released from house arrest March 8; how he's been getting around since has been a point of concern.
Strickland rides 'roller coaster' to birth mother on 'Holly's World'
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Josh Strickland was given up in a closed adoption upon birth in October 1983. This Sunday and next on "Holly's World," he finds his birth mother.
For UNLV students, Bon Jovi hosts its own school of rock
Thursday, March 17, 2011
A handful of UNLV students gets a chance to check out Bon Jovi's stage setup before Saturday's show at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
With a shot of 'Absinthe,' Caesars Palace goes with a throwback
Thursday, March 17, 2011
"Absinthe" is a production by Spiegelworld at Caesars Palace's Roman Plaza at the front of the hotel. It's a circus, in many ways, but it's not for the kids. This is a partnership between BASE Entertainment and Spiegelworld. BASE produces some of the city’s top productions.
Notes! Celine's economic impact 'coincidental,' Gottfried quacks up, Shenandoah welcomes a wallaby
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Celine Dion says if Caesars Palace does well during her run at the Colosseum, "I've done my job."
Celine Dion, the tie that binds, makes a resounding return to Caesars Palace
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Celine Dion opened with Journey and closed with her ode to "Titanic." In between was a splash of great staging and Dion's own flawless voice.
At 85, Jerry Lewis remains a true Las Vegan
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
It is mid-October, and it is smooth sailing for Jerry Lewis as he lounges in his home-away-from-home, the yacht Sam’s Place, docked in the San Diego marina. The craft is named for his wife of 32 years, SanDee. “Sam” is a catchy nickname. She was with Lewis for the entire MDA Labor Day Telethon, when Lewis nearly collapsed at the end of the show.
Under-renovation Tropicana gears up for the Knight life
Monday, March 14, 2011
Gladys Knight will perform a multi-month engagement at the newly named Gladys Knight Theater at Tropicana beginning April 5.
Newsweek: Don't count on Celine alone to save the city
Monday, March 14, 2011
In an often numbing account of our city's financial plight, Newsweek gives Celine Dion credit for bringing in millions -- but, as an analyst says, she's really just replacing Cher. The Newsweek story reminds a national audience that Las Vegas suffers from the highest unemployment rate among large cities, and Strip resorts have lost more than $6 million over two years.
At the end, 59-year-old Sahara isn't a hint of what it once was
Friday, March 11, 2011
There was a time when the Sahara was indeed a jewel in the desert, but today it's where a big burrito is king and guests bring their own food. It was once the home of Jerry Lewis, Buddy Hackett, Johnny Carson and countless other comedy legends.
Palms and MTV keep that edge with Spring Break showcase
Thursday, March 10, 2011
MTV Spring Break 2011 has wrapped at the Palms, and aside from a housekeeping staff put to the test by highly stressed rooms, the event was a smash.
Artistically, and in fact, Celine is speaking Jackson's language
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Fans have been wondering what is the connection between Celine Dion and Michael Jackson. She's been explaining that link in rehearsal performances at the Colosseum.
Albert Anastasia’s death was a really bad hair day
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
When you see the lifeless, bloodstained body of Albert Anastasia folded in the fetal position on the floor next to a barber chair, it’s difficult to claim The Mob Museum is glorifying mobsters. Just ask Anastasia, aka “Lord High Executioner,” about that. Or not.
After 'Celebrity Apprentice' firing, David Cassidy says, 'Do I stab this guy in the back? That's not me'
Monday, March 7, 2011
David Cassidy is used to working in an ensemble with a shared goal. In his one-off appearance on "Celebrity Apprentice," he worked in an ensemble run by a true reality TV show pro -- and was fired.
NASCAR postmortem: Fans are about as tough as the competitors
Monday, March 7, 2011
Superspeedway events, even at such state-of-the-art facilities as Las Vegas Motor Speedway, require concessions to convenience. That is true, even, at the concessions.
Carrot Top recalls flight of fancy with Jay Leno and mulls ditching the props
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Carrot Top has been a headliner at Luxor for more than five years and has performed in Las Vegas for more than 15. He says he refuses to be complacent.
It's Miss Arkansas, Rosie ... and a dog ... in rare show at Fator Theater
Friday, March 4, 2011
Alyse Eady was one step away from winning Miss America, but she's still working a Miss America-style schedule as she appears at The Mirage tonight and Saturday.
Tropicana’s Mob Experience preview offers a variety of experiences
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
“It’s an incredible feeling, to look back at how this started and to see it now,” Jay Bloom said this afternoon as the Mob Experience opened for previews at the Tropicana.
Sheen-Morgan, Jacobs-Neil: A study in celeb interviews
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Charlie Sheen proved a comic, if sad, interview subject for Piers Morgan on CNN. On the same night, Vince Neil took questions from Alicia Jacobs, the entertainment reporter from Channel 3 and -- also -- his girlfriend.
'Triumph ...' was not exactly that at the Las Vegas Hilton
Monday, Feb. 28, 2011
'Triumph ..' was promoted as both a throwback and futuristic production. It was neither, as it announced today that it is closing.
Battered from the slopes, Ruvo slaloms through another Power of Love gala
Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011
Even with a broken wing, Larry Ruvo soared in Saturday night's Keep Memory Alive Power of Love gala at Bellagio to benefit the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
'Friending' a new social network
Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011
In the age of social media, we're surrounded by "friends" we never meet in person. Are we better or worse off?
Vince Neil moves from the Big House to his own
Friday, Feb. 25, 2011
Vince Neil was sentenced to serve 15 days in Clark County Detention Center when booked on Feb. 15, but was released after spending 10 days behind bars.
Nick Cannon speaks of twins, his marriage to Mariah and the dustup with Chelsea Handler
Friday, Feb. 25, 2011
Nick Cannon is just 30 years old but has been an active performer for 22 years. He appears March 5 at Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms.
One Giancana out, another in, as Mob Experience shoots for Tuesday opening
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
Antoinette Giancana was once one of the family members paid to promote the Mob Experience. Now her son is taking over, as the "Mafia Princess" is going after the Experience with a lawsuit.
In one-man show, storyteller Larry King has Mirage by the tale
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011
Larry King talked of his appearance at The Mirage last month, but it wasn't until this week that it was confirmed.
Vince Neil: Motley Crue world tour tops post-jail agenda
Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011
In an appearance with his girlfriend, Alicia Jacobs, Motley Crue vocalist Vince Neil says he accepts his "harsh" jail sentence on DUI charges and is looking forward to Motley Crue's upcoming world tour.
HBO's 'Runnin' Rebels of UNLV' effectively captures a moment in time
Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011
"The Runnin' Rebels of UNLV," a balanced account of Jerry Tarkanian's basketball program, debuts on HBO on March 12.
Is he here to save the day? Brad Garrett says no, but don't be so sure
Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011
During his appearance last week on "Kats With the Dish," Brad Garrett decried the competitive climate for stand-up comics in Las Vegas. He decried other subjects, too.
At Caesars Palace, Celine Dion is worth the wait
Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011
They say good things come to those who wait. “They” in this instance would be Caesars Entertainment and AEG Live/Concerts West officials. The “good thing” is the new show fronted by Celine Dion.
Somebody told me Flowers, Romney had lunch at the Palm
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011
Mitt Romney and Brandon Flowers had lunch at the Palm at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. It was a private lunch, so Flowers has nothing to say to the media about it.
Las Vegas Rocks Cafe closes at Neonopolis, and we're surprised ... why, exactly?
Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011
Tony Sacca and Josette Le Blond made a noble effort to make Las Vegas Rocks Cafe a success, but an absence of air conditioning doomed the restaurant and entertainment venue.
Usher's Grammy victory for 'Raymond v. Raymond' emerged from Studio at the Palms
Monday, Feb. 14, 2011
Usher's triumph in the Best Contemporary R&B Album was among a half-dozen nominations for music recorded at the Palms' state-of-the-art studio.
A true Mob Experience: Bloom cuts loose Giancana
Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011
As the daughter of Sam "Momo" Giancana, Antoinette Giancana is one of the more famous figures in the history of organized crime. But she has run afoul of officials with The Mob Experience.
Jabbawockeez sign on through November at Monte Carlo
Friday, Feb. 11, 2011
The future of Jabbawockeez at Monte Carlo has been specified, as the dance troupe has signed on through November at the hotel.
Rao's, and Las Vegas, loses some of its joy with the passing of Bubbles
Friday, Feb. 11, 2011
Robert "Bubbles" Ubriaco was a familiar figure, and a true character, at Rao's at Caesars Palace.
By the time Blue Man Group opens at Monte Carlo, Jabbawockeez will be long gone
Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011
Blue Man Group is set to take over at Monte Carlo in fall 2012, and Jabbawockeez are ending a 6-month contract in March. You do the math.
Blue Man Group moving to Monte Carlo from The Venetian in 2012
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011
Blue Man Group opened at Luxor in 2000 and moved to The Venetian five years later. They are set to open at Monte Carlo in 2012.
Goodman's Packer windfall, rock star Vince and other weekend haps
Monday, Feb. 7, 2011
Mayor Oscar Goodman could have hedged his 9-to-1 ticket on the Packers to win the Super Bowl. He declined. And he won.
Before he was a Green Bay Packer, Aaron Rodgers was a PV Viking
Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011
Aaron Rodgers is a 2002 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School, which likely means nothing to you, but means a lot to me.
When 300 Super Bowl props are not enough, we list even more
Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011
Would you bet that the number of total yards in Super Bowl XLV would surpass the total number of rooms at Palms Place? At this online sports book, you can!
It's Carolyn's campaign, but the Goodmans are in this together
Friday, Feb. 4, 2011
Carolyn Goodman says she made the decision to run for mayor overnight Tuesday and told her husband Wednesday morning. He concurs.
New show 'Kats With the Dish' takes shape with Holly Madison
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011
Holly Madison enlivens the airways Friday during the debut episode of "Kats With the Dish," a new radio show on KUNV 91.5-FM co-hosted by Tricia McCrone and I.