Columnist Kate Maddox: Geeser latest to sign off on KTNV

Kate Maddox

Friday, Aug. 10, 2001 | 4:24 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column also appears Tuesdays and Fridays in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Add Michael Geeser to the casualty list at KTNV Channel 13. Geeser, an award-winning reporter and weekend anchor at the station, will sit at his post for the last time today during the 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts.

Since spring at least eight on-air personalities at KTNV reportedly were demoted or let go.

Geeser was recently told by executives at the station that he would be taken off the weekend anchor desk, but that a reporting position would be available to him, along with a three-year contract, should he choose to remain with News 13.

However, after taking a little time to consider his options, Geeser was told the reporter post was no longer guaranteed. When asked why the offer had been rescinded, station brass apparently informed Geeser that he had taken too much time to determine what he wanted to do with his career.

As in prior KTNV dismissal cases, it again appears that 13's loss will be another local station's gain. Geeser reportedly intends to look for a job opportunity with a competing news operation.

When reached for comment on his pending departure, Geeser said: "It's been a great run at News 13. I wish things didn't have to end this way, but maybe it's time for both the station and myself to go in different directions."

See, all you gamblers out there, there is a difference between "winning" money at the tables and "hanging on to" a significant portion of your original pie. So everyone who can say they won a huge amount of cash in Vegas lately, take a step forward.

Not so fast, John Daly.

True, golfer Daly did walk away with $630,000 after a recent weekend gambling binge at Bally's, but he reportedly started with a lot more than that. One source at the hotel speculated Daly kicked things off with somewhere close to $2 million. A few ups and downs (and one wedding) later and all the beleagured Daly had left was the measly 600 grand. That's the real story behind his headline-grabbing big win.

But the 35-year-old Daly did get hitched. Sherrie Miller, 25, married her lucky man at Bally's on July 29 -- apparently while he was on a brief hiatus from the tables.

And, really, what would "A Night Out with the Sopranos" be without a visit from our mayor, Oscar Goodman?

"I thought it was a Mafia induction ceremony," joked Goodman, who will officially welcome the entire cast of the HBO hit series to the Las Vegas Hilton on Saturday. James Gandolfini, Dominic Chianese, Michael Imperioli and (Vegas' own) Steve Schirripa are all scheduled to attend the swank, invite-only, high-roller party at the hotel.

Goodman, for his part, couldn't be happier. "I plan to welcome the mob back to Las Vegas with open arms," Goodman said. "Absolutely, I'll be there. It's good for Las Vegas!"

Although not a regular viewer of the series ("I can't stay up that late,") Goodman is pals with Schirripa and also got chummy with the boss, Gandolfini, when he was in town shooting "The Mexican" last year.

The mayor may or may not be happy to know that the execs at the Hilton will recreate the Bada Bing strip club inside the party (not the naked part, just the atmosphere). Genuine Bada-Bing girls will welcome the 265 guests to the bash, which will include an authentic Italian feast, and pose for pictures with willing wannabe mobsters in a photo area complete with stogies, poles, and that smoky, fresh-off-the-New Jersey Turnpike kind of feeling.