Columnist Joe Delaney: Showroom policies should return to the past

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001 | 8:37 a.m.

Joe Delaney's columns appear on Thrusdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@lasvegassun.com.

In the beginning ... Las Vegas showrooms had action seven days a week, two shows a night, usually at 8 p.m. and midnight ... Star policy was the norm with an opening act or two and, sometimes, a line of dancers ... The basic mode of operation was to give the customer the best and the most of everything for the least amount of money; for free, if possible.

There were no four-wall (lease) deals, modified four-wall deals or ticket brokers ... Each hotel would build an identification with its performers, both in the showroom and lounge ... Each hotel would operate and be responsible for its entertainment areas ... There would be no leasing out the room to an entity that would, in turn, sublet the room.

This recent development led to the trouble with the C2K nightclub at the Venetian and the middleman demands that have made it so difficult for Melinda, First Lady of Magic and impressionist Andre-Philippe Gagnon to operate.

Entertainment is still a major reason for people to come to Las Vegas; if not No. 1, close to it, yet hotels will abdicate responsibility for their entertainment to third parties who have no other connection or responsibility to the hotel.

Legitimate theater has been on a four-wall basis for many years ... The Shuberts owned most of the theaters in midtown Manhattan and would lease them to producers and entrepreneurs who would be responsible for all expenses incurred during the run of their productions ... They received only the four walls and existent equipment ... The Niederlanders have taken over from the Shuberts.

Star salaries had gotten out of hand in the 1970s and '80s ... Four-wall deals meant that a star could possibly earn more money if he could do capacity business at a good ticket price ... Meanwhile the hotel's commitment had been reduced considerably ... Financially, the hotel had little to lose unless the show was a complete failure.

Earlier in the column, we pointed out the starting premise for Las Vegas ... As far as the showroom was concerned, the stars were "shills" and the show a "loss leader," a practice used today by supermarkets, furniture stores and others, especially during holidays ... The rule of thumb was that a hotel could afford to lose $5 to $10 per occupied seat in the showroom, providing there was some casino potential present in the audience.

With a 1,200-seat showroom such as the now-demolished Caesars Palace Circus Maximus, the hotel was content to lose $10 per occupied seat or $12,000 per performance, with a Frank Sinatra or other top star onstage, because the casino action would more than cover showroom losses and room, food and beverage comps for high-rollers.

It is impossible to return to what once was ... Certain hotels are entertainment oriented; others are not ... All of Las Vegas would be better off if hotels would reclaim their entertainment areas; operate them full time as the important part of the total marketing ambiance that each area is ... Begin by eliminating the middlemen and try to do something to control the ticket brokers ... Are they really a necessary evil?

Star-policy rundown

It's the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars (Blue Note); Four Tops (Buffalo Bill's); Bill Acosta (Flamingo Las Vegas); David Brenner (Golden Nugget); Mac King, afternoons and Clint Holmes, evenings (Harrah's); Scintas (LV Hilton); Blue Man Group (Luxor); David Copperfield, plus Rick Springfield starring in "EFX Alive" (MGM Grand); and Siegfried & Roy plus Danny Gans in separate theaters (Mirage); and Lance Burton (Monte Carlo).

Plus Kenny Kerr (New Frontier); Righteous Brothers (Orleans); Pete Barbutti (Plaza); Peter Frampton (Rio); Sammy Kershaw (Sam's Towm); Wayne Newton (Stardust); Bobby Rydell and Nick Lewin (Suncoast); and Melinda plus Gagnon (Venetian).

Happy Birthday Sunday to comedian Bernie Allen, still making them laugh at 83 ... His life story would make a great film subject ... Belated bests to a bartender buddy going back nearly 40 years, Joey Scuto, a year wiser yesterday ... The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra plays for dancing 7 p.m. Saturday ... It's free, a memorial gift from the late Lamont Patterson, this is the fourth year.

Friday special: Bobby McFerrin singing with and conducting the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, part of the prestigious Charles Vanda Master Series, 8 p.m. in UNLV's Ham Hall ... See you Friday.