Goodman’s reality TV show in jeopardy

Dan Kulin

Thursday, March 31, 2005 | 11:03 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's chances of becoming the next reality television star might be in jeopardy as the mayor and potential producers of the program wrangle over Goodman's demand that he have the power to censor the show.

Goodman doesn't use the word censorship -- he says he wants "some editorial control" over the program so he can make sure material that might be embarrassing to the city isn't aired. But he said the television producers he's been speaking with aren't giving in.

"If they're following me around, I have a quick temper and quip lip," Goodman said. "I have to make sure the city is protected. I'm trying to do something that helps the city and so I have to have some editorial control."

The mayor said there are four producers or production companies talking to him about a reality show, but he refused to say who they are.

Talks are not stalled, Goodman said, adding that their conversations hit a dead end whenever he raises the subject of having a say in what airs.

Goodman said he doesn't care if his demand is a deal breaker. He said that as mayor he couldn't personally profit from the television program, and only wants to do a show if he thinks it will help promote the city.

A reality television veteran of sorts, Golden Nugget co-owner Tim Poster said that when he was in discussions about a reality television show at his casino he too asked for editorial control over the final product.

"We asked for that right out of the gate, but it was an absolute deal killer," Poster said.

In the end, the producers of "The Casino" were forced to allow the hotel's lawyers to censor parts of the show that touched on legal or gaming issues. For example, if the program implied that underage teens were gambling at the casino by showing them enter the Golden Nugget, Poster said they were able to force the producers to either edit that part out or also include the scene of the youths being asked for their identifications and then asked to leave.

However, Poster said beyond that they had no control over what was aired. The show ran for one season last summer, and Poster said they could have continued but one of the reasons they didn't was because they couldn't control how they were portrayed.

"I've seen first hand how they can twist things around and take things out of context," Poster said.

"Knowing what I know now, if I were him I would absolutely insist on it," Poster said about Goodman wanting editorial control over the program, even if it means losing out on having a show.

Even without television cameras following his every move, the mayor's "quip lip" has gotten him into hot water from time to time.

Most recently, Goodman drew criticism for his comments during a question and answer session with a group of fourth graders a month ago. When asked by a student what he would want with him if marooned no a desert island, Goodman said "a bottle of gin."

In November Goodman predicted the soon-to-open furniture showroom the World Market Center would eclipse High Point, N.C., which is considered the epicenter of the furniture world. Goodman said if he was in High Point he would either be "committing suicide" or looking to move to Las Vegas.

In January 2003, Goodman lashed out after being asked if he gave a citizen of the month award to someone because they hosted a fundraiser for his campaign.

"Whoever said that was a liar and an ignorant pig," Goodman said. "My tolerance for that kind of crap is real slim. It makes me want to revert to my baseball bat days."

And in June 2002 after a man publicly reported a terrorist threat to Las Vegas, which authorities later debunked, Goodman told a TV reporter that in his previous life he would have had the man "whacked." Goodman later said he was "a little emotional" but wanted to put his hands around the man's neck and squeeze.

A stint as a reality television star would be only the latest venture into celebrity for Goodman.

The former mob lawyer played himself in the motion picture "Casino" and recently had a part in the NBC television show "Las Vegas."

The mayor also became an official pitchman for Bombay Sapphire gin in late 2002.