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Shane O'Neal
The Amazing Johnathan and Psychic Tanya warble together.
Published Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 | 12:32 p.m.
Updated Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 | 7 p.m.
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After 13 years in Las Vegas, comedian-illusionist Johnathan Szeles, known better by his stage name the Amazing Johnathan, is calling it quits.
The Strip staple, who landed a residency at Bally’s in September, broke the news on his Facebook page early this morning, and it sounds like the departure comes on less than amicable terms with his Caesars Entertainment employers:
“Yes, we have ended our run in Vegas after 13 years. That is plenty long enough. I get it.
It turned out the killer deal offered the Amazing Johnathan wasn't so killer (shocker!). I noticed this very soon when I began dreading going to work each night. This was mainly from seeing a lack of advertising. Even after playing there for three months, there were still more signs advertising acts that weren't even playing there anymore. It was death for me. There were NO signs to even tell people where the room was.
Did they know they had the Amazing Johnathan, international headliner, playing in their hotel? I felt like an opening act that was accidentally double booked into a banquet room. It was like playing a mismanaged comedy club but without the horny waitresses & cocaine.
Sometimes I miss the Old Vegas when they would, at least, look you in the eyes when they lied to you. I recall the days where the casinos would try to help you out instead of making everything so f***ing hard. I'm used to a standard, although very low, that isn't here anymore. So, after asking nicely a dozen times, I just stopped showing up. I think they should have noticed by now.
It just felt right. It still does.
Thanks to everyone! What a blast!”
Calls to Caesars Entertainment were not immediately returned. Tickets to the Amazing Johnathan’s show are still being sold on Bally’s website.
The self-described Freddy Krueger of Comedy has headlined year-round in venues across town since 2001, including gigs at the Harmon Theater and the Golden Nugget. He also brought the "Screamont Experiment" haunted attraction to downtown this Halloween.
No word yet on what his next step will be.
Updated at 7 p.m.: Caesars Entertainment emailed a statement this afternoon: “We enjoyed having Amazing Johnathan at Bally’s Las Vegas for the past few months, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Follow Andrea Domanick on Twitter at @AndreaDomanick and fan her on Facebook at Facebook.com/AndreaDomanick.
This is same STUPID mistake that killed the Star Trek Experience and the Las Vegas hilton.
There was virtually no advertising of the Star Trek Experience. Most Star Trek clubs did not even know about it.
There should have been commercials with the reruns.
I hope Johnathan finds a better venue. His act was the best magician in LV and I have seen them all.
Everyone is expendable in Las Vegas. Who knows, maybe one day Gary Loveman will show up for work and his name plate will be removed from his office door.
nice way to go, bravo!
Thirteen year Vegas run ain't bad for a high school class clown act -- more tavern time ahead -- bottom's up.
GL
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saw him in L.A. in the 90s. caught him again at the sahara 4-5yrs ago. liked his show in L.A. much better but i will miss psychic tanya.
a real loss to the vegas scene
I have to agree with Jonathan here, I like his act, but really had no clue he was even playing Las Vegas.