Travel Channel
“Vegas Stripped,” a new reality TV series on the Travel Channel, takes a behind-the-scenes look at South Point, focusing on this handful of featured staff members.
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 | 11:59 p.m.
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Beyond the Sun
Television cameras documenting the inner workings of a Las Vegas pawnshop launched the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop to international stardom. Now, a local casino is hoping to capture that reality television magic by pairing with the Travel Channel to provide viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the town’s biggest industry.
“Vegas Stripped” will debut Wednesday night with back-to-back episodes set at the South Point Casino.
“It’s an inside look at what it takes to run a casino,” said Tom Mikovits, South Point director of marketing. “You’re going to see what happens in the butcher shop or on the loading dock, lots of stuff people don’t normally see.”
The show’s six episodes were filmed from October to December, capturing one of South Point’s busiest times of the year.
Wednesday’s debut episodes will follow Mikovits, who is featured on the show, and the rest of the South Point staff as they play host to 9,000 guests as part of the annual Fetish and Fantasy Ball. The second episode involves preparations for a gourmet food truck festival and a celebrity poker tournament.
The show was filmed by Leftfield Pictures, which is also the production company behind The History Channel’s “Pawn Stars.”
Mikovits said the production didn’t interfere much with the day-to-day operation of the casino.
The South Point hotel and casino is seen Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012.
“I’m sure the employees noticed, but I bet half our guests didn’t know there were cameras there,” he said.
The partnership with the Travel Channel is aimed at building a broader recognition for South Point and its new online poker website, southpointpoker.com, Mikovits said.
“We were comfortable being a locals’ casino, but having a brand like southpointpoker.com, that’s something we want to get out nationally,” he said. “It lets people know who we are and that we can play with the big players in Vegas, while still keeping that down home feeling.”
The show’s premiere on the Travel Channel will be at 10 p.m. Pacific time.
South Point is staging a free watch party that will allow viewers to watch the show live as it airs on the East Coast.
Doors for the party, which includes two free drinks or free hot dogs and popcorn, open at 6:30 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m.
Located South of the Strip, South Point is a hot spot frequented by locals. The hotel-casino is decorated in a Pacific Coast feel, with golds, reds and browns, mixing an island feel with the ambiance of Southern California.
Guests rooms feature 42-inch flat screen TVs, iPod docking stations and plush linens. Outside, the property features landscaped gardens, a hospitality to entertain poolside and a sand volleyball court.
When it comes to gaming, the South Point has more than 120,000 square feet of casino games, as well as a separate race books and sports books, a bingo and poker room. South Point also has some family friendly features, like a 64-lane bowling center, an arcade and a 16-screen movie theater.
Dining options range from an upscale meal at Michael's Gourmet to ice cream at Kate's Korner. The 24-hour Coronado Cafe is the perfect spot for a late-night craving, which include six midnight to 6 a.m. "graveyard" specials. Other restaurants include the Big Sur Oyster Bar, Don Vito's, Garden Buffet, Seattle's Best Coffee House and the Del Mar Deli.
One of South Points more unique features is the Equestrian Center and Arena, a first for Vegas. The Equestrian Center holds a variety of events, from college basketball to Championship Bull Riding.
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