John Katsilometes

Blog Post Archive

Monday List: 20 at 20, a quick look at The Mirage on a landmark birthday

Monday, Nov. 23, 2009

Whatever happened to that brass mermaid that used to sit near the entrance of The Mirage?

For props, Lewis Black needs only his manic delivery and torrid material

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009

During Lewis Black's show at The Mirage on Friday night, he told a 10-minute story of following Vince Gill onstage at a USO show. That tale was a wild ride.

Funny Face: Carrot Top's stage act a mask of contradictions

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

This all started with a kindly nun and a simple bell. Sister Benedict was her name, the principal at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Rockledge, Fla., a town of about 25,000 that sits on the state’s east coast, near Cape Canaveral. The town is heavily populated by NASA scientists and engineers who over the years sent American astronauts into orbit and onto the moon. The young son of one of those NASA engineers was Scott Thompson, a diminutive redheaded kid who kept to mostly kept to himself, uninterested in the other uniformed St. Mary’s students.

Noteworthy: Sandoval as husband material, McCartney recalls radio career, and Handler paints The Colosseum blue

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009

While working the crowd at a gala event, gubernatorial hopeful Brian Sandoval makes Guy Smiley look like the Luxor sphinx.

Wayne Newton -- Mr. Las Vegas -- answers the questions of readers

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009

Prodded by fans, Wayne Newton looks back on his long career and speaks to pranks by Robert Goulet and tantalizingly odd requests made by audience members.

New face of Monte Carlo includes all the faces of Caliendo

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009

Impressionist Frank Caliendo felt some trepidation as he considered a gig on the Strip, but Dana Carvey said go for it.

Ten minutes with Chelsea Handler is better than no minutes with Chelsea Handler

Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Chelsea Handler has had one guest she describes as "the end of society as we know it," and it is not a Kardashian.

A lesson in information dissemination, with a little Twitter and a lot of Agassi

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

A tweet sent by Sports Illustrated actually tipped off other news organizations, including "60 Minutes" and Katie Couric, about Andre Agassi's meth use.

Of tanking, drugs and 'Slim': In 'Open,' Andre Agassi beats the odds

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

Not many celebrities can own up to using crystal meth, giving up in big matches and failing drug tests with no penalty. But Andre Agassi is not a typical celebrity.

Buchanan was one of the city's truly flamboyant characters

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009

James "Bucky" Buchanan was a big-game hunter who had starred in the reality series "Las Vegas Law" and represented many high-profile clients.

Life in the Limelight: Wayne Newton

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009

Wayne Newton is going to tell a story, and it’s not about his playing poker with Sinatra, recording with Bobby Darin or counseling Elvis about his divorce. It’s about the day he realized Vegas was home. It speaks volumes about Newton, 50 years a Vegas showman and now headlining through April in what might be his final residency in Las Vegas, the autobiographical “Once Before I Go” at the Tropicana.

Vocal strain prompts Wayne Brady to call off 'Making It Up' until 2010

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

His contract at The Venetian to perform "Making It Up" has been extended as a result of postponed dates this month so he can rest his voice.

Got a question for Wayne Newton? Or a favorite story? Send it over

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

Fans of Wayne Newton are invited to visit our Ask Wayne page to contribute to a story to appear in Sunday's Las Vegas Sun.

Latin Grammy Gift Lounge is a wealth of riches for the rich and talented

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

The Talent Gift Lounge at tonight's Latin Grammy Awards is a true case of riches for the rich.

Bette Midler's residency at Caesars Palace to end Jan. 31

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

Bette Midler began her residency at Caesars Palace on Feb. 20, 2008. She called the experience "fabulous."

It's official: 'Viva Elvis' the name of Cirque-Presley production at Aria

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009

"Viva Elvis," playing off the film classic "Viva Las Vegas," is the name of the show set to open in December at Aria in CityCenter.

Newton's recounting of Beach Boys controversy a telling moment in 'Once Before I Go'

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

In 1983, James Watt warned against "the wrong element," ditching The Beach Boys in favor of Wayne Newton, who still considers the event a "down moment" in his career.

Dawn Gibbons: Andre Agassi disclosure 'huge' in fight against meth abuse

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Dawn Gibbons' Crystal Darkness program has spanned 27 states and Mexico, and she says Andre Agassi could use his disclosure that he used crystal meth in his career as a way to help others stay away from, or recover from, the highly addictive drug.

'This Is It' documents Jackson at his best, and a show that never was

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

"This Is It" is frequently inspiring, but the tragic, unseen conclusion gives the movie a frustrating feel.

Mayor seeking arena development deal for City Hall parcel

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

The Cordish Companies is a corporation familiar with developing large-scale entertainment districts across the country.

Wynn shoots back at brokers organization: 'We don't want (fans) exploited'

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

Steve Wynn was not aware of the National Association of Ticket Brokers' comments from earlier today until they were read to him. He formed an opinion really fast.

National Association of Ticket Brokers fires back at Wynn for 'arbitrary rules'

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

The general counsel for the National Association of Ticket Brokers says Steve Wynn's restrictive ticket policies for Garth Brooks' shows at Encore Theater are unfair to regular fans.

The List is a stack of blogs, thrice over, from haps at Sam Boyd, the Brooks show and a road-weary Goodman

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

Steve Wynn is fighting scalpers, but in the end, the law is on the side of the brokers.

U2 concert a full-scale spectacle, on and off the Sam Boyd Stadium stage

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009

The night's highlights were an all-too-brief meeting with former President Clinton and a record attendance, but also included a faulty BlackBerry and UNLV jerseys not worn.

Notes before U2 notes: VinnyFest at N.Y.-N.Y., a fine(d) move by Musicians Union

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

U2 is in the offing, but first -- what's the deal with these Vinny guys at New York-New York?

Glitches, technology and tears pepper U2's Las Vegas legacy

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

When U2 took to the "B" stage during its PopMart Tour opening show in 1997, the result was a famous false start.

Imperial Palace shakes it up with a little vintage Elvis Presley memorabilia

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

A bottle of Mylanta, the jacket worn in "Spinout" and a gold-plated .38 are among the Elvis artifacts on display at The King's Ransom.

Noteworthy: A Mesquitian respite, 'Holly' appears at 'Believe,' and Stabile recalls 'Crazy Girls' shoot

Monday, Oct. 19, 2009

A fan plucked a random word when asked for such by Criss Angel during a show a few weeks ago. Guess what it was?

Monday List: 11 Signs You're at a Bad Adult Production

Monday, Oct. 19, 2009

If PVC pipe is at all involved, you're at a bad adult production.

'Fantasy' further heats up as Bridges leaves amid child custody concerns

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Angelica Bridges has been in "Fantasy" just three weeks, but it has been a remarkable run (which might actually have ended) already at Luxor.

Soon-to-depart Elijah Johnson makes most of his run in 'The Lion King'

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Eleven-year-old's last show as Young Simba is Sunday, and he's off to TV auditions, a possible one-man (or one-kid) show and a CD.

Fans still devoted to Garth Brooks; Yearwood says moving to L.V. not discussed

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

Jennifer Hiller speaks of the "sisterhood" and "extended family" spanning the country that plan to fill Encore Theater over the next five years.

Garth Brooks' deal at Encore: One-man show, five years, all tickets $125

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

In a news conference today, Garth Brooks and Steve Wynn announced a five-year residency at Encore Theater beginning Dec. 11. All tickets are priced at $125, and he'll perform four weekend shows in each set of performances. Speaking while seated side-by-side on stools on the theater stage with the 1,500-seat showroom nearly filled with media and fans, Wynn announced that Brooks would perform four weekend shows per week -- one show on Fridays, two on Saturdays and one on Sundays. Show times are 8 p.m.; the second show Saturdays will be 10:30 p.m.

Wynn, Brooks seeking encore of '98 shows at T&M

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009

In 1998, Garth Brooks sold out four shows and 72,000 seats at the Thomas & Mack Center in less than an hour.

For The Wayner, Caliendo and Angelica Bridges, a few pertinent questions

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009

Will Wayner catch a new groove? Will Caliendo find a comfort zone? Will Bridges go topless?

Keep on truckin' takes on a new tenor at Planet Hollywood

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009

The truck didn't travel far but enacted a variety of damage to the roof tiles while driving into the wrong portal at Planet Hollywood.

Monday List: Nine highlights from Cook, BNL and the Arizona Cardinals

Monday, Oct. 12, 2009

Similar to the Houston Texans' offense in that it's arriving a little late, The Monday List tracks the wild weekend past.

Jerry Springer (former mayor of Cincinnati) talks a little politics

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009

Jerry Springer was appointed by the City Council as mayor of Cincinnati in 1977. He's still active in politics, but at age 65 says he has no plans to run again.

Miss America chief: Rush Limbaugh 'good for our show'

Friday, Oct. 9, 2009

Art McMaster defended choosing the controversial figure to be a judge for January's pageant by saying that Limbaugh will help select the right winner.

'America's Got Talent' leans heavily on personal appeal

Friday, Oct. 9, 2009

Appealing to the great mean, "America's Got Talent Live!" at Planet Hollywood is not a production laden with actual talent.

Limbaugh to judge 2010 Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

An announcement is expected today from the Miss America Organization that Rush Limbaugh will be one of seven judges for the pageant, set for Jan. 30 at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for Performing Arts.

Sonnenberg is back in performance mode in 'Fantasy'

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

Sonya Sonnenberg broke her wrists and suffered a fractured pelvis and concussion in a fall June 30, but she has returned to the stage in the ever-evolving Luxor show.

Hickey: The Daily Beast ranking of Las Vegas 'probably right'

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009

Las Vegas, says Dave Hickey, is home to a university that sends its graduates into middle management and has "no vested wealth."

A smashing report from Cirque/Elvis show at CityCenter

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009

The new Elvis show at CityCenter, set to open in December, is reportedly evading traditional Elvis impersonators. Except, maybe, in one scene sure to leave no ambiguity about the show's opinion of those impersonators.

Cover-up at Tommy Rocker's returns the notorious club to former form

Monday, Oct. 5, 2009

Two years ago, Tommy Rocker sensed a business opportunity by turning his famed cantina into a gentlemen's club. It didn't work out, and on Saturday, he returned to the tried-and-true.

Monday List: Eleven examples of a weekend attempt at credit card fraud

Monday, Oct. 5, 2009

A flurry of attempts to use my credit card number at such businesses as a hair studio and limo service proved unsuccessful this weekend.

Where Courtney Love meets John Momot: Slash concert a true variety show

Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009

The Hole singer read lyrics from a sheet, Joe Perry uncorked a reggae version of "Dream On," and Nicole Scherzinger wowed physically and vocally at the Slash & Friends show at The Mirage.

The Killers, former manager agree to dismiss lawsuits

Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

Former Killers manager Braden Merrick filed suit against the band in February 2006, but today it was announced that suit and The Killers' own action had been settled confidentially.

Dane Cook on Letterman's performance: 'Fascinating,' 'The guy's a pro'

Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

The comic, making an appearance next weekend at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel, said watching David Letterman's explanation of an attempt by a man to extort $2 million from the late-night host was like "watching a magician."

Following a sleep-depriving loss, Mike Sanford seeks cannon-ization in Reno

Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

Mike Sanford, 0-4 against the University of Nevada, Reno, spoke of balance, sleep deprivation and living in the bubble during an appearance this week on "Our Metropolis."