Got talent? The NBC show "America's Got Talent" wants you.

For their second season (to air midseason), "American Idol"'s Simon Cowell will launch a multi-city open casting call to find the most talented act in the country.

Producers will be in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Hosted by Regis Philbin, the new season will include a "boot camp" for contestants who pass the audition. The boot camp will introduce experts in their field to further shape and train the contestant.

The winner will still be chosen by the television audience, and a $1 million prize is at stake for the final act left standing.

Last month, 11-year-old singer Bianca Ryan won the first season's grand prize.

For more information on auditioning, visit "America's Got Talent."

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Restaurant.com constantly has discount offers on top of their discounted gift certificates of $10 for $25, $3 for $10, or $3 for 50 percent off (one of the three is offered per restaurant).

Participating restaurants may be in your neighborhood, but have you thought about purchasing them to use the next time you're in Las Vegas?

A further discount code of 65639 (expires Sept. 30) will give you an additional 60 percent off. So a $25 gift certificate will cost $4. Use the $21 you saved on a hand of blackjack.

Gift certificates are conveniently purchased online and can be printed to your printer. They're good for a year from date of purchase.

There are nine pages of restaurants nearby the Las Vegas Strip. Here are some within the casino-hotels:

Andre's (Monte Carlo)
Blondie's (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood)
Commander's Palace (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood)
Hamada of Japan (Flamingo, Rio)
House of Lords (Sahara)
Jillian's (Neonopolis, downtown)
Kahunaville (Treasure Island)
Little Buddha (The Palms)
NASCAR Cafe (Sahara)
Oyster Bay Seafood (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood)
Quark's (Hilton)
Rainbow Bar & Grill (across from Hard Rock)

Posted by Poker Grub at 8:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tickets to Las Vegas is selling discounted tickets to the Vegas monorail for attendees of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) from Oct. 31-Nov. 3 and the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) from Nov. 14-16.

SEMA attendees receive 20 percent off, G2E attendees receive 15 percent off.

Regular monorail tickets run $5 each way, with a one-day unlimited pass costing $15.

The website offers free shipping of the tickets but doesn't verify you're an attendee, so if you happen to be visiting during convention time, you can save a couple bucks along with convention folk.

Note that they only accept purchases via PayPal.

PayPal isn't exactly the most popular mode of purchasing for businesses, who if attending SEMA or G2E, will most likely be expensing it anyway without need for a 15-20 percent discount.

Whenever something like this pops up, I see a red flag, knowing many an eBay scam has happened with fly-by-night companies through the popular web wallet.

I myself was taken by a scam artist when buying a bunch of jeans off eBay. I should've known the shoddy picture and bargain price was too good to be true. I was never able to get my $150 back, even with Safe Harbor.

I did some digging and found that the domain tix4vegas.com (established September 2006) is part of KBren Marketing Associates, LLC, which itself runs the San Bernadino National Forest Association. If you head to that website, they accept donations by credit cards.

So why just PayPal for the monorail tickets?

Maybe the cost they save on credit cards lets them provide free shipping.

The G2E site provides a direct link to the 15 percent off tickets, so if you run into any problems, take it up with Diana Press, customer relations.

Posted by Poker Grub at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Owners of The Palms hotel-casino, the Maloof brothers are expanding their empire by hopping into the film biz, investing $700,000 in Feast, the latest movie to come from Bravo's reality show "Project Greenlight."

The Maloofs recently hosted a red-carpet premiere of the horror movie at The Palms, with "Project Greenlight"ers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in attendance.

Guests of The Palms will receive an advance copy of the Feast DVD, to be released Oct. 17. The movie will also be promoted at the Maloofs' other properties, including ads at the Arco Arena Jumbotron (they own the Sacramento Kings and the Sacramento Monarchs).

Beginning Oct. 16, the four brothers can be seen in a Carl's Jr. commercial, in which they're seen gobbling $6 burgers with a $6,000 bottle of Bordeaux wine.

Forbes magazine puts the wealth of the family at $1 billion.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's another chance to win not only tickets to Vegoose but the Bonnaroo Music Festival as well (valued at $4,500).

And not just regular tickets, you can win a lifetime pass to any show for as long as you shall live! As long as the festivals are held, you'll get to go for free.

All you have to do is record yourself impersonating a celebrity or musician, upload it to YouTube for all the world to see, then fill out this form.

Don't forget to tag your video "vegoose."

A panel of 12 judges will select a winner.

We counted all of one video so far, which we watched and just know you can do better.

Deadline is Oct. 13.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Saturday, Oct. 14, Hogs & Heifers (201 N. 3rd St. downtown, still with an inactive website) is having a Save the Boobs poker run to benefit finding a cure for breast cancer.

Registration is between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., with prizes for best and worst poker hand.

The run begins at Mountain Springs and ends at the Las Vegas Harley Davidson (Sahara/Eastern).

Afterwards, come meet fellow runners at Fiesta Rancho at the Guarduno's Patio, where you can register to win tickets to the Rolling Stones (Nov. 11 at the MGM Grand).

Entry fee is $25.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Every Tuesday, House of Blues Las Vegas offers 2-for-1 tickets to selected upcoming shows.

On the two-for-Tuesday list today is Jeff Beck (9/29, normally $47 each), comedian Richard Jeni (9/30, normally $25 each), and Cheyenne Kimball with Ryan Star from Rockstar Supernova (10/4, normally $22).

Visit this link and sign up to receive the 2-for-1 tickets.

The discounted tickets can be purchased between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.

House of Blues is located inside Mandalay Bay.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Harrah's is suing Federico Schiavio over the domain WSOP.com.

Schiavio is Binion Horseshoe's former information technology director, who purchased the domain on his own in May 2003.

In March 2004, Harrah's purchased Horseshoe.

In November 2005, Schiavio launched WSOP.com (World's Standard of Online Poker), an online poker site that returns 51 percent of corporate net revenue to its members.

Harrah's says when they purchased Binion's for the World Series of Poker trademark, it should include WSOP.

Schiavio argues that the brand did not include the acronym WSOP.

Harrah's says he's profiting off their brand.

Schiavio says nyah, nyah.

In 2004, a disclaimer at the bottom of the shopping page stated "Not affiliated with Harrah's Entertainment, Inc." It's since been removed.

Schiavio's ownership of WSOP.com expires May 2014.

We don't know for sure, but we assume Harrah's already approached Schiavio with a buyout offer, Schiavio balked, and now both will spend much more money in the Las Vegas U.S. District Court.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We didn't jump on 18-year-old Aaron Carter's engagement to former Miss Teen USA and Playboy model (and big brother Nick's ex) Kari Ann Peniche because, well, we smelled publicity stunt and refuse to kowtow to publicity machines unless Paris Hilton or Britney Spears is involved.

'Course, we're writing about it now...

Carter popped the quick question onstage in Las Vegas at The Palms's Playboy Hollywood Comedy Tour on Sept. 19.

Peniche accepted, not at all feeling pressure from the 200 people watching how she would respond.

But now, less than a week later, the engagement is off. According to Us Weekly, Carter said he was too young to be ready for marriage.

E! has video of the engagement, where coincidentally you can also view the first episode of "House of Carters."

E! is behind Carter's new reality show, premiering Oct. 2.

Jeez, E!... at least press release the nonengagement a day or two before the show debuts.

In the show, Aaron, Nick, and sisters Angel, Leslie, and Bobbie Jean all share the same house and talk about other publicity stunts they can dream up to get people to tune in.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The poetic equestrian show Cavalia returns to Las Vegas at the big white top at Rio.

Founded by Normand Latourelle, who was with Cirque du Soleil from 1985 to 1990, Cavalia combines the famed Cirque-type acrobatics, visual effects, live music, and dance... with over 30 Lusitano stallions.

The Lusitano is one of the world's most ancient horse breeds, having been used as war horses and mounts for Portugese bullfighters. They hail from the Iberian Peninsula, now known as Portugal and Spain.

Tickets run $35 through $95.

Special VIP packages are also available including visits to the Cavalia stables, lounging before and after the show at Rendez-Vous (with complimentary hors-d'oeuvres and beverages), reserved parking, a souvenir, and an autograph session. The package is $195.

For performances Nov. 16-26 (excluding Nov. 18 and 25), receive a $20 discount.

To purchase, visit the Cavalia website or call 1-866-999-8111.

We saw this show a number of years ago and the horses and performers didn't seem to be on their "A" game. Many audience members walked out, including us, and we asked for and received refunds. We suspect it was just an offnight, but buyer beware when combining acrobatics and horses.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 6:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dukes of Hazzard movie star Jessica Simpson will soon be opening a chain of restaurants called Daisy Dukes, based on her character of the same name.

Simpson will provide financial backing with the first restaurant opening at Caesars Palace in 2007. She's expected to make at least five appearances a year.

The Hooters-style restaurant will specialize in barbecue and servers in skimpy cutoff shorts, first made famous by Catherine Bach playing Daisy Duke in the television series.

Interestingly, Simpson's father and manager Joe Simpson is the one behind the deal and is presumably capitalizing on his daughter's name, possibly without her knowledge.

If you can't wait until next year for something Simpson, she will also be launching a series of edible perfume (ahem) and lingerie.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Considered either the worst film ever made or a cult classic, and the movie that's generally thought to have ended the prolific success of its screenwriter, Showgirls is one of those movies that's so bad it's good, with a truly awful performance by Elizabeth Berkley that seems she's in a different movie altogether. Sort of like Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, only bad.

Showgirls was about the hopeful aspirations of a midwest gal who becomes corrupted by Las Vegas, helped in no small part by the real-life strip club Cheetah's.

Now screenwriter Joe Eszterhas (who was paid $1 million to write the screenplay) is trying to launch the movie as a musical -- headed for Las Vegas.

He's in talks with legitimate producers who were behind a campy Broadway musical of their own right -- Urinetown.

An unrelated theatrical spoof recently ran in New York called Showgirls: The Best Movie Made. Ever!. Read blog entries from Berkley's character Nomi Malone.

Eszterhas just released his latest book, The Devil's Guide to Hollywood, a tell-all gossipy survival guide for screenwriters.

To wit, talking about writing Basic Instinct and Sharon Stone, he said Stone (whom he was rumored to have had a one-night stand with so she could further her career) was hated enough that a crew member on one of her movies urinated in a bathtub she would later use in a scene.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Las Vegas Online Entertainment Guide is offering a chance to win free tickets to this year's Vegoose from Oct. 28-29 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Two people will be drawn and awarded two tickets (tickets go for $146.50 apiece).

Enter here by Oct. 19. The winner will be emailed and announced on their webpage.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Think you can read the traffic and give lucky numbers with the best of them?

On Sept. 26, Channel 13 (KTNV-TV) will be holding open auditions to fill their on-air traffic reporter position.

Show up between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Tuscany (255 E. Flamingo Road) and be prepared to read a one-minute traffic report in front of judges and a camera.

Ten finalists will be chosen, and their tapes will be broadcast. Viewers will narrow down the pool to five finalists, who will come in and audition live on the air.

Viewers will then select their favorite, who will sign a contract to become KTNV's newest traffic reporter.

To qualify, you must be 21 or over and a resident within the KTNV viewing area.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MGM Grand is offering a dinner-and-show package for $91 per person, including all taxes and gratuities.

Dinner is a three-course set French menu at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon and tickets are to La Femme (pictured above with Christina Aguilera).

Dates are Wednesdays through Mondays between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., with La Femme at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (all days except Tuesdays, when La Femme is dark).

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon is Robuchon's first U.S. restaurant that merges kitchen and dining room, allowing high interactivity between diner and chef at the u-shaped bar.

On the menu:

Appetizer
Les Legumes: Mediterranean vegetables layered with buffalo mozzarella

Main Course
La Caille: Free-range quail stuffed with foie gras and served with truffled mashed potatoes or
La Morue: Fresh cod filet in a vegetable broth

Dessert
La Chartreuse: Green chartreuse souffle (by pastry chef Kamel Guechida), pistachio ice cream

At La Femme, enjoy the adult show direct from the original Crazy Horse in Paris. The show features dance, cabaret, song, and of course nudity. To preserve its authenticity, dancers are often rotated in from the Parisian counterpart.

To reserve, call 1-877-880-0880.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Of Eastbiz.com's 1,900 business clients around the country, 95 percent have incorporated in Nevada.

Since 1999, Eastbiz.com has offered online incorporating in all 50 states. For Nevada, they charge $283 ($194 for incorporation and $89 for the first year registered agent).

The benefit of incorporating in Nevada is that there is no corporate income tax, no franchise tax, no personal income tax, and many other business-friendly laws.

Even better, those incorporating in Nevada need not live nor hold meetings in the state.

Eastbiz.com president John Vanhara claims that over 177,000 small businesses have incorporated in Nevada.

And where is Eastbiz.com located? Why, Las Vegas of course.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Theme park executives who've formed Proteus Creative and Thinkwell Design and Production are putting together a fascinating project that would let it snow in Las Vegas.

Called Las Vegas Wet, it would consist of two hotels (themed after a Swiss chalet), a casino (tropical theme), entertainment arena, food and retail, and the largest indoor waterpark in North America, complete with waterslide, miniature golf, and snowdome for indoor skiing.

Just the waterpark would be 30 acres, 250,000 square feet being indoors, providing year-round access.

The website is still being developed but shows their dream of skiing in the desert.

And it's a pretty heady one.

Very much missing the old Wet 'n Wild, we hope this project gets off the ground but we won't hold our breath. Dream projects of this scope and size and cost ($1.1 billion) without defined backers are generally just that -- dreams.

Their unfinished website is telling: "Please contact us to partner with Proteus Creative as we bring a new Las Vegas landmark to life."

Incidentally, Thinkwell Design had previously designed iPort (mentioned in these pages), what was to be a joint technology theme park venture in Singapore between Harrah's and Titanic director Jamers Cameron, but it unfortunately was passed over in favor of a project by Las Vegas Sands.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A casual spotting of Diana Ross mentioned by Las Vegas Review-Journal's Norm stated she met with management at Caesars Palace and then tossed some bones across a high-limit craps table.

Now what would Diana Ross be doing at Caesars?

Celine Dion is leaving at the end of next year...

Elton John will continue on offnights...

Cher will fill Celine's shoes...

Bette Midler may also stop by here and there...

Could Diana Ross add to the quartet of new Caesars Singers?

If that's the case, we'll be in the enviable position of seeing impersonators or the real thing right across the street.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

If you're strolling around Vegas this week and it suddenly seems as if you've stepped into an Ocean's Eleven movie, you're not crazy nor on Cocaine.

Final filming on Ocean's Thirteen, the last installment of the trilogy (so claims director Steven Soderbergh), is in Las Vegas this week, with the main filming location at Bellagio.

For Ocean's Twelve, the gang took a sabbatical from Vegas by setting the film in Europe, but all agreed to return one final time because Twelve was lackluster.

This time, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and new cast members Al Pacino (playing a casino owner) and Ellen Barkin star, with a script by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, who wrote Rounders.

Ocean's Thirteen is scheduled to hit theaters June 8, 2007.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A new energy drink claiming to be 350 percent more potent than Red Bull has landed in Las Vegas and shares the namesake of a certain illegal drug, mirror optional.

Cocaine, billed as "the legal alternative," claims to bring a high in five minutes, with a caffeine after-boost 15 minutes later. Effects last five hours and are cheaper than the regular lowercased cocaine.

From their website, "it tastes like a fireball, a carbonated atomic fireball."

Las Vegas-based Redux Beverages says its new drink is a combined physical and psychological high. Physical, with increased sugar and vitamin B12, and psychological, the mindset people get into when they hear mention of the name.

An additional secret ingredient was added to slightly numb the throat, just to give that added sensation that regular cocaine does.

We'd like to recommend Cocaine along with a side order of the new food Prostitute.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)

uou're invited to read Edgar "Mouse" Hohl's Hickory-Dickory-Dock #6, America's Great Wall now posted on the LasVegasVegas-Business and Politics blog, the web place to keep up with politics, business and Vegas rumors. You'll also get a generous helping of all the dirt on the dirt merchants of Nevada-The Prof

Wall at "Friendship Park"
Friendship Park residents from both sides once walked freely across the border. Today, people on the south side talk to friends and family on the US north side through holes in the metal fence.

Congressman Hunter envisions two parallel, 15-ft. steel barriers running the length of the border with a 100-yard no-man's land in between. The wall would be equipped with the most sophisticated technology and military hardware including high intensity lights and movement sensors. It's to be patrolled by robotic drones, helicopters, and red-blooded Americans armed with all-terrain vehicles, computers, and night-vision.

If the Republicans and Red-Necks succeed, the promise of America's most revered symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty:

While the Republican Right wants to build the Great American Wall, President Bush is running around the country telling anyone who will listen that the terrorists don't want to see freedom ring.
He says they fear an open society.

The Mexicans say it's un-American. They're offended. They say no wall is going to keep a resourceful, hardworking, Christian people from seeking The Promised Land.

The U.S. Army National Guard, Federal Marshals, Border Patrol, DEA, FBI, CIA, and Minutemen volunteers are determined to stop the alien invaders. Since 1998, more people have died along the border than perished in the 911 attack.

At present, more than 80 miles of walls and lethal fencing has already been built through towns and principal entry points. The citizens of Nogales, Arizona call it the "Iron Curtain."

Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is certain to visit The Wall where he'll proclaim to the media of the world, "Allah es Mexicano". Likewise, Vladamir Putin will make a speech before tens of thousands of Latino-Americans in San Diego in which he'll conclude, "Mr. Bush, tear down this wall!"

Monument, US-Mexico Border, Tijuana
Note the plastic water bottles.
This monument commemorates those who have died attempting to cross into the United Sates since the institution of Operation Gatekeeper. From 1996 th