The Madhouse returns triumphant
09:24 AM PT, May 29 2007
Something is wrong at the Hard Rock. On Saturday night, on the usually
busy Memorial Day Weekend, we easily found a parking spot in the Hard Rock garage.
Normally, we don't try the garage at the Hard Rock even on weeknights.
Inside, there was no bulge of people blocking the hallway waiting to get into
the Pink Taco nor the usual pack of folks in front of the bathroom doors in the
passage to the main casino. The Hard Rock was once the hottest resort in town. The Palms aspired to
compete with the Hard Rock back in 2001, and few, including me, expected that to
work out. Now, it would be foolish to mention The Hard Rock and The Palms in the
same sentence. The Hard Rock seems to have fallen at this point to a hipness
quotient roughly equal to the Rio (post-Prince). In the past year or so the
Palms has opened the fantasy tower suites, a recording studio, Moon, Playboy
Club and the concert venue Pearl. The hot CineVegas film festival is about to return there. Meanwhile, the Hard Rock has simply become a year or so
older.
A lot of this has to do with departure of owner Peter Morton,
and a moribund new ownership making no discernible impact on the property. But
if the Hard Rock doesn't get back in the game soon, Vegas will pass by this once
vital resort, and it will become a time capsule to former glory. Let's face
it, even the Hard Rock's music theme seems to be aging rabidly in a post-guitar
era of nightclub DJs.
But there is one thing that still works for the Hard Rock: Beacher's
Madhouse. In the otherwise mellow casino, the Madhouse was so packed on Saturday
night that security at first blocked my entrance ("Line for people on the list
starts over there."). I was let in after a few folks stumbled out. The Madhouse
is always the hottest event in Vegas on the night it takes place, and that
hasn't changed. This was the first Madhouse under the new owners. Considering
how empty the rest of the casino seemed, I would consider doing Madhouse every week,
instead of once a month. Because no matter how rundown the Hard Rock is starting
to appear, Beacher somehow retains his magic for creating one of the wildest
events in Vegas: sexist, crude, obnoxious and tasteless in every way. The
Madhouse could only work in Las Vegas. That is the key to Beacher's
magic. Certainly, David Saxe of V: The Ultimate Variety Show has as good an eye
(if not better) for real talent. But Beacher's genius is not for what happens on
stage (the fake Britney, the silly contests, the occasional comedian, the
go-go dancers). Beacher's gift is for buzz and for creating an overall event
that feels like the wild Vegas party you could never get invited into as a regular tourist. You leave
the Madhouse knowing you are having a Vegas vacation. And, to a casino that
feeling is priceless as it leads you direct to the slots and tables.
This Madhouse show was a practice soft opening. The big Madhouse return happens at
the end of next month. Still, it is great to have Beacher and his crew back. It
reminds me of the days when the Hard Rock and the Palms had some fierce
competition for the young and rich LA tourists who were just discovering Vegas. I hope the new owners get on
the ball soon, because competition like Beacher always makes Vegas a more exciting place to
live.
(Photos by Sarah Gerke)
(Photos by Sarah Gerke)
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Jeff Beacher is a inavator!! The show was simply genius, I loved it!
Posted by: RIck | May 29, 2007 at 01:26 PM
Beacher's Madhouse is BRILLANT!!! Jeff Beacher is a mastermind... I can't wait for the next show!!
xoxoxo,
A TRUE MADHOUSE FAN FOR LIFE!!
Posted by: Kristy | May 29, 2007 at 01:28 PM
I am so happy the show is BACK!!! It is truly comical... Beacher's Madhouse is really the best show on the strip... There is no other!!
Can't wait until the next show..
Posted by: Alexci | May 29, 2007 at 01:31 PM
THE SHOW WAS OUTSTANDING!!! GREAT JOB JEFF!!
Posted by: JEnnifer | May 29, 2007 at 01:35 PM
IM GLAD THAT BEACHER'S MADHOUSE IS BACK... IT IS EXACTLY WHAT VEGAS HAS BEEN MISSING!!
Posted by: Rita | May 29, 2007 at 01:37 PM
The show was remarkable glad to have it back!
Posted by: Tish | May 29, 2007 at 01:40 PM
YOUR SHOW WAS AMAZING
Posted by: Crystal Johnson | May 29, 2007 at 02:23 PM
Jeff Beacher,
You are really a very talented man... Your show is stunning... I could not stop laughing during the entire show... I will be there next month so keep it coming!!
xoxoxo,
Alayna
Posted by: Alayna | May 29, 2007 at 02:25 PM
HOW CAN I EXPRESS THIS... THE MADHOUSE ROCKS!!! PURE GREATNESS!!
Posted by: Whitney | May 29, 2007 at 04:51 PM
I attended my first show on Saturday... It was phenominal!!! Jeff Beacher is a very talented individual!!
Posted by: Stacey | May 29, 2007 at 05:06 PM
Jeff Beacher is the MAN!!!
Your sure was nothing but laughs!! i loved it!!
You sould bring it 2 LA!
Posted by: Briana Taylor | May 30, 2007 at 11:59 AM
HEY THIS GUY IS THE BEST!!
I have been 2 every show for the last 4 years!! Im glad your back Beacher u ROCK!
Posted by: Dale Evans | May 30, 2007 at 12:49 PM
Yeah everyone is right... I went 2 the show to! Jeff Beacher is so funny I love him. THe whole Beacher's Madhouse crew did a great job... See yall next month!!
Posted by: Latisha | May 30, 2007 at 12:51 PM
I witnessed thiis Madhouse... and IT WAS GREAT!!! When's the next show?
Posted by: Adero | May 30, 2007 at 01:15 PM
Beacher's Madhouse... is the funnest time I have had in a long time here in Las Vegas. Jeff Beacher is a wonderful host and a awesome performer. I can't wait for the next show!
Posted by: Tammy | May 30, 2007 at 03:12 PM
The Show was great!
Posted by: Olivia | May 30, 2007 at 03:44 PM
When the Hard Rock Hotel opened in the mid-1990s, Pam Anderson squeezed the world's hottest body into a pink, rubber suit to celebrate the event. For the next 10 years, a steady stream of celebrities and young vegas vacationers routinely packed the casino floor on weekends to drink, gamble and socialize.
But it's easy to see that the Hard Rock is not what it once was and is being virtually ignored by most party people. The Palms has done a better job giving young people what they want and are bluntly kicking the Hard Rock's ass.
Once hiring only the best of the best, even the Hard Rock's waitresses and female bartenders are now little more than plain Janes. Yes, the Hard Rock is a sinking ship and it will be interesting to see if the new captain can patch up the leaks.
Posted by: Swales | June 07, 2007 at 12:28 PM