Local scribe predicts problems for Cirque over Criss Angel
April 24, 2008 | 1:26
pm
Steve Friess is one of the best known and most prolific writers in Vegas. He wrote the book "Gay Vegas," the first tourist guide to Vegas for gays, edits a weekly pod cast and does a Vegas blog. He is best known for his regular coverage of Vegas for USA Today and The New York Times. He is one of the handful of print journalists who cover entertainment full time along the Strip.Today Friess offers in his column in Las Vegas Weekly (where I am on staff) some of the harshest words yet against Cirque over the company's $100-million show at Luxor opening in September with headliner Criss Angel. A firestorm has been raging in the press since Angel physically threatened local Review-Journal writer Norm Clarke (another of that handful) after the Miss USA Pageant at Planet Hollywood.
"Indeed," Friess writes, "with Angel, Cirque is now laying in a bed of nails with one of the most controversial and egotistical figures on the American pop landscape...The Cirque suits in Montreal must be sweating, but they also failed to either make a public statement condemning Angel’s threats or force him to apologize (to Norm Clarke). They’re powerless, it seems, and thus it’s only a matter of time before they helplessly watch their enormous investment be hijacked by a man not given to respecting much of anyone."
I hope Friess is wrong about this. Angel is under a lot of pressure right now creating a show by September, and he is obviously a passionate person. Also, the few times I have interviewed and spent time with Angel the man has been polite and disciplined. But his unrepentant and unacceptable behavior toward Clarke, not to mention all the other Criss Angel-Miss USA drama that have been reported by me and others, has totally challenged my old assumptions about Angel.
Friess is right to single out Cirque for not making their headliner behave like a professional. I know if I had physically threatened Criss Angel or any other Vegas headliner, I would be unemployed no matter the circumstances. Yet Cirque is either unwilling or unable to get Angel to apologize and retract his threat to blind a man.
I want to add that Cirque's connection is part of what makes this story so surprising to locals. Angel was just another cable television star who taped in Vegas before Cirque made him its first headliner in the company's history. And before this incident (and I do not mean just with reporters), Cirque, of all the entertainment companies in Vegas, big and small, enjoyed an unblemished and probably unequaled reputation for being a class outfit on every imaginable level. In one night Criss Angel changed that seemingly forevermore. (Photo by Sarah Gerke)
Criss Angel is lucky that any of us are commenting about him at all.
Posted by: Whateverrrrrrrrrrrr | April 26, 2008 at 10:38 PM
I've pretty much said what I wanted to about this, but I think it's funny that these fans of Criss are all pointing fingers at the reporters. I'm getting tired of this "it's everybody else's fault but his" attitude.
Norm is a respected reporter on the show biz beat for the Las Vegas Review Journal, a newspaper in a large city. Yes, Las Vegas is a large city at about 2 million people and is still growing (I used to get this from tourists, "You're from Vegas? I didn't know anybody was actually from there..."). This paper don't hire idiots. If he were to make up things and report on them, he wouldn't have a job for very long. I'm getting tired of this attitude that if they are a reporter from Vegas, they must be a "hack" or write "smut." There are so many fallacies about Vegas. And nothing I can say can dispell them.
Also, the bend toward "CA can do no wrong" is really clouding judgement here. Just because no other news in the U.S. picked up on it is not the Las Vegas Review Journal's fault, nor does it mean that it's not true.
In this thread, I keep hearing that he is a good guy...good guy...he's done so much good...etc., etc., blah, blah, blah. I read that he was married. His wife assisted him to build up his show biz career. Then he got big and dumped her and is chasing after girls half his age. And they'll probably in turn dump him.
I saw recently on the internet a video of him recently out in front of Planet Hollywood on Las Vegas Boulevard. He was going up to people, jostling them around, talking and distracting them and pickpocketing them. What I thought was hilarious was these people got deflected by the so called celebrity, stars in their eyes and stuff, letting him invade their space and basically let him do it to them. I am sure that Las Vegas Metro Police Department, who are very concerned about crimes against tourists, was happy to see him explain to the general viewing audience how to avoid pickpocketing. CA is to be applauded for that. But, on the other hand, there is concern that he just did a "how to manual" for those with inclinations on how to become a pickpocket. Your slight of hand methods are wonderful, but you're not helping out Las Vegas at all.
I agree with other posts here. He's not going to last in this town for 10 years with his show.
Okay. My last word on this....
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | April 27, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Us gay guys get a little moody when people push us, What can I say.
Posted by: Alan Soucy of Ape10, Ipswich MA | April 27, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Cris is a fool, keep in mind his last full time gig was doing Bithday Parties in N.J.
Posted by: jude | April 27, 2008 at 02:42 PM
He just dumps people like dixie cups, his wife, consultants for his show & friends. Just dosen't seem like the road to sucess.
Posted by: jude | April 27, 2008 at 02:44 PM
That columnist was probably asking for it . Not that it's right to threaten a reporter, but I don't think he's wrong to get upset and maybe tell the guy off.
Posted by: hmm | April 27, 2008 at 07:26 PM
I have mixed emotions about this. Yes Criss was wrong in what he did and said. But I think everyone made a huge deal out of something that was more then likely a joke. I don't know Criss personally but the few times I meet him and talked with him he always seemed like a very nice and respectable person. Another thing people have to remember is Criss is going through alot right now. The man was shooting season 3 and 4 of Mindfreak preparing for the live show and going through a divorce. Not to mention that apparently over night he has become huge and now every step he makes is is all over the newspapers and gossip mags. I think people need to stop being so harsh and remember that Celebs are human too and they are allowed to make mistakes and do stupid shit once and awhile just like us. I mean how would you feel if every move you made was broadcast around the world. Yes they make the decision to live in that limelight but it doesn't give us the right to judge or think we are better then them in anyway.
Posted by: loyallyconfused | April 27, 2008 at 10:24 PM
RE to Jude...if your gonna bash on someone get your facts straight Criss's last full time job was a live broadway show in New York called "Supernatural" ran for almost three years or more the exsact time frame I am unsure of. Before he moved to Las Vegas to start shooting on Mindfreak.
Posted by: loyallyconfused | April 27, 2008 at 10:32 PM
CA IS NOT A BIG STAR SO NOBODY CARES....How accurate is that? Very since unless you've read this incident online no one in the real world knows about it or cares too. Apparently, it wasn't all that impactful to the masses. People, Star, Enquire magazines have yet to grab onto this story and work with it.
After the first month of filling seats for the Cirque show with all Criss Angel fans, who the heck will go to his show? No one cares about Criss because he is not a huge star. People are not going to fly in from all over the globe to see this womanizer pig who shacks up with 22 year old girls because anyone in his own age brackett is too mature for him mentally. The only reason why he even is known to the majority at this point is because he was quick to hang with Britney, Paris, Lindsay and Pam Anderson. Without them, would anyone care to know who Criss is? Hell no, not me.
Posted by: Chloe | April 28, 2008 at 07:05 AM
To ColinFromLasVegas...you hit the nail right on the head. Criss wife Joann was with him for several years and helped build his career to where it currently is at. As soon as he got successful in both name (celebrity) and financial he dumped her and started chasing the skirts of the 21-23 ladies. He has built a great reputation now as being Vegas sleaze (I hope he is not proud of that). As much as I am a fan of his show, I do hope Joann makes out very well for all that she had to put up with during the course of those years since she was his Personal Assistant, Production Assistant and Coordinator.
Posted by: ConfusedCrissFan | April 28, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Wow,Missconfusedfan...you really are.
Posted by: bettylouh | April 28, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Criss makes a living deceiving people. Unfortunately he takes it too personally and I don't think he's a great man as he is of great talent. I hope Joann takes him for all that she has. After all, he cheated on her for years.
I am confused....why do I enjoy watching this sleaze? I suppose its like watching Britney Spears. Its like a car crash that one cannot help but watch.
Posted by: ConfusedCrissFan | April 29, 2008 at 05:52 AM
To ConfusedCrissFan: This has nothing to do with the subject of this article, but I just wanted to throw this out there from a person living in Las Vegas. You pretty much got it right about "car crashes." Although I call them "train wrecks," it's the same thing.
The problem that I have with all of this is that all these "train wreck" personalities all seem to end up in Las Vegas. We seem to be the flame that attracts the moth. Just the way it is, I guess. The sheer number is overwhelming....Britney Spears causing a nationwide embarassment and doing her whale dance on TV (by the way, I heard she showed up for the rehearsal to her dance number with a frozen margarita in her hand...not much got done for rehearsing...the margarita took precedence)...Michael Jackson has tried to get a show at any casino here in Vegas (with no success)...Paris Hilton loves Vegas and does alot of her stupid stuff here (she shows up in a nightclub here after being released from jail where she said she reportedly "found religion" and is going to do charitable stuff, and she is screaming into a microphone there imploring everyone "to party their nuts off"), I guess because she thinks she's a star and in Las Vegas she can get away with it (only time I ever liked her was in that horror movie she was in..she portrayed a ditzy blonde who gave it up to anyone in a pickup truck and the villain got her in the end)...the list goes on and on....now add CA to the mix. Like I say, they do it to themselves.
I think it's funny to note that when I first moved here, there was only one bureau for a TV station that has them scandal show reporting on TV. Like Entertainment Tonight and all those other shows. Now? ALL TV stations have scandal show offices here in Vegas...there's plenty of business for them.
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | April 29, 2008 at 08:18 AM
The Criss Angel site claims that Criss is hard at work on his upcoming Cirque show. However, there are also many stories circulating around that the his has drinking issues.
We all know he likes to party since LAX, PURE and BODY ENGLISH are his "home away from home" and one cannot go a week without finding him in pics on spyonvegas but how is he going to pull off such an elaborate show if he's half in the can all the time?
Posted by: ConfusedCrissFan | April 29, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Chloe- if he's not famous and nobody cares why are you on here screaming about him?
Posted by: loyallyconfused | April 29, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Rumor is that he is gay trying to cover it up
Posted by: VegasClubHopper | April 30, 2008 at 12:51 PM
I saw the NY "Supernatural" show and am shocked at how long it lasted - it was a "hodge podge jumble" of strange characters & the story line was "thin" at best - the magic/illusions were OK, but sometimes the "Price Is Right" motions/hands were used, making it look cheesy - the other show where everyone was in black leather (w/3-4 guys) was just too S&M for me. His music is pretty good though.
The story line to this new Cirque show sounds like a menage a trois (or the bio of Criss' life?) - although I did like the fact that he capitalized LIE in 'beLIEve" on the show's poster-- intriguing. I've walked out (discretly) of every Cirque show I've attended - sorry, they just bored me. I sometimes think if Criss weren't so "good looking", if he would not have half this following.
I hope Criss really curbs his partying/drinking ways - pics of him half smashed w/Pam & being covered in chocolate for his bday & spanked by a dominatrix are not attractive at all - rumor is he's even looking to get into the nightclub biz - big mistake - I don't think this is what a Father (whom he obviously cherished) had in mind for Criss' life and road to fame - where's the Class? And marrying so quickly after your divorce and dating SO MANY of the WRONG WOMEN is not the way to honor a family name : (
And could you PLEASE grow your hair out to a decent length? - this chopped "Posh spice" style (which I'm assuming your "hairperson of 10+ yrs." gave you - should be cause for immediate dismissal if you ask me) - normally you have such BEAUTIFUL hair!
And what's wrong with taking your time & getting to "know a WOMAN" instead of falling IN LOVE like you do, every 4 weeks w/a different female/child - whats wrong with being and acting 40+?
I really do wish you the best Christopher....I.'m sorry you chose the wrong path/people to hang with.
Posted by: Jacqueline | April 30, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Criss Angel's main problem and what I believe contributed to this event is due to the fact that he has a huge EGO. The man just wants the world to know his lady was a MISS USA contestant and was hoping that she would be the winner, if not the top 15. Add that with his daily consumption of alcholol and you get the picture of what type of man he is.
Although now the rumor in Vegas is that he broke it off with her. Um, I wonder why? Perhaps because most people in the world weren't interested in him even when he did date Miss Nevada so now she has no use for him.
Posted by: Luke | May 01, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Luke: I just read about it today (May 2). It's pretty much confirmed Miss Nevada went her own way and is no longer with CA. Next ones to jump ship are those Loyals...the way CA is going...because he's demonstrating he don't care about anyone except himself and clearly does what he wants, threatens who he wants. And yes, I think alcohol is involved a bit. A train wreck about to happen. Only one that can fix that is CA. Like I said before, they do it to themselves.
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | May 02, 2008 at 09:00 AM
When I first met him, he was so sweet and very kind, giving, gentle. Okay, enough of this mush. THE MAN HAS CHANGED. Then a friend told me that the only reason WHY he put up with his loyals and fans that were not loyals was because we were paying attention to him.
Buying his music, book, DVD's., etc. And if you ignore CA, he isn't too happy. He has to bask in his celebrity. The fame he found has just bit him in the behind.
What gives him the God-given right to want to attack a man. Especially one that is handicapped with one eye? Word has it Mr. Clarke had to have his eye surgically removed. And why? Who knows? Cancer? I certainly hope not.
Take a look at yourselves for those who support this action and think that Criss can do no wrong. If it were your father, brother, mother, etc., and they were ill or had lost a limb, an eye, etc., would you support someone who wanted to beat up your loved one and take out the other limb? How sarcastic of him. And to say it is a joke? Sorry. I do not buy this one.
He became violent towards Mr. Clarke and said he'd be wearing another eye patch. Why make someone blind that already has one eye to do his work and live with this tragic handicap?
I am sure that when his dearly-departed father was ill, and yes, my heart goes out to anyone with cancer, that if his father was threatened in any way, Mr. A.. would have gone to great lengths to act about it in such a fashion. That is only human nature to protect a loved one.
It disgusts me to think that with everything he has been through with his father's death from cancer, his mother's heart problems, etc., that he would even MAKE a remark like this. It is just sick, uncaring, and just plain mean.
As I wrote in the beginning, I have met Criss Angel. Thought the world of him. But mayBE that's just because I was schoomzing him, admiring him for his magical talent, which has now become debateable, and said "Hi, Criss, glad to meet you." Of course he was nice to me, why not? I was a fan, a follower, a devotee. No longer.
In retrospect, SHAME ON YOU, CRISS ANGEL. Apologize and be a man. Or at least the man that you were. Who you date is your business, but threatening a man that has done nothing to harm you, SHAMELESS.
Posted by: vanillasky | May 02, 2008 at 03:23 PM
Criss relationship with Veronica a 23 year old KID in my opinion made me ill. I think Crss is older then her Father. She might be 23 but if you hear her speak she sounds like a 15 year old kid. I also got sick to my stomach to read all the comments about his hands up her panties at the Lax sometime in February. For a man going to be 41 getting it on in a club with a 23 year old college kid in public i s just plain SICK. He has a suite upstairs they should have just kept their business upstairs and not show all. I MISS hm alot. He used to be so great and now all he seem to show us is what little kid he is having sex with next. Boy I long for the days when he was married and kept his priviate life private and all we know was how wonderful his art was. I don't know about you but I really don' t care to know who he is having sex with. Bring on the magic!!!!!!!!!! not the sex.
Posted by: SO GLAD SHE IS ONE | May 03, 2008 at 06:11 PM
The man thinks he is KING OF VEGAS. Wait until after the first month or two, then see how many are going to PAY to see the upcoming Cirque show. Its one thing when a visitor stops at the LUXOR to see a demostration FREE but to pay, most don't even know who the heck he is and if one tries to explain all they have to say is "gross". So that shows you how much respect the man has earned during the past 3 years. Only 3 years and the man has changed from day to night. Joann was a family lady, Criss is a 40 year old party boy that loves to drink and clubhop. I'm glad she's out of the picture because Criss is a headache from morning, noon and night.
PS...he must have always been this way but just did a fine job of acting. One does not change so drastically overnight. People just don't.
Posted by: Kris | May 04, 2008 at 08:51 PM
What's with all the jewelry? He looks like the Liberace of Magic.
That man has issues. I bet his still "in the closet".
Posted by: John | May 04, 2008 at 08:57 PM
You know I have to say somthing. I am a loyal and always will be. I stand behind Criss all the way. I can't believe some of you have turned on him.
Fist of all is there any proof to any of this or is it all hearsay.
Second Everyone gets mad and says thing they don't mean. How many people have you threaned in anger and never meant it.
Third Do you always believe everything you read in gossip magazines.
Criss is an amazing artist and I think he is going to take Vegas to a whole new level.
To judge him on his personal life and try and ruien his career is rediculous.
This is a whole new life style for him. He's trying to fit in. So he goes a little crazy at least he's not doing drugs or robbing people. I have the utmost respect for him and I will always be loyal.
Posted by: mal1256 | May 05, 2008 at 08:56 AM
I am a loyal and will stay a loyal. I back Criss 100%
Posted by: mal1256 | May 05, 2008 at 09:04 AM