An item in the November 4, The New York Post suggests big troubles for Avenue Q at Wynn. Post reporter Michael Riedel writes that the 1200 seat theater is "half empty at most performances" (and, the balcony still isn't open). He also states that Steve Wynn is bringing in new marketing executives to help save the sinking show.

This is on the heels of an October 26th article by New York Times food critic R. W. Apple that mentioned  almost in passing about Wynn (the Hotel): "Its nightclubs are already being revamped, its computer system has been plagued by bugs." And, then there is Le Reve. But back to Reidel who speculates on the possible reason for Avenue Q's problems here: " 'Q'" may also be too sophisticated for Vegas audiences, whose tastes generally run to animal acts, Celine Dion and slot machines." Get a grip, fella. First off there are almost no animal acts on the Strip anymore unless you count the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. But more importantly, Avenue Q is not Ibsen, it is, if you want to double-check this, a naughty puppet show.

Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman, who once told 4th grade children that if he were cast off on an island he would want only his bottle of gin, now calls for vandals to have their thumbs cut off on tv.

(photo by JEFF SCHEID/AP)

One of the few times I left Las Vegas was last year to travel (twice) a few hours away into another world: Colorado City, a freaky isolated place near the Utah/Arizona border.  Colorado City, when I was there, was a town entirely run by a polygamous cult leader, Warren Jeffs. Everyone worshiped Warren from the police force to the public schools to the mayor (who Jeffs banished from town prompting my first visit). Jeffs does not allow anyone in Colorado City to sell magazines, DVDs, or newspapers. I met a teenager who never, for example, heard the name George Bush (it didn't matter which one). Things have improved a bit since those days. Jeffs is currently a fugitive from justice for among other things arranging marriages between his male followers and underage girls. Today it is reported that Jeffs' brother was just picked up on a charge (reg req'd) of aiding Jeffs and let’s hope this helps authorities pick-up this self-proclaimed prophet and bring him into a court of law.

There is a lot of talk among Las Vegas parents about the effect this town has on children who grow up here inundated with everything from the sexy billboards to the overall culture of constant marketing of fulfillment, indulgence and shallow extravagance. But, though it isn’t politically correct to say this, what I usually see and read about isn’t out of control kids but that Las Vegas continues to have among the most selfish and self-centered parents of any community in the nation. Even though no one dies, this one appalling example stands out.

It looks like Vegas will be at the vanguard of experiencing the post Howard Stern broadcast radio era. While most of the country will continue to receive Stern’s show until his departure for satellite radio early next year, it was announced yesterday, that Stern’s last day on local Infinity station KXTE (107.5) will be November 7. Contractual reasons have been cited locally as the reason, but no explanation of this vague term has been forthcoming. Stern has been on the air and at the top of the ratings here since 1992.

But Stern’s real connection to Las Vegas the past few years have been his trips to town to spend a week broadcasting live from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. I dropped by to check out his last visit in April 2004 and like all his Vegas excursions Stern packed a crowd so massive that I could get nowhere near close enough to see him or even figure out where exactly he was sitting. It was wall-to-wall people. And, it isn’t just any crowd. Howard Stern brings in the door every casino’s dream customers: men who love to drink, gamble and party.