Beacher vs. Boston
As the police were surrounding him in Boston on Wednesday night, former
Hard Rock headliner Jeff Beacher says, his first thought was to call me. "Well,
call Page 6 and then you. But you were at the top of the list. I also wanted to
make sure the paparazzi took pictures." Beacher and his troupe of little people were hired to perform in Boston at the Estate nightclub at a party promoting Playboy Energy Drink. The first set went off without a hitch. But then the police showed up and, according to Beacher, after surrounding him, they informed him that he would be arrested if he sent the little people out again. Advertisements for the event had alerted the police, who apparently felt the need to enforce a statute outlawing "the promotion of albinos and midgets."
Now back in Vegas, Beacher is plotting his revenge: "This is a disgusting and discriminatory law. And
Boston should get caught up with the times. What if an albino wants to be a
singer? At the end of March or early April, I am going to organize a 1,000
little person march to protest Boston." (Photo by Sarah Gerke)
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Beacher: Donald Trump hates midgets
The other day I wrote about how former Miss USA Tara Conner pulled out of the nightclub event at the Mirage crowning her as Miss Jet 2008. I had assumed the problem was that Conner's people (and, yes, apparently even a former Miss USA really has "people") thought it would be an image error for the rehabbed Conner to be seen representing a nightclub in Vegas. But I was mistaken. The problem wasn't her representing Jet Nightclub, but the fact the Miss Jet crown was to be passed to her by the current Miss Jet, deposed Miss Nevada Katie Rees, and, more important, one of Jeff Beacher's little people working as Mini-Trump. Apparently, the actual Donald Trump might have very thin skin. TMZ obtained this message (that I have independently confirmed but have not yet seen) that was sent to the nightclub by Conner's camp: "In no way or manner can Tara be photographed with the Miss Nevada girl or a midget (sic) Trump at all. . . . Tara has a wonderful relationship with Mr. Trump and this could easily come off as disrespectful."
Disrespectful? You don't say. So, Tara Conner was afraid of disrespecting the Donald? Weird.
Disrespectful? You don't say. So, Tara Conner was afraid of disrespecting the Donald? Weird.
Jeff Beacher, who was to MC the event and was the creator of the talent (i.e. Mini-Trump), has his own spin: "Donald Trump obviously hates little people. It is disgusting that he is so racist. People have parodied and made fun of Trump for years, but it isn't OK for a little person to earn a living doing it for one night."
(Photo by Sarah Gerke)
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Beacher's Madhouse hits the road -- Sundance beware!
It is official: Beacher's Madhouse will no longer be holding monthly events at the Hard Rock. In fact, the Hard Rock's first-ever headliner has no dates to offer for any show at that resort in the future. Still, both Beacher and the Hard Rock have left the door open with a vague promise of future events.
There was no press release that announced the end of the Madhouse at the Hard Rock. In fact, all that happened as a hint was that the previously advertised Dec. 29 Beacher event at the Hard Rock simply vanished from listings.
Beacher has been a fixture at the Hard Rock since back when the casino was owned by Peter Morton. From his arrival, Beacher was a master at bringing celebrity and attention and lots of press to the off-Strip casino.
The Beacher era reinvigorated the Hard Rock, and considering the copious money and effort the resort put into promoting the Madhouse, the crafty promoter and resort have parted ways with remarkably little fanfare.
The Beacher era reinvigorated the Hard Rock, and considering the copious money and effort the resort put into promoting the Madhouse, the crafty promoter and resort have parted ways with remarkably little fanfare.
Does this mean the end for Beacher's Madhouse? Of course not. So look out, world!
Beacher is taking his show on the road. Beacher's Madhouse, the wild Vegas bachelor party mix of tasteless talent contests, celebrity impersonators, real celebrities, circus acts, novelty routines and lots of women in scanty clothes, is going national. Expect a publicity stunt in a city near you soon.
Here is my exclusive interview with Jeff Beacher about this major change in the direction of his show and on his current relationship with the Hard Rock.
Beacher is taking his show on the road. Beacher's Madhouse, the wild Vegas bachelor party mix of tasteless talent contests, celebrity impersonators, real celebrities, circus acts, novelty routines and lots of women in scanty clothes, is going national. Expect a publicity stunt in a city near you soon.
Here is my exclusive interview with Jeff Beacher about this major change in the direction of his show and on his current relationship with the Hard Rock.
Richard Abowitz: So, what is going on with you and the Hard Rock? Your December show is off the Hard Rock website but still up on your site. The Hard Rock tells me they have no shows scheduled with you.
Jeff Beacher: That show (December) is now off our site also. We are changing direction with the Hard Rock. Instead of doing a set number of shows, we are going to do one-offs here and there.
Q: Do you have a date for the next scheduled show?
A: No.
Q: So, you are essentially free from the Hard Rock?
A: Ah, yeah.
Q: So, what are you up to in Vegas?
A: Right now we are concentrating on touring. We did clubs in Miami, New York and Chicago, and they were all huge hits. Everything was well received. So, now we have a touring Madhouse. We are booked through March. We are doing events at Sundance and the Super Bowl. Basically, we have something every week booked somewhere in a major city.
Q: Are these people who have seen the Madhouse and booked you? Or did they read about it? How did your show take this turn?
A: People at first misunderstood the show and thought it was Jeff Beacher doing stand-up and some little people. As you know, it is nothing like that. But when people figured out what we were doing, I'd keep getting calls from out of state. But we were never able to tour. The several times we were out of state, I had to get $150,000 or $200,000 for the events, and that falls out of most people's pocketbook range. But the demand was there. So, I quickly figured out how to create a small Madhouse that works in clubs like Crobar and Marquee or Cameo. You can go to any major city with a nightclub audience and program it right into the venue.
Q: And what about Vegas? Are you looking for a new home for the big Madhouse?
A: No, not right now. Right now we are going to continue doing exactly what we are doing.
Q: So, is Vegas going to lose Jeff Beacher?
A: No, Vegas isn't losing me. We are doing events right now. On Monday we did Jet (Mirage), and New Year's we are doing Palms. We are doing a lot of entertainment stuff for the Luxor and MGM properties. We are all over the place, and the company is making more money now than it has ever made. Everything is awesome. I love Vegas.
(Photo by Sarah Gerke)
(Photo by Sarah Gerke)
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Hard Rock headliner Beacher movin' on?
Jeff Beacher's Madhouse at the Hard Rock was set to have its final event of the season this month. But that does not seem to be happening anymore. Beacher's December appearance is still listed on his site, but no longer is the event mentioned on the Hard Rock's site. Meanwhile, a Hard Rock rep tells me the resort has no upcoming events scheduled with Beacher.
Beacher, meanwhile, has taken his show on the road, appearing with Madhouse acts at nightclubs on the Strip (competitors of the Hard Rock) and in other cities, while, as always, generating headlines wherever he goes.
The latest, from a club in Miami, involves one of the Madhouse's little-person oompa-loompa impersonators and Paris Hilton.
The latest, from a club in Miami, involves one of the Madhouse's little-person oompa-loompa impersonators and Paris Hilton.
I have been playing telephone tag with Beacher since yesterday and hope to have his future plans (and whether they include the Hard Rock) in his own words on the Buffet soon.
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Big Britney waddles to glory at Hard Rock
Saturday afternoon, I got an e-mail from Jeff Beacher of Beacher's Madhouse
about how seriously he was taking the mini-Britney wars, and the debut that
night of his mysterious new mini-Britney. Beacher e-mailed [grammatical errors have been preserved]:
"I personally got involved in creation. No mini britney franeknstein [sic] is
going to screw me and get away with it!!!! Yes you can use that
quote!"
That was a clear reference to Terra Jole who originated Mini-Britney, a highlight of the Madhouse earlier this year.
But Jole left the Madhouse and the Hard Rock and is now starring at Little Legends doing her act at Krave at Planet Hollywood.
After escalating bitterness between the two, Beacher vowed to present at the Madhouse "New Mini-Britney" who he claimed could dance and sing better than Jole.
But Jole left the Madhouse and the Hard Rock and is now starring at Little Legends doing her act at Krave at Planet Hollywood.
After escalating bitterness between the two, Beacher vowed to present at the Madhouse "New Mini-Britney" who he claimed could dance and sing better than Jole.
To Jole, Beacher's intention was clear: "He's trying to sabotage
Mini-Britney."
But, until her debut, Beacher refused to let me see or photograph 'New Mini-Britney.'
Now, I can report much is cleared up. Terra Jole remains the undisputed
'mini-Britney Spears' impersonator in Las Vegas. But I don't think the Madhouse
audience was at all disappointed with what we got: Big Britney.
Jole told me she did Britney's hits on purpose to remind the audience of the Britney they love. Big Britney went another direction offering a recreation of Britney Spears' "Gimme More" VMA performance.
This had a certain expedience by allowing 'Big Britney' to impersonate Britney Spears by both messing up the choreography and lip un-synching the wrong words. The truth is 'Big Britney's' belly showed more dancing groove and vitality, swinging to its own melody, than the real Britney Spears offered Vegas at the VMAs. So, going forward it's 'Big Britney' vs. 'Mini Britney.'
Jole told me she did Britney's hits on purpose to remind the audience of the Britney they love. Big Britney went another direction offering a recreation of Britney Spears' "Gimme More" VMA performance.
This had a certain expedience by allowing 'Big Britney' to impersonate Britney Spears by both messing up the choreography and lip un-synching the wrong words. The truth is 'Big Britney's' belly showed more dancing groove and vitality, swinging to its own melody, than the real Britney Spears offered Vegas at the VMAs. So, going forward it's 'Big Britney' vs. 'Mini Britney.'
Spoiler alert: Big Britney is Jeff Beacher in a wig. I asked him about the
outfit: "We tried to get something that matched her VMA outfit exactly. But I
could not fit in the shoes so I wore sneakers at the last minute."
By the way, Beacher has claimed to have lost a great deal of weight as part of a rigorous training program in preparation to run the Las Vegas Marathon in December. How do you think he is doing?
(photo by Sarah Gerke)
By the way, Beacher has claimed to have lost a great deal of weight as part of a rigorous training program in preparation to run the Las Vegas Marathon in December. How do you think he is doing?
(photo by Sarah Gerke)
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Original Mini-Britney: Bring on New Mini-Britney
"He is trying to sabotage mini-Britney," says Terra Jole, the original
Mini-Britney.
Jole is talking about her former employer, Jeff Beacher, the impresario of Beacher's Madhouse at the Hard Rock.
Beacher has announced plans to replace Jole's popular Spears impersonation in his Madhouse this Saturday with a "New Mini-Britney."
I reached Jole by phone last night after her performance in Little Legends at Krave at Planet Hollywood.
Jole says of her act: "I've been doing this since the beginning of the year, long before I did it for Beacher. I developed Mini-Britney with my team. I studied Britney's voice. And then my amazing costume designer studied her videos and made my replica outfits. I just performed at Beacher's gig a couple times."
But whatever she thinks of Beacher's motives in offering a New Mini-Britney, Jole says she doesn't mind the competition.
"I am confident in my talent. No one else makes me worried."
In fact, she welcomes Beacher's New Mini-Britney. "There is more than one impersonator in Las Vegas. So, why isn't there more than one little-person impersonator impersonating the same person?"
(photo by Sarah Gerke)
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The newest Vegas feud: Mini-Britney Vs. New Mini-Britney
A little person Britney feud seems to be breaking out in Vegas.
I received a statement from Terra Jole's manager "Rocky" Raquel Giberstein
about my item this morning:"Terra no longer works with Jeff Beacher and she has not worked with him since her last appearance at Beacher's Madhouse on June 30, 2007. Nor does she intend to ever work for him in the future. Anyone who wants to see her perform as Mini-Britney, should go see `Little Legends' at the Harmon Theatre in Krave."
I reached Jeff Beacher for a response. Beacher admits to the schism with Jole (who popularized her Mini-Britney routine at the Madhouse). Beacher
says he has found another little person who impersonates Britney Spears to appear at his Madhouse:
"We wish the old mini-Britney the best. I have nothing but love and respect
for her. But unfortunately show business is show business. We have a new mini
Britney that blows her away, that can sing and dance a thousand times better than
her at Beacher's Madhouse, which is a sold out show."
Pressed for the name of the mystery little person who is
now impersonating Britney Spears in the Madhouse this weekend, Beacher insists that her
name is "New Mini-Britney."
So, one thing at least is clear: Las Vegas now pays two little people to
impersonate Britney Spears.
I am now trying to reach Terra Jole to get her thoughts on Beacher's New
Mini-Britney.
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Beacher's best publicity stunts
Publicity stunts used to have a grand tradition in Vegas. But their glory years were long past before Jeff Beacher arrived in Las Vegas at the end of 2003 to become the first headliner at the Hard Rock. Beacher has revived the tradition with a vengeance. Beacher's latest publicity stunt involves a threat of retirement, 50 Cent, and Kanye West. Norm writes the details up this morning, and it is almost too complicated for me to follow. However, it got me thinking and here is a list of my 5 favorite publicity stunts from Beacher's Vegas past. (This list does not include hiring talent like deposed Miss.Nevada, Katie Rees, at a headline-convenient moment or his permanent Page 6 position that comes from being friends with Paris Hilton.) Beacher, by the way, does not believe that he has performed traditional publicity stunts in Vegas; "Things just happen" is how he puts it. So, here is my list of Top 5 things that just happened involving Jeff Beacher and some that did not go as planned.
5. Beacher promised to make himself into the world's largest pig-in-a-blanket by wrapping himself in dough and being dunked in a vat of ketchup. The event was canceled when the heated-up dipping sauce caused health concerns.
4. Beacher promises to lose 100 pounds to run in the Las Vegas Marathon in December 2007. Beacher claims to be steadily losing weight. My own visual examination cannot yet tell conclusively.
3. To assist in his weight loss, Beacher also has taken a vow of celibacy. There has been much less discussion of this vow recently than when it was announced.
2. PETA Vs. Beacher's monkey. PETA started the feud, but Beacher won by using the animal rights group for plenty of press all over the country for the Madhouse. The monkey is still in the show.
1. Beacher announces his arrival in Vegas by sneaking into the MGM disguised as a maintenance worker. As the Billboard Music Awards was letting out at the resort, Beacher stripped down to a Speedo wearing a snorkel and sign advertising his show, and jumped into a fish tank near the entrance of Studio 54 at MGM.
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Beacher's house
Consider this "Part 1" of my night with comedian Artie Lange on Saturday night into Sunday morning. But I only get to say "hello" to Artie Lange in this part.
My dealings with Vegas headliners, executives and producers are usually conducted under very formal circumstances. We sit down to a meal with a publicist between us. This isn't always the case but, certainly I have never been invited to Elton's penthouse or Celine's mansion or even, and this remains a dream, to Wayne Newton's Shenandoah to meet his penguins.
But on Saturday, Hard Rock headliner and producer Jeff Beacher of Beacher's Madhouse invited me to his home. Actually, kidnapped me is sort of a better way to put it. The plan had been to spend the evening watching Artie Lange party in Vegas the night of his sold-out performance promoted by Beacher. But when I met up with Beacher and Artie Lange at the Hard Rock's Nobu a couple of hours before the show, Beacher, I guess, wanted Lange to have some relaxed time with his entourage before being hassled by me. So he ordered me to come along with him, promising a reunion with Artie backstage in the green room before the show.
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The Madhouse returns triumphant
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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Beacher's Madhouse returns
Jeff Beacher has probably had a bad spell in Las Vegas. Not that anyone would point that out. It has been almost 11 months since Beacher's Madhouse last paraded around the Hard Rock with its mix of circus freaks, LA celebrities and, usually, a Hilton sister in tow. Also, Beacher's Rockhouse bar at Imperial Palace opened and soon separated from Beacher to become just Rockhouse. But you would not know this from talking to him or from paying attention to his press. Beacher's great gift is for promotion and, even with nothing to promote, he has had a big year in the media. He tangled with Cirque and PETA. He also made headlines by hiring the dethroned Miss. Nevada to host the Madhouse (though she has yet to appear in a show). In fact, during this down year Rolling Stone, in its Vegas package, even named Beacher the best showman on the Strip (a small point: the Hard Rock isn't even on the Strip).
Finally this Saturday the Madhouse returns to the Hard Rock: about time. And, Beacher has done his thing again with a final publicity stunt by hiring Terra Jole, known as Mini Britney Spears.
In a conversation with me last night, Beacher pointed out that Mini Britney unlike the real Britney Spears actually sings live while dancing and can perform a 45 minute show besting the 15 minute set offered by the actual Britney Spears at her recent Vegas concert. Today's press release:
"Mini Britney will now be working alongside such greats as Beachy the Goat, Fred The Monkey, The World’s Strongest Jump Roper and The Chippenwhales a 400 pound and over Obese Go Go dance troupe that wear short shorts and fishnet stockings."
Though he has done his best to hide that he was gone, I am glad Beacher's Madhouse is back. And, I have decided to head down there on Saturday night and will provide a full report on the Buffet next week on the least predictable show experience in Vegas.
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Beacher gets too close to crop
Many times when a celebrity shows up at a nightclub in a Vegas resort, I
get a photo which I sometimes use, and a lot of promotional copy I check for
information and then leave aside. Some other writers in town do not leave those words aside, and, as a
result, sometimes this publicist derived copy actually turns up in local
publications. I have complained about the practice before on this blog.
But today I am going to do it myself; I will share what you usually miss on this blog.
Here is the hyperventilating copy that came with this photo from PURE at Caesars about this weekend:
"Saturday night in Sin City got off to a
rockin' start as Kelly Osbourne, daughter of rock legend Ozzy Ozbourne (sic), stepped
into the sexiest hot spot on The Strip, PURE, with fellow MTV reality
rebel Bam Margera. The packed house of partiers went wild with the sights of
their favorite MTV moguls who shared a table on the main VIP stage.
Osbourne and Margera kicked back and socialized with each other and the
surrounding guests in VIP while Osbourne took down Voss water and Margera took
to Grey Goose and cranberry. Dancing to the fabulous concoction of hits mixed by
DJ Hollywood, the two enjoyed a night full of excitement at Las Vegas' finest
nightclub until the early morning hours." 
The photo (courtesy of PURE) captions
Osbourne, Bam Margera and his wife. But you will notice that left unmentioned in
Pure's copy is the conspicuously large white man in a tuxedo (leaning in, with his elbow on Osbourne). That would be Hard
Rock headliner Jeff Beacher, who has a gift for turning up in these sorts
of celebrity photos but not one that the folks at PURE apparently appreciates
or, at least, in this case, choose to acknowledge.
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Beacher VS. PETA: Monkey Business Continues....
Here is a Q&A I just had with Hard Rock headliner Jeff Beacher on
PETA's complaint about the monkey he uses in his Madhouse show. Far from backing
down, Beacher here announces that he is adding more animals to the
Madhouse and denies an old rumor by pointing out Paris has her own monkey.Richard Abowitz: Are you taking the monkey out of the show?
Jeff Beacher: Absolutely not.
Question: The expert from PETA told me that as the monkey gets older it
could turn temperamental and be dangerous to people...
Answer: The monkey is in no way dangerous to anybody. It's licensed. It's
trained. It loves everybody and we love it.
Q; Does the monkey have a name?
A: We call it Fred.
Q: PETA says that the raucous Madhouse environment is bad for monkeys; and
that monkeys can't give consent to be in that casino environment.
A: The monkey is a trained performance monkey. It doesn't live 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week in the Madhouse. It is there for an hour, once a month. I
hardly think that harms the monkey in anyway, and neither does the trained,
licensed, permit holding professional who takes care of the monkey and treats
the monkey as a son.
Q: Do you envision now adding other animals to the Madhouse?
A: Yes, we are in the process of licensing and getting permits for several
different animals.
Q: What kind?
A: Goats, sheep, all kinds.
Q: Are you being serious?
A: Yes. And, we are looking to partnering with a local farm to keep all the
animals. I love animals. They are a lot of fun. And, the Madhouse fans love to
have animals around. They like to pet animals. That's part of the environment we
are creating. It's an adult circus.
Q: I just remembered. Don't you already have a goat that is on
MYSpace?
A: Yeah, Beachy.
Q: Has the goat been to the Madhouse?
A: Yes.
Q: Now, didn't Paris Hilton buy, borrow or get loaned the monkey one night
at the Madhouse? And, maybe there was a trip to a nightclub in the Hard
Rock?
A: No, some gossip trade just wrote that.
Q: Really?
A: No. Paris has her own monkeys.
Q: What?
A: She has her own monkeys, yeah.
Q: Paris Hilton has a monkey?
A: Yeah, it is called a capuchin.
Q: Paris has a capuchin monkey. I should have known. Did her getting a
monkey have anything to do with the Madhouse monkey?
A: No. We got our monkey after Paris got hers.
Q: Okay. Now, are you really afraid that PETA is going to paint you?
A: Of course, I am afraid. They unleash their Stormtroopers and attack
people.
Q: Weren't you going to submerge yourself in mustard and ketchup? How can
you be afraid of paint?
A: I am not afraid of the paint. But I am afraid they are going to attack
me.
Q: But you aren't afraid. I mean, if they paint you, won't you just send out
a press release?
A: I am not saying I won't publicize the event.
(Photo by Sarah Gerke)
(Photo by Sarah Gerke)
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Hard Rock's Beacher Vs. PETA
Jeff Beacher is such a genius for publicity and self-promotion. Has anyone
even noticed the headliner at the Hard Rock has not performed a show at the
venue all year? In fact, his first Madhouse of 2007 isn't even on the
schedule until May 26. Yet, that has hardly kept Beacher's name out of the
press. Earlier this year, Beacher got himself a national publicity bonanza when
he announced, after Donald Trump kicked her to the curb, that dethroned Miss
Nevada, Katie Rees, would become the new host for the Madhouse. Little did
Beacher know that his next batch of clippings would come as a side benefit from
the Katie Rees story."When the Katie Rees stories appeared our members from all over the country
sent in complaints," says Jackie Vergerio of PETA. (Karma points my way for the
oh so many Katie Rees jokes I am not making right now.) According to
Vergerio: "The stories mentioned that he (Beacher) uses a monkey in the show and
you go on the Web site and you see what that show is like and it is a horrible
environment for a primate. It is no environment for any animal to be subjected
to it." Interestingly, though perhaps not fit for a monkey, the raucous circus
and bachelor party atmosphere of Beacher's Madhouse is an environment that human
animals will wait in line hours and hours for a chance to be admitted. Anyway,
according to Vergerio, PETA sent a letter to the entertainment director of the
Hard Rock to complain about the monkey being used in the show. Of course,
Beacher's response was to leap at the chance for attention provided by PETA's
complaint.
And, so it is no surprise, that I first became aware of the situation this
morning after reading a press release from Beacher lashing out at PETA titled:
"Jeff Beacher not Monkeying around with PETA." My favorite quote in the press
release: "Beacher...fears that the people who represent PETA believe in bully
tactics and is scared that they will dump paint on him." Is this the same
Beacher who a few months ago, for another publicity stunt, was planning to cover
himself in dough and then use a crane to lower himself into a vat of ketchup and
mustard for 8 minutes to make himself the world's largest pig-in-a-blanket?
(photo of Beacher's monkey taken 11/12/05 by Sarah Gerke)
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Leave It to Beacher
Last seen asking Uncle Donald for a second chance, the headline on the press release says it all: "Donald Trump Says 'You’re Fired,' Jeff Beacher Says 'You’re Hired.'" Miss Nevada Katie Rees you will recall was deposed after some naughty photos of her turned up. According to Beacher's shameless release, "The unemployed Miss Nevada has found herself a new job in a familiar environment, surrounding herself with half-naked girls, midgets, monkeys..."
Anyway, I called Beacher this morning and it isn't just Katie Rees who is back in business. Beacher's Madhouse has been in a sort of limbo since Peter Morton sold the Hard Rock. Now, Beacher is ready to announce the return of his show to the hotel. This isn't surprising since the Hard Rock was the sponsor of Beacher's most recent publicity stunt: a diet/vow of celibacy in order to train for the Las Vegas Marathon in December. As maddening as Beacher can be to cover, this city is more interesting when the Madhouse is in town and nothing beats watching Beacher at full P. T. Barnum speed. The Madhouse returns March 31 to the Hard Rock and will run the last Saturday of every month for the next two years.
photo by Sarah Gerke
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Jeff Beacher: Fat Man Running
Nightclub impressario Jeff Beacher never ceases to amaze me. Tonight is the Billboard Music Awards, which means it is the anniversary of the day I met Beacher for the first time. I remember because a few hours after we met, Beacher went to the MGM where the 2003 Billboard Music Awards show was taking place. He entered the resort disguised as a maintenance worker. Beacher then shared with the world the bounty of his ample belly by plunging into a fish tank wearing only a Speedo and a sign advertising his comedy and variety show at the Hard Rock.
Beacher was briefly banned from all MGM Mirage properties. But he turned out not to be as overtly crass as that stunt suggested. In fact, Beacher adapted to Vegas quickly by learning how to promote himself without violating the tiny bit of collegiality established between resorts (like not breaking into a fish tank at one resort to advertise a show for another). In many ways, Beacher has adapted so well to Vegas that he is like one of those exotic fish that gets dumped into some local pond and takes over the ecosystem.
Beacher's celebrity friendships — most notably with Paris Hilton (No. 1 friend on his MySpace page) — helped put Las Vegas on the young Hollywood map. Pure and Tao have taken the celebrity thing to the next level, but Beacher really was the first to work it.
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