Boyd Gaming has turned over the Barbary Coast keys to Harrah’s. In loving memory of Barbary Coast, we won’t speak the horrible new name of the hotel and casino in this post. However, we will provide this link to the new Web site, which clears up a few questions lingering since the ownership change was announced:

• Big Elvis is still performing in the lounge
• The Victorian Room is still called The Victorian Room
• Michael’s will be replaced by a new steakhouse
• The casino will have its own slot club rather than joining Total Rewards

We’re still hoping for some decent video poker paytables, fair blackjack rules and low-limit pai gow poker when the renamed casino opens in a couple days and will pass along reports in upcoming podcasts.

Only one other link this week: Our friend Mike E put together a comprehensive report on the hotel-within-a-hotel concept a few days ago. So check it out and poke around Mike’s blog—La Dolce Life is a welcome addition to our blogroll.

Las Vegas podcast #108 includes:

• Web chat fun
• NBA All-Star Game aftermath
• Stomp Out Loud comes to Aladdin/Planet Hollywood
• Faster Than Magic brings Hans Klok and Carmen Electra to Las Vegas
• Hawaiian Tropic Zone at Miracle Mile
• Prince packs his bags
• LeReve showroom gets a facelift
• What’s the deal with those Tahiti Village timeshare commercials?
• Listener calls about sports betting, ads on hotels, Barbary Coast, the smoking ban, the discount dinner buffet trick and a drunk dial message or two (or six)
• The second annual Earmuff Awards

Direct download of the podcast: Five Hundy By Midnight 2/25/07 (40:25 min, 37.1 MB) or subscribe.

We get a lot of information from the Las Vegas Review Journal, but I think it’s time for someone over there to start listening to Five Hundy by Midnight. Today’s paper includes news of GM closing The Drive—the test track behind Sahara where people too dumb to go to a GM dealership to test drive a car for free could pay for the opportunity. GM closed The Drive three months ago, and we reported on it in show #96.

Speaking of closings, let’s hope the Las Vegas Sun’s speculation about MTR Gaming shuttering Binion’s proves false. Someone needs to step in to save the legendary old joint.

If Wayne Newton’s horrible pre-game lipsyncing, post-game shootings and gridlocked Las Vegas Strip traffic aren’t enough to make you glad you didn’t attend the NBA All-Star Game last weekend, surely reports of the mess at McCarran International Airport will make you thankful you stayed home. If you feel like you missed something, read Sports Guy’s extensive wrap-up.

Las Vegas podcast #107 includes:

• Advertising takes over the Strip for NBA All-Star Weekend
• Planet Hollywood renovation update
• Monte Carlo renovation news
• Introducing Ante Up 21 (aka Bloker)
• Listener reviews of Circus Circus
• Open Road’s Best of Las Vegas book and companion blog
• The real story behind the Rob and Amber reality show
• Discount Las Vegas ticket outlets: Tix4Tonight and Tickets2Nite
• Join us for our first Web chat this Saturday at 5 p.m. (PST).

Direct download of the podcast: Five Hundy By Midnight 2/18/07 (56:00 min, 51.3 MB) or subscribe.

Inspired by our friend Dave Lifton’s weekly Tuesday morning links, we decided to rip off his concept and begin a recurring series of blog posts linking to some Las Vegas stuff you may find entertaining, informative or amusing. Most weeks, we’ll probably feature just one or two links, but if we find several articles or sites to share, maybe we’ll go nuts and post a bunch. So here we go.

RateVegas.com’s latest edition of the Worst Las Vegas Podcast is now available for your listening pleasure. The latest show features an interview with us. We had a great time appearing on the show and thank Hunter for being such a gracious host.

Neither of us are golfers and, quite honestly, we would rather spend a Saturday afternoon squeezing Carrot Top’s back zits over watching golf on TV. However, this article makes us wish TiVo would have captured the Pebble Beach Pro Am coverage, featuring Danny Gans making an ass of himself. Enjoy.

Las Vegas podcast #106 includes:

• The new name for Barbary Coast is dumb
• Oddly disturbing Bill’s Lake Tahoe hot dogs
• Lady Luck renovation delay (again)
• Hard Rock sale complete
• The Producers reviews
• Paris sports book changes
• We’re addicted to ledgaming.com and videopoker.com demo games
• The Lucky Donut finds us entertaining
• We’re going to be guests on another Vegas podcast soon

Direct download of the podcast: Five Hundy By Midnight 2/11/07 (26:02 min, 24 MB) or subscribe.

According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, Harrah’s plans to change Barbary Coast’s name to Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon after taking ownership from Boyd Gaming. The new name is apparently a tribute to Harrah’s founder Bill Harrah.

Boyd Gaming is trading Barbary Coast to Harrah’s for the land where Westward Ho formerly stood. The Nevada Gaming Control Board has recommended approval by the Nevada Gaming Commission of the transaction.

Update: The Review Journal now has a few more details.

Las Vegas podcast #105 includes:

• Polly Esther’s coming to Stratosphere
• Palms opens temporary buffet
• Food while you gamble at El Cortez
• Michael’s move delayed
• The Producers opens at Paris
• More bad news for the monorail
• Harrah’s spokeswoman is an idiot
• Rob and Amber: Against the Odds
• Listener reports
• Prince’s Super Bowl press conference

Direct download of the podcast: Five Hundy By Midnight 2/4/07 (52:51 min, 48.5 MB) or subscribe.