As a general rule, Jimmy Eat World makes us happy, and the band’s new video for Big Casino is no exception.

Las Vegas podcast #139 includes:

• Sons of Hollywood opener
• Rio update
• Crown Las Vegas shrinks
• Caesars’ Cher deal falls through
• End in sight for The Producers and Matsuri
• Hats! at Harrahs Las Vegas
• RIP Viva Laughlin
• Listener calls about MGM Mirage’s reservation system problems; Ultimate Game Show Experience at Las Vegas Hilton; Rapid Roulette; Circus Circus Steakhouse; Coast Casinos slot club changes; Little Legends; and more

Direct download of the podcast: Five Hundy By Midnight 10/28/07 (62:17 min, 57.2 MB) or subscribe.

Want a sweet-ass Las Vegas photo and a constant reminder of your favorite podcast on your computer screen? We created a couple dope desktop photos for your downloading pleasure.

Viva Laughlin, the CBS television musical drama based on the British series Viva Blackpool, was pronounced dead today following a four-day struggle with poor writing, bad acting and devastating production numbers. VL leaves behind several unaired episodes, expected to be adopted by cbs.com or an as-yet-unidentified cable network.

Las Vegas podcast #138 includes:

• Harrah’s and Rio problems continue to grow
• Restaurant reports
• The Beauty of Magic is closing
• David Copperfield is in trouble
• Joey Bishop is dead
• Viva Laughlin needs more singing
• Listener calls about Bonk at Hooters, odd room themes at Planet Hollywood and getting the Copperfield treatment on Wheel of Fortune

Direct download of the podcast: Five Hundy By Midnight 10/21/07 (34:15 min, 31.5 MB) or subscribe.

It’s may not be Las Vegas, but casino implosions in other cities are cool too. Atlantic City experienced its first casino implosion tonight when the Sands fell to make room for a shiny new Boardwalk resort. See the video here and here.

Las Vegas podcast #137 includes:

• The Simpsons opening clip
• Best Vegas song ever
• Update on permit woes at Rio and Harrah’s
• More cameras on Las Vegas Boulevard
• New Las Vegas Monorail stats
• Golden Nugget expands
• Listener calls about timeshare sales idiots, El Cortez, Las Vegas Hilton rooms, Caesars Palace construction and more
• USA Today/Forbes article on Las Vegas buffets
• Beginner steak advice finally pays off

Direct download of the podcast: Five Hundy By Midnight 10/14/07 (53:40 min, 49.3 MB) or subscribe.

During this week’s podcast, we speculated that if Harrah’s skirted Clark County’s permit regulations for renovations at Rio, they probably did the same at some of their other properties. Well, today comes news that 600 of the rooms at Harrah’s Las Vegas have been closed as a safety precaution as part of an internal investigation into the company’s remodeling practices. Most noteworthy is the revelation that “several larger remodeling projects at Harrah’s on the Strip took place without the necessary permits.” No word yet on what other Strip properties may be affected.

UPDATE: Clark County officials are now defending their role in this mess.

UPDATE 2: The story continues to unfold, as the county inspector get reassigned.

Las Vegas podcast #136 includes:

• Oceans 13 opening clip
• The bacon song
• Rio is unsafe
• What’s next at Wynn Las Vegas? Let it be Cats!
• Gay Vegas
• Beneath the Neon
• Resident Evil Extinction
• Las Vegas season five premier
• Build it Bigger, Imagine The Beatles in Love and Viva Laughlin
• Listener calls

Direct download of the podcast: Five Hundy By Midnight 10/7/07 (57:38 min, 52.9 MB) or subscribe.