Five Hundy by Midnight 249: Food, Food, Food

/ Tim / 24 Comments

Las Vegas podcast #249 includes:

  • Dog the Bounty Hunter opener
  • Power surge delays Barry
  • El Cortez challenge
  • Restaurant/bar reviews of Julian Serrano, Lagasse’s Stadium, Firefly, Level 107, Serendipity 3, First Food and Bar, Hash House a Go Go and Todd English P.U.B.
  • Trip photos
  • Listener calls
  • Tim forgets (again) to mention the Celine countdown is at 373 days
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 3/7/10 (61:45 min, 65.8 MB)

Five Hundy by Midnight 248: Down But Not Out

/ Tim / 17 Comments

Las Vegas podcast #248 includes:

  • QVC opener
  • Pussycat Dolls Lounge closes
  • Hawaiian Tropic Zone closes; PBR Rock Bar coming soon
  • FAO Schwartz closes
  • Encore Beach Club/Surrender opening in May
  • An overview of our trip, including reviews of rooms at Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood and Palazzo; celebrity sightings; changes at Planet Ho; a review of the Vegas Walk of Stars induction ceremony; thoughts on Julian Serrano and Mandarin Bar; new casino game sighting: Rapid Craps; and more
  • Listener calls
  • Tim forgets (again) to mention the Celine countdown is at 380 days
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 2/28/10 (50:03 min, 46 MB)

What We Know About Planet Ho

/ Tim / 7 Comments

Planet Hollywood casino

We just returned home from our latest Las Vegas adventure—a trip coinciding with Harrah’s takeover of Planet Hollywood. Many Five Hundy listeners have inquired what changes are in store. Here’s what we witnessed and learned:

  • Most video poker paytables have not yet changed. Machines at the Extra Lounge bar were downgraded before we arrived. Most other machines were the same as before—not full pay, but not as bad surrounding properties.
  • On Feb. 21, about 30 percent of the slot and video poker machines were labeled with stickers notifying gamblers the machines would be shut down at 9 p.m. By the next morning, dozens of machines were taken offline and crews were removing them from the slot floor. Three days later, they were still rearranging the slot floor. Signs around the casino assured visitors that we’ll love their new look. Removal of machines is standard operating procedure when Harrah’s takes over existing casinos. They instituted the less-is-more slot floor concept when acquiring Imperial Palace, Barbary Coast and O’Shea’s too.
  • Planet Hollywood’s A-List players club will merge into Harrah’s Total Rewards players club on April 1, 2010. A-List points will be converted into TR reward credits and will be added to players’ TR tier score. A-List gold card holders will receive TR platinum cards; A-List platinum card holders will receive TR diamond cards. No word on what happens for those of us with both TR platinum status and A-List gold status. I’m hoping platinum + gold = diamond. FAQ cards are available at the A-List desk. FAQ 1. FAQ 2.
  • Planet Hollywood will have its own diamond lounge. Construction is underway near the hotel registration desk.

Five Hundy by Midnight 247: We Are Also The World

/ Tim / 33 Comments

Las Vegas podcast #247 includes:

  • Living With Ed opener
  • Celine Dion’s return is official
  • Off-topic rant about We Are The World 25
  • Las Vegas Walk of Stars honors Frank and Dean
  • Planet Hollywood changes begin online
  • Listener calls about Tropicana, Cloud 9 Balloon Experience, Viva Elvis, Steel Panther, Ellis Island, Monte Carlo, Double Down Saloon, Dirk Arthur, Vinnie Favorito, CityCenter, THEhotel, Garth and more
  • Tim forgets to mention the Celine countdown is at 394 days
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 2/14/10 (63:02 min, 57.9 MB)

Five Hundy by Midnight 245: I’ve Always Dreamed of Performing on a Barge

/ Tim / 12 Comments

Las Vegas podcast #245 includes:

  • Live with Regis and Kelly opener
  • Big Caesars Palace announcement
  • President Bill will speak for cash
  • Las Vegas Hilton rolls the dice on Dice
  • Tropicana continues upgrades
  • Book review: Gutshot Straight by Lou Berney
  • Dear Tim and Michele: Venetian/Palazzo resort fees
  • Listener calls about CityCenter art, Caesars, Wynn, Aria, Donnie and Marie, Frank Marino, Casino Royale renovations, Riviera, Red 8, Mon Ami Gabi, pornslappers, Bar at Times Square, M Resort and more
  • Call us at (702) 866-9494


Five Hundy By Midnight 1/31/10 (58:30 min, 53.7 MB)