Stay ConnectedPodKats! is a weekly hang with the biggest names in entertainment, hosted by man-about-town columnist John “Kats” Katsilometes of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. You can find his column on page 3A every day and online all the time at http://reviewjournal.com/Kats.
Thanks to longtime Vegas headliner Frankie Moreno for the PodKats! theme, ‘Biggest Cat in Town,’ from the album Broke Down in Paradise.
Our guest this week is Jon Taffer, who has spent 45 years in the hospitality business, saving bars while often employing some inhospitable methods. In his club-salvaging “Bar Rescue” TV series, he can be rough, even brutal, in his on-site assessments. Today, he is on a mission to “reset” the Las Vegas hospitality industry.
Our guest this week is accomplished Las Vegas nightlife executive Sean Christie. He has worked with such companies as the Light Group, Wynn and most recently, MGM Resorts International, where he signed on in 2017. During his time with MGM, Christie led the launch of such Park MGM clubs as NoMad Restaurant and Bar, Mama Rabbit, Moneyline and Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio. Christie left the company on March 27, and he has ambitious plans for the future of Las Vegas nightlife.
Our guest this week is Travis Cloer, a former member of the Las Vegas cast of “Jersey Boys." Travis performed in the show from 2008 at Palazzo Theater through its closing at Paris Las Vegas in September 2016. Travis has been active on social media during the Coronavirus outbreak and has launched a series of performances, called 'QuaranTunes,' on his Facebook page.
Our guest this week is the creator, director and star of “Sexxy” at Westgate Las Vegas, Jennifer Romas. Romas has lived in Las Vegas since joining “Splash” at the Riviera in 1997. She has since been a favorite dancer and choreographer in the city and launched Sexxy in March of 2015. She talks of the family endeavor, how she has kept up the spirits of her cast, and where contracted entertainers can find financial support during the coronavirus outbreak. Resources for self-employed 1099 workers in Nevada: https://detr.nv.gov/page/covid-19_(coronavirus)_information_for_claimants_and_employers Disaster relief loan information for small business owners: https://covid19relief.sba.gov
Our guest this week is Las Vegas royalty, Myron Martin, who joins us to chat about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Las Vegas performing arts community. Martin has served as the director of Liberace Museum and as the director of the UNLV Performing Arts Center. Today he’s president and CEO of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts at Symphony Park in Downtown Las Vegas, which on March 12th celebrated its eighth anniversary.
Surprise! We're releasing the rest of our crossover episode with Penn's Sunday School a few days early, seeing that we could all use a little extra at-home entertainment during this period of social distancing. We'll be back with another new episode for you on Monday.
This week, we are joining forces with our friends at Penn’s Sunday School, the powerhouse podcast hosted by Las Vegas legend Penn Jillette, to release a crossover episode on both of our podcast feeds. Here is part one of my conversation with Penn and his co-host, Michael Goudeau. Part two will be up next Monday. (NOTE: This episode was recorded in February, prior to the coronavirus scare taking hold in Las Vegas and around the country.)
Our guest this week is the owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Mark Davis. He joined us at Sid’s Cafe inside Westgate Las Vegas to talk about the team's transition to Las Vegas, the coronavirus scare, free agency rumors, Neil Diamond and more. Note that this episode was recorded on March 9, and news on the coronavirus scare has moved quickly since then. For the latest news on the coronavirus, visit www.reviewjournal.com/coronavirus. All of the Review-Journal's coronavirus coverage is free for all visitors to the site.
Our guest this week is entrepreneur, fashion plate and fitness expert Austin "Chumlee" Russell. You may know him as an original co-star of “Pawn Stars” on History channel. The series originates from Gold And Silver Pawn in Las Vegas, where we sat down to talk about the Chumlee's weight loss journey, some of his side projects and the future of "Pawn Stars."
Our guest this week is Lorena Peril, the star of and lead singer in “Fantasy” at Luxor. Peril has been in the show for about seven years, off and on. She has worked in Las Vegas since the early 2000s, including stints at the lounge at Planet Hollywood, Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton and American Superstars at the Strat. She’s also a singer for Terry Bradshaw’s show at the Luxor. Peril talks of growing up in San Francisco, her time performing on cruise ships and how she became a star on the Strip.
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