Help Larry, pick up the Vegas line!
Vegas Buzz asks the King of Talk for Help
Larry we need your help!
My colleagues and I recently launched a news service here in Las Vegas called "Vegas Buzz." Our original intent was to provide information that somehow was of interest to the masses, but not to mass media. We unwittingly discovered a topic we thought would have been given ongoing coverage and respect - Siegfried and Roy. We were disappointed to learn of the unexpected demise of information regarding Siegfried and Roy in local media.
You know Siegfried and Roy personally, you did the first long form interview after Roy's tragic accident; however why is it that the Siegfried and Roy camp isn't saying much about Roy's condition?
No one in the media has picked up on this or has been following it. Is it because they want to keep it a closely guarded secret as things were worse than they had originally said?
Anyway, Larry, you have always been a journalist who "tells it like it is," so we were just wondering if you had any insight or are planning any follow-up to those first reports that "He's communicating..." "He took a few steps, etc..."
As you know, the Siegfried and Roy show had thousands of fans around the globe, and we've been getting bombarded by our own readership, people who care, who just want to know something more than, "He's communicating!"
Also, Larry, if you release some information it will have enough credibility to wipe out all the tabloid trash that is circulating and stamp-out the rumor mill churning about his condition. This is causing much grief to fans who want to know the truth, not 'manufactured truth.'
Thanks again, Larry we hope you'll help us. If anyone can get to the story on this you can!
We appreciate your correspondence.
Sincerely,
Jerry Wilson
Publisher
Vegas Buzz - Vegas News Out of the Ordinary
http://vegasnews.squarespace.com
http://www.allwirelessmedia.com/vegas/
(c) 2004 Vegas Buzz - Vegas News Service
Saturday, February 21, 2004
Lonely White Tiger
by Jerry Wilson
My curiosity got the better of me and I sauntered over to the White Tiger display at the Mirage.
I took a few pictures before discovering I actually had a tiger on my 'binary film.' It was laying on its side. It wasn't a pure white one - these are extremely rare - but a combination of white with black striping. Like a zebra, almost.
The usual crowds were there. The usual videotapes of Siegfried and Roy played on overhead monitors advertising the "Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy," detailing the almost mythical heritage of the beasts.
Siegfried and Roy spoke of their conservation efforts and how they'd singlehandedly prevented the extinction of these rare animals. How wonderful they were, the special bonds they had. The important role the tigers played in the most astounding magic ever seen anywhere, let alone Vegas, where magic was invented. The tigers always seemed closer than they perhaps were. Unsettling...
No speculative conversations were overheard, from the usual happy-go-lucky tourist crowd. Everything appeared the way it had always been; no special signs indicated anything amiss. Siegfried and Roy still live! But where?
Looking at the tiger licking his huge arm, I was suddenly surprised by the reflection of how much it behaved like my little kitty cat at home, constantly grooming itself.
On the way in, I had snapped another photo of the huge Siegfried and Roy billboard that overlooked the strip, and beckoned people into the Mirage. It's at least 5 stories high, maybe 2 or three stories wide. Very large. You could see it from at least a mile away.
In earlier days, if feeble memory serves, more than a few of these creatures padded around the display, some actually noticing, and roaring at, the delighted crowds. The most memorable feature: Those big, beautiful, blue eyes. I wondered how many other animals in nature - with the exception of smaller exotic felines - and human felines - had blue eyes like that. They had huge mouths, very apparent when they roared. No more doubt how easily they could carry a man off stage in their mouth. If we are only a stage away from the animal, animals are already there and can do at least as much damage if they want to. The lone white tiger slowly got up, then disappeared - vanished is more like it - through the habitat's swinging door. What the heck is on the other side? It was then I realized I probably would never see these animals here again.
(C) 2004 Vegas Buzz - Vegas News Service
Related Stories:
"The Night the Magic Died"
"Who's Replacing Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage?"
by Jerry Wilson
My curiosity got the better of me and I sauntered over to the White Tiger display at the Mirage.
I took a few pictures before discovering I actually had a tiger on my 'binary film.' It was laying on its side. It wasn't a pure white one - these are extremely rare - but a combination of white with black striping. Like a zebra, almost.
The usual crowds were there. The usual videotapes of Siegfried and Roy played on overhead monitors advertising the "Secret Garden of Siegfried and Roy," detailing the almost mythical heritage of the beasts.
Siegfried and Roy spoke of their conservation efforts and how they'd singlehandedly prevented the extinction of these rare animals. How wonderful they were, the special bonds they had. The important role the tigers played in the most astounding magic ever seen anywhere, let alone Vegas, where magic was invented. The tigers always seemed closer than they perhaps were. Unsettling...
No speculative conversations were overheard, from the usual happy-go-lucky tourist crowd. Everything appeared the way it had always been; no special signs indicated anything amiss. Siegfried and Roy still live! But where?
Looking at the tiger licking his huge arm, I was suddenly surprised by the reflection of how much it behaved like my little kitty cat at home, constantly grooming itself.
On the way in, I had snapped another photo of the huge Siegfried and Roy billboard that overlooked the strip, and beckoned people into the Mirage. It's at least 5 stories high, maybe 2 or three stories wide. Very large. You could see it from at least a mile away.
In earlier days, if feeble memory serves, more than a few of these creatures padded around the display, some actually noticing, and roaring at, the delighted crowds. The most memorable feature: Those big, beautiful, blue eyes. I wondered how many other animals in nature - with the exception of smaller exotic felines - and human felines - had blue eyes like that. They had huge mouths, very apparent when they roared. No more doubt how easily they could carry a man off stage in their mouth. If we are only a stage away from the animal, animals are already there and can do at least as much damage if they want to. The lone white tiger slowly got up, then disappeared - vanished is more like it - through the habitat's swinging door. What the heck is on the other side? It was then I realized I probably would never see these animals here again.
(C) 2004 Vegas Buzz - Vegas News Service
Related Stories:
"The Night the Magic Died"
"Who's Replacing Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage?"
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
The Night the Magic Died
posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 at 10:24PM by Jerry Wilson
direct link | post a comment
"Roar ... no more" The night the magic died.
Jay Michaels (Los Angeles Bureau Chief)
Lights, spectacle, mystic, majestic, magical. The adjectives gush forth easily whenever one asks about the Siegfried and Roy show that dominated the Las Vegas Strip for years. Some say it was the hardest ticket in town to get. Those of us in the media would joke that even Steve Wynn's own family couldn't get a comp to this show, and that wasn't far from true!
Here was one show that brought magic to a whole new level with the introduction of beautiful white tigers who would appear and disappear on a stage with props that would rival any major production in Las Vegas or the World.
The show was a skillful blend of magic, illusion, and high-tech that thrilled and mesmerized crowds.
At times it seemed indeed as if the tigers were too close for comfort. The blood-chilling roars could be heard in stereoscopic sound, and the air hung thick with scents and panting of prowling beasts. You saw something out of the corner of your eye, and felt startled, for real. How did they do it? The magic went far beyond the stage, permeating the audience. "Magicians of the Century" was a well-chosen metaphor, a richly-deserved sobriquet.
The magic ended, as many already know, on a fateful October Friday night performance last year. Something had gone terribly wrong. The unexpected had happened. Roy Horn, the accomplished animal handler who knew these tigers like his own children, was attacked and dragged off stage. By the neck. Thousands watched in horror, some thought it was somehow part of the show. Whether it was not wanting to set off alarms to the world and to future audiences in this 1,500 seat arena, the press releases started flying - this was not an "attack" by a vicious brute, but the act of a loyal animal who thought its master was in trouble so it dragged him off the stage. Perhaps someone was subconsciously and subliminally trying to save the show. We in the media know better, we can see the spins coming.
In the days since then we heard that this German born illusionist and animal trainer was "communicating" while laying in the hospital. Now, four months later, we now know no one in the media or otherwise knows the real truth about Roy's condition. The spinning wheel has stopped.
It was four days later that Roy's partner, the magician he met while working on cruise ships, Siegfried Fischbacher, told the world on CNN's Larry King program that "the show would go on!" It appears the statement was premature. We would later learn that Mr. Horn suffered a stroke and a tremendous loss of blood and was air lifted to Los Angeles where top specialists were assessing his condition.
It was just before the holidays that the word was out that Roy was coming home for Christmas to be with his "family" those beloved white tigers that he'd raised from cubs.
Word from reliable sources has it Roy was spirited back to Las Vegas recently by Medivac helicopter.
Still we really have heard nothing specific from the media on Roy's condition, and in my opinion it is because the powers that be have decided no one need know what truly happened on that October night that dimmed the lights of the brightest show on the strip. Even sadder, perhaps concern has dwindled. The media is indeed fickle, and I being in it, can attest to the difficulty of putting out news people really care about.
I would only hope that Roy Horn could return to some sort of "normal life" but I guess that is just something we really won't know for some time as that part of the life of Siegfried and Roy seems to be the best kept secret in town.
One thing is for certain, one of the greatest magic and illusion shows that this town -- or the world has ever seen has truly, disappeared, leaving many fans saying...... "How did they do that!?"
One thing we can say: "Tough act to follow."
-- Jay Michaels, Los Angeles with Jerry Wilson, Las Vegas
(c) 2004 Vegas News Service, Vegas Buzz and Allwirelessmedia.com
Write the editors at jwilson@allwirelessmedia.com and JayMProd@aol.com
More Vegas News
Paste into your news reader
http://vegasnews.squarespace.com/display/GetXMLFeed?moduleId=4943&format=rss
posted on Wednesday, February 4, 2004 at 10:24PM by Jerry Wilson
direct link | post a comment
"Roar ... no more" The night the magic died.
Jay Michaels (Los Angeles Bureau Chief)
Lights, spectacle, mystic, majestic, magical. The adjectives gush forth easily whenever one asks about the Siegfried and Roy show that dominated the Las Vegas Strip for years. Some say it was the hardest ticket in town to get. Those of us in the media would joke that even Steve Wynn's own family couldn't get a comp to this show, and that wasn't far from true!
Here was one show that brought magic to a whole new level with the introduction of beautiful white tigers who would appear and disappear on a stage with props that would rival any major production in Las Vegas or the World.
The show was a skillful blend of magic, illusion, and high-tech that thrilled and mesmerized crowds.
At times it seemed indeed as if the tigers were too close for comfort. The blood-chilling roars could be heard in stereoscopic sound, and the air hung thick with scents and panting of prowling beasts. You saw something out of the corner of your eye, and felt startled, for real. How did they do it? The magic went far beyond the stage, permeating the audience. "Magicians of the Century" was a well-chosen metaphor, a richly-deserved sobriquet.
The magic ended, as many already know, on a fateful October Friday night performance last year. Something had gone terribly wrong. The unexpected had happened. Roy Horn, the accomplished animal handler who knew these tigers like his own children, was attacked and dragged off stage. By the neck. Thousands watched in horror, some thought it was somehow part of the show. Whether it was not wanting to set off alarms to the world and to future audiences in this 1,500 seat arena, the press releases started flying - this was not an "attack" by a vicious brute, but the act of a loyal animal who thought its master was in trouble so it dragged him off the stage. Perhaps someone was subconsciously and subliminally trying to save the show. We in the media know better, we can see the spins coming.
In the days since then we heard that this German born illusionist and animal trainer was "communicating" while laying in the hospital. Now, four months later, we now know no one in the media or otherwise knows the real truth about Roy's condition. The spinning wheel has stopped.
It was four days later that Roy's partner, the magician he met while working on cruise ships, Siegfried Fischbacher, told the world on CNN's Larry King program that "the show would go on!" It appears the statement was premature. We would later learn that Mr. Horn suffered a stroke and a tremendous loss of blood and was air lifted to Los Angeles where top specialists were assessing his condition.
It was just before the holidays that the word was out that Roy was coming home for Christmas to be with his "family" those beloved white tigers that he'd raised from cubs.
Word from reliable sources has it Roy was spirited back to Las Vegas recently by Medivac helicopter.
Still we really have heard nothing specific from the media on Roy's condition, and in my opinion it is because the powers that be have decided no one need know what truly happened on that October night that dimmed the lights of the brightest show on the strip. Even sadder, perhaps concern has dwindled. The media is indeed fickle, and I being in it, can attest to the difficulty of putting out news people really care about.
I would only hope that Roy Horn could return to some sort of "normal life" but I guess that is just something we really won't know for some time as that part of the life of Siegfried and Roy seems to be the best kept secret in town.
One thing is for certain, one of the greatest magic and illusion shows that this town -- or the world has ever seen has truly, disappeared, leaving many fans saying...... "How did they do that!?"
One thing we can say: "Tough act to follow."
-- Jay Michaels, Los Angeles with Jerry Wilson, Las Vegas
(c) 2004 Vegas News Service, Vegas Buzz and Allwirelessmedia.com
Write the editors at jwilson@allwirelessmedia.com and JayMProd@aol.com
More Vegas News
Paste into your news reader
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Monday, February 02, 2004
Richmand Wilson
in Las Vegas
Sin City Residents Shocked by Janet Jackson - Justin Timberlake Super Bowl Half-Time Episode
Las Vegas residents in a variety of venues expressed shock and disappointment at the half-time incident where Janet Jackson's breasts were momentarily exposed on national TV.
The incident occurred when Justin Timberlake pulled a string on Jackson's costume top.
She didn't seem to mind, but an uproar soon ensued.
The CBS network issued prolific apologies.
"It's just Janet Jackson trying to be Michael," said one Vegas viewer.
"Besides, they probably weren't real anyway," he continued.
The most outraged were patrons of local bars and family restaurants in and far away from the Las Vegas strip, where the incident played out on large, high-definition screens. Shocked parents, quickly shielded their child's eyes, while some gaped, wide-eyed.
"We bring our kids with us every year... It's supposed to be a fun family event," said Mary Jo Merriweather, mother of two.
With a population nearing nearly two million - up from less than half a million only a decade ago, and prospering conventional business climate (now accounting for nearly 30 percent of Nevada's non-gaming revenues), the state - and Las Vegas have attracted families and lots of children. Keeping young eyes safe from harmful input continues to be a challenge, in a city that's trying to shed - or at least hide - it's "Sin City" image.
Long-time US Japanese resident Roy Kawaguchi doesn't see what the big deal is.
"Female breasts have long been exposed on Japanese television, and many mothers still breast feed their children in public," Kawaguchi says.
"The United States has what can tend to be a forced puritanical morality. Many Japanese are shocked that female underwear ads are banned on television. On Japanese TV, you can see the ladies putting their bras on. Nobody's shocked..."
"Nevertheless, I'm sure some of Janet's male fans here and in Japan got a big kick out of the whole thing..."
Kawaguchi said.
Email editor: wilpro@cox.net
Archive Link: http://www.allwirelessmedia.com/atom01.xml
More Vegas News
Paste into your news reader
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in Las Vegas
Sin City Residents Shocked by Janet Jackson - Justin Timberlake Super Bowl Half-Time Episode
Las Vegas residents in a variety of venues expressed shock and disappointment at the half-time incident where Janet Jackson's breasts were momentarily exposed on national TV.
The incident occurred when Justin Timberlake pulled a string on Jackson's costume top.
She didn't seem to mind, but an uproar soon ensued.
The CBS network issued prolific apologies.
"It's just Janet Jackson trying to be Michael," said one Vegas viewer.
"Besides, they probably weren't real anyway," he continued.
The most outraged were patrons of local bars and family restaurants in and far away from the Las Vegas strip, where the incident played out on large, high-definition screens. Shocked parents, quickly shielded their child's eyes, while some gaped, wide-eyed.
"We bring our kids with us every year... It's supposed to be a fun family event," said Mary Jo Merriweather, mother of two.
With a population nearing nearly two million - up from less than half a million only a decade ago, and prospering conventional business climate (now accounting for nearly 30 percent of Nevada's non-gaming revenues), the state - and Las Vegas have attracted families and lots of children. Keeping young eyes safe from harmful input continues to be a challenge, in a city that's trying to shed - or at least hide - it's "Sin City" image.
Long-time US Japanese resident Roy Kawaguchi doesn't see what the big deal is.
"Female breasts have long been exposed on Japanese television, and many mothers still breast feed their children in public," Kawaguchi says.
"The United States has what can tend to be a forced puritanical morality. Many Japanese are shocked that female underwear ads are banned on television. On Japanese TV, you can see the ladies putting their bras on. Nobody's shocked..."
"Nevertheless, I'm sure some of Janet's male fans here and in Japan got a big kick out of the whole thing..."
Kawaguchi said.
Email editor: wilpro@cox.net
Archive Link: http://www.allwirelessmedia.com/atom01.xml
More Vegas News
Paste into your news reader
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Sunday, February 01, 2004
Vegas News February 1, 2004 - With Jay Michaels in Los Angeles - Replacement for Siegfried and Roy Show?
"They say Goodbye and we say Hello"
The rumor mill has been circulating in Los Angeles about what show will replace Seigfried and Roy at the Mirage.
The long-running show was cut short last year when one of the tigers attacked Roy, carrying him off the stage by the neck. Since then, the media has been preoccupied with the election campaign, Michael Jackson, Koby Bryant, and just about everything else. We heard Roy is still in critical condition. One thing is sure, the show has ended for good.
Word has it from good sources that the ubiquitous entertainment company that has made its way onto many stages along the strip, Cirque de Soleil could be planning a show that could hit right to the heart of the baby boomer audience Las Vegas thrives upon.
It is unclear at this time exactly what type of show it will be but our sources have learned that it will be a "Beatles" themed show based around one of the single most popular musical groups of our lifetime.
With only two of the Beatles alive and well they can't bring the Beatles to Las Vegas, however the music and the feelings that surrounded that era would be a proven winner to the hundreds of thousands of fans who would find it a show they could truly relate to.
Just as true as there are "Eight Days a Week" it's a fact that there will be a show replacing the dynamic duo who dazzled audiences from around the world at the Mirage!
Unconfirmed rumors hold the 'Fab Four' - Beatles Tribute group - now playing at the Vegas Hilton might be the other part of the act.
In an unscientific poll conducted by Los Angeles radio personality Jay Michaels regarding whether people would like a show featuring the music of Great Britain's greatest import, it was unanimous: Everyone answered with a resounding, "Yea, Yea, Yea, Yeaaaaaaahhhhh!"
Stay tuned!
Please also see Vegas News Archives
http://www.allwirelessmedia.com/atom01.xml
To contribute Las Vegas News, write the editors at wilpro@cox.net
"They say Goodbye and we say Hello"
The rumor mill has been circulating in Los Angeles about what show will replace Seigfried and Roy at the Mirage.
The long-running show was cut short last year when one of the tigers attacked Roy, carrying him off the stage by the neck. Since then, the media has been preoccupied with the election campaign, Michael Jackson, Koby Bryant, and just about everything else. We heard Roy is still in critical condition. One thing is sure, the show has ended for good.
Word has it from good sources that the ubiquitous entertainment company that has made its way onto many stages along the strip, Cirque de Soleil could be planning a show that could hit right to the heart of the baby boomer audience Las Vegas thrives upon.
It is unclear at this time exactly what type of show it will be but our sources have learned that it will be a "Beatles" themed show based around one of the single most popular musical groups of our lifetime.
With only two of the Beatles alive and well they can't bring the Beatles to Las Vegas, however the music and the feelings that surrounded that era would be a proven winner to the hundreds of thousands of fans who would find it a show they could truly relate to.
Just as true as there are "Eight Days a Week" it's a fact that there will be a show replacing the dynamic duo who dazzled audiences from around the world at the Mirage!
Unconfirmed rumors hold the 'Fab Four' - Beatles Tribute group - now playing at the Vegas Hilton might be the other part of the act.
In an unscientific poll conducted by Los Angeles radio personality Jay Michaels regarding whether people would like a show featuring the music of Great Britain's greatest import, it was unanimous: Everyone answered with a resounding, "Yea, Yea, Yea, Yeaaaaaaahhhhh!"
Stay tuned!
Please also see Vegas News Archives
http://www.allwirelessmedia.com/atom01.xml
To contribute Las Vegas News, write the editors at wilpro@cox.net
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