The Jeff Does Vegas Podcast

As 2023 comes to an end, I've decided to take you all on a little trip back in time to revisit some of my favorite conversations from the last 12 months of the podcast.

For the first instalment of 2023 In Review, I wanted to pay tribute to all the entertainers who took time out of their lives to jump on the podcast and have a chat with me.

Singers, musicians, burlesque performers, comedians, and magicians all made it into the run this year.  We covered lots of great topics and it was a blast talking to all these amazing people!

If you want to check out their full episodes, here's the links:

• Petra Massey - Inside The Atomic Saloon
• Evolution: The Ever-Changing World of Vegas Entertainment
• My Special Guest - Mat Franco
• The Sweet Things In Life With Melody Sweets
• Rockin' The Boat With The Docksiders

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

I'm beyond thrilled to be able to share this little sneak peek of a project I've been working on for the last few months!

Back in the spring of 2020, as the world was shutting and COVID-19 restrictions were making travel impossible, I was looking for a way to keep putting out content despite NOT being able to go to Las Vegas and I had an idea to do a Vegas history podcast.  I'd already done several episodes about Vegas history, but I thought it would be cool to take deep dives into specific stories.

At the time, I was binge-listening to a show called Disgraceland, a very cool music history podcast with an incredibly distinct sound...it was like a documentary but not a "boring documentary"; it had music, sound effects, and vocal effects.  Disgraceland told the story in a really unique way that kept me engaged and wanting more.

That was the Las Vegas history podcast I wanted to do.

From that, Sin City Stories was born.

After the world opened up and I began traveling to Vegas again, I got back to releasing regular episodes of Jeff Does Vegas and, after 7 episodes, I put Sin City Stories on hiatus. 

But there was still interest in the show; people were still listening to it and every so often, I'd get emails asking if I had plans to release new episodes.

Flash forward to August 2023 and a conversation I had with Meagan & Anthony Smith, the creators of Mayhem In The Desert, a Vegas-focused true crime website.  We'd spoken numerous times before and every time we talked, we'd say, "We NEED to collaborate on something."

And now, it's finally happening!

Welcome to the world of Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime!

Take a listen to this snippet of the first episode, "Taken - The Kim Bryant Murder".

And mark your calendars for January 1st, 2024...that's when the first complete episode of Sin City Stories: Vegas True Crime will be released.

Listen exclusively at SinCityStoriesPod.com or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts!

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

As we power ahead towards the holiday season and the end of another year (where DOES the time go?), I thought it would be a good idea to have a little "fireside chat" with all of you and get you up to speed on what's going in Jeff Does Vegas world!

I've got a recap of the most recent episodes of the podcast, I've got an update on my upcoming December Vegas Vacation, I've got exciting news about the re-launch of "Sin City Stories", and I'll take you "behind the curtain" on what's planned for the rest of 2023 and the start of 2024!

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

Mid-September 2023, news began trickling out online that MGM Resorts was experiencing - as they put it - a "cyber security issue."  The company said they'd began shutting down systems to minimize the impact of the problem and that their facilities were "operational".

But on social media, it was a totally different story.

Guests at several MGM Resorts, including Mandalay Bay, the MGM Grand, and the Bellagio were all reporting major issues including slot machines & gaming floors shut down, room keys & locks not functioning properly, and hours-long lines waiting to be "manually checked in".

But what happened?  How did it all go down?  And how can it be prevented?

My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to answer those questions - and many others...

FC aka Freakyclown is an ethical hacker, social engineer, co-founder of cyber security company Cygenta, and the author of "How I Rob Banks (and other such places)."  He's spent the last 30 years helping thousands of corporations & organizations advance their security, both online and in the real world.

Learn more about FC on his website, follow him on X (formerly Twitter) and check out his YouTube Channel.  You can also head over to the Cygenta website to learn more about what FC and his wife, Dr. Jessica Barker, do for their clients.

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

 

Here's what I need you to do:

Close your eyes and imagine it's the early 1980's.  You're sitting in the captain's chair, cruising the Atlantic shores of the Hamptons with your friends on board.  The bikinis are florescent, the shirt collars are popped, and the boat shoes are being worn sock-free.  The sound system is pumping out the soft rock vibes of Toto, Kenny Loggins, and Air Supply.

That's Yacht Rock.  And THAT is what Las Vegas headliners, The Docksiders, are all about!

Joining me for this episode of the podcast is Kevin Sucher, founder of The Docksiders, America's favorite Yacht Rock band!

Kevin is a long-time music industry vet who's worked with some pretty heavy hitters in the business - including Stevie Wonder, Train, Gwen Stefani, and David Foster.

Kevin shared what inspired him to form The Docksiders, we found out which music icon convinced Kevin to bring the show to Vegas, and we had an in-depth discussion about the music industry today & what the future of the business might hold.

Visit The Docksiders website to learn about the band, listen to their music, and get tickets to their latest residency at Notoriety Live in Downtown Las Vegas.  Also, be sure to follow The Docksiders on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and subscribe to the Docksiders YouTube Channel.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

 

I absolutely LOVE discovering new Vegas content creators and then sharing them with you.  Whether it's a new vlogger, blogger, or - as in the case of this episode - a fellow podcaster.

Joining me this time around is Brian Ortega, host & creator of the Concierge Confidential podcast.  Every episode, Brian gives his listeners an inside look at the world of Las Vegas and the people who work in it.  Brian explores every aspect of the Vegas lifestyle from hotels to restaurants to nightlife and he even shares some awesome tips & tricks for Las Vegas visitors.

Brian & I talked about his time working as a concierge at a major Las Vegas resort, what inspired him to launch the podcast, and he stepped back into his concierge role to share some of his favorite restaurants, shows and more!

Listen to Concierge Confidential on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.  And be sure to follow Brian on X (formerly known as Twitter).

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

For the newest resort coming to the Las Vegas Strip, it's been a long and strange journey...

Fontainbleau Las Vegas sat completely dormant and roughly 70% complete for almost 15 years.  It's been through ownership changes, multiple bankruptcies, and lawsuits.  It's faced recessions, financial issues, questions about its structural integrity, and even a global pandemic.

But after all that, here we are...powering ahead towards the grand opening of what's shaping up to be one of the biggest & most luxurious resorts on the Vegas Strip.

For this episode, I'm joined by Eli Segall, Investigative Business Reporter and former Real Estate Reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal to talk about the past, present, and future of the Fontainebleau.  We went in depth on the history of the property - including the original ownership & concept for the property - and discussed the potential impact the new resort may have on revitalizing the north part of the Las Vegas Strip.

Check out Eli's articles on the Las Vegas Review-Journal website and be sure to follow Eli on X (formerly Twitter).

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

 

We're roughly a month away from Formula 1 hitting the Vegas strip, and to say it's a "controversial topic" would be a massive understatement.

On one side, you've got the proponents who love it; they say it will bring global attention to the city, shine the spotlight on Vegas as a world-class sporting city, and be a HUGE economic benefit for the city with an estimated $1.2 billion impact.

Then, on the other side, you've got the people who absolutely HATE the event; they're tired of traffic tie-ups & construction chaos, they're disgusted with F1's greed, and they're tired of disruptions on the strip with track preparation - including blocking off the Bellagio Fountains & closing the Mirage Volcano.

Joining me for his second appearance is Todd McCandless, host of The Parc Fermé Podcast, an awesome F1 podcast.  As we get closer to "lights out", I thought it might be fun to have Todd back for another chat about the Las Vegas Grand Prix.  Todd was here about a year and a half ago after the race was officially announced, but with things fully in motion and race weekend quickly approaching, I figured it was time for an update.

Todd and I also talked about the current F1 season, Max Verstappen & Red Bull Racing's dominance & the effect that was having on viewership, and whether or not the addition of another American-based team would re-spark U.S. interest in Formula 1.

For all the latest on Formula 1, visit The Parc Fermé website and make sure to listen to The Parc Fermé Podcast.  Also be sure to follow The Parc Fermé on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

Joining me for this episode of the podcast is one of my favorite Las Vegas content creators, Sergio Portesan, the brains behind Viva Las Value, a website/blog all about how to do Vegas like high roller on a low roller's budget.

Last time I had Sergio on the show was a little over 3 years ago, shortly after Vegas had reopened following the big COVID-19 shutdown.  I was unable to go to Vegas due to various travel restrictions in place so I asked him to do a "Trip Report By Proxy" to talk about his Vegas experience.

It's now been almost 6 months since my last trip to the city, but Sergio just wrapped up a visit in the last few weeks, so I thought it might be fun to have him back to do it again.

Sergio shared his hotel experience staying both on the strip and downtown, we talked about what It's like attending a bachelor party with a bunch of Vegas virgins, and we discussed some of the same "challenges" Sergio ran into on this trip that others also seem to be dealing with on their own Vegas trips.

We also got a little serious during our conversation, as Sergio shared the epiphany he had during this trip and the blog post he wrote that's garnered a lot of attention.

Be sure to check out Viva Las Value for all the Vegas tips & tricks you could ever need and follow Sergio on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

 

 

My guest for this episode of the podcast wears A LOT of different hats...

Dayvid Figler is a performer, musician, author, podcast host...and he's a long-time trial lawyer with several notable clients & cases in his portfolio.

Dayvid was kind enough to join me for a chat where we discussed his experiences growing up in the shadow of the Vegas Strip (literally), running away to college at the age of 16 and writing the Nevada Bar exam at 23, his role in overturning a lap dance ban in Clark County, what it's like hanging out with Flava Flav (yes...THAT Flava Flav), and his part in City Cast Las Vegas, a daily podcast that shares all the Vegas news & information you could ever need or want.

Follow Dayvid on X (formerly Twitter), visit the City Cast Las Vegas website for all your Vegas information & news, follow City Cast Las Vegas on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook, and listen to City Cast Las Vegas on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

 

It's been almost three decades since the world lost one of the most influential rap & hip-hop artists of all time...the legendary Tupac Shakur.

On the night of September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot while sitting at a car at a stoplight at the corner of Flamingo Road & Koval Lane, just east of the Vegas Strip.  He died 6 days later at University Medical Center.

The case has remained unsolved for the past 27 years and the circumstances surrounding the murder have been shrouded with uncertainty & speculation with multiple theories floating around on who killed Tupac.

Joining me for this episode of the podcast to shed some light on the crime & peel away a few layers of the mystery is true crime author & journalist, Cathy Scott.

Cathy is the author of The Killing of Tupac Shakur: Who Did It and Why? which is considered to be one of the best books ever written on the subject of Tupac's murder.  At the time of the shooting, Cathy was working as a reporter for the Las Vegas Sun and she was one of the first people in the world to report Tupac's death.

Cathy & I took a deep dive into the case covering everything from the timeline of events the night of the shooting, to the bungled police investigation, to recent developments in the story.

Order your copy of "The Killing of Tupac Shakur" by Cathy Scott from your favorite online book seller.

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

 

It's not very often that you get the chance to talk with someone who's collaborated with & performed for the likes of Sting, Jerry Lewis, Ice T, Fergie, and Jeff Goldblum so when that opportunity comes up, you take it!

My guest for this episode of the podcast is Las Vegas entertainer, Melody Sweets!

You may recognize Melody from her time as "the Green Fairy" in Spiegelworld's Absinthe (a role she originated & performed for over 6 years), one her production show at the Roman Plaza at Caesars Palace, or you might have seen her photos in one of the dozens of places they've appeared (including Las Vegas Magazine, the New York Times, and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition).

Melody jumped on the show to have a conversation about her latest project, a new web series called Sweets' Spot featuring "Baking, Boobies...and One Evil Donut".

We talked about Melody's life pre-Vegas and what brought her to the city, the evolution of Sweets' Spot from a live show in NYC to the video series it now, the future of the series, and much more!

Watch all 6 episodes of Season 1 of Sweets' Spot online now at sweetsspottv.com, learn more about Melody - including her music & live appearances - on her official website, and be sure to follow her on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram!

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

 

Undoubtedly, one of the most colorful characters in the history of Las Vegas is Oscar Goodman.

Oscar has been a part of the Vegas scene since the mid-60's when he moved to town to practice law and ended up with some of the most notorious organized crime figures on his client list including Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal & Tony "The Ant" Spilotro.  Following his time as a defense attorney, he successfully ran for mayor, going on to serve three terms.  He had a cameo - as himself - in the film, "Casino" starring Robert DeNiro & Joe Pesci.  And, he even contemplated a run for Governor of Nevada.

Now, in his mid-80's, he's the subject of a new podcast series.

Season 3 of Mobbed Up - The Fight For Las Vegas focuses on the life & times of Oscar Goodman.

Joining for for this episode, and making his second appearance on the podcast is John Katsilometes, columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal who's also serving as host for this season of Mobbed Up.

John & I discussed what went into creating this season of Mobbed Up, how he convinced Oscar to be a part of the podcast, and how many hours he spent sitting with Oscar collecting his stories.

Season 3 of Mobbed Up - The Fight For Las Vegas is available September 14th, 2023 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts.

Be sure to follow John Katsilometes on X & Instagram and check out his column, Kats, at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

I'm going to be totally honest with you...this episode of the podcast is very likely to upset a lot of people.  But everything being said here NEEDS to be said.

After my last trip to Vegas, I released the "NOT The May Trip Report" episode, in which I brought up several things that I didn't enjoy about the city and, in turn, my vacation.  I got a lot of a lot of feedback about that particular episode - some agreeing with me and some STRONGLY disagreeing with me.

I began to think that I was crazy...maybe it was just me.  Then, I started to see a lot of the same comments & complaints being made by people posting on Vegas-related social media channels and by several other Vegas content creators - including bloggers, vloggers and podcasters.

Then, it happened...

Sam Novak, the creator of Vegas Unfiltered (who's appeared on the show before) wrote an article for Vegas 411 titled, "This Is The Worst Time In History To Visit Vegas".

I asked Sam to join me for a conversation about the article as well as the current state of affairs in Las Vegas.  As expected, he was BRUTALLY honest about what's happening in the city.

We talked about construction chaos, skyrocketing costs, the overall state of the strip, and much more.  Plus, I asked the big question: What will it take to FIX things in Las Vegas?

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

 

It's been a hot minute since we've had a chance to have a little "one-on-one" time, so as we approach the end of summer and get set to head into the fall, I thought it might be a good opportunity to get you all caught up on what's been happening in my world.

I've got a recap of some of the most recent episodes of the podcast in case you missed out and want to go back & listen, I've got an update on future travel plans & whether or not a Vegas trip is in my future, and I'll take you "behind the curtain" and reveal some of the upcoming episodes I'm putting together for you!

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

If you dig into the history of Las Vegas, you're going to find a lot of stories about crime.  A majority of these stories involve the mob, organized crime, and their involvement in the casino industry & other illegal activities.

But if you go deep enough down the rabbit hole, you'll discover that every once in awhile, things in Las Vegas go "BOOM"...and that's what this episode of the podcast is all about.

I'm pleased to welcome back Meagan & Anthony Smith, the creators of Mayhem In The Desert, a true crime blog that shares the darker side of the history of Sin City.  On the site, they take deep dives into the famous - and infamous - crimes that have happened in Las Vegas, stretching back across the decades.

One of the subjects on their site that caught my eye was the history of bombings in Las Vegas, and I thought I'd invite Meagan & Anthony back to share these stories.  Some of them might be familiar to you...and others?  Not so much.

Be sure to visit Mayhem In The Desert online and make sure you follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Also, check out & subscribe to the Mayhem In The Desert YouTube Channel.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

Pro sports is about more than just "the thrill of victory" and "the agony of defeat".  It's grown into a massive global industry that contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy.  As such, it should come as no surprise that Las Vegas wants to get a piece of the action.

And according to proponents, the impact pro sports can have on a community goes beyond what happens on the field or at the rink; job creation, tax revenue, and increased tourism are often cited as being big benefits to being the home of a pro sports franchise or hosting a big event like the Super Bowl or Formula 1.  These "benefits" are also the same ones brought up by team owners when they're trying to convince governments to hand over tax dollars to build new stadiums, as in the case of the Oakland A's likely relocation to Las Vegas.

But are these impacts real?  Do communities actually see any major economic benefit?  And is there an upside to the government handing hundreds of millions of dollars to billionaire team owners to build venues?

My guest is here to answer those questions - and more!  Victor Matheson is a Professor of Economics & Accounting specializing in Sports Economics at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.  Victor has published numerous articles on the economic impact of hosting mega-sports events as well as the economics of sports stadiums, including the effects of public financing of sports facilities.

Follow Victor on Twitter and check out his Google Scholar profile to read his work.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

 

As anyone who's a regular listener knows, I absolutely LOVE food!  In fact, sharing my restaurant experiences from my Vegas vacations is one of my favorite parts of putting together my trip report episodes, so anytime I have the opportunity to have a guest on the show to talk about food, I jump at that chance.

This time around, I'm joined by Las Vegas restaurant & food critic, John Curtas.

John has been living in Las Vegas since the early 1980's and started writing about the Vegas food & restaurant scene in the mid-90's.  He's the author of the book, Eating Las Vegas - The 52 Essential Restaurants and the creator of the Eating Las Vegas Blog.  John has also made appearances on TV & radio, he's been a judge on several episodes of Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America, and he's the co-host of the podcast, Eat. Talk. Repeat.

John and I talked about he became a food & restaurant critic, how the Vegas food scene has changed over the years, what the future holds for Las Vegas when it comes to restaurants & cuisines, and John was kind enough to share some his favorite - and not so favorite - dining experiences.

To keep up with John & his culinary adventures, be sure to follow him on Twitter & Instagram.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

 

This time on Vegas Book Club, we're going ALLLLL the way back to Episode #25 of the podcast and my conversation with Steve Cyr, the subject of the book Whale Hunt In The Desert by Deke Castleman.

Steve is a Casino Host in Las Vegas - but he's not just any host.  Steve is one of the elite hosts who deal almost exclusively with "whales".

What is a "whale", you ask?  "Whales" are the extreme high-roller VIP's who come to Vegas and spend MASSIVE amounts of money; it's not uncommon for a "whale" to drop $1 Million or more over the course of a weekend in the city.  In order to bring them - and their huge bank accounts - to Las Vegas, casino hosts hook them up with lavish comps...from high-end suites & villas, to private jets, to ringside tickets at UFC events, to pretty much anything you can imagine.

Steve is one of the guys who makes that happen.

We talked about his early days in the casino business, how he re-invented the way hosting was being done in Las Vegas, and some of the more "bizarre" requests he's gotten from his clients.

Order your copy of Whale Hunt In The Desert: Secrets Of A Vegas Superhost by Deke Castleman from your favorite online bookseller.

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

On this instalment of Vegas Book Club, we're taking a trip back to   and my chat with Dennis Blair, author of the book, Touring With Legends.

A Las Vegas-based comedian & musician, Dennis's career has spanned almost 40 years and over that time, he's worked with some of the biggest names in comedy and music.  He co-wrote a feature film, he's worked on numerous TV specials, and he's appeared on the Tonight Show several times.

Dennis and I talked about what got him into comedy, his early days working with the legendary Rodney Dangerfield & what led to their falling-out, his time on the road with the incomparable Joan Rivers, and what it was like spending 18 years as the opening act for the late great George Carlin.

Order your copy of Touring with Legends by Dennis Blair from your favorite online bookseller now!

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

This time around on Vegas Book Club, we're heading back to Episode #78 of the podcast and my conversation with David G. Schwartz, UNLV Professor, Las Vegas Historian, and author of the book At The Sands.

December 15, 1952 saw the opening of one of the most iconic hotels in the history of Las Vegas - The Sands Hotel & Casino.

During its heyday, it hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, most notably the legendary Rat Pack featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.  And although that might be what The Sands is best known for, there's way more to story than that.

David and I talked about what inspired him to cover the history of The Sands, how "mobbed up" the hotel was, Frank Sinatra's involvement the ownership of the property, and what led to the eventual downfall of The Sands (both figuratively and literally).

Get your copy of At The Sands by David G. Schwartz from your favorite online bookseller.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

For this episode of Vegas Book Club, we're taking a trip back to Episode #116 of the podcast and my chat with Eric Sherwood, aka "Annoyed Pit Boss" on Twitter, and author of the book Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt.

Eric entered the gaming industry following what I like to call a "forced career change", first as a dealer and eventually moving up to the position of pit boss.  As he got further into the crazy world of the casino business, he realized the stories from his day-to-day life were too good to NOT share.

First came the Twitter account, then came the book.

Eric & I talked about his entry into the gaming industry, what inspired him to create his Twitter account & write his book, and he even shared some tips & tricks for novice players thinking of hitting the tables on their next Vegas trip.

Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt is available from your favorite online bookseller.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

This time around on Vegas Book Club, we're headed back to Episode #93 of the podcast and my conversation with Matthew O'Brien, author of the books Beneath The Neon and Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving The Las Vegas Storm Drains.

Underneath the glitz & glamour of the Las Vegas Strip lies a massive network of tunnels which serve the practical purpose of protecting the big casinos & hotels from flash floods that often occur after summertime rainfalls.  However, those tunnels have also become a living space for hundreds - if not thousands - of homeless people in the city of Las Vegas.

Matthew is a writer, editor, and teacher who lived in Las Vegas for 20 years.  He's considered an authority on homelessness in the Las Vegas tunnels and he's the founder of Shine A Light, a non-profit program that helps people living in the tunnels and provides them with resources to get out of the tunnels.

Matthew & I discussed his early experiences with the tunnels, the work that went into writing his books, and what inspired him to create Shine A Light.

Beneath the Neon and Dark Days, Bright Nights are both available from your favorite online bookseller.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

For this instalment of Vegas Book Club, we're heading back to Episode #42 of the podcast and my conversation with Richard Zoglin, the author of Elvis In Vegas: How The King Reinvented The Las Vegas Show.

July 31, 1969 was a day that changed Las Vegas forever; on that date, the King of Rock N' Roll stepped on stage at the newly-opened International Hotel to kick off what would eventually turn into one of the biggest Las Vegas residencies of all time.

Richard and I took a deep dive into Elvis's first appearance in Vegas back in 1956, the unlikely friendships he made during his time in Las Vegas, the toll his Vegas residency took on his health, and the overall impact Elvis made on Las Vegas.

Elvis In Vegas: How The King Reinvented The Las Vegas Show is available from your favorite online book seller.

__________________________________________________________________________

Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!

So, you may have noticed this episode of the podcast is titled NOT The May Trip Report...and there's a very good reason it's called that.

Quite simply, there wasn't all that much to report from my most recent trip to Las Vegas.

As you may be aware, I had a trip planned to head to Vegas from May 29th to June 1st.  I had a lot of big ideas of what I wanted to do while I was down in Vegas this time around but, as the old saying goes, "The best laid plans of mice & men often go awry"...and that's exactly what happened on this trip and I ended up leaving town a a day and a half early.

That's not to say I have nothing to report though; I still had a great experience staying at The Horseshoe and I managed to (finally) get to Las Vegas Ballpark to take in a Las Vegas Aviators baseball game.  And, as per usual, I've got a few thoughts on what's happening in Vegas right now, particularly along the Las Vegas Strip.

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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!

Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas

__________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate! 

Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!