My Review: CNN’s Las Vegas Documentary
The Bellagio on the rise on the dust of the Dunes — 1997.
The fourth and final episode of the history of Las Vegas documentary aired on CNN. Here’s my review of the final segment for casinos.com, which largely focuses on the 1980s to the present.
“Glitzy Las Vegas became kitschy Las Vegas. Tuxedos and evening dresses were discarded for cutoffs and flip-flops. Las Vegas’ massive shift in target demographics towards middle class demands was essential. In the old days it was 400 rooms that needed to be filled. Now, 4,000 rooms needed occupants every night by a steady stream of visitors willing to spend their money. Hotel expansion and the financial demands imposed therein were arguably the single biggest influence on why Las Vegas is what it is today (my opinion).”
“Visits to Las Vegas doubled. Moreover, profits quadrupled. So, more people came. And, they spent lots more money. Hence, this period provided the blueprint that remains in place to this day for corporations. Unfortunately, the influence of casino pioneers who put their names (and reputations) on buildings – including Sam Boyd, Benny Binion, Jay Sarno, Kirk Kerkorian, Steve Wynn, and others – has diminished to the point of irrelevance. The face of the casino industry is a blur. A dark space. A mystery. A cog. A balance sheet. A quarterly report. A stock share. The Las Vegas Strip became uncomfortably impersonal, yet also incomprehensibly profitable.”
“Even Las Vegas’ failures can be attractive. This includes its very destruction. Consider the outlandish public appeal of casino implosions. Older once-legendary casinos including the Stardust, Showboat, Landmark, Sands, Dunes, Frontier, Desert Inn, Hacienda, Riviera, Aladdin, and so many more adult playgrounds have been blown up and reduced to rubble. Many observers think of this as entertainment. When the classic Dunes sign ignited, blew up, became engulfed in giant flames, and then crashed to the desert floor into a pile of glass and steel, those who never once graced its magnificence cheered like it was a football game and thought that moment was progress. Now today, we’re paying $30 to park a car and stumbling over kiosks while walking half a mile to dine at a celebrity restaurant. I guess that qualifies as ‘progress’ to some.”
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