David Hasselhoff knows all too well that all the world is a soundstage. When the Hoff and his daughter, slash impromptu director, Taylor-Ann (above right) made one of the more infamous Las Vegas hotel room tapes, they obviously have never seen the "What Happens in Vegas' commercials. And now, we have the image a bare-chested, sloppy drunk Hoff battling beef and lettuce engrained into our head -- one man's tragedy is another's YouTube fodder.
The Hoff could have been this generation's John Wayne and before you write the hate mail for me comparing the Hoff to the Duke, I emphasize this generation's -- two very different times. But alas, David Hasselhoff also knows all too well that timing is everything.The Hoff had already planned an exit stage right from the Vegas version of 'The Producers' before he was caught on tape 'Hasseling his burger.' The official story is he needed to focus on hosting 'America's Got Talent' -- which doesn't seem to mesh with his enthusiasm earlier this year when he talked about buying a downtown Vegas loft to move here and open a sexy Vegas revue once his run in 'The Producers' ended.
Whatever the reason, the question is being asked as to whether 'The Producers' will last in a post-Hoff world. Broadway legend Harvery Fierstein came into Vegas with as much fanfare as the Hoff when he opened 'Hairspray' at the Luxor. After his three-month run ended, 'Hairspray' lost its hold soon after.
There's enough talent and production value in 'The Producers' to carry the show. The problem is perception. If you spend that much energy on the marquee of a show, it makes for a tough ticket sell once the star leaves. Why would anybody want to pay Vegas prices to see a show that they can see at a local community theater? On a couple of price checks, the Vegas version of 'The Producers' was charging more money for a ticket than the Broadway version. I know, I know, I know that the production values and talent are certainly night-and-day better than a community theater, but again, it's the perception.
When a Vegas visitor goes into their wallet to pay $100 for a ticket, do they want to see something they can see anywhere else or do they want to see something special? If all the shows had a more reasonable price tag, they could partake in both, but expenses being what they are, the visitor is going to opt for the something special.
David Hasselhoff was that something special, a big-name personality, to attract an audience. 'Phantom' at The Venetian seems to have longevity for a Broadway show in Vegas and that production focused on technical talent bringing in legendary director Hal Prince and amping up the special effects to give audiences a unique Vegas experience. Again, it's that something special.
REWINDING THE KLOK
Just as one 'Baywatch' star is leaving, another 'Baywatcher' is replacing a third 'Baywatch' alum. Confused?
You may remember hearing about a new Vegas magic show starring Hans Klok and Carmen Elektra. Hans is the international illusionist known for the speed at which he performs his illusions. In fact you, their show was titled 'Faster Than Magic.' Well, just before the curtain was supposed to go up on that show, Carmen decided that she didn't really know she was signing up for so many rehearsals and performances when she signed her 13 week deal.
Enter Pamela Anderson. Pamela had been keeping a low Vegas profile since the Kid Rock Wedding Experience began almost a year ago. After her appearance at the World Series of Poker last July, she popped in Vegas to host a New Year's Eve party, but has been relatively quiet.
The blonde sex symbol should perform wonders the page views of local Vegas sites this summer as I'm sure there will be many sightings since she has signed on to star with Hans in 'The Beauty of Magic.' Rather than just replace Carmen with Pamela in the original show, they're launching a new show.
THE SECRET TO SHOWBIZ SUCCESS IN VEGAS
While sex appeal is often in the recipe for success of a Vegas show, uniqueness shouldn't be underestimated. It's one of the main reasons that Vegas has five sustainable Cirque du Soleil shows like 'Mystere' or 'Ka' or 'O' with more in the pipeline. Each show is different and can't be seen live anywhere else other than here in the desert.
Another secret to Cirque du Soleil's success takes a page from the brewing immigration debate: you don't need to speak English to enjoy majority of the shows. With a lot of international tourism in Vegas, that's a significant point. 'Zumanity' is an exception but sexuality is the star there which acts as a theatrical Rosetta Stone. The Beatles' songs in 'LOVE' are in English, but again, everybody knows The Beatles and the songs are musically gifted so even if you don't understand the lyrics, the marriage of music and motion is universal.
It's than universality that has developed a market in Vegas for magic than can support Hans Klok and the already long list of magic shows in Vegas. That's why various publications have dubbed Sin City as the "Magic Capital of the World." In the magic shows, a lot of the set-up to a trick may be in English, but when Lance Burton makes $10 million ($1,198,753,000 Yen.) worth of gold disappear, you don't need a Berlitz guide book to translate
Just imagine when magic combines with Cirque du Soleil in Criss Angel's show at the Luxor. That has the triple crown of Vegas attractions: a big-name personality, magic and Cirque du Soleil.
In the meantime, I'll stick to the glorified images of the Hoff.
Add This Story::
RSS Feed 
Digg! 
Netscape 
del.icio.us 
Stumble It!
Technorati Tags: las vegas vegas las vegas shows david hasselhoff fletch dry heat producers cirque du soleil hans klok pamela anderson
1. What happens in DFW Prime Time Singles in Dallas and DFW stays in DFW Prime Time Singles
Gerry at 8:15PM on May 12th 2007