I watch too much TV. Its easy when TIVO can record anything and everything. As far as the big networks go there is not a lot of quality choices. The current crop of shows only has a few gems (House (FOX), Lost(ABC), Law and Order(NBC), The Office (NBC), My Name it Earl (NBC) and maybe CSI (CBS) then that's about it) Oh and I am talking about scripted shows only on the big 5 Networks. The new crop of reality shows and game shows don't really count. I mean how can you say a game show that takes an hour to get through only 5 minutes of results is really an entertainment show? Try this some time Deal or No Deal, the whole show, 2 contestants, 52 cases and the offers in less than 5 minutes with fast forward or Moment of Truth 2 minutes to whiz through 4 questions of yes or no. And yet these 'shows' have the nerve to stretch this slop out to an hour long snore fest. Get to it already, speed it up and make it more exciting! As for reality shows there are tons of copycat ones but there are a few good ones in the crop (Amer.Idol (FOX), Top Chef (BRAVO), Hells Kitchen(FOX), Deadliest Catch (DISC), Iron Chef (FOOD), Good Eats (FOOD) Amazing Race(CBS), The Universe(DISC), The Human Body(DISC), Mythbusters(DISC)) . Most of the good ones involve some type of competition and elimination or they are educational. The bad ones involve dating, nannys, dysfunctional families or makeovers.
Thank God that the writers strike ended and they are now back to work. We are finally getting some quality back on the TV. House and Law and Order are always smart. Lost is getting its edge back. Office and Earl have put some of the fun back in funny sitcoms (situational comedies). The cable shows I mentioned above offer us reprieve from the lack of quality programming on the big nets. There is some really good stuff to be found out there in cable land.
Well thats about it for me for now just a short little rant on TV these days.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Nightclubs in Las Vegas
I can start this one off by telling you all that I work for a Nightclub as a VIP host. Now what I do is more on the promotional side yet I am still a Host for a smaller independent nightclub not a corporately run one. I preface this blog with that because I don't work for a giant club nor do we do the business practices that they do. We are a small hip club that gets repeat business because people have fun there. And are taken care of. Hosts are supposed to take care of and help out the guests (not squeeze them for tips and treat them poorly).
Now the nightclub industry has really only been around (in its current form) for about the last ten years. Before that there were no mega clubs with star studded events monthly. These arose out of the casinos' desire to capitalize on another money making stream. With restaurant/clubs like Tao making $65 million a year the casinos salivate...however this leads to the opening of just mega clubs with no restaurants that is, its just a nightclub and then more of these ultra lounges (whatever marketing genius came up with that term deserves a raise) All designed to separate you from more of your money. From tips to door covers to bottle service to outrageously priced drinks. Its all a scam people. Only in Vegas will people pay a 1000% markup for a bottle of $30 vodka. And this is after tipping some door man $100s to get in faster, and still paying the high priced cover charge.
The huge clubs work like this:
They create a line on purpose (especially if the club is empty) Then as people wait another guy offers to get you in the club faster with tipping him generously and the doormen as well (and still paying the cover). Once inside they want you to buy a table. Sometimes they just throw out an arbitrary number (say $1000) and you can have that table. This consists of a small table and a few seats costing hundreds at minimum to thousands for a bottle (or three) of normal alcohol and about .50 cents worth of juice and soda. Now once you are lead to your table that guy who sat you there is looking for a tip too. This is all before you sit down. So you are now at your table greeted by your cocktail waitress who is in charge of charging you. Once the busboys bring your "mixers and glasses" out your cocktail waitress will be sure to pour your really strong drink for you (this is to ensure that you run through that bottle of alcohol very quickly) to help you out the busboys will be sure to stop by every 3-5 minutes to refresh your juices or soda and pick up any half of a drink you just sat down (this again is to empty that bottle as fast as possible). OK so as soon as you and your friends finished that bottle (with the nightclub's assistance) well the cocktail waitress will be sure to get you another one(starting at at least another $300). Oh do you want a red bull to mix with this time? those will be $8 a piece. Now if your bottle is done and you are still hanging at your table the busboys will be sure to be there every 1-3 minute to remove every last ounce of glassware, napkins, ashtray etc... The cocktail waitress will be pushing you your enormous bill to process. All in an effort to resell your table to someone else out in line. Your bill will most likely be in the thousands (you'll notice that everything has been charged for (your additional bottle, that glass of wine someone you invited to your table ordered, those bottles of water at $9 each and on and on). Now even though there is already an %18-20 gratuity included on your bill the cocktail waitress still expects you to add a little more or slip her some cash for her outstanding pouring and her ability to print out your check.
After its all said an done, you and your friends dropped thousands of dollars. And what did you get for your money? Well a walk to the front of the line ($100s in tips to Host and Door), a chance to pay the cover ($20-50 each), a tiny little table with a rope to separate you from the normal people, a view of the crowd and dance floor, ridiculously expensive bottles of alcohol (that are only $30 bucks at the store), and minimal service for a huge gratuity.
This type of service used to be for real VIP's; that is multi millionaires who can afford to throw money around more liberally. The Problem is that they moved this service to the floor... meaning to the "Regular Joes" who can't really afford this service level and they turned it into a new sport/racket to squeeze all this cash from these people. VIP Hosts are supposed to earn their tips by providing exceptional service to a client, now all they seem to have become at these big clubs are guys who work the angle to separate you from your cash. Its a shame. Its no wonder that these Big Clubs are now the target of the IRS and I hope that they get what they deserve for ripping off customers. The VIP hosting and the Nightclub industry needs to be cleaned up in Las Vegas. Clubbing should be about having fun, meeting people, dancing, and hanging out throwing back a few drinks with friends not about taking a second mortgage on your house to enjoy a Vegas nightspot.
Now the nightclub industry has really only been around (in its current form) for about the last ten years. Before that there were no mega clubs with star studded events monthly. These arose out of the casinos' desire to capitalize on another money making stream. With restaurant/clubs like Tao making $65 million a year the casinos salivate...however this leads to the opening of just mega clubs with no restaurants that is, its just a nightclub and then more of these ultra lounges (whatever marketing genius came up with that term deserves a raise) All designed to separate you from more of your money. From tips to door covers to bottle service to outrageously priced drinks. Its all a scam people. Only in Vegas will people pay a 1000% markup for a bottle of $30 vodka. And this is after tipping some door man $100s to get in faster, and still paying the high priced cover charge.
The huge clubs work like this:
They create a line on purpose (especially if the club is empty) Then as people wait another guy offers to get you in the club faster with tipping him generously and the doormen as well (and still paying the cover). Once inside they want you to buy a table. Sometimes they just throw out an arbitrary number (say $1000) and you can have that table. This consists of a small table and a few seats costing hundreds at minimum to thousands for a bottle (or three) of normal alcohol and about .50 cents worth of juice and soda. Now once you are lead to your table that guy who sat you there is looking for a tip too. This is all before you sit down. So you are now at your table greeted by your cocktail waitress who is in charge of charging you. Once the busboys bring your "mixers and glasses" out your cocktail waitress will be sure to pour your really strong drink for you (this is to ensure that you run through that bottle of alcohol very quickly) to help you out the busboys will be sure to stop by every 3-5 minutes to refresh your juices or soda and pick up any half of a drink you just sat down (this again is to empty that bottle as fast as possible). OK so as soon as you and your friends finished that bottle (with the nightclub's assistance) well the cocktail waitress will be sure to get you another one(starting at at least another $300). Oh do you want a red bull to mix with this time? those will be $8 a piece. Now if your bottle is done and you are still hanging at your table the busboys will be sure to be there every 1-3 minute to remove every last ounce of glassware, napkins, ashtray etc... The cocktail waitress will be pushing you your enormous bill to process. All in an effort to resell your table to someone else out in line. Your bill will most likely be in the thousands (you'll notice that everything has been charged for (your additional bottle, that glass of wine someone you invited to your table ordered, those bottles of water at $9 each and on and on). Now even though there is already an %18-20 gratuity included on your bill the cocktail waitress still expects you to add a little more or slip her some cash for her outstanding pouring and her ability to print out your check.
After its all said an done, you and your friends dropped thousands of dollars. And what did you get for your money? Well a walk to the front of the line ($100s in tips to Host and Door), a chance to pay the cover ($20-50 each), a tiny little table with a rope to separate you from the normal people, a view of the crowd and dance floor, ridiculously expensive bottles of alcohol (that are only $30 bucks at the store), and minimal service for a huge gratuity.
This type of service used to be for real VIP's; that is multi millionaires who can afford to throw money around more liberally. The Problem is that they moved this service to the floor... meaning to the "Regular Joes" who can't really afford this service level and they turned it into a new sport/racket to squeeze all this cash from these people. VIP Hosts are supposed to earn their tips by providing exceptional service to a client, now all they seem to have become at these big clubs are guys who work the angle to separate you from your cash. Its a shame. Its no wonder that these Big Clubs are now the target of the IRS and I hope that they get what they deserve for ripping off customers. The VIP hosting and the Nightclub industry needs to be cleaned up in Las Vegas. Clubbing should be about having fun, meeting people, dancing, and hanging out throwing back a few drinks with friends not about taking a second mortgage on your house to enjoy a Vegas nightspot.
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