Michael Paskevich Review-Journal 08/22/99

The dog days of August have led to the abandonment of three shows -- only one of them a true pedigree -- along with a famed showroom that will revert to being a kennel for conventioneers.

"Hot Stuff," a mangy little "T&A" show of dubious heritage was whacked with a rolled-up real estate section and scampered away from the downtown Golden Nugget with a final display of flesh Tuesday night.

No big deal, really, and a loss only to the hard-working cast and crew that had little to work with in yet another messy and undisciplined piece of work by producer Greg Thompson. The same-night unleashing of exciting all-around entertainer Clint Holmes, however, should be of concern to anyone who appreciates true talent.

The departure of both shows also brings down the curtain on the hotel's cozy Cabaret Theatre which, over the years, has hosted everybody from Sinatra to Seinfeld in the 350-seater.

"The loss of the room is tough," admitted Bob Sheldon, Golden Nugget president, "and there are no plans to bring any more entertainment into that room. We're going to be converting it back into a ballroom for conventions, which is why it was built."

The big question -- what's going to happen to Holmes -- remains cloudy. "We were attempting to find a place to keep him here in Las Vegas, but so far no decision has been reached. But everybody here wants to see Clint make it big. He's a very special talent," Sheldon said.

Sources said Holmes, who last week moved his family to the desert from New Jersey, had been offered the posh Fontana Lounge at Bellagio but was unimpressed with what he considered a career comedown from headlining a showroom to being a lounge fixture.

At least two other major resorts are courting the crowd-pleasing Holmes. A new venue and repackaging of Holmes should put him in the Danny Gans class he deserves.
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>>Sources said Holmes, who last week moved his family to the desert from New Jersey, had been offered the posh Fontana Lounge at Bellagio but was unimpressed with what he considered a career comedown from headlining a showroom to being a lounge fixture. <<

Wow, this comment really surprises me.

It surprises me too. I can't imagine anyone wanting to leave Jersey.<g> Seriously, I think the Fontana lounge would be a much bigger and higher quality stepping stone than a lesser showroom like the Plaza or San Remo. I haven't seen his act, and I don't know how it work at the Fontana though.

On the other side of the fence, I didn't realize there was a demmand for a convention hall of that size in the downtown area.