On the Corner of Main Street

Our favorite slot machine maven is back. Brian Christopher, the star of BC Slots on Youtube, makes his second appearance on the podcast. Jonathan, Lisa and Gary recall comments Brian made nearly two years ago, and how some have come true. Brian now has his own slot machine, which debuted at Plaza earlier this month. And his 'BC Slots' section in the Plaza casino is the inspiration for even bigger...

Time for another fascinating history lesson! Leading the class today: Dr. Bo Bernhard, who owns a couple of titles at UNLV: Vice President of Economic Development and Executive Director of The ​International Gaming Institute. He shares news about how the IGI works as part of the Harry Reid Research and Technology Park. Among the subjects you'll definitely want to hear: all about the Hotel of the F...

With fireworks, streamers, showgirls and doughnuts, Plaza has kicked off huge improvements that will help fulfill its goal to reimagine Main Street. In this episode you'll hear Jonathan describe four big projects: The Carousel Bar in what's now the porte-cochere, a new branch of Pink Box Donuts that opens right onto Main St., an expansion of Oscar's Steakhouse that will bring the first outdoor fin...

Jeff Silver has experienced the Las Vegas casino business from both sides: as a member of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and as an executive at the Riviera, Landmark and Caesars Palace. Silver's time as a regulator happened during the Frank Rosenthal era, and Silver was the man who eventually put Lefty in the 'Black Book.' At the Riviera, Silver spearheaded several innovations, including one that...

After a more than 14 year delay, Las Vegas' tallest casino-hotel is finally back on track. And the man in charge of bringing  Fontainebleau Las Vegas to life is veteran hotelier Cliff Atkinson. He talks about growing up in San Francisco wanting to be a chef and run a restaurant - and how he morphed into running hotels. But Cliff spends most of the episode discussing the "full circle" journey of Fo...

We could just as easily call this "Governor Richard Bryan." Or "Attorney General Richard Bryan." He held all three jobs in his long, distinguished career. He was also Clark County's first Public Defender, working with a staff that for a while included another young attorney named Oscar Goodman. Bryan talks about growing up in downtown Las Vegas, being the son of a well-connected attorney, developi...

We're back with highlights from another talk by former Las Vegas Mayor, famous attorney and steakhouse namesake Oscar Goodman. Oscar reads from a logbook of Metro Police officers who were following him in the 1970s, and has some 'kind' words for a local politician seated at his table. But the centerpiece of this story involves Tony 'The Ant' Spilotro and a 'friend' he brought into Oscar's law offi...

UFC is the world's largest promoter of mixed martial arts, and is based in Las Vegas. Its iconic ring announcer, Bruce Buffer, is the star of this episode. Bruce shares the story of finding his passion in his mid 30s - after finding his long-lost half-brother -- who also happens to be the world's most famous boxing ring announcer, Michael Buffer. Bruce Buffer talks about helping Michael capitalize...

Vital Vegas blogger Scott Roeben is back as the podcast's first-ever THREE-TIME guest! And there is plenty to discuss. For one, Scott is not a fan of the statue of Oscar Goodman with Tony "The Ant" Spilotro, and he lets Jonathan know why. Jonathan smooths it over by taking Scott's advice on a new combo item for the bar (you'll have to listen to find out what it is).  Jonathan also teases Scott abo...

He's back! Former William Hill USA president Joe Asher, now IGT president of sports betting, joins Jonathan and Lisa at Oscar's. Joe explains his new job, how the William Hill - Caesars deal worked out, and how he relaxed between jobs. He also offers some 'advice' for pro athletes celebrating championships (hint: don't be an idiot).  Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed  

Jonathan and Lisa welcome a very special guest: Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak. They discuss how the Milwaukee native got to Las Vegas in the 1970s, and stayed  - establishing a successful marketing business that lasted more than 30 years. He traces his transition to public service and how his first term has been defined by the Covid pandemic. And the governor discusses his efforts to diversify the...

Second-generation Las Vegas legend Brian Greenspun swings by Oscar's to tell fantastic stories about his legendary father, the early mob days of The Strip, helping found the state of Israel and desegregating the casino resorts. Brian also discusses his legacy, including development of neighborhoods and the casino in Green Valley Ranch. 

It was a night to remember when Las Vegas royalty showed up to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Oscar's Steakhouse. Not only did the former mayor tell a great story about 'The Trial of the Century,' he was the subject of a roast that included a rare appearance by legendary comic magician The Amazing Jonathan. And we learned about big improvements coming to the restaurant. We have the highlights....

Las Vegas is home to some of the world's biggest and best events, from the Rock 'n Roll Marathon to Electric Daisy Carnival to the National Finals Rodeo. The Organization that finds those events and convinces their organizers to come here is LVE - Las Vegas Events. For 20 years, Pat Christenson has been LVE's president. He shares some stories about the progress in those years - especially how NFR...

The Plaza has become a player in the Vegas rodeo scene thanks to Linnea Mitchell Nelson, who convinced Jonathan to build the Core Arena. The arena has hosted a variety of events, but its main reason for being is rodeo. Linnea tells us how that happened, and how the modest bit of dirt next to the hotel complex has anchored the Plaza's growing presence during National Finals Rodeo and all year.  Hos...

In past episodes we've presented bits and pieces of past Oscar Dinners, in which the former mayor tells tales from his days at the nation's top mob lawyer. But this time we're giving you The Full Oscar - an entire story from start to finish, as recorded at Oscar's Steakhouse at Plaza. Enjoy! Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary Vickery  

For nearly 40 years, Piero's has been one of Las Vegas's top Italian restaurants, and a destination for anyone looking for an authentic "Old Vegas" vibe.  Its history is preserved on the walls, on the booth plaques honoring long-time regulars and celebrities and in the movie "Casino," which used Piero's to portray a couple of fictional (but similar) restaurants.  And all of that history is personi...

It's time for your Nevada history lesson! And few know more about  the Silver State's colorful history than Dr. Michael Green, Associate Professor of history at UNLV. Jonathan, Lisa and Gary dive into the early days of Las Vegas, how the men who worked on Hoover Dam enjoyed their paydays on Block 16, and the first casino to be controlled by the Mob.  Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary Vicke...

The CEO of AGS (aka American Gaming Systems), David Lopez, shares his journey from Troy, NY to Las Vegas - from sweeping floors at MGM Grand to running one of the nation's top makers of slot machines, card shufflers, table game displays and online casino games. Along the way, you might even learn the secret of "Monkey Pirate." And this one is rated "E."  Hosts: Jonathan Jossel, Lisa Melmed, Gary V...

Did you miss us? We hope so, after our extended break. Jonathan, Lisa and Gary are back with a look at what everyone did over the summer. For Plaza it was Super Bingo every month, lots of photos inside Studio 71, BCSlots winning big, Oscar Goodman resuming his Oscar Dinner series and much, much more.  Producer Rich Johnson also shadowed Jonathan when he attended the Global Gaming Expo, and asks so...

A veteran of 11 years playing in the NHL, Shane Hnidy (pronounced NY-dee) has been with the Vegas Golden Knights as a TV analyst since Day One.  Shane makes his first visit to Oscar's (but promises it won't be his last) to talk about his vagabond career, how he made the transition from the ice to the broadcast booth at home in Manitoba, and why he jumped at the chance to move to Las Vegas.  NOTE #...

Jonathan and Gary spend time with J Dapper, a Las Vegas native who's developed retail, office and residential spaces all over the valley.  But his current passion has just begun: a three-year project to restore the Huntridge Theater and develop other nearby properties. The goal is to renew a historic, but neglected, part of downtown.  J also presents Jonathan with a gift: a family document linked...

Time to give the other Mayor Goodman some love - current Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman! She shares insights on being married to Oscar for nearly 60 years, as well as her early work in Las Vegas as a publicist and founder of the valley's first prep school.    The Mayor also shares two examples of her experience with the high-profile and "in the weeds" aspects of public service: her duties as the...

It's going to be a legend within a legend: The Sand Dollar Downtown will open later this year inside Plaza!   Rockin' for more than 40 years just west of The Strip, the Sand Dollar has been a favorite of those in the hospitality industry. Its intimate, old-school vibe is combined with an elevated but unpretentious bar program you don't usually find in live music venues.    The Sand Dollar Downtown...

Quickly after he arrived to play Lonny in "Rock of Ages," Mark Shunock fell in love with Las Vegas. And it took him only about three months to put together a charity that is prospering to this day: Mondays Dark.    Mark and wife Cheryl Daro call upon their performing friends every other Monday to put on a show, the proceeds benefiting a different Las Vegas charity every time. Since it began, Monda...