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Australian television bosses call Nine deal a win for the viewers...
Many industry types yesterday predicted Nine's new owners would be quick to stick the the knife into the the already injured network, its bosses declared the deal would mean one vital thing to TV fans - more money for programming.
Six years ago when CVC purchased Nine from James Packer, the programming budget all but stopped and capital expenditure slowed as the network began servicing CVC's massive debt.
Yesterday, with the Willoughby studios falling down around their ears, relieved staff celebrated CEO David Gyngell's success in keeping the receivers aka "wolves" from the door.
Senior lenders will own a 95.5 per cent stake in Nine and the Goldman Sachs-led mezzanine lenders, who faced losing the entire $1 billion they had invested, will receive a 4.5 per cent stake valued at about $100 million.
"Nine's back!" Mr Gyngell said. "And back in a huge way with zero debt, which is the best possible news for our stakeholders, Nine's viewers, our clients, our partners and our staff.
"As I've reiterated throughout this process, Nine is a great business with terrific people and outstanding brands."
The jubilant statement was at odds with unsubstantiated industry murmurs claiming Nine still has to find $70 million to $80 million a year to service $1 billion in debt.
The first programming decision for Nine's new executive will be finding money for TV cricket rights, the contract for which is up in March.
Channel Nine makes deal...
Sources claim the deal is close to being finalised, with Nine set to pay out slightly more than the previous $300 million contract. Like the network's recently renewed $1 billion rugby league contract, the cricket funds are expected to come from ad revenue.
Industry rivals yesterday said Mr Gyngell's claim that he had just "paid the house off" was not totally correct.
"The reality is that the banks have just taken the house," one rival said.
"The fact is the company is now much smaller having recently blown off Australia's biggest magazine company.
"There will be no more cross-promotion. Life as they know it has changed forever."
The Nine CEO, for his part, has already indicated there may be a $500 million windfall in 2014 when the Warner Bros programming package from the US autumn is due.
Mr Gyngell has said he will reconsider the value of the expensive output deal which delivers to Nine primetime shows including Two And A Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, and The Mentalist.
Along with the potential sale of Allphones, Ticketek and, possibly more imminently, Channel 8 Darwin, Nine's new owners may also look at selling Nine's Willoughby bunker, valued at about $20 million, if they believe they can make money.
The bloodletting at Nine in the decade since it was the nation's most profitable and highest-rating TV network has penetrated the organisation, with staff also feeling the cuts.
A decade ago the 60 Minutes executive producer earned $900,000 a year. The show's newly appointed EP Tom Malone is believed to earn less than half that sum.
Yesterday Mr Packer moved to quash claims he would buy back into the network that made his family famous, declaring: "I have no interest in buying back into Nine ... and Gyng would probably refuse to work for me."
His father Kerry sold Nine to Alan Bond in 1987 for $1 billion only to rebuy it three years later for a $300 million profit.
Ten Network posts $12.9m full year loss...
Ten Network has suffered a net loss of $12.9 million in the last year as it faces poor advertising markets and struggles to hold viewers.
The embattled broadcaster this morning reported its annual results for the year to August. The result heaps more pressure on the network which experts had been tipping would deliver a $15 million profit.
Last year Ten returned a $14.2 million net profit. Investors already facing the lowest share price in 20 years will probably not receive a dividend either, the company said.
Revenue declined 13.7 per cent to $861.8 million. The results come only a day after the network revealed the $145 million sale of its outdoor billboard business had fallen over.
Ten Holdings chief James Warburton said conditions were tough.
"This is a disappointing result and we are focused on turning Ten around through improved ratings, revenue and cost management,'' Mr Warburton said. "Undoubtedly we are operating in challenging market and competitive conditions, which have impacted our revenue performance."
"We have responded and secured significant cost savings in the year."
He said the network was undertaking a further strategic, operating and news review to reduce costs.
"We have also reduced our debt as a result of a successful capital raising. Many of our core programs have performed well, underpinning our confidence that our performance can be improved," he said.
John Cena VS The Rock rematch may happen - Larry King talkshow talks WWE...
WWE top star John Cena is openly hinting at a re-match against The Rock following the box-office success of WrestleMania 28 earlier this year.
Asked by Larry King in an interview recorded at last week's Raw in Sacramento, Calif. who his favorite opponent is, Cena responded that it's The Rock because Rock beat him at Mania. "I really want to beat him," Cena said, hinting at a re-match.
Cena also addressed his current physical condition and how much longer he will continue to wrestle. Cena said he's currently bogged down by his elbow injury, but he claimed to feel better physically now than when he was 20-years-old.
Later in the interview, King asked for a second time how much longer he can compete physically, which Cena brushed aside before responding that he'll continue wrestling until he can't run with the younger wrestlers anymore.
Asked if he would wrestle until he's 60-years-old, Cena said he would if he can keep up. But, he certainly envisions being part of WWE well past his in-ring career. Asked if he will work with WWE after wrestling, Cena said, "I do believe so. This is my passion." Asked if he will "run this thing," Cena laughed and replied, "I don't know. A guy named McMahon who would probably battle me for that."
Want to be Dwayne Johnson's 'Hero'?...
Do you think you have what it takes to be a hero on a new American reality show produced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson? The series is holding open casting calls across the U.S in the next three weeks.
Johnson is one of the exective producers for “The Hero” which puts ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances to find the new great hero.The hour-long series would air on TNT in 2013.
The show which will have an open casting call in New York on Oct. 27, says it is looking for everyday people who are ready to prove themselves in the physical and mental adventure.
The show is not looking for the fittest or fastest person but rather 10 outgoing, competitive people from all walks of life willing to go to an exotic location that will challenge their brains, brawn, moral decisions, motives and competitive spirit. Johnson will act as a mentor for the contestants.
To audition you must have a valid passport and be willing to travel outside of the U.S. for a three-week period. You also must be age 21 by January 2013.
You can also apply online by submitting a video.
Auditions are in New York at TRYP Hotel Times Square, 345 West 35th St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Open casting calls also are being held in Boston, Dallas and Chicago, Saturday; Nashville, Oct. 27 and Minneapolis, Nov. 3.
There will be three teams on three different continents. Each person will have to show what they are able to overcome, sacrifice and undergo for their team. Each episode will challenge contestants with moral dilemmas, feats of courage, leadership and self sacrifice, to demonstrate that a true hero is defined by more than just physical strength and power.
The show also will incorporate social media and optimize Johnson’s social media fan base of more than 9.1 million followers through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Johnson also was nominated as a “Must-Follow Actor or Actress on Social Media” of 2011 for the 5th Annual Mashable Awards.
Fans will be able to determine the fate of the show’s contestants through social media and on-screen decision making, Johnson said.
Johnson, who just appeared in WWE’s “Wrestlemania XXVIII,” is currently starred in the hit movie “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” He also is set to star in upcoming movies “G.I. Joe,” “Hercules: The Thracian Wars,” the comedy “Pain and Gain,” “Fast Six,” and “Empire State.”
Hulk Hogan sex tape: Howard Stern wants wrestler to drop lawsuit against Bubba the Love Sponge...
Shock jock promises fellow radio personality that he'll get Hulk Hogan to drop his suit against Bubba Clem over leaked video that shows ex-WWE champion cavorting with Clem's then-wife, Heather.
Howard Stern wants Hulk Hogan to drop his sex tape lawsuit against longtime pal Bubba the Love Sponge, saying Hogan had to know his naked romp with the Tampa shock jock's wife was being taped.
"I'm getting you out of this lawsuit," Stern told Bubba Clem on his SiriusXM show Wednesday.
"That would be awesome," Clem responded.
"He also is going to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Stern's sidekick Robin Quivers joked during the live interview simulcast on Bubba's syndicated morning show.
"I will get Hogan and Bubba together," Stern vowed. "I think what Bubba is saying is making a lot of sense. I think if Hogan could hear it and I can translate a little bit and calm everyone down, I think we could see through this …I think I can get Hulk Hogan to take you out of this lawsuit."
Hogan's lawyer said Wednesday that the case was moving forward.
"This is not the Bubba Show, it's litigation. Thanks to Bubba for making our case against him better," lawyer David Houston told the Daily News Wednesday. "We look forward to seeing him in court. At that time it will not be a runaway rant. His time is coming."
After calling Hogan a "hypocritical fraud" on his airwaves Tuesday morning, Bubba said Wednesday he'd have "no problem" taking a lie detector test on Stern's show to prove he's innocent.
He told Stern he's never even seen the tape of his ex-wife Heather having sex with Hogan in his canopy bed six years ago and has no idea how the racy recording ended up on Gawker.com earlier this month.
He said he even tried to bury the hatchet with Hogan after the wrestling star filed the invasion of privacy lawsuit against him Monday but was told to take a flying leap.
"We don't have to be the best of friends, but we can be at least cordial if you take me and Heather out of your dumb-a- lawsuit," Bubba claimed he wrote to Hogan in a Tuesday text.
"Sorry, it's far deeper than that," Hogan replied, according to Bubba's account on Stern's show.
"And what that means, Howard, is probably there are a few other tapes that make him even look worse than he already does," Bubba theorized to Stern.
"Were the tapes made at your house?" Stern asked.
"I don't know. …I would be able to tell you more if I have seen these tapes," Bubba said.
"He said there might possibly be one or two because this sex happened at least one other time with your ex-wife," Stern said, referring to an earlier interview with Hogan.
"I'm not familiar with that," Bubba said. "There's so much that I don't know that I'm being blindsided by."
Hogan, 59, filed separate state and federal lawsuits Monday alleging he had no idea his wife-sharing shenanigans were being recorded and that the tape's release has caused loss, anxiety, shame and damage to his reputation worth at least $100 million.
Bubba, 46, told Stern that Hogan was a regular overnight guest at his house and knew there were cameras rolling at all times, including in the bedroom, as an insurance policy related to an ugly child custody case.
Stern said even he was aware of Bubba's obsession with home surveillance.
"Did he ever say to you, 'Hey Bubba, I know we tape in here, make sure you get rid of that tape. Did he ever say that to you?" Stern asked.
"No, no. We've not had that conversation because nobody has seen it," Bubba said.
"Specifically the taping equipment in your house, doesn't it erase after a certain period of time?" Stern asked.
"I'm not going to get into the logistics of my surveillance," Bubba said. "I don't know the logistics of it."
Asked if he as a company that "services this equipment regularly," Bubba said, "No."
He denied bragging about the recording or ever showing it to a single outsider.
"So let's figure it out. Who could it be who got in there?" Stern asked.
"I don't know Howard," he said. "I don't even know that it wasn't Hogan."
Hogan, who was the best man at the Clems' wedding, originally shied away from blaming the couple for making the tape and failing to keep it secret.
He later told TMZ.com he was "completely stunned" by a report that Bubba appears in an unpublished section of the sex tape boasting about its street value.
"If we ever did want to retire, all we'd have to do is use this footage," Bubba is heard saying, according to TMZ.
That statement constituted the "ultimate betrayal," Hogan's lawyer later told the New York Daily News.
Bubba said on his Tuesday radio show that if he really did say such a thing, and it wound up on the full-length recording, it only proves he's not behind the leak.
"Do you really thing that if I meant (I could retire off the sex tape), and if I was going to release it, that I would have recorded myself saying that? Or do you think that maybe I was being a smart-a--? And by the way, Hogan was (still) within earshot of me," he said.
Ric Flair, "Cowboy" Bill Watts, and Chris Taylor to enter Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame...
WATERLOO, Iowa—The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum selected the Class of 2013 for the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Ric Flair, "Cowboy" Bill Watts, and Chris Taylor have been chosen by the selection committee.
The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend will take place July 12-13 in Waterloo, Iowa.
Criteria for induction into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame include substantial impact on professional wrestling, general respect within the profession, and a strong amateur wrestling background. The selection committee includes all living hall of fame members as well as a select group of wrestling historians.
Flair has one of the longest and most distinguished careers in professional wrestling. He was a 16-time world champion with titles in the NWA, WCW, and WWE. Watts was a successful wrestler and promoter. He was ranked in the top ten worldwide for over 25 years.
Taylor was an NCAA champion for Iowa State in 1972 and 1973, and a bronze medalist at the 1972 Olympics. He had a three-year career with the AWA beginning in 1974. Taylor died at the age of 29 in 1979.
Winners of the Frank Gotch Award, Lou Thesz Award, George Tragos Award, and Jim Melby Award will be released on November 12. A full schedule of events will be released at a later date.
For more information contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org.
WWE inks deal with The Rolling Stones - Virgin Enterprises Limited - Virgin 'Live' and Dainty Group - 15th October 2012...
Live music concert news and information; Rock N Roll Wrestling WWE connection; Richard Branson - Virgin Enterprises Limited tie in; KISS to tour Australia in January 2013...
Entertainment WWE Virgin Enterprises Limited Music Richard Branson Vince McMahon Dainty Group
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WWE to produce, distribute the pay-per-view concert...
Pro wrestling and "sports entertainment" giant, the WWE, is going on tour with aging rock n rolling legends The Rolling Stones.
As part of the rock band's 50th anniversary, WWE will produce and distribute the live pay-per-view show "One More Shot" for the Stones' final show, performed at the Prudential Center, in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 15.
"WWE is ecstatic to bring the Rolling Stones into your living room," said WWE chairman-CEO (and part time wrestler) Vince McMahon.
This fits in the the WWE's plan to distance itself from being purely a pro wrestling company. WWE was formally known as World Wrestling Entertainment, and prior to that - World Wrestling Federation.
The tour, to take place at four arena shows in London and New York, is a partnership between Endemol, which co-manages the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones "50 and Counting" shows, and Dainty Group. The performances will see the band working once again with two longtime collaborators, set designer Mark Fisher and lighting director Patrick Woodroffe, who are designing an all-new, custom-built set, with a stage based on the band's loud and celebrated tongue and lips logo that reaches out into the crowd.
WWE was asked to participate after proving it can turn live events throughout the year, including its biggest show, "WrestleMania," into major moneymakers through PPV. "WrestleMania 28," held April 1 at Miami's Sun Life Stadium, generated a record 1.3 million buys, earning $67 million.
But WWE also has been looking to monetize its production biz further through concerts and other deals, with the Rolling Stones show one of the first high-profile and prestigious deals it's announced to date.
The Rolling Stones live shows will also mark the launch of new touring venture Virgin Live from the Dainty Group and Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Enterprises Limited.
"In the future Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events," Branson said.
Anniversary also will be matched with the release of the Rolling Stones' "GRRR!" album on Nov. 13, a greatest hits collection that includes new songs "Doom and Gloom" and "One More Shot," recorded recently in Paris, marking the first new recordings from the band since their 2005 album "A Bigger Bang."
A new film, "Crossfire Hurricane," directed by Brett Morgen and chronicling the Stones' career, will receive its worldwide premiere Oct. 18 at the London Film Festival and bow on HBO on Nov. 15. It will air on BBC Two in the United Kingdom the same month.
In addition, from Nov. 15-Dec. 2, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City will host "The Rolling Stones: 50 Years on Film," a comprehensive film retrospective that chronicles the band from the mid-1960s until today.
Virgin announces live promotion venture with Dainty Group...
With the announcement of The Rolling Stones returning to London’s O2 Arena in November, comes the launch of new global promotion venture branded Virgin Live.
Bringing together live promoter Dainty Group and Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Virgin Live plans to "shake up live touring by putting the fan’s experience right at the heart of every show they promote."
"Today marks the beginning of Virgin Live and what a beginning," said Branson.
"In the future, Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events - Virgin Live gigs will be truly people driven.
"It's great to join forces with Dainty Group to launch Virgin Live with the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary shows,” he added. “Who would have believed, that a relationship with the band that started in the Sixties, would still be going strong five decades later with us working together again on these amazing shows."
Paul Dainty said "I’ve worked with the Rolling Stones for many years and I still get a buzz every time I see them live, these four shows are without doubt a must-see event. I am extremely excited about this collaboration with Virgin. There will be a lot more to say about Virgin Live soon but, for now, it’s all about the Stones…"
Also partnering up with Dainty Group is global production company Endemol who will co-manage the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones ‘50 and Counting’ shows.
Tim Hincks, president of Endemol Group said: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world’s greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band and with the Dainty Group. "50 and Counting" is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of the Rolling Stones and we’ll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."
This partnership between Endemol and Dainty Group will see the final Stones show, staged at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on December 15, telecast live via pay-per-view at 9pm ET. The pay-per-view entitled "One More Shot" will be distributed by WWE, the world’s pre-eminent provider of pay-per-view programming. Further details of the partnership will be released in the near future.
WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon said: "WWE is ecstatic to bring The Rolling Stones into your living room, live on Pay-Per-View for "One More Shot," the last date of their 50th anniversary shows."
New Worldwide Concert Promoter Virgin Live Launches With Rolling Stones Arena Shows...
Today's announcement of the Rolling Stones live '50 And Counting' concerts will also mark the launch of a brand new venture in global touring - Virgin Live.
Virgin Live sees the coming together of two global brands - Dainty Group and Virgin Group - and promises to shake up live touring by putting the fan's experience right at the heart of every show they promote. Richard Branson and Paul Dainty's history with the Rolling Stones spans five decades - so it is apt that these shows, which celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary - marks them joining forces for the first time as Virgin Live to promote The Stones.
Paul Dainty said: "I’ve worked with the Rolling Stones for many years and I still get a buzz every time I see them live, these four shows are without doubt a must-see event. I am extremely excited about this collaboration with Virgin. There will be a lot more to say about Virgin Live soon but, for now, it’s all about the Stones..."
Richard Branson added: "Today marks the beginning of Virgin Live and what a beginning! In the future Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events - Virgin Live gigs will be truly people driven. It's great to join forces with Dainty Group to launch Virgin Live with the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary shows. Who would have believed, that a relationship with the band that started in the Sixties, would still be going strong five decades later with us working together again on these amazing shows."
Also partnering with Dainty Group is global production company Endemol who will co-manage the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones “50 and Counting” shows.
Tim Hincks, President of Endemol Group said: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world’s greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band and with the Dainty Group. "50 and Counting" is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of the Rolling Stones and we’ll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."
This partnership between Endemol and Dainty Group will see the final Stones show, staged at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on December 15th, telecast live via pay-per-view at 9pm ET. The pay-per-view entitled "One More Shot" will be distributed by WWE, the world’s pre-eminent provider of pay-per-view programming. Further details of the partnership are to be revealed shortly.
WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon said: "WWE is ecstatic to bring The Rolling Stones into your living room, live on Pay-Per-View for "One More Shot," the last date of their 50th anniversary shows."
After months of speculation, veteran British rockers the Rolling Stones have confirmed they will be back on stage for TWO nights at London's O2 Arena and TWO nights at Newark's Prudential Center this November and December respectively.
Speaking about the shows, Mick Jagger said: "Everybody loves a celebration, and London and New York are two good places to do it in!"
Guitarist Keith Richards added: "Sorry to keep you all hanging around but the waiting is over. I've always said the best place for rock and roll is on the stage and the same is true for the Stones. I'm here with Mick, Charlie and Ronnie and everything is rocking. See you very soon!"
The Rolling Stones 2012 UK/US Live Dates are as follows:
Nov 25th - London O2 Arena
Nov 29th - London O2 Arena
Dec 13th - Newark, Prudential Center
Dec 15th - Newark, Prudential Center
The Rolling Stones Tickets for their UK shows are on sale from 9am on Friday 19th October, priced from £106.00 to £406.00 (including fees). Tickets for their US shows are on sale from 9am on Friday 26th October.
Endemol Teams with Dainty Group for Rolling Stones Tour...
LONDON/AMSTERDAM: Endemol UK and Endemol Netherlands have partnered with Dainty Group to co-manage the international digital rights to The Rolling Stones' "50 and Counting" tour.
This tour will be the first time the band has performed together in a half decade. The final gig is scheduled to take place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on December 15. Entitled One More Shot, it will be telecast live through pay per view at 9 p.m. and will be distributed by WWE.
Additional plans that will enable fans to interact with the tour experience are forthcoming.
Tim Hincks, the president of Endemol Group, commented: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band and the Dainty Group. '50 and Counting' is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of The Rolling Stones and we'll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."
Laurens Drillich, the managing director of Endemol Netherlands Media Group, added: "We are excited and honored to be playing a role in the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones. Expansion and innovation in the digital space continues to be a core part of Endemol's strategy and this collaboration is the latest example of that. We strongly believe it is representative of where the market is heading and we look forward to revealing more soon."
WrestleMania 29 could set records in New York/New Jersey area...
Besides being the biggest event in the history of sports-entertainment, next April’s WrestleMania 29 could also generate more than $100 million for the New York/New Jersey area, The New York Post reported Monday.
Such a performance could set a new record for the economic impact of an event in the region, the Post reported, citing the results of a study by Enigma Research Corp.
Separately on Monday, WWE and Enigma Research reported that this past April’s WrestleMania 28 generated approximately $102.7 million in economic impact for the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County — a $40 million increase over WrestleMania 27’s impact on its host city of Atlanta in 2010. The firm also estimated that WrestleMania 28 contributed $15.3 million in local, state and county taxes to the Miami area.
The economic impact derived from WrestleMania 28 was equal to the creation of 1,020 full-time jobs in the area, according to Enigma Research.
Now that WrestleMania 28 is in the books, WWE looks ahead to WrestleMania 29 at the MetLife Stadium on April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. The event will mark the return of The Grandest Stage of Them All to its birthplace in the Northeast.
“Miami was a gateway community, but New York and New Jersey are the world’s gateway,” John Saboor, WWE’s senior vice president of special events, told The Post. “We believe we will see a very sizeable number of fans visiting from outside the region. We think the two destinations are similar in that respect, but New York and New Jersey are even more profound in their destination status.”
Tickets for WrestleMania 29 go on sale Saturday, Nov. 10.
KISS Australian Tour Confirmed...
Paul Stanley ("The Starchild") has confirmed Kiss will tour down under Australia in January.
Last month Tommy Lee tweeted that KISS and rockers Motley Crue would be touring Australia in January, 2013 and recently Paul Stanley confirmed the tour on the David Letterman show.
Stanley said Kiss were about to do a tour of South America and will then head to Australia.
Kiss Army Australia fans immediately jumped on forums to discuss the upcoming tour.
Kiss ‘Monster’ was released in Australia last week and is set to debut on the ARIA chart. It is the 20th studio album for the band and their first album since ‘Sonic Boom’ in 2009.
"We can't wait to Rock N Roll all night and party every day with all of you fans. It's going to be a monster event", said a Media Man agency representative.
Virgin Live VS Live Nation!...
Media Man director and entertainment industry insider, Greg Tingle, reckons there could be a bit of a live concert war in the making. It's Live Nation (who bought out Michael Coppel Presents in Australia) VS Virgin Live (backed by the smartest guys in the room - Sir Richard Branson, Paul Dainty and Vince McMahon). Will the war escalate to Australian soil, or will it be limited to the U.S and United Kingdom? Don't change your dial from the Media Man network.
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Welcome to the Media Man Entertainment blog. Media Man Entertainment covers news, reviews, gossip and more from the entertainment industry. Media Man Entertainment is part of the Media Man group of companies, headed up by Media Man International. Media Man was established by Australian based media entrepreneur, Greg Tingle, in 2001.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
WWE inks deal with The Rolling Stones - Virgin Enterprises Limited - Virgin 'Live' and Dainty Group - 15th October 2012
Live music concert news and information; Rock N Roll Wrestling WWE connection; Richard Branson - Virgin Enterprises Limited tie in; KISS to tour Australia in January 2013...
Entertainment WWE Virgin Enterprises Limited Music Richard Branson Vince McMahon Dainty Group
Publicity Promotions Events
WWE to produce, distribute the pay-per-view concert...
Pro wrestling and "sports entertainment" giant, the WWE, is going on tour with aging rock n rolling legends The Rolling Stones.
As part of the rock band's 50th anniversary, WWE will produce and distribute the live pay-per-view show "One More Shot" for the Stones' final show, performed at the Prudential Center, in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 15.
"WWE is ecstatic to bring the Rolling Stones into your living room," said WWE chairman-CEO (and part time wrestler) Vince McMahon.
This fits in the the WWE's plan to distance itself from being purely a pro wrestling company. WWE was formally known as World Wrestling Entertainment, and prior to that - World Wrestling Federation.
The tour, to take place at four arena shows in London and New York, is a partnership between Endemol, which co-manages the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones "50 and Counting" shows, and Dainty Group. The performances will see the band working once again with two longtime collaborators, set designer Mark Fisher and lighting director Patrick Woodroffe, who are designing an all-new, custom-built set, with a stage based on the band's loud and celebrated tongue and lips logo that reaches out into the crowd.
WWE was asked to participate after proving it can turn live events throughout the year, including its biggest show, "WrestleMania," into major moneymakers through PPV. "WrestleMania 28," held April 1 at Miami's Sun Life Stadium, generated a record 1.3 million buys, earning $67 million.
But WWE also has been looking to monetize its production biz further through concerts and other deals, with the Rolling Stones show one of the first high-profile and prestigious deals it's announced to date.
The Rolling Stones live shows will also mark the launch of new touring venture Virgin Live from the Dainty Group and Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Enterprises Limited.
"In the future Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events," Branson said.
Anniversary also will be matched with the release of the Rolling Stones' "GRRR!" album on Nov. 13, a greatest hits collection that includes new songs "Doom and Gloom" and "One More Shot," recorded recently in Paris, marking the first new recordings from the band since their 2005 album "A Bigger Bang."
A new film, "Crossfire Hurricane," directed by Brett Morgen and chronicling the Stones' career, will receive its worldwide premiere Oct. 18 at the London Film Festival and bow on HBO on Nov. 15. It will air on BBC Two in the United Kingdom the same month.
In addition, from Nov. 15-Dec. 2, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City will host "The Rolling Stones: 50 Years on Film," a comprehensive film retrospective that chronicles the band from the mid-1960s until today.
Virgin announces live promotion venture with Dainty Group...
With the announcement of The Rolling Stones returning to London’s O2 Arena in November, comes the launch of new global promotion venture branded Virgin Live.
Bringing together live promoter Dainty Group and Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Virgin Live plans to "shake up live touring by putting the fan’s experience right at the heart of every show they promote."
"Today marks the beginning of Virgin Live and what a beginning," said Branson.
"In the future, Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events - Virgin Live gigs will be truly people driven.
"It's great to join forces with Dainty Group to launch Virgin Live with the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary shows,” he added. “Who would have believed, that a relationship with the band that started in the Sixties, would still be going strong five decades later with us working together again on these amazing shows."
Paul Dainty said "I’ve worked with the Rolling Stones for many years and I still get a buzz every time I see them live, these four shows are without doubt a must-see event. I am extremely excited about this collaboration with Virgin. There will be a lot more to say about Virgin Live soon but, for now, it’s all about the Stones…"
Also partnering up with Dainty Group is global production company Endemol who will co-manage the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones ‘50 and Counting’ shows.
Tim Hincks, president of Endemol Group said: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world’s greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band and with the Dainty Group. "50 and Counting" is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of the Rolling Stones and we’ll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."
This partnership between Endemol and Dainty Group will see the final Stones show, staged at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on December 15, telecast live via pay-per-view at 9pm ET. The pay-per-view entitled "One More Shot" will be distributed by WWE, the world’s pre-eminent provider of pay-per-view programming. Further details of the partnership will be released in the near future.
WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon said: "WWE is ecstatic to bring The Rolling Stones into your living room, live on Pay-Per-View for "One More Shot," the last date of their 50th anniversary shows."
New Worldwide Concert Promoter Virgin Live Launches With Rolling Stones Arena Shows...
Today's announcement of the Rolling Stones live '50 And Counting' concerts will also mark the launch of a brand new venture in global touring - Virgin Live.
Virgin Live sees the coming together of two global brands - Dainty Group and Virgin Group - and promises to shake up live touring by putting the fan's experience right at the heart of every show they promote. Richard Branson and Paul Dainty's history with the Rolling Stones spans five decades - so it is apt that these shows, which celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary - marks them joining forces for the first time as Virgin Live to promote The Stones.
Paul Dainty said: "I’ve worked with the Rolling Stones for many years and I still get a buzz every time I see them live, these four shows are without doubt a must-see event. I am extremely excited about this collaboration with Virgin. There will be a lot more to say about Virgin Live soon but, for now, it’s all about the Stones..."
Richard Branson added: "Today marks the beginning of Virgin Live and what a beginning! In the future Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events - Virgin Live gigs will be truly people driven. It's great to join forces with Dainty Group to launch Virgin Live with the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary shows. Who would have believed, that a relationship with the band that started in the Sixties, would still be going strong five decades later with us working together again on these amazing shows."
Also partnering with Dainty Group is global production company Endemol who will co-manage the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones “50 and Counting” shows.
Tim Hincks, President of Endemol Group said: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world’s greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band and with the Dainty Group. "50 and Counting" is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of the Rolling Stones and we’ll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."
This partnership between Endemol and Dainty Group will see the final Stones show, staged at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on December 15th, telecast live via pay-per-view at 9pm ET. The pay-per-view entitled "One More Shot" will be distributed by WWE, the world’s pre-eminent provider of pay-per-view programming. Further details of the partnership are to be revealed shortly.
WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon said: "WWE is ecstatic to bring The Rolling Stones into your living room, live on Pay-Per-View for "One More Shot," the last date of their 50th anniversary shows."
After months of speculation, veteran British rockers the Rolling Stones have confirmed they will be back on stage for TWO nights at London's O2 Arena and TWO nights at Newark's Prudential Center this November and December respectively.
Speaking about the shows, Mick Jagger said: "Everybody loves a celebration, and London and New York are two good places to do it in!"
Guitarist Keith Richards added: "Sorry to keep you all hanging around but the waiting is over. I've always said the best place for rock and roll is on the stage and the same is true for the Stones. I'm here with Mick, Charlie and Ronnie and everything is rocking. See you very soon!"
The Rolling Stones 2012 UK/US Live Dates are as follows:
Nov 25th - London O2 Arena Nov 29th - London O2 Arena Dec 13th - Newark, Prudential Center Dec 15th - Newark, Prudential Center
The Rolling Stones Tickets for their UK shows are on sale from 9am on Friday 19th October, priced from £106.00 to £406.00 (including fees). Tickets for their US shows are on sale from 9am on Friday 26th October.
Endemol Teams with Dainty Group for Rolling Stones Tour...
LONDON/AMSTERDAM: Endemol UK and Endemol Netherlands have partnered with Dainty Group to co-manage the international digital rights to The Rolling Stones' "50 and Counting" tour.
This tour will be the first time the band has performed together in a half decade. The final gig is scheduled to take place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on December 15. Entitled One More Shot, it will be telecast live through pay per view at 9 p.m. and will be distributed by WWE.
Additional plans that will enable fans to interact with the tour experience are forthcoming.
Tim Hincks, the president of Endemol Group, commented: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band and the Dainty Group. '50 and Counting' is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of The Rolling Stones and we'll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."
Laurens Drillich, the managing director of Endemol Netherlands Media Group, added: "We are excited and honored to be playing a role in the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones. Expansion and innovation in the digital space continues to be a core part of Endemol's strategy and this collaboration is the latest example of that. We strongly believe it is representative of where the market is heading and we look forward to revealing more soon."
WrestleMania 29 could set records in New York/New Jersey area...
Besides being the biggest event in the history of sports-entertainment, next April’s WrestleMania 29 could also generate more than $100 million for the New York/New Jersey area, The New York Post reported Monday.
Such a performance could set a new record for the economic impact of an event in the region, the Post reported, citing the results of a study by Enigma Research Corp.
Separately on Monday, WWE and Enigma Research reported that this past April’s WrestleMania 28 generated approximately $102.7 million in economic impact for the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County — a $40 million increase over WrestleMania 27’s impact on its host city of Atlanta in 2010. The firm also estimated that WrestleMania 28 contributed $15.3 million in local, state and county taxes to the Miami area.
The economic impact derived from WrestleMania 28 was equal to the creation of 1,020 full-time jobs in the area, according to Enigma Research.
Now that WrestleMania 28 is in the books, WWE looks ahead to WrestleMania 29 at the MetLife Stadium on April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. The event will mark the return of The Grandest Stage of Them All to its birthplace in the Northeast.
“Miami was a gateway community, but New York and New Jersey are the world’s gateway,” John Saboor, WWE’s senior vice president of special events, told The Post. “We believe we will see a very sizeable number of fans visiting from outside the region. We think the two destinations are similar in that respect, but New York and New Jersey are even more profound in their destination status.”
Tickets for WrestleMania 29 go on sale Saturday, Nov. 10.
KISS Australian Tour Confirmed...
Paul Stanley ("The Starchild") has confirmed Kiss will tour down under Australia in January.
Last month Tommy Lee tweeted that KISS and rockers Motley Crue would be touring Australia in January, 2013 and recently Paul Stanley confirmed the tour on the David Letterman show.
Stanley said Kiss were about to do a tour of South America and will then head to Australia.
Kiss Army Australia fans immediately jumped on forums to discuss the upcoming tour.
Kiss ‘Monster’ was released in Australia last week and is set to debut on the ARIA chart. It is the 20th studio album for the band and their first album since ‘Sonic Boom’ in 2009.
"We can't wait to Rock N Roll all night and party every day with all of you fans. It's going to be a monster event", said a Media Man agency representative.
Virgin Live VS Live Nation!...
Media Man director and entertainment industry insider, Greg Tingle, reckons there could be a bit of a live concert war in the making. It's Live Nation (who bought out Michael Coppel Presents in Australia) VS Virgin Live (backed by the smartest guys in the room - Sir Richard Branson, Paul Dainty and Vince McMahon). Will the war escalate to Australian soil, or will it be limited to the U.S and United Kingdom? Don't change your dial from the Media Man network.
Websites
Media Man Int
The Rolling Stones
WWE Corporate
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KISS official website
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Music News Australia
Australian Sports Entertainment
Entertainment WWE Virgin Enterprises Limited Music Richard Branson Vince McMahon Dainty Group
Publicity Promotions Events
WWE to produce, distribute the pay-per-view concert...
Pro wrestling and "sports entertainment" giant, the WWE, is going on tour with aging rock n rolling legends The Rolling Stones.
As part of the rock band's 50th anniversary, WWE will produce and distribute the live pay-per-view show "One More Shot" for the Stones' final show, performed at the Prudential Center, in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 15.
"WWE is ecstatic to bring the Rolling Stones into your living room," said WWE chairman-CEO (and part time wrestler) Vince McMahon.
This fits in the the WWE's plan to distance itself from being purely a pro wrestling company. WWE was formally known as World Wrestling Entertainment, and prior to that - World Wrestling Federation.
The tour, to take place at four arena shows in London and New York, is a partnership between Endemol, which co-manages the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones "50 and Counting" shows, and Dainty Group. The performances will see the band working once again with two longtime collaborators, set designer Mark Fisher and lighting director Patrick Woodroffe, who are designing an all-new, custom-built set, with a stage based on the band's loud and celebrated tongue and lips logo that reaches out into the crowd.
WWE was asked to participate after proving it can turn live events throughout the year, including its biggest show, "WrestleMania," into major moneymakers through PPV. "WrestleMania 28," held April 1 at Miami's Sun Life Stadium, generated a record 1.3 million buys, earning $67 million.
But WWE also has been looking to monetize its production biz further through concerts and other deals, with the Rolling Stones show one of the first high-profile and prestigious deals it's announced to date.
The Rolling Stones live shows will also mark the launch of new touring venture Virgin Live from the Dainty Group and Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Enterprises Limited.
"In the future Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events," Branson said.
Anniversary also will be matched with the release of the Rolling Stones' "GRRR!" album on Nov. 13, a greatest hits collection that includes new songs "Doom and Gloom" and "One More Shot," recorded recently in Paris, marking the first new recordings from the band since their 2005 album "A Bigger Bang."
A new film, "Crossfire Hurricane," directed by Brett Morgen and chronicling the Stones' career, will receive its worldwide premiere Oct. 18 at the London Film Festival and bow on HBO on Nov. 15. It will air on BBC Two in the United Kingdom the same month.
In addition, from Nov. 15-Dec. 2, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City will host "The Rolling Stones: 50 Years on Film," a comprehensive film retrospective that chronicles the band from the mid-1960s until today.
Virgin announces live promotion venture with Dainty Group...
With the announcement of The Rolling Stones returning to London’s O2 Arena in November, comes the launch of new global promotion venture branded Virgin Live.
Bringing together live promoter Dainty Group and Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Virgin Live plans to "shake up live touring by putting the fan’s experience right at the heart of every show they promote."
"Today marks the beginning of Virgin Live and what a beginning," said Branson.
"In the future, Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events - Virgin Live gigs will be truly people driven.
"It's great to join forces with Dainty Group to launch Virgin Live with the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary shows,” he added. “Who would have believed, that a relationship with the band that started in the Sixties, would still be going strong five decades later with us working together again on these amazing shows."
Paul Dainty said "I’ve worked with the Rolling Stones for many years and I still get a buzz every time I see them live, these four shows are without doubt a must-see event. I am extremely excited about this collaboration with Virgin. There will be a lot more to say about Virgin Live soon but, for now, it’s all about the Stones…"
Also partnering up with Dainty Group is global production company Endemol who will co-manage the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones ‘50 and Counting’ shows.
Tim Hincks, president of Endemol Group said: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world’s greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band and with the Dainty Group. "50 and Counting" is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of the Rolling Stones and we’ll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."
This partnership between Endemol and Dainty Group will see the final Stones show, staged at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on December 15, telecast live via pay-per-view at 9pm ET. The pay-per-view entitled "One More Shot" will be distributed by WWE, the world’s pre-eminent provider of pay-per-view programming. Further details of the partnership will be released in the near future.
WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon said: "WWE is ecstatic to bring The Rolling Stones into your living room, live on Pay-Per-View for "One More Shot," the last date of their 50th anniversary shows."
New Worldwide Concert Promoter Virgin Live Launches With Rolling Stones Arena Shows...
Today's announcement of the Rolling Stones live '50 And Counting' concerts will also mark the launch of a brand new venture in global touring - Virgin Live.
Virgin Live sees the coming together of two global brands - Dainty Group and Virgin Group - and promises to shake up live touring by putting the fan's experience right at the heart of every show they promote. Richard Branson and Paul Dainty's history with the Rolling Stones spans five decades - so it is apt that these shows, which celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary - marks them joining forces for the first time as Virgin Live to promote The Stones.
Paul Dainty said: "I’ve worked with the Rolling Stones for many years and I still get a buzz every time I see them live, these four shows are without doubt a must-see event. I am extremely excited about this collaboration with Virgin. There will be a lot more to say about Virgin Live soon but, for now, it’s all about the Stones..."
Richard Branson added: "Today marks the beginning of Virgin Live and what a beginning! In the future Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events - Virgin Live gigs will be truly people driven. It's great to join forces with Dainty Group to launch Virgin Live with the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary shows. Who would have believed, that a relationship with the band that started in the Sixties, would still be going strong five decades later with us working together again on these amazing shows."
Also partnering with Dainty Group is global production company Endemol who will co-manage the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones “50 and Counting” shows.
Tim Hincks, President of Endemol Group said: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world’s greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band and with the Dainty Group. "50 and Counting" is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of the Rolling Stones and we’ll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."
This partnership between Endemol and Dainty Group will see the final Stones show, staged at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on December 15th, telecast live via pay-per-view at 9pm ET. The pay-per-view entitled "One More Shot" will be distributed by WWE, the world’s pre-eminent provider of pay-per-view programming. Further details of the partnership are to be revealed shortly.
WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon said: "WWE is ecstatic to bring The Rolling Stones into your living room, live on Pay-Per-View for "One More Shot," the last date of their 50th anniversary shows."
After months of speculation, veteran British rockers the Rolling Stones have confirmed they will be back on stage for TWO nights at London's O2 Arena and TWO nights at Newark's Prudential Center this November and December respectively.
Speaking about the shows, Mick Jagger said: "Everybody loves a celebration, and London and New York are two good places to do it in!"
Guitarist Keith Richards added: "Sorry to keep you all hanging around but the waiting is over. I've always said the best place for rock and roll is on the stage and the same is true for the Stones. I'm here with Mick, Charlie and Ronnie and everything is rocking. See you very soon!"
The Rolling Stones 2012 UK/US Live Dates are as follows:
Nov 25th - London O2 Arena Nov 29th - London O2 Arena Dec 13th - Newark, Prudential Center Dec 15th - Newark, Prudential Center
The Rolling Stones Tickets for their UK shows are on sale from 9am on Friday 19th October, priced from £106.00 to £406.00 (including fees). Tickets for their US shows are on sale from 9am on Friday 26th October.
Endemol Teams with Dainty Group for Rolling Stones Tour...
LONDON/AMSTERDAM: Endemol UK and Endemol Netherlands have partnered with Dainty Group to co-manage the international digital rights to The Rolling Stones' "50 and Counting" tour.
This tour will be the first time the band has performed together in a half decade. The final gig is scheduled to take place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on December 15. Entitled One More Shot, it will be telecast live through pay per view at 9 p.m. and will be distributed by WWE.
Additional plans that will enable fans to interact with the tour experience are forthcoming.
Tim Hincks, the president of Endemol Group, commented: "We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band and the Dainty Group. '50 and Counting' is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of The Rolling Stones and we'll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other."
Laurens Drillich, the managing director of Endemol Netherlands Media Group, added: "We are excited and honored to be playing a role in the 50th anniversary of The Rolling Stones. Expansion and innovation in the digital space continues to be a core part of Endemol's strategy and this collaboration is the latest example of that. We strongly believe it is representative of where the market is heading and we look forward to revealing more soon."
WrestleMania 29 could set records in New York/New Jersey area...
Besides being the biggest event in the history of sports-entertainment, next April’s WrestleMania 29 could also generate more than $100 million for the New York/New Jersey area, The New York Post reported Monday.
Such a performance could set a new record for the economic impact of an event in the region, the Post reported, citing the results of a study by Enigma Research Corp.
Separately on Monday, WWE and Enigma Research reported that this past April’s WrestleMania 28 generated approximately $102.7 million in economic impact for the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County — a $40 million increase over WrestleMania 27’s impact on its host city of Atlanta in 2010. The firm also estimated that WrestleMania 28 contributed $15.3 million in local, state and county taxes to the Miami area.
The economic impact derived from WrestleMania 28 was equal to the creation of 1,020 full-time jobs in the area, according to Enigma Research.
Now that WrestleMania 28 is in the books, WWE looks ahead to WrestleMania 29 at the MetLife Stadium on April 7, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. The event will mark the return of The Grandest Stage of Them All to its birthplace in the Northeast.
“Miami was a gateway community, but New York and New Jersey are the world’s gateway,” John Saboor, WWE’s senior vice president of special events, told The Post. “We believe we will see a very sizeable number of fans visiting from outside the region. We think the two destinations are similar in that respect, but New York and New Jersey are even more profound in their destination status.”
Tickets for WrestleMania 29 go on sale Saturday, Nov. 10.
KISS Australian Tour Confirmed...
Paul Stanley ("The Starchild") has confirmed Kiss will tour down under Australia in January.
Last month Tommy Lee tweeted that KISS and rockers Motley Crue would be touring Australia in January, 2013 and recently Paul Stanley confirmed the tour on the David Letterman show.
Stanley said Kiss were about to do a tour of South America and will then head to Australia.
Kiss Army Australia fans immediately jumped on forums to discuss the upcoming tour.
Kiss ‘Monster’ was released in Australia last week and is set to debut on the ARIA chart. It is the 20th studio album for the band and their first album since ‘Sonic Boom’ in 2009.
"We can't wait to Rock N Roll all night and party every day with all of you fans. It's going to be a monster event", said a Media Man agency representative.
Virgin Live VS Live Nation!...
Media Man director and entertainment industry insider, Greg Tingle, reckons there could be a bit of a live concert war in the making. It's Live Nation (who bought out Michael Coppel Presents in Australia) VS Virgin Live (backed by the smartest guys in the room - Sir Richard Branson, Paul Dainty and Vince McMahon). Will the war escalate to Australian soil, or will it be limited to the U.S and United Kingdom? Don't change your dial from the Media Man network.
Websites
Media Man Int
The Rolling Stones
WWE Corporate
Dainty Group
KISS official website
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Music News Australia
Australian Sports Entertainment
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Advertise and promote your business via the Media Man network
For more information...
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Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Media Man was established in 2001 by media entrepreneur, Greg Tingle.
Websites
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Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Advertising Promotions Publicity Brands Testimonials
Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Media Man was established in 2001 by media entrepreneur, Greg Tingle.
Websites
Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Savages red carpet movie premiere at Event Cinemas, Sydney, Australia - 10th October 2012
Benicio Del Toro attends red carpet movie premier; Event Cinemas, Sydney, Australia
Profiles
Movies Hollywood Sydney Entertainment Australia
Savages enjoyed its red carpet premiere in Sydney, Australia tonight.
Savages star Benicio Del Toro told media meeting real ex-drug cartel members was a similar feeling to climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
"You go in strapped and you go in protected in some ways but you don't want to get too goofy or something like that, or you might fall off the bridge. Or you might just end up chopped liver," Del Toro told press.
Del Toro, who's in Australia to promote Savages, plays sadistic Mexican cartel enforcer Lado in the movie.
It's been reported that Del Toro was the one who took director Oliver Stone to Mexico to meet some "heavies" - a piece of news he found surprising.
"I was the one with the connections?" he says.
"That's people that believe the characters that I play.
"No, actually we went down to Mexico, but I wasn't the one with the connections."
Regardless, he says the meeting was terrifying but invaluable to him and the cast.
"We met some people down there (in Mexico), we met some people in LA (Los Angeles) too, on both sides of this war on drugs, and it was very interesting, very informative for the preparation of the characters," he says.
ABOUT SAVAGES:
Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Taylor-Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run a lucrative, homegrown industry—raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town…until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them.
When the merciless head of the BC, Elena (Hayek), and her brutal enforcer, Lado (Del Toro), underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon—with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (Travolta)—wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. And so begins a series of increasingly vicious ploys and manoeuvres in a high stakes, savage battle of wills.
www.savagesmovie.com.au / www.facebook.com.au/universalpicturesau
Storyline:
Entrepreneurs Ben, a peaceful and charitable marijuana producer, and friend Chon, a former Navy SEAL, run a lucrative, homegrown industry - raising some of the best weed ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with Ophelia. Life is idyllic in their Southern California town... until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the BC, Elena and her enforcer, Lado, underestimate the unbreakable bond of the three friends, Ben and Chon - with the reluctant assistance of a dirty DEA agent - wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. And so begins a series of increasingly vicious ploys and maneuvers in a high stakes, savage battle of wills.
Cast...
Blake Lively ... O Taylor Kitsch ... Chon Aaron Taylor-Johnson ... Ben (as Aaron Johnson) Jana Banker ... Volleyball Girl Candra Docherty ... Grow House Girl Patrick Fourmy ... Marijuana Distributor Gary Stretch ... Badass Biker Benicio Del Toro ... Lado
Director: Oliver Stone
Writers: Shane Salerno (screenplay), Don Winslow
Websites
Savages
Universal Pictures Australia
Eva Rinaldi Photography
Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
Music News Australia
Media Man News
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Movies Hollywood Sydney Entertainment Australia
Savages enjoyed its red carpet premiere in Sydney, Australia tonight.
Savages star Benicio Del Toro told media meeting real ex-drug cartel members was a similar feeling to climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
"You go in strapped and you go in protected in some ways but you don't want to get too goofy or something like that, or you might fall off the bridge. Or you might just end up chopped liver," Del Toro told press.
Del Toro, who's in Australia to promote Savages, plays sadistic Mexican cartel enforcer Lado in the movie.
It's been reported that Del Toro was the one who took director Oliver Stone to Mexico to meet some "heavies" - a piece of news he found surprising.
"I was the one with the connections?" he says.
"That's people that believe the characters that I play.
"No, actually we went down to Mexico, but I wasn't the one with the connections."
Regardless, he says the meeting was terrifying but invaluable to him and the cast.
"We met some people down there (in Mexico), we met some people in LA (Los Angeles) too, on both sides of this war on drugs, and it was very interesting, very informative for the preparation of the characters," he says.
ABOUT SAVAGES:
Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Taylor-Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run a lucrative, homegrown industry—raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town…until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them.
When the merciless head of the BC, Elena (Hayek), and her brutal enforcer, Lado (Del Toro), underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon—with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (Travolta)—wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. And so begins a series of increasingly vicious ploys and manoeuvres in a high stakes, savage battle of wills.
www.savagesmovie.com.au / www.facebook.com.au/universalpicturesau
Storyline:
Entrepreneurs Ben, a peaceful and charitable marijuana producer, and friend Chon, a former Navy SEAL, run a lucrative, homegrown industry - raising some of the best weed ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with Ophelia. Life is idyllic in their Southern California town... until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the BC, Elena and her enforcer, Lado, underestimate the unbreakable bond of the three friends, Ben and Chon - with the reluctant assistance of a dirty DEA agent - wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. And so begins a series of increasingly vicious ploys and maneuvers in a high stakes, savage battle of wills.
Cast...
Blake Lively ... O Taylor Kitsch ... Chon Aaron Taylor-Johnson ... Ben (as Aaron Johnson) Jana Banker ... Volleyball Girl Candra Docherty ... Grow House Girl Patrick Fourmy ... Marijuana Distributor Gary Stretch ... Badass Biker Benicio Del Toro ... Lado
Director: Oliver Stone
Writers: Shane Salerno (screenplay), Don Winslow
Websites
Savages
Universal Pictures Australia
Eva Rinaldi Photography
Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
Music News Australia
Media Man News
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Casinos of the world: Land based and online

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Punters, here's 10 of the world's top land based casinos for you to mark down in your travel plans.
Monte Carlo, Monaco: Perched above the Mediterranean and bounded by the French
and Italian coastlines on either side, Monaco provides a spectacular and luxurious setting for the wealthy and the wannabees. Home to the Monaco Grand Prix and the legendary Casino de Monte Carlo, this isn't the place for those on a tight budget. The magnificent Casino hosts the annual European Poker Tour and was also the scene of several James Bond Films, including the original "Casino Royale" and "Golden Eye".
Paradise Island, Bahamas: Located just off the shore of the city of Nassau, Paradise
Island is best known for its sprawling 'Vegas-by-the-sea' resort, Atlantis. The resort spans seven acres along a lagoon, where guests can soak up the Caribbean sun and choose from a variety of outdoor gaming areas. When in need of a break from the tables, guests can enjoy the private beach or one of the resorts 20 sunlit pools.
Melbourne, Australia: As Australia's sporting and entertainment capital, Melbourne
offers the perfect option for high rollers looking for a local break. Aussies need look no further than Crown Casino on the southern bank of the Yarra River, which is one of the largest casino complexes in the southern hemisphere. The main gambling floor stretches more than half a kilometre and the casino was the first to introduce the new game Rapid Roulette, which allows players to place bets on a personal electronic touch screen connected to a central roulette wheel.
Macau, China: Known as the 'Monte Carlo of the Orient,' and the gambling capital of Asia, Macau now rivals Monaco and Las Vegas as one of the premier gambling destinations in the world. With no less than 33 casinos, in addition to local horse and greyhound racing venues, Macau is perfect for the betting junkie. The Wynn Macau casino is a standout, highlighted by 24-carat gold 'Tree of Prosperity' at the entrance, extravagant water displays and Moon Jellyfish Aquarium at reception.
Baden-Baden, Germany: Situated on the western foothills of the Black Forest and on the banks of the Oos River, Baden-Baden is not your typical casino town. However, in addition to its hot springs and picturesque countryside, the town is also known for its 200-year-old 'Spielbank' casino - the oldest of its type in Germany. With French chateau-style salons rooms named after historical figures such as Madame Pompadour and Louis XV's mistress, the quirky casino provides visitors with a very unique gaming experience.
Las Vegas, United States: With over 1700 licensed casinos in operation, Las Vegas offers the ultimate package for travellers who fancy a flutter. A visit to the famous 'Strip' is a must for any player, whether they're looking for a spin on the roulette table or a game of blackjack - this city has it all. The iconic Caesar's Palace hotel and casino offers 129,000 square feet of casino space plus an endless smorgasbord of entertainment, shopping and fine dining options, including Cleopatra's barge, a floating lounge perfect for a relaxing drink after a jam-packed night on the casino floor.
Manila, The Philippines: With a favourable exchange rate, Manila provides great value for Aussies wanting to live the high-life overseas. The city offers a range of shopping and entertainment options, along with a world-class casino at the Hyatt Hotel. Spread across three levels, the sparkling casino offers the newest in gaming facilities for both hotel guests and visitors, and is just a short distance from Manila's tourist hub.
Sun City, South Africa: Known as 'Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure,' this luxury resort and casino complex, just two hours from Johannesburg, boasts two large casinos, two 18-hole golf courses and a wildlife reserve. At the extravagant yet picturesque Palace of the Lost City, guests are treated to stunning valley views from the guestrooms, along with exclusive access to the Grand Pool. The nearby Sun City Casino is the entertainment Mecca of the resort, featuring a myriad of gaming options as well as an indoor jungle of native foliage and water fountains.
Atlantic City, United States: Regarded as the US's 'Las Vegas of the East', Atlantic City in New Jersey is renowned for its gambling, shopping and fine dining. Towering above the banks of the Atlantic Ocean, the Trump Taj Mahal casino is an icon of the city, with an on-site shopping district and an abundance of restaurants and bars. The 157,000 square-foot casino is also hard to miss, with 3,500 slot machines and 200 table games. Unveiled in 1990 by a number of celebrities, including the late Michael Jackson, the casino is the second-largest in Atlantic City and well worth a visit.
Genting Highlands, Malaysia: Nestled on the Titiwangsa mountain range, just an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur and 6,000 feet above sea level, the Resorts World Genting offers 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. This spectacular resort has first-class accommodation, dining and entertainment, while avoiding the hustle and bustle of a capital city. The on-site casino, which covers 200,000 square feet, is Malaysia's sole gaming venue and is divided into separate themed areas, such as Hollywood and Monte Carlo, for the ultimate gambling experience.
Online Casinos:
PartyCasino.com : The world's leading online casino brand and part of Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment. Play for free or play for money at PartyCasino.com New players get up to $3000 sign up bonus via Media Man.
VirginCasino.com : Virgin Casino is part of Virgin Games. The parent company is Virgin Enterprises Limited, the creation of the world's most famous and celebrated entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson. Unfortunately the casino does not accept players from many countries due to what is known in legal circles as "grey areas". Most European players can play, but no Americans, Canadians, Australians or New Zealanders.
Captain Cooks Casino : Was once a very popular online casino with Australians and New Zealanders, however we understand these days they can only accept players from a few regions such as Europe, South Africa, Canada and South America.
PKR : Once only a 2D online poker room, they are now more 3D and offer online poker and a good range of online casino games, including classics, Marvel slots and table games.
Media Man's top online casino choice: PartyCasino.com PartyCasino is a multi-time Media Man 'Online Casino Of The Month' winner and have also won awards from EGR. Earlier this year PartyGaming merged with Bwin to create the worlds leading igaming company, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment.
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PartyCasino Gets New Games...
Aztec Gold, Atomic Fruit, Nag's To Riches and Fairies Forest. Check out the new games here.
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Joss Whedon: 'The Avengers isn't a perfect movie'
Entertainment news, WWE, Hollywood, Australia, Sin City, Las Vegas, gaming and more...
What an exciting time for entertainment, movies, gaming and wrestling fans. WWE new angles and storylines, plus Main Event hits Australian TV, Bwin.Party has just released a new game, and you must check out the new Marvel Heroes online game. We've also got Hollywood box office reports, pro wrestling scoops, celebrity news and lots more. The Media Man agency with the latest...
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Joss Whedon: 'The Avengers isn't a perfect movie'...
Joss Whedon has claimed that The Avengers isn't "a great movie".
The film has met with critical acclaim and outstanding commercial success, becoming the third highest-grossing film of all time in just a few months, but Whedon, the superhero blockbuster's writer and director, is determined to keep his feet on the ground.
In an interview with Vulture, the 48-year-old claimed that the box office numbers became, ultimately, "meaningless".
He said: "They're large, and you can't really count that high."
Describing what his goals were with The Avengers, he claimed: "I felt like I had a particular mission in making what I felt was a slightly old-fashioned movie, because I grew up wanting to make summer movies and wanting to make superhero movies, and I got to do both at once.
"I felt like summer movies haven't been what I remember them to be, so I felt like I would love to evoke something that's less hip and ironic and more heartfelt and character-driven, and apparently, other people cared about that in a large way."
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly creator then conceded: "I don't think it's a perfect movie. I don't even think it's a great movie. I think it's a great time, and I'm proud of it, but for me, what was exciting is that people don't go to see a movie that many times unless it's pulling on something from within, unless there's a need there. That's very gratifying."
The film is set to increase its box office even further this weekend, after being re-released in the US to take advantage of the Labour Day holiday.
Whedon will oversee a Marvel-produced SHIELD television show for ABC, before starting work on the Avengers sequel, due for a summer 2015 release.
The Avengers Crosses $1.5 Billion At Worldwide Box Office...
While the re-release of The Avengers at the U.S. box office might have failed to break into the top ten Labor Day weekend movies, it did help The Avengers reach another major milestone. The Avengers has become the third movie in history to cross the $1.5 billion mark at the worldwide box office.
While retaining its number three position on the worldwide box office list, The Avengers took in another estimated $1.7 million over Labor Day weekend, which brought The Avengers U.S. box office total to $619.5 million and The Avengers worldwide box office total to $1.501 billion.
Interestingly enough, The Dark Knight Rises also reached a milestone today, surpassing $1 billion at the worldwide box office, which means that combined The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises have accounted for $2.5 billion at the worldwide box office this year. If you add in The Amazing Spider-Man, which currently sits at number four on the 2012 worldwide box office list with $734.9 million, then the total rises to $3.2 billion. It’s definitely a good time to be in the superhero movie making business.
Jim Carrey joins Kick-Ass 2 cast...
Jim Carrey has been offered the role of Colonel Stars in Jeff Wadlow's superhero comedy, director Jeff Wadlow has strongly hinted.
Director Jeff Wadlow and creator Mark Millar have hinted that the 50-year-old funnyman has landed the coveted role of Colonel Stars in the sequel to 2010's wacky superhero comedy.
Jeff tweeted: "6 days till we start shooting... and we officially have our Colonel. Alrighty f'n then! @ChloeGMoretz @MintzPlasse @donald_faison #kickass2. (sic)"
After Christopher Mintz-Plasse replied asking who his new co-star was going to be, the original comic book's author Mark replied: "Clue - he lives with 200 raccoons and parrots, owns the mask of Loki and named by spielberg as a genius. (sic)"
During Jim's 1994 film 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective', which sees him play the titular character, his alter-ego is a private investigator who specialises in the retrieval of captive animals.
'The Mask' star Jim is reportedly a big fan of the original 'Kick-Ass' film by Matthew Vaughn and was being courted to play the born again Christian superhero, who assembles a motley crew of superheroes to help fight evil.
The sequel will see several new additions to the cast, including 'Scrubs' actor Donald Faison as Doctor Gravity and John Leguizamo as Red Mist's bodyguard, Javier.
The comedy will begin shooting this Friday (07.08.12) and sees Aaron Johnson returning as the lead Kick-Ass, while co-stars Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Moretz and Nicolas Cage are also reprising their roles from the first film.
'Kick-Ass 2' is set for release in June 2013.
Aussie actors Crowe and Jackman at war...
Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman are at war!
According to various news reports, the actors having been fighting like catty tween girls while shooting the new Les Miserables movie.
“They refuse to be in the same room – trying to get them to promote a film together is a nightmare,” a source tells Star magazine.
“They’ve known each other for a decade, but during this shoot, any shred of civility was thrown aside. They can’t stand each other, each calling the other an embarrassment to the profession.
“Russell sneers at Hugh’s musical-theater background. But Hugh says Russell embarrassed his country with his bad reputation in Hollywood.”
Costar Anne Hathaway has tried to mend fences, but the actors won’t budge.
“Producers hope she can convince them to come to a truce, but it’s not looking very promising,” said the source.
Idea of the moment: Crowe VS Jackman at WWE WrestleMania (Jackman is a known massive WWE fan and has participated in a physical WWE angle in the past, so here's hoping).
Howzat: Kerry Packer's war on cricket may be missing Dennis Lillee...
Many in media and sports circles are now buzzing that the true founding father of one-day cricket was not Kerry Packer but Dennis Lillee - yet the TV smash Howzat! whitewashes him from history, one of the original World Series directors has revealed.
In an rocket on Channel 9's ratings blockbuster, World Series Cricket director Austin Robertson - who also featured as a character in the mini-series - said Australians should thank Lillee for creating the one-day game.
In response, the show's producers launched a broadside of their own, claiming they asked Lillee to contribute but the bowling superstar refused to because he wouldn't get any money.
Mr Robertson, who worked closely with the former Nine king and the rebel team, also defended "the Big Fella" and said he was not the bully he was portrayed to be. Nor was the late batting star David Hookes the simpering and indecisive vacillator depicted in the show.
Mr Robertson said Howzat! was great entertainment and brilliantly produced but riddled with inaccuracies.
"The producers made a nonsense of the way they treated the man really responsible for the whole thing - Dennis Lillee," he said.
"Dennis was visible enough but he is not given the acknowledgement for having the idea in the first place, and his contribution in putting the entire thing together. Other people have put their hands up for having the brainchild of WSC but I am here to say that, without Lillee, it would never have happened at the time.
"Though Packer was determined to get the precious television rights, they would never have been delivered at that time without having the best fast bowler in the world in his corner.
"Curiously, the producers of the show, in the curtain-call of the program, in the segment 'Where are the main players today,' DKL was again overlooked.
"I had to ask myself, why did they do that? It was Lillee who delivered the players and, while it was great to be playing on the Packer team, without Lillee it would have never got off the ground."
Southern Star producer John Edwards, who made the show, hit back at Mr Robertson. He said Lillee boycotted the show and "shut down" Mr Robertson after learning no money was on offer.: "He (Robertson) was invited. There's nothing more to say really. He was mad keen on being involved and Dennis got to him and he was shut down. Dennis wanted money.
"We tried to speak to everybody and not everybody wanted to speak. Some people had grievances and grudges.
"(Writer) Chris Lee tried to involve them as much as as possible in the story and they chose not to be involved."
Mr Robertson confirmed he and Lillee had been approached but declined to take part. He declined to comment further or say whether money was an issue.
Lillee could not be reached but he has consistently refused to comment on Howzat!.
Mr Robertson praised Mr Packer and revealed the media tycoon was not as aggressive as the show portrayed: "The portrayal of Kerry as a constant bully and user of foul language is far from the truth. He could bully. I saw him on many occasions rise up like an out-of-control bull elephant and reduce a grown man to tears. I heard him swear like a storm trooper when out of control. But I never saw him chuck a plate of food.
"I thought Kerry was in the main a humble man, often revealing great compassion, a gentle giant who would talk issues out for hours before making a decision, and then following it through.
"The mini-series gave everybody the impression he was a loud, foul- mouthed bully and we saw precious little of his other side."
Channel 9 declined to comment however sources at the network said they felt the show was spot on in capturing Mr Packer.
Mr Robertson also rejected Howzat!'s portrayal of friend David Hookes, who died after an altercation with a bouncer in Melbourne in 2004.
"David was not a weak, indecisive and nervous character who 'spilled the beans' to The Age's Peter McFarline."
And as for his own portrayal Mr Robertson said: "From birth, and throughout the many years I have enjoyed on the earth I have never had a moustache."
Prince Harry; casino tycoon Steve Wynn and fun and games in Las Vegas and beyond...
As the UK's Daily Mail states it's a rare man who walks away from Las Vegas with nothing to regret.
Prince Harry counts the cost of his escapades in Sin City, he may just be coming to regret the day he ever made the acquaintance of casino tycoon Steve Wynn.
Wynn, the self-proclaimed King of Las Vegas, is the billionaire owner of the five-star Encore Wynn resort, the opulent hotel-casino in whose eight-room, £5,100-a-night suite the prince was photographed playing strip billiards.
Unsubstantiated reports this week have suggested that cocaine was snorted in the suite, and that a known prostitute was among the guests. There are even rumours of a video tape capturing the night's events. So how did the third-in-line to the throne come to meet – even befriend – a septuagenarian gambling mogul?
Steve Wynn, a flamboyant showman with a surgically-enhanced, wrinkle-free face, carefully coiffed hair, a volcanic temper and a trophy wife, is famous for befriending celebrities whose patronage would be good for business.
Last November, 70-year-old Wynn was spotted having dinner with the prince in one of his Vegas steakhouses while the Prince was enjoying a weekend break from an advanced helicopter training course in Arizona.
Waiving the bills of celebrities is common practice in Vegas, and it remains unclear who paid the estimated £30,000 bill for Harry's recent stay. According to Wynn's spokesman, the tab was not picked up by either the tycoon or his hotel.
Is the prince welcome to return? I can't see why not,' the spokesman said.
Wynn is unlikely to be perturbed by Harry's naked shenanigans, but if drugs do turn out to have been involved, he may swiftly seek to distance himself from the events. He may be Las Vegas's most revered casino owner, but he still has his gambling licence and his reputation to think about. It is a reputation that Wynn is eager to protect. He has worked hard to erase the stains of the past.
Today, he is widely credited as the man who single-handedly cleaned up' Vegas and made it into a place in which Wall Street could invest and young families could holiday (if parents don't mind their children collecting the prostitutes' calling cards which litter the pavement).
Yet for all his denials, Wynn, who is worth $2.5 billion, has never shaken off accusations that he was linked for many years to the mobsters who once ruled Las Vegas.
He has weathered successive U.S. investigations over everything from drug-dealing to money-laundering, and has never been found to have committed any wrong-doing.
In Britain, the authorities have proved harder to convince. When he tried to open a casino in London to exploit the influx of rich Arabs in the early Eighties, Scotland Yard denied him a licence. But in the desert city of Las Vegas, he remains a swaggering icon. He has a reputation for being sophisticated' but that's by Vegas standards.
This is a man who bought Impressionist masterpieces only to hang them on the walls of his casinos; who reputedly blew his finger off while playing with a gun given to him by a former Mob hitman, and who boasts that his wife Andrea has the greatest butt in the world'.
Money is no object. In 2005, Wynn sank $2.7 billion into building just one hotel the curved glass and steel Wynn Las Vegas. He then did the same again a few years later with the Encore.
So enamoured is he with the idea of himself as Sin City royalty that he arranged his wedding last year to coincide with that of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Hollywood star Clint Eastwood was best man and lingerie model Caprice a bridesmaid. The reception, held in the ballroom of Wynn's Encore resort, boasted a 500-strong guest list which included Sylvester Stallone, Steven Spielberg, Lionel Richie, Sir Philip Green and Celine Dion.
Each guest left with a five-inch high replica of the tiered wedding cake, but it's unlikely Wynn or his rake-thin new wife enjoyed much of the banquet. Both are vegans, and the youth-obsessed Wynn, who exists on a diet of vitamin pills, liquidised walnuts and the occasional indulgent dribble of olive oil, boasts that he still has a 32in waistline.
After years of hard graft and wheeler-dealing, he has earned the right to behave as he wishes. The son of an East Coast bingo parlour operator and hardened gambler, the brash and handsome Wynn Jnr expanded the family business to Las Vegas with a string of clever investments and ambitious hustling.
In the Seventies and Eighties, when Wynn was building his empire, Las Vegas was full of the mobsters who had originally built its gambling industry.
Some say it was impossible to work in the city and not come into contact with mafiosi, even unwittingly. Others have suggested that, even so, Wynn had an unusually large number of brushes with the Mob.
Wynn himself has vigorously denied any involvement with the Mob, and none of the numerous law enforcement investigations for gambling licences have ever concluded that he worked for or with organised crime.
In 1967, he was with some business associates of noted mobsters on a private yacht cruise on a lake in Nevada when a naked young woman somehow fell over the back of the boat and was chopped almost in half by the propeller blades. Her death prompted an investigation, but everyone on board denied having seen the incident.
And he had trouble with officials in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1986 after investigators discovered mobster Tony Castelbuono, a friend of Wynn, was laundering the profits of heroin trafficking at his gambling tables. Wynn almost lost his gambling licence.
Today, such tales of the Mob are just water under the bridge. Wynn has re-invented himself as the business genius who demolished seedy gambling joints along the Vegas Strip and replaced them with slick hotel-casinos such as the Mirage (the city's first 3,000-bed hotel), the Treasure Island and the Bellagio.
Part of his success has been his ability to turn on the charm with important people. But Wynn is notorious, too, for his temper. In 1991, he reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum with the former president of Wynn's Golden Nugget casino, who described Wynn as a womanising, brutal boss.
In allegations made in documents lodged at court, it was said that he would get so angry that his eyes bulged and he started screaming at the top of his lungs and banging his head on the table'. There was no admission of liability by Wynn, who denied the allegations.
His mother Zelma claims his tyrannical behaviour is the result of frustration over his failing eyesight. The tycoon suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive genetic disease which effectively gives him tunnel vision by destroying his ability to see peripheral images. In a dark room, he is completely blind.
His vision may be failing, but for years he was infamous for his roving eye, keeping keys to empty rooms at his various hotels for trysts. He was known to favour his female blackjack croupiers.
All that came to a stop when he met the beautiful Mrs Wynn. Usually described as a British socialite, 48-year-old Andrea was, in fact, born in New York but, as her proud husband likes to stress, was raised in England and France. Tres sophistique.
It all sounds rather less chic when you learn that the family moved to France because her father, a wheeler-dealer named Victor Danenza, fled there in 1976 to escape an FBI fraud investigation.
Before becoming the second Mrs Wynn, Andrea had lived in London with her first husband, Texan banker Robert Hissom, a former polo-playing friend of Prince Charles.
She met Wynn in 2008 in St Tropez, where he keeps a yacht, and the couple began a very public romance. Wynn divorced his long-suffering first wife Elaine, after 46 years of marriage, and wed Andrea last year.
Elaine made around $740 million from the settlement one of the biggest payouts in U.S. divorce history. The costly divorce appears not to have troubled Mr Wynn, who is delighted with his new wife.
It's like God made a woman for me,' he once said, before pointing out the part of his wife he most admired the greatest butt in the world'.
It all goes to show that money can buy you neither taste nor manners. Even Wynn's attempts to acquire a collection of old masterpieces have invited accusastions that he was vulgar and greedily acquisitive.
He has, since the late Nineties, spent hundreds of millions of dollars on paintings by Picasso and Degas, Caravaggio and Titian. He has several times scooped the world's great galleries at auction, only to horrify the art world by hanging his purchases in his casinos.
At 70, he shows no sign of slowing down though controversy continues to dog him. He is embroiled in a three-year court battle with Joe Francis, founder of the soft porn video empire Girls Gone Wild.
In documents lodged at court, Francis claims Wynn threatened in an email that he would kill him over a $2 million gambling debt. Wynn is alleged to have written that he would hit Francis in the back of the head with a shovel'.
Wynn denies the allegations and claims no such email exists.
In Asia, where Wynn now earns 70 per cent of his profits from the gambling mecca of Macau, a resort on the South China Sea, he is embroiled in a battle with a former business partner, Kazuo Okada.
This week, Okada sued Wynn for $140 millino for libel after each accused the other of paying bribes within the Asian gambling industry. No amount of black marble and old masters can hide the sleaziness at the heart of Las Vegas.
It is hard to believe Wynn when he claims he could just as easily have gone into family theme parks if Walt Disney hadn't done it first. Indeed, it seems about as likely as Prince Harry settling for free entry to Sleeping Beauty's Castle rather than a weekend with his colourful acquaintances in Sin City.
One ponders if the prince may be planning to visit in any casino - hotels in the near future, and little doubt that Australia's The Star or Crown Melbourne would love to have him. The smart money say's Prince Harry will no be stepping into any casino in Australia or anywhere else in the near future, perhaps more positive PR appearances will be on the cards however.
Bwin.party losing its poker face...
LONDON (SHARECAST) - Online gaming titan bwin.party says revenues in the first half of 2012 grew at its casino and gaming offerings but poker has been hit by strong competitors and difficulties in southern Europe.
The group was formed last year by the merger between German outfit bwin Interactive Entertainment and British firm PartyGaming and still has co-Chief Executives Norbert Teufelberger and Jim Ryan.
On a pro forma basis (comparing the results of both companies before the merger), total revenue increased by 3% to €410.0m (2011: €398.0m). This was achieved despite an 11% increase in gaming taxes so that the pro forma “clean” earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased 13% to €92.3m (2011: €81.9m). This is better than the forecast of €89m made by analysts at Peel Hunt.
Bwin.party has also had to take a nasty one-off charge of €31.5m after the Spanish authorities contacted all of the major online gaming operators making clear any online operator that had ever accepted customers from Spain had an obligation to pay Spanish taxes.
The group offers four online “experiences”: sports betting produced revenues of €128.1m in the first half, versus €125.7m in 2011; casino and games delivered €139.7m, against €124.3m in the prior year; bingo was down from €33m to €31.5m; while the weakest performance was from poker, which fell from €104.9m to €96.4m.
In a joint statement, Ryan and Teufelberger said they were "determined to return [poker] to growth through execution of a detailed plan that includes pooling our poker liquidity as well as repositioning our flagship PartyPoker brand.”
The interim dividend has been increased by 10% to 1.72p per share although the company warned that net gaming revenue since June has fallen 8% as the end of the Euro 2012 Championships and a late start to the Bundesliga hit takings.
Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment: PartyCasino gets new 'Under the Sea' slot game
Check out PartyCasino via the Media Man network for more on this exciting new slot game which can be played for free or played for money. Bwin.Party is one of the most financially stable gaming companies on the planet and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They also high security and high excitment online poker, sports betting and more.
New Trailer For Marvel Heroes...
Gazillion Entertainment is proud to show off a new trailer for Marvel Heroes. The new trailer announces 3 new playable heroes in the game – Daredevil, Punisher, and Squirrel Girl. The trailer made its debut at the Marvel Heroes panel at PAX 2012. The panel featured Gazillion President David Brevik (one of the creators of Diablo!), legendary Marvel writer Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man! Avengers vs. X-Men! And) and Marvel’s mighty VP of Games Production TQ Jefferson. If you look closely, you’ll also see a bunch of villains were also revealed in the trailer, including Mr. Fisk the notorious crime lord.
Website:
http://www.youtube.com/marvelheroesonline
About Marvel Heroes...
Marvel Heroes is a FREE-TO-PLAY action-packed massively multiplayer online game created by David Brevik, the visionary behind Diablo and Diablo 2. Set in the iconic Marvel Universe, Marvel Heroes combines the core game-play style of Diablo and MMOs with the expansive library of heroes from the Marvel Universe. In the game, players can collect and play as their favorite Marvel Superheroes (including Iron Man, Thor, Wolverine, Hulk, Spider Man, Captain America and many others). Team up with friends and try to stop Doctor Doom from devastating the world with the power of the Cosmic Cube in a story crafted by comic-book super-scribe Brian Michael Bendis.
The Top 10 best MMA fights of the rest of 2012...
There are plenty of exciting fights to look forward to before 2013. Here’s a look at our top 10 (barring injuries):
10. Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le (UFC on Fuel TV 6, Nov. 10 in Macau)
This one isn’t as much about the fight as it is about the significance of the event – the UFC’s first in China. Neither of these guys is currently in their prime, but they always give crowd-pleasing performances. Le, a native of Vietnam, should have a massive Asian following.
9. Eddie Alvarez vs. Patricky Freire (Bellator 76, Oct. 12 in Windsor, Ontario)
Alvarez might have dropped the Bellator title last year to Michael Chandler, but he’s still one of the top 15 lightweights in the world. This also could be his last Bellator fight with his contract expiring – don’t be surprised if he’s in the UFC in 2013. Explosive knockout artist Freire will be a game opponent.
8. Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson, UFC flyweight title (UFC 152, Sept. 22 in Toronto)
Don’t blink. These are two of the fastest guys in MMA and both challenged for the bantamweight title before the UFC created its flyweight division. This bout will determine the company’s first-ever flyweight champion and these are legitimately the top two guys in the world at 125.
7. Shane Carwin vs. Roy Nelson (TUF 16 finale, Dec. 15 in Las Vegas)
There’s very little chance this one leaves the first round. Carwin and Nelson love to slug it out and after coaching against one another on “The Ultimate Fighter” they probably won’t be too friendly. It’ll be nice to see Carwin, a former heavyweight top contender, back in the cage.
6. Daniel Cormier vs. Frank Mir (Strikeforce: Mir vs. Cormier, Oct. 27 in TBA)
This might be a Strikeforce fight, but it has UFC implications. Mir, the former UFC heavyweight champion, takes on Strikeforce champ Cormier in somewhat of a crossover matchup. But Cormier will be in the UFC right after this fight courtesy of Strikeforce's heavyweight division being disbanded and a win here puts him on path for a title shot in 2013.
5. BJ Penn vs. Rory MacDonald (UFC on Fox 5, Dec. 8 in Seattle)
The trash talk has already been fun between the two, but things will really heat up when they enter the Octagon. Think of this as something of a passing of the torch fight. Penn, in the twilight of his career, will put up a strong challenge against the young lion, but the multi-faceted MacDonald is nearing superstardom in the welterweight division.
4. Benson Henderson (c) vs. Nate Diaz, UFC lightweight title (UFC on Fox 5, Dec. 8 in Seattle)
This could easily be a Fight of the Year candidate if it goes how it’s supposed to. Neither of these guys gives an inch – both Henderson and Diaz are perpetually moving forward. A win here, against a superior standup fighter in Diaz, would put Henderson’s name among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
3. Jose Aldo (c) vs. Frankie Edgar, UFC featherweight title (UFC 153, Oct. 13 in Rio)
Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Aldo was supposed to defend his title against Erik Koch, but Koch had to pull out with an injury and his loss is the fans’ gain. Edgar was the UFC lightweight champion for more than a year and his last two losses were by the slimmest of margins. Aldo, meanwhile, is a buzzsaw – one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. This is, indeed, a superfight.
2. Georges St. Pierre (c) vs. Carlos Condit, UFC welterweight unification (UFC 154, Nov. 17 in Montreal)
It seems like it’s been forever since St. Pierre has fought. One of the best MMA fighters of all time has not competed in more than a year and a half due to injuries, including a torn ACL. He returns to face red-hot Carlos Condit, who is coming off a win over Nick Diaz in January. St. Pierre, a dominant champ, has never faced anyone with the combination of speed, athleticism and technique that Condit has.
1. Junior dos Santos (c) vs. Cain Velasquez, UFC heavyweight title (UFC 155, Dec. 29 in Las Vegas)
This time, we’ll get the incredible battle of wills that we were promised last year. Velasquez lost his title to dos Santos last November in just over a minute via stunning knockout. To make matters worse, it was the UFC’s first show on Fox and the company took undeserved criticism for the quick, flash KO.
Who knew that dos Santos-Velasquez wouldn’t be a war? This one will make up for it, closing the year on a huge high note – the two best heavyweights in the world trading in the center of the cage. Only one will be standing at the end. (New York Post)
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What an exciting time for entertainment, movies, gaming and wrestling fans. WWE new angles and storylines, plus Main Event hits Australian TV, Bwin.Party has just released a new game, and you must check out the new Marvel Heroes online game. We've also got Hollywood box office reports, pro wrestling scoops, celebrity news and lots more. The Media Man agency with the latest...
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Joss Whedon: 'The Avengers isn't a perfect movie'...
Joss Whedon has claimed that The Avengers isn't "a great movie".
The film has met with critical acclaim and outstanding commercial success, becoming the third highest-grossing film of all time in just a few months, but Whedon, the superhero blockbuster's writer and director, is determined to keep his feet on the ground.
In an interview with Vulture, the 48-year-old claimed that the box office numbers became, ultimately, "meaningless".
He said: "They're large, and you can't really count that high."
Describing what his goals were with The Avengers, he claimed: "I felt like I had a particular mission in making what I felt was a slightly old-fashioned movie, because I grew up wanting to make summer movies and wanting to make superhero movies, and I got to do both at once.
"I felt like summer movies haven't been what I remember them to be, so I felt like I would love to evoke something that's less hip and ironic and more heartfelt and character-driven, and apparently, other people cared about that in a large way."
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly creator then conceded: "I don't think it's a perfect movie. I don't even think it's a great movie. I think it's a great time, and I'm proud of it, but for me, what was exciting is that people don't go to see a movie that many times unless it's pulling on something from within, unless there's a need there. That's very gratifying."
The film is set to increase its box office even further this weekend, after being re-released in the US to take advantage of the Labour Day holiday.
Whedon will oversee a Marvel-produced SHIELD television show for ABC, before starting work on the Avengers sequel, due for a summer 2015 release.
The Avengers Crosses $1.5 Billion At Worldwide Box Office...
While the re-release of The Avengers at the U.S. box office might have failed to break into the top ten Labor Day weekend movies, it did help The Avengers reach another major milestone. The Avengers has become the third movie in history to cross the $1.5 billion mark at the worldwide box office.
While retaining its number three position on the worldwide box office list, The Avengers took in another estimated $1.7 million over Labor Day weekend, which brought The Avengers U.S. box office total to $619.5 million and The Avengers worldwide box office total to $1.501 billion.
Interestingly enough, The Dark Knight Rises also reached a milestone today, surpassing $1 billion at the worldwide box office, which means that combined The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises have accounted for $2.5 billion at the worldwide box office this year. If you add in The Amazing Spider-Man, which currently sits at number four on the 2012 worldwide box office list with $734.9 million, then the total rises to $3.2 billion. It’s definitely a good time to be in the superhero movie making business.
Jim Carrey joins Kick-Ass 2 cast...
Jim Carrey has been offered the role of Colonel Stars in Jeff Wadlow's superhero comedy, director Jeff Wadlow has strongly hinted.
Director Jeff Wadlow and creator Mark Millar have hinted that the 50-year-old funnyman has landed the coveted role of Colonel Stars in the sequel to 2010's wacky superhero comedy.
Jeff tweeted: "6 days till we start shooting... and we officially have our Colonel. Alrighty f'n then! @ChloeGMoretz @MintzPlasse @donald_faison #kickass2. (sic)"
After Christopher Mintz-Plasse replied asking who his new co-star was going to be, the original comic book's author Mark replied: "Clue - he lives with 200 raccoons and parrots, owns the mask of Loki and named by spielberg as a genius. (sic)"
During Jim's 1994 film 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective', which sees him play the titular character, his alter-ego is a private investigator who specialises in the retrieval of captive animals.
'The Mask' star Jim is reportedly a big fan of the original 'Kick-Ass' film by Matthew Vaughn and was being courted to play the born again Christian superhero, who assembles a motley crew of superheroes to help fight evil.
The sequel will see several new additions to the cast, including 'Scrubs' actor Donald Faison as Doctor Gravity and John Leguizamo as Red Mist's bodyguard, Javier.
The comedy will begin shooting this Friday (07.08.12) and sees Aaron Johnson returning as the lead Kick-Ass, while co-stars Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Moretz and Nicolas Cage are also reprising their roles from the first film.
'Kick-Ass 2' is set for release in June 2013.
Aussie actors Crowe and Jackman at war...
Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman are at war!
According to various news reports, the actors having been fighting like catty tween girls while shooting the new Les Miserables movie.
“They refuse to be in the same room – trying to get them to promote a film together is a nightmare,” a source tells Star magazine.
“They’ve known each other for a decade, but during this shoot, any shred of civility was thrown aside. They can’t stand each other, each calling the other an embarrassment to the profession.
“Russell sneers at Hugh’s musical-theater background. But Hugh says Russell embarrassed his country with his bad reputation in Hollywood.”
Costar Anne Hathaway has tried to mend fences, but the actors won’t budge.
“Producers hope she can convince them to come to a truce, but it’s not looking very promising,” said the source.
Idea of the moment: Crowe VS Jackman at WWE WrestleMania (Jackman is a known massive WWE fan and has participated in a physical WWE angle in the past, so here's hoping).
Howzat: Kerry Packer's war on cricket may be missing Dennis Lillee...
Many in media and sports circles are now buzzing that the true founding father of one-day cricket was not Kerry Packer but Dennis Lillee - yet the TV smash Howzat! whitewashes him from history, one of the original World Series directors has revealed.
In an rocket on Channel 9's ratings blockbuster, World Series Cricket director Austin Robertson - who also featured as a character in the mini-series - said Australians should thank Lillee for creating the one-day game.
In response, the show's producers launched a broadside of their own, claiming they asked Lillee to contribute but the bowling superstar refused to because he wouldn't get any money.
Mr Robertson, who worked closely with the former Nine king and the rebel team, also defended "the Big Fella" and said he was not the bully he was portrayed to be. Nor was the late batting star David Hookes the simpering and indecisive vacillator depicted in the show.
Mr Robertson said Howzat! was great entertainment and brilliantly produced but riddled with inaccuracies.
"The producers made a nonsense of the way they treated the man really responsible for the whole thing - Dennis Lillee," he said.
"Dennis was visible enough but he is not given the acknowledgement for having the idea in the first place, and his contribution in putting the entire thing together. Other people have put their hands up for having the brainchild of WSC but I am here to say that, without Lillee, it would never have happened at the time.
"Though Packer was determined to get the precious television rights, they would never have been delivered at that time without having the best fast bowler in the world in his corner.
"Curiously, the producers of the show, in the curtain-call of the program, in the segment 'Where are the main players today,' DKL was again overlooked.
"I had to ask myself, why did they do that? It was Lillee who delivered the players and, while it was great to be playing on the Packer team, without Lillee it would have never got off the ground."
Southern Star producer John Edwards, who made the show, hit back at Mr Robertson. He said Lillee boycotted the show and "shut down" Mr Robertson after learning no money was on offer.: "He (Robertson) was invited. There's nothing more to say really. He was mad keen on being involved and Dennis got to him and he was shut down. Dennis wanted money.
"We tried to speak to everybody and not everybody wanted to speak. Some people had grievances and grudges.
"(Writer) Chris Lee tried to involve them as much as as possible in the story and they chose not to be involved."
Mr Robertson confirmed he and Lillee had been approached but declined to take part. He declined to comment further or say whether money was an issue.
Lillee could not be reached but he has consistently refused to comment on Howzat!.
Mr Robertson praised Mr Packer and revealed the media tycoon was not as aggressive as the show portrayed: "The portrayal of Kerry as a constant bully and user of foul language is far from the truth. He could bully. I saw him on many occasions rise up like an out-of-control bull elephant and reduce a grown man to tears. I heard him swear like a storm trooper when out of control. But I never saw him chuck a plate of food.
"I thought Kerry was in the main a humble man, often revealing great compassion, a gentle giant who would talk issues out for hours before making a decision, and then following it through.
"The mini-series gave everybody the impression he was a loud, foul- mouthed bully and we saw precious little of his other side."
Channel 9 declined to comment however sources at the network said they felt the show was spot on in capturing Mr Packer.
Mr Robertson also rejected Howzat!'s portrayal of friend David Hookes, who died after an altercation with a bouncer in Melbourne in 2004.
"David was not a weak, indecisive and nervous character who 'spilled the beans' to The Age's Peter McFarline."
And as for his own portrayal Mr Robertson said: "From birth, and throughout the many years I have enjoyed on the earth I have never had a moustache."
Prince Harry; casino tycoon Steve Wynn and fun and games in Las Vegas and beyond...
As the UK's Daily Mail states it's a rare man who walks away from Las Vegas with nothing to regret.
Prince Harry counts the cost of his escapades in Sin City, he may just be coming to regret the day he ever made the acquaintance of casino tycoon Steve Wynn.
Wynn, the self-proclaimed King of Las Vegas, is the billionaire owner of the five-star Encore Wynn resort, the opulent hotel-casino in whose eight-room, £5,100-a-night suite the prince was photographed playing strip billiards.
Unsubstantiated reports this week have suggested that cocaine was snorted in the suite, and that a known prostitute was among the guests. There are even rumours of a video tape capturing the night's events. So how did the third-in-line to the throne come to meet – even befriend – a septuagenarian gambling mogul?
Steve Wynn, a flamboyant showman with a surgically-enhanced, wrinkle-free face, carefully coiffed hair, a volcanic temper and a trophy wife, is famous for befriending celebrities whose patronage would be good for business.
Last November, 70-year-old Wynn was spotted having dinner with the prince in one of his Vegas steakhouses while the Prince was enjoying a weekend break from an advanced helicopter training course in Arizona.
Waiving the bills of celebrities is common practice in Vegas, and it remains unclear who paid the estimated £30,000 bill for Harry's recent stay. According to Wynn's spokesman, the tab was not picked up by either the tycoon or his hotel.
Is the prince welcome to return? I can't see why not,' the spokesman said.
Wynn is unlikely to be perturbed by Harry's naked shenanigans, but if drugs do turn out to have been involved, he may swiftly seek to distance himself from the events. He may be Las Vegas's most revered casino owner, but he still has his gambling licence and his reputation to think about. It is a reputation that Wynn is eager to protect. He has worked hard to erase the stains of the past.
Today, he is widely credited as the man who single-handedly cleaned up' Vegas and made it into a place in which Wall Street could invest and young families could holiday (if parents don't mind their children collecting the prostitutes' calling cards which litter the pavement).
Yet for all his denials, Wynn, who is worth $2.5 billion, has never shaken off accusations that he was linked for many years to the mobsters who once ruled Las Vegas.
He has weathered successive U.S. investigations over everything from drug-dealing to money-laundering, and has never been found to have committed any wrong-doing.
In Britain, the authorities have proved harder to convince. When he tried to open a casino in London to exploit the influx of rich Arabs in the early Eighties, Scotland Yard denied him a licence. But in the desert city of Las Vegas, he remains a swaggering icon. He has a reputation for being sophisticated' but that's by Vegas standards.
This is a man who bought Impressionist masterpieces only to hang them on the walls of his casinos; who reputedly blew his finger off while playing with a gun given to him by a former Mob hitman, and who boasts that his wife Andrea has the greatest butt in the world'.
Money is no object. In 2005, Wynn sank $2.7 billion into building just one hotel the curved glass and steel Wynn Las Vegas. He then did the same again a few years later with the Encore.
So enamoured is he with the idea of himself as Sin City royalty that he arranged his wedding last year to coincide with that of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Hollywood star Clint Eastwood was best man and lingerie model Caprice a bridesmaid. The reception, held in the ballroom of Wynn's Encore resort, boasted a 500-strong guest list which included Sylvester Stallone, Steven Spielberg, Lionel Richie, Sir Philip Green and Celine Dion.
Each guest left with a five-inch high replica of the tiered wedding cake, but it's unlikely Wynn or his rake-thin new wife enjoyed much of the banquet. Both are vegans, and the youth-obsessed Wynn, who exists on a diet of vitamin pills, liquidised walnuts and the occasional indulgent dribble of olive oil, boasts that he still has a 32in waistline.
After years of hard graft and wheeler-dealing, he has earned the right to behave as he wishes. The son of an East Coast bingo parlour operator and hardened gambler, the brash and handsome Wynn Jnr expanded the family business to Las Vegas with a string of clever investments and ambitious hustling.
In the Seventies and Eighties, when Wynn was building his empire, Las Vegas was full of the mobsters who had originally built its gambling industry.
Some say it was impossible to work in the city and not come into contact with mafiosi, even unwittingly. Others have suggested that, even so, Wynn had an unusually large number of brushes with the Mob.
Wynn himself has vigorously denied any involvement with the Mob, and none of the numerous law enforcement investigations for gambling licences have ever concluded that he worked for or with organised crime.
In 1967, he was with some business associates of noted mobsters on a private yacht cruise on a lake in Nevada when a naked young woman somehow fell over the back of the boat and was chopped almost in half by the propeller blades. Her death prompted an investigation, but everyone on board denied having seen the incident.
And he had trouble with officials in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1986 after investigators discovered mobster Tony Castelbuono, a friend of Wynn, was laundering the profits of heroin trafficking at his gambling tables. Wynn almost lost his gambling licence.
Today, such tales of the Mob are just water under the bridge. Wynn has re-invented himself as the business genius who demolished seedy gambling joints along the Vegas Strip and replaced them with slick hotel-casinos such as the Mirage (the city's first 3,000-bed hotel), the Treasure Island and the Bellagio.
Part of his success has been his ability to turn on the charm with important people. But Wynn is notorious, too, for his temper. In 1991, he reached an out-of-court settlement for an undisclosed sum with the former president of Wynn's Golden Nugget casino, who described Wynn as a womanising, brutal boss.
In allegations made in documents lodged at court, it was said that he would get so angry that his eyes bulged and he started screaming at the top of his lungs and banging his head on the table'. There was no admission of liability by Wynn, who denied the allegations.
His mother Zelma claims his tyrannical behaviour is the result of frustration over his failing eyesight. The tycoon suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive genetic disease which effectively gives him tunnel vision by destroying his ability to see peripheral images. In a dark room, he is completely blind.
His vision may be failing, but for years he was infamous for his roving eye, keeping keys to empty rooms at his various hotels for trysts. He was known to favour his female blackjack croupiers.
All that came to a stop when he met the beautiful Mrs Wynn. Usually described as a British socialite, 48-year-old Andrea was, in fact, born in New York but, as her proud husband likes to stress, was raised in England and France. Tres sophistique.
It all sounds rather less chic when you learn that the family moved to France because her father, a wheeler-dealer named Victor Danenza, fled there in 1976 to escape an FBI fraud investigation.
Before becoming the second Mrs Wynn, Andrea had lived in London with her first husband, Texan banker Robert Hissom, a former polo-playing friend of Prince Charles.
She met Wynn in 2008 in St Tropez, where he keeps a yacht, and the couple began a very public romance. Wynn divorced his long-suffering first wife Elaine, after 46 years of marriage, and wed Andrea last year.
Elaine made around $740 million from the settlement one of the biggest payouts in U.S. divorce history. The costly divorce appears not to have troubled Mr Wynn, who is delighted with his new wife.
It's like God made a woman for me,' he once said, before pointing out the part of his wife he most admired the greatest butt in the world'.
It all goes to show that money can buy you neither taste nor manners. Even Wynn's attempts to acquire a collection of old masterpieces have invited accusastions that he was vulgar and greedily acquisitive.
He has, since the late Nineties, spent hundreds of millions of dollars on paintings by Picasso and Degas, Caravaggio and Titian. He has several times scooped the world's great galleries at auction, only to horrify the art world by hanging his purchases in his casinos.
At 70, he shows no sign of slowing down though controversy continues to dog him. He is embroiled in a three-year court battle with Joe Francis, founder of the soft porn video empire Girls Gone Wild.
In documents lodged at court, Francis claims Wynn threatened in an email that he would kill him over a $2 million gambling debt. Wynn is alleged to have written that he would hit Francis in the back of the head with a shovel'.
Wynn denies the allegations and claims no such email exists.
In Asia, where Wynn now earns 70 per cent of his profits from the gambling mecca of Macau, a resort on the South China Sea, he is embroiled in a battle with a former business partner, Kazuo Okada.
This week, Okada sued Wynn for $140 millino for libel after each accused the other of paying bribes within the Asian gambling industry. No amount of black marble and old masters can hide the sleaziness at the heart of Las Vegas.
It is hard to believe Wynn when he claims he could just as easily have gone into family theme parks if Walt Disney hadn't done it first. Indeed, it seems about as likely as Prince Harry settling for free entry to Sleeping Beauty's Castle rather than a weekend with his colourful acquaintances in Sin City.
One ponders if the prince may be planning to visit in any casino - hotels in the near future, and little doubt that Australia's The Star or Crown Melbourne would love to have him. The smart money say's Prince Harry will no be stepping into any casino in Australia or anywhere else in the near future, perhaps more positive PR appearances will be on the cards however.
Bwin.party losing its poker face...
LONDON (SHARECAST) - Online gaming titan bwin.party says revenues in the first half of 2012 grew at its casino and gaming offerings but poker has been hit by strong competitors and difficulties in southern Europe.
The group was formed last year by the merger between German outfit bwin Interactive Entertainment and British firm PartyGaming and still has co-Chief Executives Norbert Teufelberger and Jim Ryan.
On a pro forma basis (comparing the results of both companies before the merger), total revenue increased by 3% to €410.0m (2011: €398.0m). This was achieved despite an 11% increase in gaming taxes so that the pro forma “clean” earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased 13% to €92.3m (2011: €81.9m). This is better than the forecast of €89m made by analysts at Peel Hunt.
Bwin.party has also had to take a nasty one-off charge of €31.5m after the Spanish authorities contacted all of the major online gaming operators making clear any online operator that had ever accepted customers from Spain had an obligation to pay Spanish taxes.
The group offers four online “experiences”: sports betting produced revenues of €128.1m in the first half, versus €125.7m in 2011; casino and games delivered €139.7m, against €124.3m in the prior year; bingo was down from €33m to €31.5m; while the weakest performance was from poker, which fell from €104.9m to €96.4m.
In a joint statement, Ryan and Teufelberger said they were "determined to return [poker] to growth through execution of a detailed plan that includes pooling our poker liquidity as well as repositioning our flagship PartyPoker brand.”
The interim dividend has been increased by 10% to 1.72p per share although the company warned that net gaming revenue since June has fallen 8% as the end of the Euro 2012 Championships and a late start to the Bundesliga hit takings.
Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment: PartyCasino gets new 'Under the Sea' slot game
Check out PartyCasino via the Media Man network for more on this exciting new slot game which can be played for free or played for money. Bwin.Party is one of the most financially stable gaming companies on the planet and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They also high security and high excitment online poker, sports betting and more.
New Trailer For Marvel Heroes...
Gazillion Entertainment is proud to show off a new trailer for Marvel Heroes. The new trailer announces 3 new playable heroes in the game – Daredevil, Punisher, and Squirrel Girl. The trailer made its debut at the Marvel Heroes panel at PAX 2012. The panel featured Gazillion President David Brevik (one of the creators of Diablo!), legendary Marvel writer Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man! Avengers vs. X-Men! And) and Marvel’s mighty VP of Games Production TQ Jefferson. If you look closely, you’ll also see a bunch of villains were also revealed in the trailer, including Mr. Fisk the notorious crime lord.
Website:
http://www.youtube.com/marvelheroesonline
About Marvel Heroes...
Marvel Heroes is a FREE-TO-PLAY action-packed massively multiplayer online game created by David Brevik, the visionary behind Diablo and Diablo 2. Set in the iconic Marvel Universe, Marvel Heroes combines the core game-play style of Diablo and MMOs with the expansive library of heroes from the Marvel Universe. In the game, players can collect and play as their favorite Marvel Superheroes (including Iron Man, Thor, Wolverine, Hulk, Spider Man, Captain America and many others). Team up with friends and try to stop Doctor Doom from devastating the world with the power of the Cosmic Cube in a story crafted by comic-book super-scribe Brian Michael Bendis.
The Top 10 best MMA fights of the rest of 2012...
There are plenty of exciting fights to look forward to before 2013. Here’s a look at our top 10 (barring injuries):
10. Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le (UFC on Fuel TV 6, Nov. 10 in Macau)
This one isn’t as much about the fight as it is about the significance of the event – the UFC’s first in China. Neither of these guys is currently in their prime, but they always give crowd-pleasing performances. Le, a native of Vietnam, should have a massive Asian following.
9. Eddie Alvarez vs. Patricky Freire (Bellator 76, Oct. 12 in Windsor, Ontario)
Alvarez might have dropped the Bellator title last year to Michael Chandler, but he’s still one of the top 15 lightweights in the world. This also could be his last Bellator fight with his contract expiring – don’t be surprised if he’s in the UFC in 2013. Explosive knockout artist Freire will be a game opponent.
8. Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson, UFC flyweight title (UFC 152, Sept. 22 in Toronto)
Don’t blink. These are two of the fastest guys in MMA and both challenged for the bantamweight title before the UFC created its flyweight division. This bout will determine the company’s first-ever flyweight champion and these are legitimately the top two guys in the world at 125.
7. Shane Carwin vs. Roy Nelson (TUF 16 finale, Dec. 15 in Las Vegas)
There’s very little chance this one leaves the first round. Carwin and Nelson love to slug it out and after coaching against one another on “The Ultimate Fighter” they probably won’t be too friendly. It’ll be nice to see Carwin, a former heavyweight top contender, back in the cage.
6. Daniel Cormier vs. Frank Mir (Strikeforce: Mir vs. Cormier, Oct. 27 in TBA)
This might be a Strikeforce fight, but it has UFC implications. Mir, the former UFC heavyweight champion, takes on Strikeforce champ Cormier in somewhat of a crossover matchup. But Cormier will be in the UFC right after this fight courtesy of Strikeforce's heavyweight division being disbanded and a win here puts him on path for a title shot in 2013.
5. BJ Penn vs. Rory MacDonald (UFC on Fox 5, Dec. 8 in Seattle)
The trash talk has already been fun between the two, but things will really heat up when they enter the Octagon. Think of this as something of a passing of the torch fight. Penn, in the twilight of his career, will put up a strong challenge against the young lion, but the multi-faceted MacDonald is nearing superstardom in the welterweight division.
4. Benson Henderson (c) vs. Nate Diaz, UFC lightweight title (UFC on Fox 5, Dec. 8 in Seattle)
This could easily be a Fight of the Year candidate if it goes how it’s supposed to. Neither of these guys gives an inch – both Henderson and Diaz are perpetually moving forward. A win here, against a superior standup fighter in Diaz, would put Henderson’s name among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
3. Jose Aldo (c) vs. Frankie Edgar, UFC featherweight title (UFC 153, Oct. 13 in Rio)
Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Aldo was supposed to defend his title against Erik Koch, but Koch had to pull out with an injury and his loss is the fans’ gain. Edgar was the UFC lightweight champion for more than a year and his last two losses were by the slimmest of margins. Aldo, meanwhile, is a buzzsaw – one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. This is, indeed, a superfight.
2. Georges St. Pierre (c) vs. Carlos Condit, UFC welterweight unification (UFC 154, Nov. 17 in Montreal)
It seems like it’s been forever since St. Pierre has fought. One of the best MMA fighters of all time has not competed in more than a year and a half due to injuries, including a torn ACL. He returns to face red-hot Carlos Condit, who is coming off a win over Nick Diaz in January. St. Pierre, a dominant champ, has never faced anyone with the combination of speed, athleticism and technique that Condit has.
1. Junior dos Santos (c) vs. Cain Velasquez, UFC heavyweight title (UFC 155, Dec. 29 in Las Vegas)
This time, we’ll get the incredible battle of wills that we were promised last year. Velasquez lost his title to dos Santos last November in just over a minute via stunning knockout. To make matters worse, it was the UFC’s first show on Fox and the company took undeserved criticism for the quick, flash KO.
Who knew that dos Santos-Velasquez wouldn’t be a war? This one will make up for it, closing the year on a huge high note – the two best heavyweights in the world trading in the center of the cage. Only one will be standing at the end. (New York Post)
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