I mentioned the prices of Vegas shows a minute ago here. I think it's interesting to see what they're charging these days to go see various headliners. Generally speaking, shows in Las Vegas are priced intelligently from the hotel's viewpoint. They get as much money as they can but that's the secondary consideration. The main one is to get bodies into the seats so they'll gamble on the way out. Ergo, none of these shows are probably overpriced to the extent that they can't sell all or most tickets for each performance.
These are headliners who are currently scheduled to perform in that town some time during the remainder of this year. Some are there more or less full time…like Louie Anderson is a near-permanent fixture at the Excalibur. Some are there for a few nights here and there. Of these performers, Mr. Seinfeld is the only one I'd guess whose ticket prices have something to do with how often he performs. He's only doing two nights. The rest of these folks are there often enough that it's not that special to be able to go see them. There are probably people scheduling Vegas trips just to see Seinfeld.
I've divided the list into two categories. Although a few of the ones in the first category may sing and even have a small band there, these acts are basically one person standing on a stage with a microphone and talking…
- Jerry Seinfeld — $75.00 – $150.00
- George Lopez — $45.00 – $125.00
- Jay Leno — All seats $90.00
- Ray Romano — All seats $90.00
- Wayne Brady — $69.00 – $89.00
- Rita Rudner — $49.00 – $85.00
- Bill Maher — $42.50 – $72.50
- David Spade — All seats $70.00
- Howie Mandel — All seats $65.00
- Jon Lovitz — $39.95 – $59.95
- Don Rickles — All seats $55.00
- George Wallace — $45.00 – $55.00
- Paul Rodriguez — $29.95 – $54.95
- Craig Ferguson — $29.95 – $54.95
- Carrot Top — All seats $52.50
- Roseanne Barr — All seats $49.95
- Louie Anderson — All seats $45.00
- Steven Wright — $24.95 – $44.95
- Dennis Miller — All seats $39.95
The one pricing anomaly that leaps out at me is this: When I saw Dennis Miller there about ten years ago, I think tickets were more than they are now…and back then, he had Rita Rudner opening for him. Now she gets more than he does. I'll cover musical acts in the next message here.