Vegas Never Sleeps

"The Incredible Dr. Pol" was a great reality show on Nat Geo Wild that followed Dutch-American veterinarian Dr. Jan Pol, his family, and employees at his practice in rural Michigan. He joins host Steven Maggi to discuss his life, his show, and the life-changing magic of all those amazing animals. https://vegasneversleeps.com/

Back in 2021, our sister program "Sports Raconteurs" interviewed one of the NFL's all-time greats, former Buffalo Bills offensive/defensive tackle Billy Shaw. Sadly, we recently lost the NFL hall-of-famer to illness. This week, in tribute, we proudly rebroadcast his most recent interview with us. Rest in peace, great one, rest in peace.

Standup comedy legend Paul Rodriguez is now writer, producer, director, and star of a hilarious new movie called "Holy Cash." With a cast that includes Danny Trejo, Jay Mohr, Felipe Esparza, Emilio Rivera, and more, "Holy Cash" tells the story of a small-time con-man who discovers there is a lot of money in religion. His "ministry" then attracts the attention of a mafia boss with an ill daughter and, well, you're just gonna have to see the movie. Host Steven Maggi talked with Paul about the film, its inspiration, his years in comedy, and more.

The "Real Bodies" human anatomy exhibit at Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Ballys) extends its stay for another five years. We were there when it opened. Enjoy this classic conversation with long-time entertainment executive and president/CEO of Imagine Exhibition Tom Zaller about "Real Bodies," his passion for creating memorable attractions, what makes Vegas so special, and more. https://www.realbodiesvegas.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

His videos have amassed over 15 billion views ... Yes, billion! We have been hip to Xavier Mortimer for a long time! And there's a moral to his amazing story: Follow your dreams! Enjoy this Vegas Never Sleeps classic interview from 2019. https://www.xaviermortimer.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

Singer/songwriters Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart penned some genuine pop classics! Like "Last Train To Clarksville" by The Monkees. "Boyce and Hart" had Top 10 hits of their own, too! Like "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight." Plus, the pair made some classic, memorable appearances on TV's "Bewitched, "I Dream of Jeannie," and more. Host Steven Maggi chats with Bobby Hart about the pair's history, their contributions to pop music, culture, and his great book "Psychedelic Bubble Gum : Boyce and Hart, the Monkees, and Turning Mayhem into Miracles."

As we celebrate the 4th of July long-weekend, we visit the home of more hot rods than you can shake a stick at: Nostalgia Street Rods in Las Vegas! What's more American than that? https://nostalgiastreetrods.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

Are you a "Dead Head?" Millions of people are! Devotees (and you don't get more devoted than "Dead Heads") travel with the band, hold festivals .... Fans of The Grateful Dead are different than your run-of-the-mill rock fans. David Browne, a Senior Writer at Rolling Stone Magazine, has written the definitive book about one of rock music's most iconic yet somehow misunderstood bands: "So Many Roads: The Life and Times of The Grateful Dead." https://www.amazon.com/So-Many-Roads-Times-Grateful/dp/0306824477 https://vegasneversleeps.com/

He started out as an aerospace engineer developing new technologies for jet aircraft ... and then he started playing slot machines ... and then he started winning at slot machines! And now he teaches people how they can win at slots, too. Long story short: They don't call him "Professor Slots" for nothing! Host Steven Maggi chats with Jon Friedl aka "Professor Slots" about his startling career change, how the machines work, the state of gaming, and more. https://professorslots.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

TRUE CRIME: Vegas ain't the only city with a long history of mob activity. Host Steven Maggi talks with celebrated author Wayne Clingman, aka "Mr. Big," about his new book "The Buffalo Mob: The Return of Organized Crime to the Queen City." And speaking of true crime, listen for details on pre-ordering the new book "You Thought It Was More" the story of "Louis the Coin" Colavecchio the world's greatest counterfeiter. https://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Mob-Organized-Illustrated-Extended/dp/196383500X https://louisthecoinbook.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

Carl Erskine set a World Series strikeout record, threw two no-hitters, and throughout his playing days and beyond remained one of the Dodgers all-time favorites, in Brooklyn and LA. But, sadly, on April 16th of this year, we lost the Dodger right-hander. In loving tribute, we bring you this great interview we did with him two years ago. Plus, listen for details on pre-ordering the new book "You Thought It Was More" the story of "Louis the Coin" Colavecchio the world's greatest counterfeiter. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Erskine https://louisthecoinbook.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

Oh, sure, "The Sahara," "The Riv," and "The Trop" came close, but no casino epitomized classic, vintage Vegas quite like The Sands! After all, it was the headquarters of The Rat Pack! The era-defining showroom of The Sands hosted only the best of the best and lured visitors from around the world; as did the world-class gambling (occasionally with celebrity card-dealers like Dean Martin); the resort itself was a celebrity. Host Steven Maggi chats with David Schwartz about his great new book "At the Sands: The Casino That Shaped Classic Las Vegas, Brought the Rat Pack Together, and Went Out With a Bang." And speaking of books, listen for details on pre-ordering the new book "You Thought It Was More" the story of "Louis the Coin" Colavecchio the world's greatest counterfeiter. https://www.amazon.com/At-Sands-Classic-Brought-Together/dp/0990001636 https://louisthecoinbook.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

OMG ....... MMMMMMMMMMMM ..... Our guest is Donald Contursi host and founder of Vegas' most delectable activity: Finger Licking Foodie Tours! While many of the tours focus on the savory, one of our favorites is "The Best Desserts in Vegas" - and it is every bit as decadent and delightful as it sounds. Plus, listen for details on pre-ordering the "raucously entertaining" book about Louis "The Coin Colavecchio "You Thought It Was More: New Adventures of the World's Greatest Counterfeiter." https://fingerlickingfoodietours.com/ https://louisthecoinbook.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

Johnny Carson used to say that there is nothing more boring than a discussion about comedy. After listening to our guest, former standup comedian now author Kliph Nesteroff, you will beg to differ. He talks about this uniquely American art-form and his great book "The Comedians: Drunks, Thieves, Scoundrels, and the History of American Comedy." https://www.amazon.com/Comedians-Thieves-Scoundrels-History-American-ebook/dp/B00XAQ1O7Y https://vegasneversleeps.com/

He started out as a drummer, but when he started singing, WOW! Our guest is Jeffrey Osborne, one of music's most versatile, soulful singer-songwriters with four grammy nominations, five gold and platinum albums, and a single that set the world on fire: "On the Wings of Love." https://www.jeffreyosborne.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

This week, learn how a former professional baseball player went on to become the most prolific, celebrated caricaturist and illustrator in Vegas: Neal Portnoy of Portnoy Gallery. "Have you been 'Portnoyed?'" Plus, listen for details on pre-ordering the new book "You Thought It Was More" the story of "Louis the Coin" Colavecchio the world's greatest counterfeiter. https://portnoygallery.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

Last week, we said "Elvis" and "Vegas" were synonymous. You know what else is synonymous with "Vegas?" Organized crime! Host Steven Maggi talks with Meyer Lansky II, grandson of the notorious mobster Meyer Lansky, about classic-Vegas, classic-mafia, and what it's like sharing a name that lives in infamy. Plus, listen for details on the new book "You Thought It Was More" the story of "Louis the Coin" Colavecchio the world's greatest counterfeiter. https://louisthecoinbook.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

"Elvis" and "Vegas" are synonymous! Host Steven Maggi chats with Richard Zoglin author of "Elvis in Vegas" about how The King, anxious to put those silly movies behind him, reinvented the Las Vegas show and introduced the concept of "residency." This is a comeback story for the ages; for Elvis and Las Vegas. https://www.amazon.com/Elvis-Vegas-King-Reinvented-Show/dp/1501151193 https://vegasneversleeps.com/

Do your Founding Fathers have mugshots? Ours do. Host Steven Maggi talks with Jeffrey Sussman one of the top mob-historians in America about his book "Sin City Gangsters: The Rise and Decline of the Mob in Las Vegas." https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jeffrey%20Sussman/author/B001KIZ3HQ https://vegasneversleeps.com/

IMPOSSIBLE!!! There is no way you can make a living playing video poker! Au contraire! (That's French for "On the contrary.") Video poker legend Bob Dancer, author of "Million Dollar Video Poker" and "Video Poker for the Intelligent Beginner," joins us to explain that, yes, you can make a living playing video poker. And Bob Dancer can show you how. http://bobdancer.com/ https://vegasneversleeps.com/