American Casino
| American Casino | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Craig Piligian |
| Release | |
| Original network | Discovery Channel |
| Original release | 2004 – 2005 |
American Casino is an American reality television series which tracks the daily events of the managers and employees of the Green Valley Ranch Casino resort in Henderson, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas. The show began airing on the Discovery Channel on June 4, 2004, but was moved to the Travel Channel in June 2005.[1] In other countries including Europe, the show continued to air on Discovery.
The show was executive produced by Craig Piligian of Pilgrim Films & Television.[2] Piligian had also created American Chopper and American Hot Rod.[3]
Subjects
Subjects of the show have included:
- Pat Kearns - SVP of Operations
- Dan Wilson - VP of Marketing
- Joe Hasson - General Manager
- Ralph Marano - Assistant General Manager
- Wayne Shadd - Director of Marketing
- David Demontmollin - Marketing Manager
- Michael Tata - Vice-President of Hotel Operations (2004)
- Bret Magnun - Vice-President of Hotel Operations
- Ninya Perna - Hotel Manager
- Joe Mulligan - Executive Chef
- Willie Bierlien - Banquet Chef
- James Fricker - Pastry Chef
- Alex Peluffo - banquet and Convention Operations
- Dawn Laguardia - Director of Food and Beverage
- Bill Burt - Director of Casino Operations
- Matt Sacca - Director of Player Operations
- Cheryl Rose - Director of Slot Operations
- Fred Tuerck - Assistant Security Manager
- Kelly Downey - Manager, Race and Sports Books
- Lorenzo Fertitta, President, Station Casinos
- Frank Fertitta, Chairman & CEO
Relatively free of interpersonal drama, episodes have included a behind the scenes look during rock concerts, slot promotions, blackjack tournaments, weddings, and other events.
Production
Filming began in January 2004, at the Green Valley Ranch hotel and casino in Henderson, Nevada.[4][5][6] Approximately 600 hours of footage was shot for the first hour-long episode.[7]
Michael Tata, vice president of hotel operations, died of an accidental fentanyl overdose on July 6, 2004.[8][9] Prior to Tata's death, more than a dozen additional episodes had been planned for the series' first season, which initially consisted of 13 episodes.[10] The ending of the series' seventh episode, airing on July 16, 2004, acknowledged Tata's death: "In memory of Michael Tata."[11] In August 2004, the show was renewed for an additional 18 episodes.[12] Later that month, an episode involving Tata's death was delayed without explanation until later in the year.[13]
References
- ↑ Lawrence, Christopher (November 14, 2005). "Life on the Couch: Resort employees reflect on reality of 'American Casino'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on November 24, 2005.
- ↑ Cling, Carol (December 22, 2003). "Shooting Stars: Two reality-themed series prepare for 2004 launch". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on January 8, 2004.
- ↑ White, Ken (June 3, 2004). "Reality Series: Lights, Cameras ... Gamble". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 7, 2004.
- ↑ Cling, Carol (January 12, 2004). "Shooting Stars: 'Las Vegas,' 'Elimidate' prepare to start new work around town". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on February 20, 2004.
- ↑ Cling, Carol (January 19, 2004). "Shooting Stars: 'View' slated to arrive in Las Vegas; MTV work winds down". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on March 28, 2005.
- ↑ Cling, Carol (January 26, 2004). "Shooting Stars: Area production schedule features foreign visitors". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on November 17, 2004.
- ↑ Cling, Carol (February 9, 2004). "Shooting Stars: 'Survivor' producer Burnett excited with 'Casino' work". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on February 20, 2004.
- ↑ Jones, Chris (July 7, 2004). "Green Valley Ranch official found dead". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 10, 2004.
- ↑ Lawson, Jen (August 17, 2004). "Alcohol, painkiller blamed for hotel executive's death". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
- ↑ Clarke, Norm (July 9, 2004). "Death causes halt in show's filming". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on July 11, 2004.
- ↑ Clarke, Norm (July 18, 2004). "Late 'Casino' exec got viewers riled". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on March 8, 2007.
- ↑ Cling, Carol (August 2, 2004). "Shooting Stars: Filming at 'Caesars' continues; 'The Club' set to start work". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on May 5, 2005.
- ↑ Clarke, Norm (August 12, 2004). "Episode on death of exec delayed". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on August 16, 2004.