Bettie: Roy Mauled By Tiger During Show

[Bettie]

During the 7:30 Siegfried and Roy show, Roy Horn was attacked by one of the show's white tigers. The tiger was sort of jumping on him, and Roy playfully tapped him on the head a few times to get him to get down. At that point, the tiger grabbed Roy by the throat and dragged him offstage.

Roy was taken into surgery immediately upon arrival at the hospital, where he was talking, but had trouble breathing and experienced a great deal of blood loss. His condition was described as "beyond critical."

The tiger is currently in quarantine.

Bettie

[SD Player]

This story is making small headlines in the UK newspapers at the moment. The latest on the incident is that Roy has suffered a stroke. Some internet sites are already making up sick jokes about it.

You have to wonder what impact this tradgedy will have on the future of Vegas's most iconic show.

[Norm Wattenberger]

Doesn't look good as the show's employees have been told to look for other jobs. It's been reported that Wynn has offered them jobs - but he won't open 'till next year.

> This story is making small headlines in the
> UK newspapers at the moment. The latest on
> the incident is that Roy has suffered a
> stroke. Some internet sites are already
> making up sick jokes about it.

> You have to wonder what impact this tradgedy
> will have on the future of Vegas's most
> iconic show.

[Bettie]

Roy had surgery Friday night (his 59th birthday) immediately upon entering the hospital, during which his heart stopped and had to be started again. Saturday morning, he suffered a stroke and had to have brain surgery to relieve the pressure. Word is out that Roy is suffering from paralysis on the left side of his body and MGM Mirage announced today that the show is officially cancelled for good.

The 200 MGM Mirage employees - ushers, tickets takers, etc. - will be placed by MGM Mirage if possible, and Wynn has offered to help out with jobs, too. The 100 performers who work for Ken Feldman feel that they got screwed - one week severence pay, plus any sick days accumulated, and insurance through the end of the month. Siegfried is reportedly none too happy with this arrangement, but there's not much he can do. Apparently, he paid the performers out of his own pocket when he was sick last year and couldn't perform for three weeks. Nice guy!

The show's ticket sales made 44.5 million dollars in pre-tax revenue annually for the Mirage, so there will likely be a slump ahead for the hotel. The wildlife areas and Siegfried and Roy gift shop will remain open, though, and I think they will receive a lot of tourist traffic after this tragedy.

The news lately is filled with candlelight vigils and a blood drive being sponsored by the cast and crew in Roy's name. As much as they were made fun of, they really are Las Vegas royalty and an icon on the entertainment circuit.

FYI, a cartoon in production based on their work with the cats will still be finished and aired. It's called Father of the Pride, and there are 13 episodes that will show. When, I don't know. I believe they are still in post-production.

And, for anyone who cares about the fate of the animal, it is in quarantine and will be released back to Roy after ten days if it does not have rabies. Roy apparently begged the paramedics to not let them kill the cat, so it's obvious that he does not blame the cat at all.

If anyone cares to follow the story more closely, daily updates are provided on the Review-Journal's website, www.lvrj.com, as well as cnn.com, currently.

Bettie

[Sun Runner]

> The show's ticket sales made 44.5 million
> dollars in pre-tax revenue annually

So they couldn't find thirty days pay for 100 people? Embarrassing.

I'm died in the wool conservative; this is pathetic.

> As much as they were made fun of ..

.. and I did my share. But I truly hope Roy makes it back.

God Speed to him.

[SOTSOG]

>I'm died in the wool conservative; this is >pathetic.

I doubt it. Sounds like liberal thinking to me. The proper conservative response is -- those people could get a different job if they don't like it. You want somebody to get paid for NOT working? Money transfered from a good hard working risk taking owner to a bunch of lazy workers for nothing?

Next you will be saying that maybe the government and the rich casinos should be taking care of those now suddenly out of work families and children. Or maybe those workers should have organized and formed a Union ...

Pardon me while I lie down, I feel faint ...

[Sun Runner]

Maybe I'm not died in the wool.

You are right about several things.

I don't like the idea of unions ...

I do think people should get a different job if they don't like the one they have (how that applies to these people, I don't know) ...

I think people who are able that don't work don't deserve to get paid ...

I usually am on the side of the good hard working risk taking owner ...

The government nor the casino should -generally -not be in the business of taking care of people out of work ...

However, I will state again, I believe the actions of the casino to their former employees, is pathetic.

I am not sure of the tenor of your response toward my previous post; but if you need a lesson in conservatism, I'm happy to volunteer.

LESSON ONE: the casino's actions, while in fact pathetic in terms of human nature, is also bad for business.

[Norm Wattenberger]

> The 100 performers
> who work for Ken Feldman feel that they got
> screwed - one week severence pay

I've seen NBC's Las Vegas. This would never happen. I'm sure the Mirage comped them all suites and prostitutes.