I thought I remember hearing a while ago that the Aladdin was going to become a Planet Hollywood casino and hotel. Is this true? My husband has no idea what I'm talking about (not that he usually does).

The handover and name change were delayed due to legal minutiae and are now scheduled for September or October 2004.

True...the change is taking place slowly, over time, as we speak! The new owners have presented Linda Ronstadt with an open invitation to come back!

joesource,

I think you are being facetious about Linda Ronstadt being invited back. It is my understanding they cancelled her stay after just a few performances and basically told her "Don't let the door hit you in the ...!"

If you're a so-called "entertainer", entertain and leave your politics at home where they belong.

Whateve happened to Linda anyway?? Haven't heard her name in years.

Curious

To Curious: Joesource's information is basically correct. She was sent packing by the current Aladdin management, but the new management has indicated that when they take over, she will would be welcomed back. Not quite sure if that qualifies as an open invitation. It was probably said more for PR purposes than anything else.

Also, without getting into the politics of the event, but just to set the facts straight: She was not "canceled after a few performances." She was only booked for a one-night performance. So she never was really canceled, since she had already completed her performance. It's just funny how the media likes to twist things.

Judy 24,

I'm not sure "twist things" is the correct term for what happened.

In any event, I worked for a guy who fired Linda in San Jose. This was many years ago, but apparently she was one of those who "may or may not show up".

I saw her once when she was still with the Stone Pony's. That, plus her former relationship with Jerry Brown (I can't believe I actually voted for him for Governor once!!) and her later records (try "Adios..on the California Coast") made me a never again would I lift a finger for Linda. My wife and I still joke about that particular song. Talk about awful!!!!

She's overweight and trying to go back to her supposed Mexican heritige. It shows that she's pretty desperate. She is not alone in the so called "desperate entertainers group".

Curious

After puting on a hudred pounds I guess she figured jumping on MM bandwagon would get her some publicity.

You know the old Hollywood saying: "There's no such thing as bad publicity". If Linda's agent advised her to incite the audience then the agent deserves a raise. How else would Linda Ronstadt get all this publicity?
Heck, even Mary Kay LeTourneau is going to be able to make some bucks from her publicity.

TedTurner, how scary is it that you know how to spell Mary Kay's last name?

All 300 pounds of Kirsty Alley is on the cover of this weeks People Magazine. Her new sitcom, I swear, is named "Fat Actress".

I read in the local newspaper she is already booked to come back when the casino switches to Planet Hollywood.

On another note another local columnist said it was funny that they kicked her out because the hotel "needs every warm body possible" lol. It's no secret the Aladdin is doing poorly hopefully the Planet Hollywood will breathe new life into the place

Oh, I could quip that I know it because I'm a hopeful 13 year old boy, but that would be in poor taste, now wouldn't it?

LOL! Props to you TT!

To "Curious"--

Quoting you above:
"She's overweight and trying to go back to her supposed Mexican heritige. It shows that she's pretty desperate."

I am sad for you and for us that you feel it acceptable to carelessly disdain two groups of us in one paragraph. Do you think you are in some sort of country club for the thin and Anglo, and that there are no members of the Fodor's community who are fat or Mexican or both and will be deeply offended to learn their personal characteristics are those of the "desperate"? Should you be expressing this sort of poison even if you were where you thought it was "safe" to do so?

I think there are a lot of people who are proud of their parents and grandparents even if they were fat or Mexican, and who, unlike you, are literate enough to be able to spell "heritage" correctly.

You want entertainers to leave their politics at home. How about leaving your bigotry at home when you are posting in this forum?

Quick comment on Linda Rondstadt: She's semi-retired because a few years back she adopted a baby girl. And being that her father was indeed Mexican (he had a German surname, yes, but was born and raised in Mexico), I'd say her claims of Mexican heritage are accurate. Her weight is her business. And the incoming management has indeed invited her back.

Now, as far as the poor original poster's question: Yep, it will be badged as a Planet Hollywood property by year-end (I believe Starwood Hotels will actually be running the place). Don't know if they'll have those godawful cornflake-breaded chicken strips that Bruce Willis loved so much at the old restaurants....

I just returned home last night from a three night stay at the Aladdin. I snagged an $89 a night B&B rate for three nights. The room was very nice, and even has an in room computer (for $9.99 a day unlimited use). Huge bathroom with separate tub and shower and a gigantic water closet.
Sometimes I'd worry about staying where there is a financial cloud over the place, but there was not an apparent sign of trouble there.

Although frankly, I could have done without the 112 degree temperatures, and if one more person said, "oh, but this is a dry heat", I was going to punch them in the mouth.