Time to think big in new year

It's too late for Christmas, too early for the State of the Union address. But just the right morning for me! Or rather, my second entertainment wish list of what I'd like to see happen this year.

How'd I do last year? Not too great on the "Tough Love with Magicians" part. Or much better on "the only price" for show tickets. Some producers did seize discounting back from "half-price" middle-men, including Caesars Entertainment's fun idea of jamming as many shows as you can into two days for $100.

But that search for something new? Or creativity on a budget? All we really got there are Jabbawockeez, but they're a start.

And so are these suggestions:

1. A lot of stuff just needs to go away.

There, I said it. And not just because I don't like sitting in a crowd of dozens, watching some starry-eyed fool blow another fool's trust fund.

Really, now. A hundred shows? Fighting for an overall pie that's shrinking (thanks to nightclubs and other diversions)? How about 60 that people really want to see, like the good ol' days of the '90s. Before four or five titles started bunking up in one room.

2. The older casinos need to get their act together.

Nearly all the places still around to say they were on Sinatra's "Places to Rob" hankie-map in "Ocean's Eleven" -- plus the Las Vegas Hilton -- made highly questionable entertainment decisions of late. (The Flamingo is doing fine and thus exempt.)

Why should I worry about the Sahara or Riviera if the show-business Darwinism cited above is cruel but necessary?

Because I have fond memories. I don't want to see them blown up. I just want them to have shows that could help reawaken them, not hasten their decline.

3. Don't give up on Broadway.

"The Lion King" will say goodbye this year and a storm cloud gathers over "Phantom." Both of them simply got here too late, even if "Phantom" was smart to add extra bells and whistles.

Meanwhile, the news-making mishaps of "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" further prove it should have been here to begin with -- done safely and right in a custom theater. Which leads me to ...

4. Think big again.

It's time. Sure, I understand last year's need for the Chelsea Handlers of this world; big-name celebrity for no more overhead than a microphone and a bottled water.

At least Celine Dion returns in March, backed by a full orchestra. And while not all of you will consider that good news, you'll have to admit she will be good for the Strip and the theory of spending money to make money.

There you go, show people. Make me -- and yourselves -- happy this year.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.