Las Vegas Up Close

In this premiere episode, host Bill Acosta takes us on a dazzling behind-the-scenes tour of Vegas that travels back in time, walks seamlessly from one country to another, and showcases the glittering, 'round-the-clock extravaganza that encompasses a trip to Las Vegas. Witness how Vegas garnered a brand new nickname at the turn of the millennium.

Along with host Bill Acosta, explore parts of Vegas that span from the top of the world to out of this world, including a rollercoaster that stands over 1,140 feet in the air! Check out a tour of the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, and go for splash around at The Beach Nightclub. If your adventure through Vegas has you feeling a bit otherworldly, we'll beam you up to the USS Enterprise.

Let's travel to an exotic and mystical paradise by way of touring the beautiful Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, putting you in the front row of the Tony Award-winning play Annie. Tony Sacca interviews writer, producer, and international entertainer David Cassidy. Off to the nightclub that people all over the world are talking about, get an insider's look at Club Utopia...where anything goes.

Sneak a behind-the-scenes peek at one of Vegas' most visually impressive shows, EFX, at the MGM Hotel, and meet Tony Award-winning star Tommy Tune. Take a stroll through the elegance of Old Italy, when we visit the charming and beautiful Venetian Hotel and Casino. Then, Tony Sacca introduces us to the international star and all-time favorite crooner, Lou Rawls.

Get a retrospective glimpse of Vegas during the Elvis years, and check out one of the most extensive museums ever constructed to celebrate The King. Take a walk on the wild side with a visit to New York, New York Hotel and Casino, experiencing the west side of Manhattan, Coney Island, and Central Park all at the same time. See some of the best cigars outside of Cuba rolled before your very eyes.

Enjoy an interview with international, New-Age recording star John Tesh, a man whose music has touched and inspired millions of people all over the world. Head front-stage to witness the incredible feats of the Masters of Shaolin, as they exhibit their strength of spirit with the artistry of Kung Fu. Slip into elegance with a visit to the luxurious Bellagio Hotel and Casino.

Visit the Old Vegas shaped by the eccentric billionaire, Howard Hughes, a man who left an undeniable impact on the town that's still felt today. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Desert Inn Resort, a beautiful hotel that Mr. Hughes helped make famous. While we're there, we'll spend some time with the lovely and enchanting Lorna Luft as she pays homage to Judy Garland.

Head to a land of enchantment as we visit the magical hotel and casino, Excalibur. While we're there, we'll travel back to the Arthurian Era and join the knights of the realm for some fun and excitement at the Tournament of Kings. Regardless of your age, Adventure Dome's indoor theme park at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino will bring out your inner kid.

Take a trip to the Caribbean Islands by touring one of the remaining icons of the Las Vegas Strip, the legendary Tropicana Hotel and Casino. While we're there, we'll take in Les Folies Bergère, the longest-running production show in Vegas strip history. Then, rub elbows with the rich and famous at the world-renowned Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

Let's visit Paris, the original City of Lights, without even leaving the Strip! It's called Paris Las Vegas, and it's one of the newest themed hotel/casinos in Vegas. While we're there, we'll sit front row to see one of the top ten productions in the world: Notre-Dame de Paris, and then go backstage and meet some of the talented people who've helped make this show so successful.

Visit the Rio Hotel and Casino for a peek at the incredible award-winning show from Australia, Tap Dogs. In the mood to shop? Check out The Forum Shops in Caesar's Palace and do some window shopping. While at The Forum Shops, get a behind-the-scenes look at Atlantis Aquarium, a 50,000 gallon tank filled with some of the most beautiful fish you've ever seen.

There's a lot more to Vegas than initially meets the eye, so, in this episode, we're going to stray from the Strip to a Vegas that few people know and even fewer ever see. Strap on your hiking boots and venture off to Red Rock Canyon, one of the top ten rock climbing areas in the world! Take a break from the desert heat and head up to the alpine forests of Mt. Charleston.

If you love music, especially classical and jazz guitar, you'll love this introduction to staggering guitar duo Strunz & Farah. See some of your favorite celebrities backstage at the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino by meeting the performers of American Superstars. With all of this excitement, you'll need to cool off, and there's no better place to do that than in the pools of Las Vegas.

Visit the Old West with a drive to Bonnie Springs Ranch. Afterward, you might want to cool off from the desert heat, so we'll check out the world's most popular water park, Wet'n'Wild Las Vegas. If you're a wine aficionado, you'll love our insider's look at the wine cellar inside Rio Hotel and Casino, which houses the largest public collection of fine wines.

Check out Grammy Award-winning saxophonist David Sanborn at The Blue Note and the totally singular Smothers Brothers at The Orleans Hotel and Casino. Witness the musical magic of Earth, Wind, and Fire at Mandalay Bay, and laugh along with comedian Rita Rudner at the MGM Grand. Plus, tag along for a shopping trip at the Gamblers General Store.

See the world's largest collection of gaming memorabilia at Tropicana's Casino Legends Hall of Fame. Meet Melinda, The First Lady of Magic, at the Venetian Hotel and Casino. Plus, you don't want to miss your favorite songs performed by your favorite celebrities at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, where we head backstage to meet an incredibly talented vocal impressionist.

Fasten your seat belts for a trip to the Nascar Café inside the Sahara Hotel and Casino, which includes a wild rollercoaster ride and interviews with some of Nascar's finest. Then, over to the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, where we find out what happens when a best-selling book crosses paths with The Vegas Strip.

Witness over two million lights performing at the Fremont Street Experience. Enjoy a Sunday morning Vegas buffet that serves up a healthy does of inspiration. Comedian David Brenner brings his comedy, and his wedding, to Las Vegas.

Head backstage at Siegfried and Roy: Magicians of the Century, the most popular and lucrative production show in Vegas history, at The Mirage. Then, over to The Blue Note jazz club to meet Mr. Kool himself, Robert Bell, and catch a performance by Kool & the Gang. Don't miss our trip to Rio Hotel and Casino for The Masquerade Village: Show in the Sky, a free Las Vegas attraction!

We'll take you to the Grand Opening of the new Aladdin Hotel and Casino. If you don't know Beau, you will, when we meet the legendary Beau Diddley, who's performing at The Orleans Hotel and Casino. Then, we'll stroll through a tropical paradise that's hidden behind one of the most famous casinos on The Strip. Finally, we'll meet some very twisted individuals at a Las Vegas convention.

We'll take you to the city's hottest jazz club, where you never know who's going to walk out of the audience and right onto the stage. Then, we'll sneak backstage to meet the cast and crew of one of the largest production shows on The Strip, EFX Alive starring Rick Springfield. Let's meet some of the performers appearing in one of the sexiest late-night shows in Las Vegas.

We'll find out how an entertainer from Jacksonville, Florida got his big break on the Las Vegas Strip. Grab your checkbook - and your walking shoes - as we head to a mall that's so big that if you walk around it 26 times, you'd complete a marathon! See which Vegas restaurant has become a hit with Hollywood celebrities, including the stars from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Let's meet thirteen dancers who came to The Strip all the way from Paris to perform in the provocative show La Femme. Four performers from Buffalo, New York have taken Vegas by storm, bringing music, comedy, and a pinch of sibling rivalry to The Strip. For comedy and magic like you've never seen before, don't miss our unusual interview with the man who's known as the Freddy Krueger of comedy.

Find out why one Vegas man spent almost $100,000 on cosmetic surgery in order to look like Joan Rivers. Then, feast at a poolside seafood buffet, where you can learn the Hula while drinking endless Mai Tais and Piña Coladas. For some wacky fun, check out Michael Holly's Off-the-Wall Comedy Hour. Take an up-close look at how an authentic French restaurant made its way to the Las Vegas Strip.

Find out some of the reasons why over thirty million people flock to Vegas, leaving behind billions of dollars each year. Uncover how this bright light city keeps getting brighter, as old signs are relit after decades of darkness. Meet the entertainer who's giving all of our favorite Las Vegas legends triumphant returns to the stage. Then, buckle up for a trip to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway!