The show will feature folks randomly selected from the audience to play the game and win cash and prizes. The winner of the game will get a chance to play a bonus round worth at least $25,000. If that prize is won, someone in the audience will win the same prize.

At least, I think that's how it's going to work. The press release is kind of confusing and calls to the MGM Grand were not returned by press time. Here's what their release says:

"Wheel of Fortune Live Onstage is an exciting new way for dedicated Wheel Watchers to be among some of the lucky audience members, randomly selected, who will get their chance to spin the wheel, solve puzzles, and possibly win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. The show will also feature classic game show formats, TV bloopers, and memorable highlights presented by Game Show network. Each show's winning contestant will have a chance to win the Big Money Bonus Round Prize, worth at least $25,000. If the prize is won, one lucky member of the studio audience, selected at random, will also win that same prize."

Get it? No, I don't either.

But everyone will have an opportunity to find out when Wheel of Fortune Live Onstage begins December 23rd. The show will run Tuesdays through Sundays and will cost $22.00 per person, although somehow no purchase is necessary for audience participation.

In addition to the gourmet dining, world-class wine selections, and fresh flowers the new train will offer gaming instruction via overhead video monitors and possibly live gaming classes in the dining car.

Amtrak officials held a ceremony last week to announce the new service and the new technology, which allows the train to tilt with the bends in the track. This will allow the train to travel at speeds of up to 80 mph, making the trip in about five and 1/2 hours.

The Los Angeles to Las Vegas route known as the Desert Wind was discontinued in 1997 due to low passenger volume, but officials believe the new, faster trains will offer a good alternative to the ever increasing traffic on Interstate 15. The trip by auto can take upwards of six hours on busy weekends and even more on holidays.

The 300-passenger train will depart daily from Los Angeles' Union Station at 9am, arriving in Las Vegas at about 2:30 with only one stop in Montclair along the way. A new station is being built in Las Vegas near The Strip, although the exact location has not yet been announced. The return trip will leave at 4pm, getting into Los Angeles at 9:30pm.

Prices have not yet been determined but you can expect it to be in the same neighborhood as a round-trip airline ticket.

The brouhaha started earlier this year when several slot manufacturers unveiled new machines featuring themes such as "South Park," "Betty Boop," "Pink Panther," and "The Addams Family" among others. Gaming critics lambasted the new machines, suggesting that they would attract children to gambling, despite the fact that no one under 21 is allowed in the casinos where they will be located.

McCain, the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, announced the probe last week, saying that he was "deeply concerned" about the possible impact the new machines may have on children. He is seeking help from the Federal Trade Commission in the investigation, which could ultimately lead to congressional hearings on the topic.

Yes, you read that right. Congressional hearings on "Betty Boop" slot machines.

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Gaming officials and slot manufacturers are worried that McCain and other critics may use the issue in the upcoming presidential election. Anti-gambling groups are already mobilizing with a catchy phrase to incite public outrage -- they call the machines "Slots for Tots."

Comedian, and New Family Feud host, Louie Anderson will be performing in the Lance Burton Theater at Monte Carlo December 21-25. Tickets: 800-311-8999.

December 22 will see a one-night-only special show called &The Colors of Christmas& featuring Dionne Warwick, Peabo Bryson, Denise Williams, and James Ingram . You can see it in the Royalle Pavillion at The Riviera. Tickets: 702-794-9433.

Take my wife, please. Rodney Dangerfield begins his stint in the Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand . He'll be playing December 24 - January 1 including a show on New Year's Eve. Tickets: 800-929-1111.

Also starting their run through New Year's is the oldies triple bill of The Platters, The Marvelettes, and Billy Guy's Coasters . They'll be in the Congo Showroom at the Sahara December 27-January 2. Tickets: 702-737-2111

And that's it!

You should also be aware that many of the major production shows are going to be dark this week.

Next Week’s Notables At A Glance

Who: Louie Anderson
When: December 21-25
Where: Monte Carlo
Tickets: 800-311-8999

Who: "The Colors of Christmas" featuring Dionne Warwick, Peabo Bryson, Denise Williams, and James Ingram
When: December 22
Where: The Riviera
Tickets: 702-794-9433

Who: Rodney Dangerfield
When: December 24 - January 1
Where: MGM Grand
Tickets: 800-929-1111

Who: The Platters, The Marvelettes, and Billy Guy's Coasters
When: December 27 - January 2
Where: Sahara
Tickets: 702-737-2111

Regular readers of this column will know that I've been tracking New Year’s Eve prices for hotel rooms in Las Vegas since the summer, and to say they have plummeted is probably an understatement.

Back in July, the citywide average at major hotels was $818 per night with a four-night minimum. That included the high-end places like Bellagio where they were asking $2000 per night with a four-night minimum, all the way down to places like the Motel 6.

Over the past few months, prices have been dropping at an unbelievable rate. Although every hotel is still charging more than normal, you can get a room at major hotels for about the same as what you'd pay for a holiday weekend or a busy convention period.

Here are some samples:

Arizona Charlie's
This small hotel just northwest of The Strip was asking $350 per night with a three-night minimum back in September. Now you can get a room for $89 per night with a two-night minimum.

Bally's
When I first started checking, Bally's was sold-out but by November they had obviously gotten some cancellations, offering rooms for $438 per night with a three-night minimum. Now there is no minimum and you can get a room on New Year's Eve for $259.

Bellagio
Bellagio is still asking an unbelievable $2000 per night but the four-night minimum has been dropped to a two-night minimum

Caesars Palace
In September, Caesars wanted $2,000 per night with a three-night minimum. Now they have dropped the minimum and you can check in on any night for $149 on the 29th, $450 on the 30th, and $500 on the 31st.

Desert Inn
This posh resort has dropped from $1,000 per night with a four-night minimum back in September all the way down to $399 per night with a two-night minimum.

Four Seasons
The only five-diamond hotel in Las Vegas was asking $1,400 per night with a four-night minimum back in September. Now you can get a room for $525 per night with a three-night minimum and it includes all sorts of goodies like champagne and gifts.

Golden Nugget
The premiere Downtown resort has dropped from $595 per night with a three-night minimum down to $289 per night with the same three-night minimum.

Imperial Palace
Located in the heart of The Strip, rooms at the Imperial Palace have dropped from $399 per night with a three-night minimum down to $125 per night with the same three-night minimum.

Luxor
The big black pyramid has gone from $799 per night with a three-night minimum all the way down to $269 per night with NO minimum.

Mandalay Bay
In September, Mandalay Bay was offering a package for three nights including tax for $3,597. Now you can get a room for $349 per night with NO minimum.

Mirage
My pick for best hotel in Las Vegas has dropped from $2,613.82 (including a room for two nights, tax, and champagne) to $399 for New Year's Eve only. You can add the 30th for $199.

Paris Las Vegas
Paris was sold out when I first started checking things but now they have rooms available for only $309 on the 31st and $129 on the 30th. No minimum is required.

Sahara
This north Strip resort has gone from $885 total for three nights down to $199 per night with a two-night minimum.

Treasure Island
The pirate themed resort has dropped from $599 per night with a three-night minimum to $399 for New Year's and $140 for the 30th with no minimum.

So the big question now is, should you hold off another week and see if prices come down even more? I wish I had a good answer for you. I have a sneaking suspicion that prices probably aren't going to come down much lower than this and may even start inching back up if enough people jump on these more reasonable rates.

There have already been some hotels that have sold out. Two weeks ago, New York-New York had rooms but now they don't, which strikes me as being a bit ominous.

Keep in mind, if you decide to get your room now, you will be charged the full amount upon booking and there are no cancellations or refunds.