Photo of John Katsilometes

John Katsilometes

John Katsilometes is New Media editor for Greenspun Media Group, where he edits content and develops multimedia stories for GMG's growing online division, and also continues to contribute stories to Las Vegas Weekly magazine. Prior to joining the company's digital branch, he was writer-at-large for GMG, contributing to Las Vegas Life, Las Vegas Weekly and LasVegasWeekly.com. Prior to moving to GMG in May 2007, Katsilometes spent 8 1/2 years at the Las Vegas Sun, where he was a feature writer, columnist and editor of the Accent section. Katsilometes has lived in Las Vegas since 1996, spending two years at the Las Vegas Review-Journal before moving on to the Sun. While Accent editor, the section placed second three straight years in the General Excellence category in the national University of Missouri School of Journalism Awards (formerly known as the Penny Press Awards), and Katsilometes has twice been honored as the state's top headline writer for all Nevada newspapers by the Nevada Press Association. Prior to moving to Las Vegas, Katsilometes was a sports writer for the Redding Record Searchlight and Chico Enterprise-Record in Northern California. Katsilometes is originally from Pocatello, Idaho, and most of his family lives there and in Boise. Favorite bands: Rush and the Beatles and any good, blow-the-roof-off-the-dump rock and roll from the ’70s and ’80s. Favorite TV personalities: Jon Stewart, Steven Colbert, David Letterman. Favorite films: This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show, Big Lebowski, Pulp Fiction, Fargo, Animal House, Young Frankenstein, Raging Bull, Borat. Favorite book: The Big Book. Favorite vacation spot: Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Favorite food: Grandma’s ravioli.

Call John at 702-812-9812.

Story Archive

Funny Face
Quality time with Carrot Top, mass of contradictions
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009
Quality time with Carrot Top, mass of contradictions.
U2 concert a full-scale spectacle, on and off the Sam Boyd Stadium stage
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009
Highlights: an all-too-brief meeting with former President Clinton, record attendance, a faulty BlackBerry and UNLV jerseys not worn.
Kanye West, Lady Gaga's "Fame Kills" tour meets untimely demise
The 34-city co-headlining tour was canceled abruptly this afternoon
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
The Kanye West/Lady Gaga traveling road show won't be coming to the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Nov. 13 after all. In fact, it won't be coming anywhere.
Tommy Rocker's rocks again
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
Tommy Rocker's is returning to its pre-boobies formula.
Wayne Newton-to-Trop announcement next week
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009
Wayne Newton, who most recently performed at MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, will be announced as the new headliner at Tropicana on Wednesday.
Guaranteed to raise a smile
At least if you like your Beatles power-popped by Cheap Trick (with a little help from their friends)
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009
Cheap Trick and many valuable friends are performing some of the best music ever to emanate from the Hilton Theater with their treatment of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
During this wild heavy-metal recording session, it's all Carrot Top -- and clowns
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009
After a long wait, Vinnie Paul of Pantera finally shows up -- dressed as a clown. Others are, as well.
Playing the notes from Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick at MGM
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009
The parade of rock icons assembled last night for a high-volume triple-header at MGM Grand Garden arena was loud, proud and nostalgic.
Hyper-hip Matt Goss finds a fit at the Palms' 'Gossy Room'
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009
Backed by an eight-piece band and the flexible Dirty Virgins dancers, Matt Goss seems to have found a niche at The Lounge at the Palms.
Terry Fator (as Terry Fator) speaks of Caliendo, too much Cirque and personal life
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009
Of Cirque du Soleil, Mirage headliner Terry Fator says, "Let's quit bringing in more shows where there are 157 people flipping and dangling from ropes."
A few words about our new TV show, 702.tv
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The charge is simple but not necessarily easy: Capture the news and energy of Las Vegas and convey that information in a way that is sharp, rapidly paced and designed to inform those who also seek not only information but also entertainment.
Holly
Dancing with the new star of Peepshow, the woman who plans to be the ultimate Miss Las Vegas
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Dancing with the new star of Peepshow, the woman who plans to be the ultimate Miss Las Vegas.
Showing his cards
All In director Douglas Tirola talks poker and movies
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The film is All In, a poker documentary premiering at CineVegas, which asks the question many have been pondering: Why is poker so popular.
Make time for the King
Just don’t schedule a lot for after Disney’s new Vegas venture
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The artistic power of Disney meets the notoriously short attention spans of Vegas audiences: two acts and an intermission, clocking in at two and a half hours—an eternity for Vegas audiences.
The big why
Britney concert provokes existential crisis
Thursday, April 30, 2009
They couldn’t have been more than 18 years old, and they wore matching black T-shirts with white letters spelling out “Its Britney Bitch.”
Joint opening
The Hard Rock's new concert venue debuts strongly
Thursday, April 23, 2009
The Hard Rock's new concert venue debuts strongly, except for a broken nose and one woman's dashed hopes of marrying McCartney.
The Kats Report: Inside the gala, part 4: The spirit of Siegfried & Roy
Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009
"Ladies and gentlemen, the spirit of Siegfried & Roy has arrived."
Folies on its last legs at Tropicana
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009
Folies Bergere is one of the Strip's signature production shows, but the hotel has announced it will close for good on March 28.
DJ AM and Travis Barker return with a flourish to LAX
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009
DJ AM and Travis Barker rocked LAX for the first time since June, and the first time since they were both burned in a Learjet crash in September.
Beatles fans: Cue "The Q"
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009
Dennis Mitchell announced last week that his long-running syndicated show Breakfast With the Beatles has a new home on KMZQ 670-AM, “The Q.” But AM?
A very Vegas New Year's Eve with Mayor Oscar Goodman
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009
On New Year's Eve, everyone wants a piece of Oscar Goodman. Follow his travels from 5 p.m. to midnight as Vegas toasts the new year.
Mamma Mia!, by the numbers!
Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008
How many yards of Spandex have been used in the construction of costumes for The Dynamos in the Mandalay Bay production of Mamma Mia!?
Winter garden
Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008
The tree is 45 feet tall, the reindeer made of whole pecans. That wreath is 21 feet high. The four toy soldiers would dwarf Yao Ming. And more than 2,400 man-hours are required to bring it together.
Lively banter with Three Dog Night co-founder Cory Wells
Friday, Dec. 5, 2008
Cory Wells of Three Dog Night fondly remembers a show at a now-defunct Vegas club where the band shared a bill with Paul Revere and the Raiders.
An experience in Pure energy with DJ AM
Monday, Nov. 24, 2008
Three months removed from a plane crash that killed four passengers and left him and Travis Barker seriously burned, DJ AM spun the crowd into a frenzy at Pure at Caesars Palace.
Dan Goulet
United Way of Southern Nevada President
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
Dan Goulet on the late Robert Goulet: “Actually, I’m a second cousin. I get asked about it everywhere I go; whenever I valet park, I’m asked about it. Usually now I just go by ‘Dan’ instead of ‘Goulet.’”
Felix Rappaport
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008
Felix Rappaport on the casino business: “The casino business is relatively simple. You want to be a net importer of people..."
Ghoul oriented
Jason Egan is bringing the vast and varied Strip Halloween attraction Fright Dome back to Circus Circus in October
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008
This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Next week’s guest is Fright Dome at Circus Circus creator and owner Jason Egan. For information about the attraction, which opens Oct. 3, go to www.frightdome.com.
The Road to Denver (and every place on the way)
With a fully loaded Mazda 6 and no guarantee of getting into the Democratic National Convention, John Katsilometes and T.R. Witcher sample the political landscape along the way to Denver
Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008
With a fully loaded Mazda 6 and no guarantee of getting into the Democratic National Convention, John Katsilometes and T.R. Witcher drive toward a date with history, sampling the political landscape along the way.
A partner in time
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth provides a sanctuary and a second chance for teens who need help
Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008
This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth is Executive Director Matt Hirsch, who is taking over for organization Kathleen Boutin, along with a young man named Hakim who has received assistance from NPHY. For information about the organization, go to nevadahomelessyouth.org.
Hoop Dreams
Alexis Levi is the first (and thus far, only) African-American women to won a team in the burgeoning International Basketball League
Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008
This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Alexis Levi, general manager, CEO and owner of the Las Vegas Stars of the International Basketball League. For information about the team, go to www.iblhoopsonline.com.
In Living Black & White
From humble beginnings, Aid for Aids of Nevada’s annual party at the Palms raises thousands of dollars for AIDS treatment and services:
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008
This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) Executive Director Jennifer Morss. The 22nd annual AFAN Black & White Party is set for Aug. 23 at the Palms Pool. Go to the AFAN Web site for information:
Pure Satisfaction
Pat Davis of Passion Parties, Inc., has turned sensual products into a lucrative (and lubricated) direct-marketing business
Thursday, July 31, 2008
This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Pat Davis, president of Passion Parties Inc., which bills itself as “the premier supplier of sensual products in the United States and Canada,” and is based in Las Vegas:
Beyond Father Flanagan
Boys Town Nevada survives and thrives
Thursday, July 24, 2008
John Katsilometes chats with Tom Waite, CEO of Boys Town Nevada, in this edition of Our Metropolis.
At last, the black night
In the pits as Spamalot calls it quits
Thursday, July 17, 2008
You understand fully that it will not be a typical show when a horn player grabs a scarred metal flask and asks, “Is this the tequila or the scotch?”
A legacy owed to Celine
AEG Live’s John Nelson has watched the company’s presence in Vegas bloom, thanks largely to the Colosseum’s first resident
Thursday, July 10, 2008
This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with John Nelson, vice president of AEG Live, which produces top concerts and shows across the country, including Elton John, Cher and Bette Midler at the Colosseum at Caesars, and has partnered with Harrah’s for an arena project just east of the Strip near Bally’s:
Walkin’ Fremont with Jackie Gaughan
El Cortez GM Mike Nolan learned the casino business at ground level with one of the city’s pioneers
Thursday, July 3, 2008
This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by the Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with El Cortez General Manager Mike Nolan:
Don't blurb me, bro
Our own hard-to-please film critic Josh Bell isn’t looking to appear on any movie posters
Thursday, June 26, 2008
This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by the Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Las Vegas Weekly contributing editor and film critic Josh Bell:
Of masks and Packers
Anthony Crivello calls an audible as the new (solo) QB of Las Vegas production of Phantom
Thursday, June 19, 2008
This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and is hosted by Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Anthony Crivello, who this month has taken over as the titular role in Phantom—Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian:
They are the champions, my friend
Classic rockers Mitchell, Lea hearken back to old days of KKLZ
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Dennis Mitchell is the Beatles fan who will not let it be. Dan “Big Daddy” Lea is the Harley guy who, upon laying the bike down, simply dusts off and opens the throttle once more.
Taking a stand
Legendary Las Vegan Hank Greenspun gets his due in a new documentary
Thursday, June 12, 2008
By the time Hank Greenspun calls out Sen. Joseph McCarthy from the podium at the War Memorial Building in Las Vegas, you’re hooked. Yep. Like the man it is centered on, the documentary Where I Stand is great theater. The documentary moves at a rapid clip, and Greenspun’s scrap with McCarthy is a just one glimpse into his personal tenacity.
Film fanatic
Trevor Groth dishes on the evolution of CineVegas
Thursday, June 5, 2008
There are two reactions I get when [people] learn about CineVegas. Most, four out of five people, really get it. It makes perfect sense because it is a city that welcomes all these types of people and can have parties every night. Then there is the one in five who think the city lacks culture.
Of maggots and men
CSI consultant Goff solves crime with bugs
Thursday, May 29, 2008
This is an excerpt from the radio show Our Metropolis, a half-hour issues and affairs program that airs Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and his hosted by the Greenspun Media Group’s John Katsilometes. Tune in next week to hear the rest of this interview with Dr. Lee Goff, entomological consultant for the FBI and the CSI television shows, who is curator of CSI: Crime Scene Insects at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum.
Speedy delivery
Vegas PBS GM Tom Axtell channels the growth of public television in the digital age
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Interview with Vegas PBS General Manager Tom Axtell.

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