Michael Craig's Journal

Yesterday’s Celebrity/Media Tournament at the World Series was a bust. I found out at the last moment that the money was, indeed, going to charity. It was too late to back out and stupid pride and conceit took over.

The “celebrities” were even more dubious and shopworn than last year. At one point, they introduced Ron Jeremy to the crowd. (For those who don’t dabble in the adult arts, Jeremy was so proficient in adult films in the pre-Viagra days as to be in demand even when he crossed 50, both in age and waist size.)

I was seated with my back to all the celebrities mentioned, but I turned around when they mentioned Jeremy. I figured now that he wasn’t making films, he probably really let himself go. I told the rest of the table that Jeremy was the only celebrity in attendance who I cared about. “I’ve lived my whole life based on his teachings.”

My real interest was how the call went down to secure Jeremy’s services. Did Jeffrey Pollack call him? Did they have to pay him an appearance fee? Were there proponents and opponents within Harrah’s corporate structure as to how to handle this? I can imagine so many scenarios - virtually none of them pornographic - about how that all happened. But I know it couldn’t be a boring story by those on the inside.

WITH GOD AS MY WITNESS, I WILL GET THAT STORY, FOR YOU, THE READERS OF MICHAEL CRAIG’S JOURNAL.

There. I’ve done it.

Two things shocked me about the atmosphere at the tournament. First, it was covered by the media. I haven’t even asked WHY. I’m wondering WHO. Second, the rails were thick with spectators. Who were they, Ron Jeremy/James Garner aficionados?

By the way, Harrah’s merged with Caesars over the past year, potentially giving the middle-market Harrah’s sensibilities (something not out of spirit with the World Series’ downtown/Binion’s traditions) a kick of Caesars glitz and opulence.

I’m still waiting. Elton John was apparently a pass. Celine Dion shared no flops with Ron Jeremy. Whatever the hell goes on in the showrooms at Bally’s and Paris went on without any interruption from the poker tournament, because I saw no notable presence from the entertainers from either of those properties.

It goes without saying that no charity benefited from my participation. A/k/a, I went bust.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 28th, 2006 at 7:31 pm and is filed under My favourites:.