Modified On August 21, 2006
A sharp-eyed reader spotted the saga of Alonzo Bodden, who had a bit of a problem checking into the Palms the other day, according to a post on his MySpace blog:
I got here today, thursday to do a gig Saturday. My picture is on the billboard, my clip is on the TV screen right next to the check in desk and no room, what? thats right, no room.” we didn’t know you were coming Thursday” Well, I have this contract thing in my hands, you know its written, and it says 3 nights . Now being that i have to go on the radio Friday to promote the gig I would guess the three nights are Thurs-Sunday but then I read the contract. Sorry about the whole expecting you to read thing. Next time I’ll send it on a flashy DVD. They wanted to check me into the Rio then they wanted me to pay for it. Now I could see if i were a drunken reveler, maybe a 20 something who walked in to party. maybe even if I were an old high roller here to pick up 20 somethings that might work. BUT I’M FUCKIN WORKIN HERE, IM ON THE FUCKIN BILLBOARD. Pay for a room at the Rio ARE YOU FUCKIN CRAZY
Apparently, they find a room at the Palms, but it seems that the Malouf Brothers take offense at Bodden incorporating the whole incident into his Saturday first show set.
Fast forward three days later, and Bodden’s getting offstage after his first show Saturday. He follows up with this blog entry in which he is escorted from the premises:
So I leave the stage and 3 guys in black suits were waiting for me. I recognized them right away as I’ve played them in movies and on TV. They were security and with some manager asking me to leave the Hotel. Did I say ask, I meant insist.
Bodden posts further that he apologizes to all the fans who bought tix for the second show. We’re stunned. Ya gotta give Bodden credit for handling this whole thing with… grace. He realizes that it’s their hotel and they can do what they like.
But they goofed up big time on this one, and in more than one way. They dissed the comic– Most other comics would’ve gone medieval on them for asking the comic to go to another hotel and pay for it! They also
boned their customers– It shouldn’t matter what kind of beef you have with the talent; you should just let him finish out the week, let the fans get their fill, then banish him from the hotel if you really think you need to.