Just read about this story over on Mark Evanier's website. I had a couple of immediate reactions and wanted to get them down.

I think the move is a shame and might come back to bite the owners of Treasure Island. If you haven't seen the Pirate show you really have missed quite a performance. Two scale model ships, one a pirate vessel the other a British man-of-war, actually do battle with cannons in the small moat that fronts the casino. I can't imagine that the casino loses money on this show, even though I'm sure it is expensive. The crowds that show up for every performance are not only comprised of casino guests, but also folks staying at other casinos. While I doubt that everyone in attendance immediately goes inside, I'm sure that more than enough do so at some point during their stay in Vegas to more than make up for whatever it costs.

Also, the show is one of those things that can truly be enjoyed by the 'whole family'. To replace it with something 'sexier' seems short-sighted, IMHO. Just about everyone you speak to who has been to Vegas tries to see the show or has seen it. Folks recommend it to each other as a 'must-see' event.

I've seen the show twice over the years. First with my ex-wife (and fellow Blogger) Elayne, and just a few months ago with my current wife, Donna, my step-daughter, Kristina, plus several of Donna's family. Half of us had seen it before and it was new to the rest. It's sad to think that it won't be there next time we visit, and just might make the difference in our staying at another hotel, rather than at Treasure Island, as we did this past time.