ThisNext Blog

Described by MSNBC as “a local Vegas hero who reveals the secrets of Sin City nightlife on his web site to everyday players,”  dubbed the “Robin Leach of the MySpace generation” by Strip magazine, and having Robin Leach himself “very impressed,” Jack Colton is the jack with the dot-com you hit when you want to know how to get VIP in Vegas.

We played Q&A with Jack to find out what you need for a weekend getaway in Vegas that’s less you watching Celine Dion singing and more you playing at pool parties with topless chicks. 

TN: Any sneak previews about Vegas or your column(s) you can share with ThisNext readers?
JC: Just launched two new channels about Vegas nightlife! The first one is called “Vegas Stories,” which is a funny series of user-submitted encounters of when things totally went wrong, went way too well, or landed someone in jail. The second is being produced by Adult Film Star Demi Marx, and gives Vegas visitors the complete low down on the sex industry of our city (ranging from how to ‘hook up’ at a bar to what exactly those strippers on the porno cards passed out on the street will actually do for you). Both will be fully online within the week.

TN: Biggest response you’ve gotten from readers about an article / column post on your site?
JC: I’ve had several articles picked up by various news agencies (MSNBC, AOL, New York Times, etc), but the one that fueled the biggest fire easily was the collective aftermath about the articles I posted regarding this year’s NBA All Star Weekend. The games turned Las Vegas Blvd. into a virtual war zone, and left most anyone working within, or visiting, anything to with Las Vegas nightlife completely in disgust. Girls were repeatedly groped /molested, tourists humiliated, fights everywhere, cocktail waitresses were having their trays knocked out of their hands, bartenders had glasses thrown at them, and, of course, there was even a shooting or 10 (I’m sure everyone’s heard about Pac Man Jones?).

While I was acutely careful to not mention or even remotely imply anything to do with race when I discussed the problems of the weekend (I even quoted our police dept in saying that the actual problem was all of the gangs that came in because of the games), I’m white and most of the incoming crowds for the games were minorities. Automatically my saying anything not 100% positive about the weekend made me a full-blown racist to people who weren’t here to see what happened for themselves, in spite of the wide-spread national coverage everything was getting by sportscasters in shock about what they’d seen. Definitely glad that one is over!

TN: The product that’s had the biggest influence on your site?
JC: Well, booze, of course! I don’t smoke, do drugs, or anything of that nature… But drinking on a nightly basis is a hazard of working within Las Vegas nightlife. Give me a Long Island iced tea and I’m ready to go.

TN: If you were a product particular to Vegas, you’d be a __________.
JC: Blac American Express: card!

TN: Your favorite product discovery in the last six months… Or something that inspired you?
JC:  My BlackBerry Pearl. I don’t actually use any of the Blackberry or internet features, but the thing is a god-send when it comes to text messaging.

TN: Most prized possession?
JC: My Gateway laptop that gives me the freedom to travel and work at the same time. Unless I absolutely HAVE to be at an event / meeting, I can be running my business, updating all websites, and sending in articles from anywhere in the world.

TN: A product love secret you’re too embarrassed to share?
JC: I really wish I had that hidden side of me, but I honestly don’t! Pretty much an open book.

TN: Name an item under your bed?
JC: Extra pillows (in case I have multiple overnight guests)!

TN: Something in your closet that is not apparel, shoes, bags, etc.?
JC: I just went in there and really tried to find something obnoxiously out of the ordinary for you, but unfortunately I came back totally empty handed. I gave nearly everything I owned to charity last year, so my room pretty much has a bedroom set, a very meager clothing selection, and a small collection of gifts that the clubs and site readers send to me. Simple = good.

TN: Favorite trend for summer?
JC: Topless pool parties! Our city is totally infested with them right now. It’s almost strange to see a girl not proudly displaying her nippies. Except for yesterday at the DMV, that would have been bad (ha).

TN: Least fav trend for summer?
JC: It’s hot as hell in town right now, and I’m equally as pale. The marketing directors of the pool parties have a sick sense of humor when they invite me to host the parties from time-to-time, because, inevitably, by the end of the day I’m taking pictures looking like a third degree burn victim. Not cool.

TN: Can’t leave home without my______?
JC: ID. The hotels are very strict on the matter, and it doesn’t matter how well you know the doorman, if the camera doesn’t see you being ID’d – you’re screwed. Last year the ever-lovely Paris Hilton was photographed with her underage boyfriend Stravos Nicasomething, and the Nevada Gaming Commission came down on the nightclubs like a hungry bat on a group of juicy caterpillars.

TN: City or suburbs?
JC: City while I’m young, suburbs when I’m not.

TN: Loft or the perfect house with the white picket fence?
JC: Not much a fan of having to know my neighbors, so I’d prefer the center-of-the-city, high-walled gated house with plenty of noise canceling trees.

TN: Flip-flops or sneakers?
JC: A nice pair of black Diesels, and you’re good for any situation.

TN: Coffee or tea?
JC: Tea, and please add some gin, vodka, whiskey, and tequila. It’s going to be a long night!