Christopher Lawrence

Marathon of movies, specials eases holiday blues

It’s no secret that this Christmas will be one of the toughest in years — you probably realized that the first time you wrapped a present in your Lehman Brothers stock certificates — but TV is here to help.

‘The Shield’ going out on top with surprising finale

It’s starting to feel like losing a friend. A friend who shot a fellow cop in the face, tortured and killed suspects, put seized drugs back on the streets he patrolled and started a bloody war between a Mexican cartel and the Armenian mob just to help cover his tracks, but a friend nonetheless.

New cable shows dig deep, but still turn up typical Vegas

Whenever cable series come to town, they usually gloss over everything not included in the Vegas Variety Pack: a buffet, some showgirls, a wedding chapel Elvis impersonator and a bachelorette party complete with matching Ed Hardy T-shirts and lower-back tattoos.

‘Dexter,”Californication’ make success from excess

I’ve never been much good at denying my urges — the low point being my set of commemorative plates commemorating the first set of commemorative plates — but I live like a monk compared to Dexter Morgan and Hank Moody.

Shows pack spooky punch with exploding heads, demon hunters

Neither can lay claim to the title of the scariest thing on TV — after a couple of minutes of CNBC’s stock ticker, I spent the other day hiding under my bed — but nobody does spooky quite like “Fringe” (9 p.m. Tuesdays, KVVU-TV, Channel 5) and “Supernatural” (9 p.m. Thursdays, KVCW-TV, Channel 33).

Local author’s fantasy series comes to small screen

Over the years, it’s been pretty easy to marginalize the fantasy genre. After all, aside from the occasional Hollywood blockbuster, the closest the sword-and-sorcery set usually gets to the mainstream is the songs of Ronnie James Dio and the murals on the sides of custom vans.

field	question	answer
i_1	I'm staying on the Strip. What's a must-see attraction?	The Las Vegas Strip is full of iconic sights. We narrowed down the list to a handful that you can check out for free or at a (relatively) low cost. The attractions range from a free, 14,000-square-foot garden at Bellagio to riding a gondola through the Venetian, as well as The High Roller, Shark Reef, Sphere Experience, rides at the Strat and The Fountains of Bellagio. Check out the attractions.
i_2	Where should I grab a drink in downtown Las Vegas?	As the downtown Arts District has grown in recent years, so has its bar scene. We highlight five of the best spots to grab a cold one or a high-end cocktail. This list has something for everyone, including a punk rock dive bar, a hidden experimental cocktail bar, locals' favorites and many more. Stop by Liquid Diet, Velveteen Rabbit, Berlin Bar, Rebar, Garagiste and others. Check it out.
i_3	What are the most unique experiences in Las Vegas?	Plenty of gems throughout the Silver State await those who are willing to wander outside of the Las Vegas Valley. For those with desert wanderlust — or who would enjoy a skydiving free fall with views of Hoover Dam at 120 mph — the list is fodder for bucket lists and exploration. It also includes a hot spring in ghost town Gold Point, mining Nevada's state gemstone, climbing Mount Whitney near Reno, zip-lining the Fremont Street Experience and clear-boat canoeing on Lake Tahoe. Read the guide.
i_4	What are some family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas?	The first day of school is fast approaching for K-12 students, but there’s still time for summer fun. Whether the family wants to get up close and personal with wildlife, explore nature, experience immersive art or cool off in a nice pool, Las Vegas offers something for everyone before school bells toll again Aug. 12. This includes seeing big cats at Lion Habitat Ranch, the Flamingo wildlife habitat, the "origins of Las Vegas" at Springs Preserve and more. See our guide.
i_5	Which resort pools admit Las Vegas locals?	As the sun beats hotter and hotter on the Las Vegas Valley throughout the summer, locals without an easy way to cool down may find themselves jealous of the tourists relaxing on their poolside lounge chairs. But there’s no need for bad vibes. Several resorts around the Las Vegas Valley allow area residents into their resort pool areas — some even for free, like Palms and Park MGM. Get your swim on.
i_6	I want to hit the club but don't know where to start. Where should I go?	Twenty-thousand-pound chandeliers, lighting rigs designed to look like spacecraft and $40,000 bottle service. No, there’s nothing quite like the nightlife scene in Las Vegas. But with so many high-end clubs vying for your dollar (dollars by the thousand, to be more accurate), where to begin? Right here with this guide to some of the biggest and best spots on the Strip: Drai's, Hakkasan, Marquee, Omnia and others.