Roy Horn in Critical Condition

[CraigMitchell]

LVRJ post additional article citing that the report of Roy sitting up is erroneous ...

"Feldman called inaccurate one news report that said Horn was sitting up while receiving visitors Thursday at University Medical Center.

"I don't know where that information came from," Feldman said. "It just simply isn't true. This is not someone who is going to get up and walk out of the hospital today."

[Pete Biro]

See other post where Irene Larsen, who just came in from Las Vegas to lunch at the Castle where she said he IS sitting up.

[Richard Kaufman]

Okay, so what that means is that they have elevated the upper portion of the bed so he is "sitting up" in bed. As I suspected ... perhaps.
There are medical reasons for elevating a person's head: prolonged prone periods don't allow the fluids in the head to drain normally. Perhaps the head of the bed has been elevated for this medical reason.

[CraigMitchell]

Wynn reports that Roy is improving ...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... ple_roy_dc

Some excerpts:

"The doctor is saying he's got a 95-, 98-percent chance" and Horn was breathing for hours at a time without a respirator, Wynn said.

Wynn said tests showed Horn did not sustain any permanent brain injuries and that the illusionist was communicating by squeezing with his right hand, which was at full strength.

"He was not following me with his eyes, but he was following me with his hands," said Wynn. "It will be a couple of weeks before we know the extent of any (physical) handicap."

[Ryan Matney]

Posted by Richard Kaufman:

I think it's quite clear that the show is over, and that they are going to use the theater for other purposes.
When Siegfried talks about the show NOT being over, no one really has any idea what he means. In fact, I don't think he really knows at this point.
The show as it existed will never be rebuilt or play anywhere else, and it will never play again in the Mirage. It's just over.

Does anyone know if the show was ever taped in its entirety?

[CraigMitchell]

The show was taped in its entirety but as far as I'm aware meant for internal review purposes.

It has been mentioned that at times only key segments were filmed for later analysis, but I'm sure that a very accurate reflection of the show could be compiled with the many hours of stock footage that they have captured over the years.

S&R just recently released a 3 show DVD set which contained their ABC special, IMAX movie as well as 40 minute promo tape.

The ABC special is as close to the show as you could currently get while the IMAX movie contains some of the newer illusions intermixed with their life story.

[Richard Kaufman]

Craig, where has the three DVD set been released? I haven't seen any mention of it.

[Richard Kaufman]

I'm trying to figure out how Steve Wynn can say that Siegfried and several animal trainers ran onstage and tried to regain control of the animal, and THAT is when the animal bit Roy in the heck and carried him off, when not a single eyewitness from the audience has mentioned anything other than Roy being bitten on the arm and then being carried away by the neck.
Has anyone seen an eyewitness account that included animal handlers rushing on stage in the middle of this, just prior to the animal biting Roy's neck?

[Pete Biro]

It amazes me how many "experts" show up to tell a story... isn't Wynn almost "blind" ???

He also stated that the tiger was attracted by a woman in the audience with a weired hair-do and that Roy got between them to protect the woman.

Only one story matters. And that story is the one that Roy himself tells us. :genii:

[CraigMitchell]

Hi Richard

The DVD set ( 2 discs ) is available from the Mirage Gift Shop ( was released a few months back ) and is called the S&R Collection ... I am told that they do still have copies but the gift shop has been overrun with orders of merchandise and the like recently ...

In terms of the stage hands - a cast member who witnessed the event did report that after Roy was dragged backstage ( ie theoretically out of the view of the audience ) the stage hands did run after Manticore & attempt to extricate Roy. This - I was informed - is against policy which states that their sole function in such an event is to make sure that the cat's transport is in place and wait for the handlers to approach the situation and *not* to intervene. So it is possible that the stage hands rushing forward to assist, may have startled the cat even further and caused more harm to Roy.

But this - as with nearly everything else - is speculation.

[Richard Kaufman]

For all of you out there who would like to keep your memories of The Siegfried and Roy show at The Mirage fresh in your minds now that it's closed, the double DVD set which contains their IMAX film The Secret Box as well as other material is on sale at the Gift Shop in the Mirage for $39.99. I've just ordered one myself, and they said they have plenty in stock.
You can purchase them (as well as any other S&R souvenirs) at this number: (702) 792-7769

[Guest]

Thanks Richard......just ordered one.

[Randy Sager]

Originally posted by Pete Biro:
It amazes me how many "experts" show up to tell a story... isn't Wynn almost "blind" ???

He also stated that the tiger was attracted by a woman in the audience with a weired hair-do and that Roy got between them to protect the woman.

Only one story matters. And that story is the one that Roy himself tells us. :genii:

Yes Steve Wynn is leagaly blind. He can see if something is less than an inch from his face. It is possible that he has seen (To a certain extent) The tape Tho most of what he has said is either what he has been told or is made up by him.

I don't mean to make Steve Wynn sound bad. The fact is he can not see the tape clearly so he has to mostly go by what he is told.

I think he is trying to make it all sound much better then it is at this time. I feel that the reports that Richard Kaufman has been giving here are the most accurate as to what the situation truly is. If you listen to Bernie Yuman Or Mr. Feldman on the news reports they seem to be saying what Richard has been reporting as well.

[Anthony Blake]

The September issue of Response magazine, a journal for electronic and infomercial marketers featured a cover story on Siegfried and Roy and the infomercial that was being tested by Vox Corp. selling their "Siegfried & Roy Collection" DVD package...

According to the article the tests were working out well, sales were good and a larger roll-out to the market was planned... they had also tested sales through Taylor Gifts, Johnson and Smith, Parade Magazine and the National Enquirer...

It may be that the planned roll-out has now been put on hold, but with all the publicity that Roy's incident has generated I wouldn't be surprised if it went wide fairly soon (as was done with the Bob Hope collection when he passed on)... so keep an eye to late night infomercials and you might see the offer for the package on the air...

Success!!!

Tony Blake
Mind Mystery

[CraigMitchell]

For those of you who wish to order the S&R DVD set online - visit:

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/si ... .html?gid=

[CraigMitchell]

For a great article regarding S&R and their rise to fame in Las Vegas - check out:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 53568.html

It goes a long way in showing just how much they achieved, and how their effortless performances had many forgetting that it was years of hard work that are responsible for their now legendary status ...

And for the conspiracy theorists:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 52824.html

"Steve Wynn watchers are having a field day trying to analyze his heightened involvement in Roy Horn's situation.

At a time when Horn's family is trying to get the media to lower the volume, Wynn is raising eyebrows with a flurry of interviews ...

Adding to the intrigue is the theory Wynn might be positioning himself to strike a deal that would resurrect the Siegfried & Roy show at his Wynn Las Vegas resort should Roy make a miraculous recovery."

[Richard Kaufman]

The Steve Wynn business is interesting--and odd.
Not only do Siegfried and Roy have a lifetime contract with the MGM Mirage, but when Steve Wynn was running the Mirage, S&R were performing almost double their schedule at the time of the accident (when they went down to 6 shows a week).
If you read our Genii interview from last August, they were bored and had no life outside the show because they were performing so much. They were, in fact, going to retire.
It wasn't until Steve Wynn lost control of the company and it was sold to Kirk Kerkorian that the Mirage decided to allow Siegfried and Roy to perform less often. Those who've seen the show over the past few years have noticed a remarkable difference in S&R onstage--they seem like they're having a good time and enjoying performing. That was not the case in the later years when Steve Wynn was running the hotel.
So, since Steve Wynn is building a new hotel, and business in Vegas is still not up to pre 9/11 levels, it's easy to see why he might be courting S&R in order to give his new hotel and casino a much needed boost into the market.
The question is whether Siegfried and Roy would want to return to working for a guy who almost drove them into retirement in the first place. After all, is there ANY hotel on the strip that wouldn't hire them? Assuming their contract with the Mirage could be dissolved (and these contracts always have escape clauses), these guys would not have a problem finding a welcome venue in which to perform. A bigger question is what kind of show would they do? Their age would preclude spending the kind of money lavished on the Mirage show because they just aren't going to perform for more than another ten years or so (which would put Roy at almost 70 and, if you believe the published reports of Siegfied's age, he'd be 74).
So, you can't afford to build a $50 million dollar show around them. What kind of show do you do?

[Wolfgang]

I am sure that if Roy would pull thru fine than the show would continue at the Mirage. Siegfried & Roy would not star in a downsized show at another casino. The infrastructure is already set-up and I doubt that they will still be perfoming more than a couple of years (best case scenario!).
Changes are that this is really it so I just ordered the DVD Set to have a memory and to show my son what changed Vegas when he is old enough.
As to Steve Wynn he might just be trying to get some media attention. After he sold his big company it just got a little bit more quite about him.

[CraigMitchell]

Here's another interesting comment posted by a cast member who says that Wynn in fact was intending to let the contract run to its end & replace S&R with a Cirque show. As it turned out, MGM bought out Wynn and history continued ...

"Doubtful since he was going to let the show end and not renew the 10 year contract. Were it not for MGM Mirage, there'd be a Cirque show in that room now."

[Steve Hook]

A happy irony during the rebroadcast of the S&R '99 LKL interview: a Cisco commercial featuring the anti-hacker pitch of Mr. Jay.

It was, of course, good to see a healthy Roy. Here's to a successful recovery. :)

Steve H

[Steve V]

The news today said that Roy had a 98% chance of recovery...pretty good odds. Interestingly they didn't call it an attack or mauling (I call it a bite), they just said the tiger missed the piece of meat Roy was offering and bit his hand by mistake then tried to carry him to safety like a kitten. SF news...you gotta love it.
Steve V

[Pete Biro]

Here it is the 15th and no updates on Roy?

[Pete Biro]

Word tonight at the Castle is that Roy is "breathing on his own" and showing improvement. :)

[CraigMitchell]

NY Daily News reports:

"Doctors performed a radical operation to save the life of mauled tiger trainer Roy Horn, cutting away part of his skull and storing it in his stomach ...

Roy's life may have been saved when doctors performed a radical procedure called a hemicraniectomy on Oct. 4 ...

The operation involves cutting away a C-shaped section of skull on the side of the head to alleviate pressure from brain swelling.

The skull fragment was implanted in Horn's abdomen for safekeeping, to keep the bone marrow alive."

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/ ... 3739c.html

[CraigMitchell]

LVRJ Article

"Paralysis can get better after, but he had a pretty big stroke," he said. "We just don't know yet. Fortunately, the stroke didn't hit on the side where he talks, thinks and remembers. He can still comprehend things and do things."

Also gives details regarding the craniectomy surgery ...

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 82569.html

[Richard Kaufman]

Folks, if you can, read the Las Vegas Review Journal article for which Craig has posted a link directly above this message. It's frightening, and sobering.

[CraigMitchell]

LVRJ Article

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 79762.html

"A Siegfried & Roy dancer says one of Roy Horn's white tigers had to be restrained from going into a mock audience made up of cast members.

Meagen Hensley, 22, said the incident earlier this year involved a younger cat that "wanted to come out on the tables and say `hi.' "

On this "spooky" occasion, she said the white tiger made a move toward the seated dancers ..."

And for details on the medical team @ UMC visit:

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 80093.html

[CraigMitchell]

There is a new message on the S&R site:

"A Message from Siegfried"

"It is with great joy that we are able to share the news that Roy is making the turn from survival to recovery. While we are all aware that the road ahead is long and an expanded prognosis is still far away, all of us in the Siegfried & Roy family are buoyed by Roy's remarkable demonstration of will, courage and faith.

The outpouring of love and support from around the world has touched us all, and we know it is a great contributor to Roy's recovery. On behalf
of all of us, I want to thank everyone who has sent us their best wishes and prayers during this difficult time.

Also, please know that Montecore is now in his habitat at The Secret Garden at The Mirage where he and all of the Siegfried & Roy animal family are protected and receive the finest care from our staff.

While the Siegfried & Roy show at The Mirage is closed, Siegfried & Roy will continue both creatively and in our conservation efforts for
endangered animals around the world. We look forward to sharing those endeavors with you in the future.

Again, from all of us here, our deepest thanks.

Siegfried"

[Richard Kaufman]

It appears that the doctor who gave the press the information about Roy's condition, confirming the severity of the stroke and the removal of a portion of his skull, is in trouble for spilling the beans:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stori ... 51094.html

[CraigMitchell]

Roy moved to LA Hospital

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 71618.html

"Injured illusionist Roy Horn was transferred from the University Medical Center Trauma Center to another medical facility Tuesday.

However, three sources said the 59-year-old magician was taken to a rehabilitation center at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Bernie Yuman ... said Horn was transferred to another medical facility for further evaluation.

UCLA offers several rehabilitation and speciality centers, including one for stroke victims. The UCLA Stroke Center was one of the nation's first facilities dedicated to taking care of stroke victims. "

[Pete Biro]

Horn's move was reported on local L.A. news radio this morning.

I would "assume" going to a rehab center is a sign of GOOD NEWS. :genii:

[Guest]

I have just recently watched an interview about the attack and apparently, Sigfried and Roy's take on the attack was that the animal was actually trying to help Roy. Roy had suffered a stroke and tumbled in front of the animal, and manticore then merely proceeded to pick roy up by the neck (common procedure with cats) and carry him to safety unaware of his own mammalian strength. There is a lot of speculation as to why the animal was acting strange previous to the show but a lot of aspiring mystics and curious people believe that the animal was able to sense roy's fatal condition prior to the show and had even disobeyed and decided to take the matter into his own hands...err paws.

Now, I wonder if that tiger can sense irony. ;)

[Richard Kaufman]

When tigers pick up their young and carry them, they don't bite them in the neck.

[Pete Biro]

Are you sure? I thought cats did pick their young up like that. One story was that the tiger's young have thick hair and skin around the neck and that keeps them from harm.

Maybe we will never know.

[Guest]

Their young don't weight 150 pounds or so either, meaning less pressure applied. Listen, I think the cat saw him go down and instinct took over and he was dragging him off for lunch. If Sig and Roy want to believe the cat was saving him then let them believe it.
Steve V

[Bill Duncan]

Female cats carry their young buy the scruff of the neck but I've never seen a male cat do that.

Still, it's "natural" behavior for cats and Manticore wasn't raised by a cat (he was rejected by his mother and hand raised by Roy) so perhaps that accounts for his less than graceful actions.

I didn't really think it was a realistic assessment due to the damage done but we don't have any idea what Roy was doing in mid-stroke and convulsions (or something else) may have contributed to the problem.

One thing Sigfried said rings true. If Mantacore had wanted to kill Roy he'd be dead. I believe that.

I was impressed and moved by the story on TV last night.

[Bill Hallahan]

True, cats dont bite the necks of their young, but felines do pick up their young by the skin just above their neck towards their head, sometimes perhaps even on their head. The skin is very loose there in a cat. Its not in a person.

I also read this tale of accidental injury previously. Someone had posted the (same?) story at the Magic Caf. Apparently, a woman in the front row had a large and interesting hairdo. The tiger was interested in her hair, and when Roy pulled the cat back, the cat pulled the other direction because it was curious about the womans hair. While pulling the cat, Roy fell over backwards. The cat then instinctively picked him up and dragged him away to protect him from the woman, or perhaps the entire audience.

It is credible that this is the case. Thats not to say that the tiger couldnt be provoked to attack, or that it wouldnt react with instinct in certain circumstances. However, if a cat is angry, it will pick up its victims by the neck and swing the prey back and forth to break its neck. Had manticore been angry, its extremely unlikely that Roy would have survived for more than a few seconds. By eyewitness accounts, the tiger didnt shake Roy. Also, properly raised cats in captivity like their keepers and wouldnt hurt them except in extreme circumstances.

In the aforementioned article at the Magic Caf, I read that Roy repeatedly asked that manticore not be hurt immediately after the incident.

This is a third (or more) hand story. I have no way to corroborate it. But I do know something about cats and the story is entirely credible and it even seems more likely than that manticore wanted to injure him.

[Guest]

Sounds good to me, I'll accept it. I watched something on Discovery about tiger bites and they made a tester to see how the cats bite would effect flesh and bone (show was called Animal vs Animal or something like that)...let me tell you, if a tiger wanted you dead you would be dead.
Steve V