One of my lasting regrets is never going to the Siegfried & Roy show at the Mirage. I have no excuse. I moved here in 1999 and Roy Horn was attacked on stage at Mirage by his tiger, Montecore, in 2003.  In those early years I was focused on covering the emergence of the new Vegas: high-end dining, celebrity, shopping and nightclubs. Siegfried & Roy were an institution, yet, one I thought I could see any time. Now, I know Vegas better and understand constant change is the only institution here. The New Frontier and Stardust, two casinos where Siegfried & Roy performed are no longer even standing.

But last year I was able to see something truly special. I went to Siegfried & Roy’s “Farewell” performance to benefit the Lou Ruvo Brian Institute. I don’t think anyone who saw that event or thinks about entertainment in Las Vegas, had any doubt that the night was indeed their final performance. The few minutes they were on stage were pulled-off with great difficulty for a worthy cause. Roy Horn remains partially paralyzed, and everything about what happened that night at the Bellagio had the intensity and demeanor of an extraordinary one-off event. ABC News even did a special with the magicians where they promoted the Bellagio event as an ending of closure that allowed them to sign off from the stage in a positive way. That night was their good-bye as performers to their fans not to mention a way to raise money for an important cause in the midst of a bad recessioin.

So, I am a little befuddled as to why news organization all around the world are reporting that Siegfried Fischbacher told a German magazine that the duo have no plans for a comeback. Of course, they don’t. That is why they did a “Farewell” show. I am just amazed that his answer has drawn so much attention. Yes, even ABC News covered  Fischbacher saying again what he told them last year.

What is going on here? Are people really expecting a Siegfried & Roy comeback? Did no one believe the unequivocal farewell last year?

There are many things I would love to interview the duo about.  But can someone explain to me why by repeating what he has always said, Fischbacher created global news yesterday? (Photo Sarah Gerke)