CNBC looks deeply into ‘Las Vegas’

Can America’s fastest-growing big city possibly get any bigger? “On Assignment: Las Vegas Inc.” (8 p.m., CNBC) offers interviews with some of the gambling mecca’s biggest players, and examines the business strategies that keep tourists and gamblers returning.

Correspondent Dylan Rattigan has a brief chat with casino mogul Steve Wynn described as “his longest television interview ever.” Wynn speaks in Yoda-like sound bites about the design of his newest billion-dollar casino.

It features natural light and architectural curves that, in Wynn’s opinion, emphasize “movement” and therefore excitement.

While Wynn’s gambling dens entice newcomers with art and architecture, Harrah’s CEO (and former Harvard Business School professor), Gary Loveman, has built a computer system that tracks every customer and potential customer.

Information technology is a growth industry in Vegas. According to “Assignment,” computers can tell the value of every chip on the blackjack tables, and soon they will be able to “know” every card in a gambler’s hand.

Rattigan also interviews the Palms Casino’s George Maloof, who is unabashed about his use of sex to attract tourists who want every night to unfold like a bachelor party.

He also speaks with Billy Vasiliadis, the advertising executive behind the “What happens here, stays here” campaign. Vasiliadis sees it as his job to sell the Vegas spirit of freedom and fantasy.

But his ideas of “freedom” may not be everybody’s fantasy: “There are more overweight guys in Speedos here than in any other city,” he quips.

Some fear that the city’s rapid growth may be its eventual undoing. The price of housing has doubled since 2001, and even Vasiliadis worries that increased traffic and long wait times for cabs may tarnish the city’s reputation for escapist fun.

But casino owners insist that Las Vegas has always topped itself and will continue to do so. And, as “On Assignment” makes clear, the real growth in Las Vegas has little to do with gambling.

Cirque du Soleil does not have a show in Las Vegas. It has four, and they are sold out every night. According to “Assignment,” the Cirque troupe sells 3 million tickets a year at $100 each.

To put that in some perspective, very few major league baseball teams attract 3 million customers annually, and even box seats don’t cost that much. And if you still associate Las Vegas cuisine with $4.99 all-you-can-eat buffets, think again. Vegas visitors spent more than $9 billion on dining last year.

But for all the numbers and superlatives enumerated on “Assignment,” I still can’t get that image of the fat guy in the Speedo out of my head. Perhaps it’s best that everything that happens in Vegas stays there.

Other highlights

Brass travels to Los Angeles in search of his missing daughter on “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS).

The eight remaining attorneys on “The Law Firm” (9 p.m., NBC) team up to take both sides in a case between battling neighbors.

Sandy wonders “Can this marriage be saved?” on “The O.C.” (9 p.m., Fox).

Tales from the Internet dating scene on “Hooking Up” (9 p.m., ABC).

A choir member with a secret goes missing on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS).

Pratt treats a young gunshot-wound victim on “ER” (10 p.m., NBC).

Scheduled on “Primetime” (10 p.m., ABC): a naturalist’s fatal attraction to grizzly bears; the legal and ethical controversies over embryo adoption.

Sam takes to an unorthodox therapy on “Starved” (10 p.m., FX).

A 20-something (Andrew Lincoln) wrestles with adult responsibilities in the engaging new series “Teachers” (11 p.m., BBC America).

Cult choice

Michael J. Fox stars in the 1996 ghost movie “The Frighteners” (7 p.m., Sci Fi), directed by Peter Jackson (“Lord of the Rings”).

Series notes

Julie Chen hosts on “Big Brother 6” (8 p.m., CBS) … Christina Ricci guest-stars on “Joey” (8 p.m., NBC) … On back-to-back episodes of “That ‘70s Show” (Fox), a new kid in town (8 p.m.), and Eric’s goodbye (8:30 p.m.) … A brother and sister makeover on “Extreme Makeover” (8 p.m., ABC) … Wrestling on “WWE SmackDown!” (8 p.m., UPN) … Shadows of Salem witches on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB).

Movin’ on up on “Will & Grace” (8:30 p.m., NBC).

Amanda’s husband has a sudden recuperation on “Everwood” (9 p.m., WB).