It used to be that a show was an essential part of the Vegas experience. Back in those days, a show was pretty simple: A bunch of scantily (and we mean scantily) clad showgirls paraded around while a comedian engaged in some raunchy patter. The showgirls are still here and still scantily clad (though not as often topless; guess cable TV has taken some of that thrill away), but the productions around them have gotten impossibly elaborate. And they have to be, because they have to compete with a free pirate-battle stunt show held several times nightly right on the Strip. Not to mention a volcano, a Mardi Gras parade in the sky, lounge acts galore, and the occasional imploding building. All for free.

The big resort hotels, in keeping with their general over-the-top tendencies, are pouring mountains of money into high-spectacle extravaganzas, luring big-name acts into decades-long residencies and surrounding them with special effects that would put some Hollywood movies to shame. Which is not to say the results are Broadway quality -- they're big, cheesy fun. Still, with the exception of the astonishing work done by the Cirque du Soleil productions, most of what passes for a "show" in Vegas is just a flashier revue, with a predictable lineup of production number/magic act/production number/acrobatics/production number.

Unfortunately, along with big budgets and big goals come big-ticket prices. Sure, you can still take the whole family of four to a show for under $100, but you're not going to get the same production values that you'd get by splurging on a Cirque du Soleil show. Which is not to say you always get what you pay for: There are some reasonably priced shows that are considerably better values than their more expensive counterparts.

Note: Although every effort has been made to keep up with the volatile Las Vegas show scene, keep in mind that the following reviews may not be indicative of the actual show you'll see, but the basic concept and idea will be the same. What's more, the show itself may have closed, so it's a good idea to always call the venue and check.

Our vote for best show? It's a toss-up between O at Bellagio and Mystère at Treasure Island, both by Cirque du Soleil. Either must be seen to be believed -- and even then you may not believe it, but you won't be forgetting the experience anytime soon. Most intelligent show is put on by Penn & Teller and we are grateful. The best magic show, and one of the most reasonably priced productions (and thus the overall best value for the money), is Lance Burton at Monte Carlo. Best classic Vegas topless revue is Jubilee! at Bally's. Best we aren't sure what the heck to call it is Blue Man Group at Luxor.

Bally's: Jubilee! (Las Vegas-style revue)

Bellagio: Cirque du Soleil's O (unique circus-meets-performance-art theatrical experience)

Caesars Palace: Celine Dion (music and variety)

Excalibur: Tournament of Kings (medieval-themed revue)

The Flamingo Las Vegas: Second City Improv (improvisational comedy)

Harrah's: Clint Holmes (music and variety)

Imperial Palace: Legends in Concert (musical impersonators)

Luxor: Blue Man Group: Live at Luxor (hilarious performance art)

Mandalay Bay: Mamma Mia! (a musical that features ABBA songs and was a great hit in London and on Broadway)

The Mirage: Siegfried & Roy (magical extravaganza); Danny Gans (impressions)

Monte Carlo: Lance Burton: Master Magician (magic show and revue)

New York-New York: Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity (adults-only provocative revue)

The Riviera: An Evening at La Cage (female impersonators), Crazy Girls (sexy Las Vegas-style revue), and Splash (aquatic revue)

Stratosphere Casino Hotel & Tower: American Superstars (an impression-filled production show) and Viva Las Vegas (Las Vegas-style revue)

Treasure Island: Cirque du Soleil's Mystère (unique circus performance)

Tropicana: Folies Bergère (Las Vegas-style revue)

Major Production Shows--This category covers all of the major Las Vegas production shows and a few of the minor ones as well. In addition to the following, we also recommend Rita Rudner's stand-up comedy at New York-New York, and we urge you to stay away from the musical family the Scintas at the Rio; a fossilized Vegas act full of near-parody-level lounge singing and jokes at the expense of every ethnicity, handicap, and sexual orientation out there.

Note: Shows can close without warning, even ones that have been running just shy of forever, so please call first. Note also that some ticket prices may not include tax or drinks, so you might also check for those potential hidden costs.

HOT TIP!--Tickets2Nite is a new-ish daily service that puts any unsold seats for that evening on sale, starting at 2pm, for -- get this! -- half price. Hot diggity! Of course, there are some drawbacks. It's rare and downright unlikely that really ultra-super-duper shows are ever going to have unsold seats (because the hotel will just sell them to the always-waiting-and-happy-to-pay-full-price stand-by line), but you'd be shocked at the range otherwise, from basic crap to stuff that we would recommend even at full price (they aren't allowed to say on the record which shows' tickets often come up for sale). Alas, the very nature of the service means you can't plan; you have to stand in line and take your chances starting at 2pm (we advise getting in line even earlier than that). So if you have your heart set on white tigers, don't rely on Tickets2Nite, but, if like a good gambler, you like taking chances, head for 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (in the Showcase Mall Booth).