New reality TV show focuses on powerful Las Vegas women

By Ron Sylvester

Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012 | 7:45 p.m.

Las Vegas is becoming a center for reality television shows, and another one began production this week featuring five powerful women.

"Vegas High Rollers" is the working title for the show under contract for eight episodes with TLC, the network said Tuesday.

Lana Fuchs, a fashion designer and owner of Billionaire Mafia Enterprises, said she agreed to do the show because she hoped it would showcase women as strong role models in business.

"I was convinced it would be a classy show, compared to others I've seen," said Fuchs, who began shooting the series Monday. "Other shows are entertaining, but I think this will show powerful women who know how to run their businesses well. I hope this show will inspire and encourage young women to go out and get into the business world and they will learn do it the right way."

Fuchs designs fashions for men and women, and also overseas a record label, entertainment management company and a nonprofit arts group for underprivileged youth.

Others featured on the show include Jennifer Harman, a professional poker star; Amy Hanley, daughter of reputed mobster Tom Hanley; Alicia Jacobs, a former television reporter for KSNV Channel 3, and Lori Montoya, owner of Rain Cosmetics. Kimberly Friedmutter is also expected to make appearances on the program. Her husband, Brad Friedmutter, is the architect who designed the Cosmopolitan, Red Rock Resort and Aliante Station casino.

Evolution Media, the company behind the "Real Housewives of Orange County" and "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" series, is producing the show.

TLC is the network that also airs shows including "What Not to Wear" and "Hoarding: Buried Alive."

Network officials said they expect the new series to begin airing in December.

Las Vegas is already the home of a bevy of reality shows, led by the top-rated "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel. Others include "The Ultimate Fighter" (FX), "American Restoration" and "Counting Cars" (History), "Tanked" (Animal Planet) and "Gigilos" (Showtime). A new show, "Cheating Vegas," debuted last week on Destination America and another, "Vegas Moms", is also in production.