No illusions: Two exchange words

A contestant on NBC's supernatural show "Phenomenon" went after Criss Angel, one of the show's judges, during Wednesday's episode.

The altercation came after Angel challenged Jim Callahan's act and offered $1 million if the contestant could name what Angel had written on some paper. Callahan had just performed a mentalist stunt in which he claimed he was possessed and could communicate with the dead.

Angel basically called Callahan's act bogus, and the two exchanged heated words, with Callahan calling Angel an "ideological bigot" as security stepped in to separate the two.

The dustup on NBC can be viewed at YouTube.com www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE45QHIUfiM.

Callahan, on his Web site Thursday, labeled Angel a "hypocrite" for advertising his "Mindfreak" show as supernatural, but then Angel "attempts to dismiss everyone else's as a hoax."

To make a point, Callahan's Web site ran a photograph of Angel walking on water during a "Mindfreak" stunt.

In an interview with Alicia Jacobs, entertainment reporter at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, Angel said he was feeling emotional and vulnerable over the loss of his father and was offended that Callahan was "exploiting it for money." Had security not intervened, Callahan "probably would be in a hospital right now," Angel said.

When Jacobs asked Angel to comment on illusionist David Copperfield's legal problems, he said, "Copperfield is not a big Criss Angel 'Mindfreak' fan. We have different takes on what is entertaining."

A federal grand jury is reported to be investigating allegations that Copperfield raped and threatened a Washington state woman.

Angel added, "I think the press is making him guilty, and the sad thing he hasn't been charged. That's not as a magician, that's as a human being how I feel."

Jacobs asked Angel to respond as a magician.

"It's great to be king," Angel said.

The Scene And Heard

Reality TV star Jes Rickleff, winner of the VH1 hit show "Rock of Love," let the cat out of the bag during her Halloween hosting job at Poetry night on Wednesday. Rickleff, who was chosen the winner of the reality show by Poison frontman Bret Michaels, told club staffers she already had a boyfriend during the show. The New York Post's Page Six reported Rickleff had no relationship with Michaels after the show. ...

Recording artist Shakira will perform songs from the soundtrack of "Love in the Time of Cholera" at Tuesday's Las Vegas premiere of the film at the Palms. Preceding the premiere, a dinner and silent auction will be at Rain nightclub inside, with proceeds going to The Bare Feet Foundation, a Shakira-backed Colombian nonprofit aiding children and their families. Tickets: (702) 992-7979 or www.cinevegas.com.

Former Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt-Bono has a new title: chairwoman of the board of the Cat Pack. She's the host tonight of "Girls Night Out," featuring the foursome known as the Cat Pack, which includes singers Corrie Sachs, Maggie Mancuso, Denise Clemente and comic Kathleen Dunbar. The show starts at 10 p.m. at the Bootlegger Bistro. ...

A two-hour power outage near the Thomas & Mack Center on Wednesday shut down the beer taps on the final night of Oktoberfest at the Hofbrauhaus. But the band played on, unplugged.

Sunday 11-04-07

Bellagio decides to change its fare

Shintaro, the Bellagio's Japanese eatery where Cruise dined with Nicole Kidman shortly before filing for divorce to end their 10-year marriage, is being replaced by a Light Group restaurant.

Cruise returned to Shintaro, where Kobe steaks fetch $170, a couple years later with Penelope Cruz.

Shintaro is the first of the original restaurants overlooking the dancing fountains to be replaced since Bellagio opened in 1998. The Japanese concept will continue, with an emphasis on sushi, I hear.

New York-based Light Group is replacing Light nightclub with another nightspot called The Bank. Light also operates Fix Restaurant at Bellagio, Jet nightclub at The Mirage, Stack Restaurant at The Mirage, Caramel Lounge at Bellagio, Mist Lounge at Treasure Island, and Diablo's Cantina at Monte Carlo.

Having an under-the-radar meeting, perhaps, with Dodgers brass at Wynn Las Vegas? That's where my spies said he was golfing on Oct. 26.

"He wasn't golfing," said Torre pal Bernie Schiappa, longtime general manager at Fletcher Jones Mercedes Benz.

I ran my theory past Schiappa at N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms on Friday. Schiappa thought it over for a minute and said he didn't want to comment on it.

Schiappa and Torre have been pals since 2003. They joined Terry Lanni, MGM Mirage chairman of the board and chief executive officer of MGM Mirage, as horse racing partners.

Torre's move to the Dodgers means shorter baseball trips for Schiappa, who took in Yankees games as Torre's guest. Seeing Torre in a Dodgers uniform will be a hoot for Schiappa, who grew up in New Jersey as a Brooklyn Dodgers fan and often caddied for Brooklyn stars Duke Snider, Don Newcombe and Junior Gilliam.

The Scene And Heard

Steve Schirripa is showcasing a ton of local talent in "The Vegas Va-Voom Variety Spectacular," the Nov. 14 kickoff event for The Comedy Festival.

Schirripa, a regular on "The Sopranos," will "revisit his Vegas heyday" as host and co-producer, along with band leader Lon Bronson and HBO.

In addition to Bronson's All-Star Band, the variety show, set for the Augustus Room at Caesars Palace, will include Red Rock Resort headliners Zowie Bowie, magician Kevin James, Schirripa's "Va-Voom" showgirls, and comedian Dom Irrera.

Bronson, who has been working with Schirripa as the bandleader of his TV talk show pilot, performs at Arizona Charlie's on weekends from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Monday 11-05-07

Cirque du O.J. returns this week, with the usual cast of quirky characters and a big question.

In the city with a gazillion hotel rooms, where is O.J. Simpson going to stay?

The disgraced NFL Hall of Famer and his fellow suspects face pretrial hearings on Thursday and Friday on charges stemming from a September incident at Palace Station.

Simpson has worn out his welcome at several hotels.

Corporate casino giants MGM Mirage and Harrah's have joined the Palms in preferring that O.J. and his media circus go elsewhere.

"We would be unable to accept a hotel reservation from (him) because of the operational challenges that the crush of media would likely present," MGM Mirage's Alan Feldman, an executive vice president, told Newsweek freelancer Steve Friess.

Harrah's Vice President Michael Weaver told Friess that the decision to allow a celebrity to check in "depends on whether or not there is any positive public relations to be obtained by it." In this case, Weaver said, the answer is a pretty firm "no."

Before Simpson was jailed in connection with the sports memorabilia grab at Palace Station, he was staying at the Palms.

It was "highly unlikely he'd stay here again," Palms owner George Maloof said in September. "We don't need the drama. It was a disruption and a hindrance to our other guests."

The 18th-fairway home at Shadow Creek formerly occupied by Steve and Elaine Wynn has been sold for a record-matching $17.5 million.

MGM Mirage sold the home last month through Shapiro & Sher Group at Prudential, Florence Shapiro and Ivan Sher confirmed Sunday. The buyer was not identified.

A member of the Wal-Mart family bought a MacDonald Highlands home for $17.5 million earlier this year, with $1.5 million in furniture added over and above the selling price.

The $17.5 million topped the previous record price of $14.5 million paid about a year ago for the 22,000-square-foot mansion at the estate of former strip club king Michael Galardi.

The Wynns lived for years at Shadow Creek, the exclusive course built by Steve Wynn as a perk for high rollers when he owned The Mirage. Only two homes are on the North Las Vegas course.

Tuesday 11-06-07

Marquee Tributes Urged for Goulet

Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority sent e-mails to the properties on Monday.

Only a handful of personalities, from Presidents John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan, and members of the Rat Pack have been honored with dimmed lights or marquee tributes.

A star of Broadway, film, TV and a Las Vegas headliner, Goulet, 73, died Oct. 30 in Los Angeles a couple of weeks after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.

His funeral will be at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer, 55 E. Reno Ave., at 1 p.m.

The LVCVA, with a $279.5 million budget in 2008 to promote Las Vegas through advertising, sales and special events, invited businesses to post the messages from noon to 12:15 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

"This will give photojournalists a chance to shoot the marquees on their way to the funeral service, and then again in the evening hours to take full advantage of the lighted effect."

Suggested messaging included: "Las Vegas remembers Robert Goulet, 1933-2007, a great star of the entertainment world."

The Scene And Heard

With the Vegas Grand Prix officially gone after one year, it looks as if the Mint 400 Great American Desert Race is being revived after a 20-year absence. Word is the race is set for March 28 at a site south of Las Vegas ... Mentalist Gerry McCambridge, who headlines at Hooters hotel and casino, has drawn tough duty during Wednesday's episode of NBC's new series, "Phenomenon" (KVBC-TV, Channel 3, 8 p.m.). McCambridge will be performing with Hugh Hefner's three girlfriends from the "Girls Next Door"...

Former "American Idol" runnerup Clay Aiken tapes his Christmas skating special for NBC tonight at The Orleans. He'll get some professional tips this afternoon from Sasha Cohen, the 2002 Olympic figure skating silver medalist. The show, which starts at 7:30 p.m. tonight, airs Christmas Day. Ticket information: 888-234-2334 or 702-284-7777.

Former Bellagio and Wynn Las Vegas executive Elizabeth Blau was honored Saturday by the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality for her work in the Las Vegas hospitality industry. Blau was a judge on an "Iron Chef America" episode last month. ...

Shintaro is indeed closing at Bellagio, to make room for a Light Group Japanese concept, but Tom Cruise's favorite restaurant at Bellagio was Jasmine, where he dined, on separate occasions, with Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz.

Wednesday 11-07-07

Copperfield Averts Extortion Attempt

A disgruntled employee has attempted to extort David Copperfield by releasing documents that allegedly detail Copperfield's backstage system for meeting women, his attorney said Tuesday.

Las Vegas defense attorney David Chesnoff, in a statement, said the MGM Grand headliner was "the victim of an unsuccessful extortion attempt by a disgruntled former employee. We believe these documents are a smear campaign which is a product of that unsuccessful shake down effort."

Chesnoff added, "The distorted and twisted claim that these meet and greets were designed as a dating service for Mr. Copperfield is ridiculous. In fact, thousands of audience participants were greeted in this fashion."

He added, "The innuendo that voluntary meetings with audience members has anything to do with forced, non-consensual activity is both untrue and unfair."

TMZ.com posted the documents at http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/05/copperfield-secret-document-how-to-pick-up-chicks/ on the Internet.

The FBI has been investigating a 21-year-old Seattle woman's reports that Copperfield pulled her out of the audience and invited her to the Bahamas, where she reported he raped her.

Scientology Rally

That benefit event featuring Usher at the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday had overtones of a recruiting rally for the Church of Scientology.

The event was billed as a $1,500-a-plate fundraiser for the New York City Rescue Workers Detox Program and Usher's New Look Program. Usher and actors Leah Remini and Danny Masterson co-chaired the evening.

Attendees included music legend Quincy Jones, a longtime Scientologist, and Venetian headliner Wayne Brady.

Tom Cruise, Scientology's highest-profile member, co-sponsored the 9/11 detox project to assist firefighters, police officers and emergency responders who were exposed to hazardous materials in the air after the collapse of the World Trade Center.

Usher has helped Cruise with previous fundraisers for the detox project, which flushes poisons from victims through an intense regimen of jogging, sauna and ingesting oils and high doses of niacin.

Media Update

Mitch Moss has replaced John Hanson as program director at ESPN radio 920 and Fox Sports Radio 1460. Hanson, who teamed up with Dave Cokin, left last month for a TV job in Minneapolis. Cokin is doing the 1-3 p.m. show solo, as is Moss, in the 3-5 time slot. ... O'Shea's comedian Vinnie Favorito is the solo host of the noon to 2 p.m. show on Fox Sports 1460 AM, after two weeks of co-hosting with Marc Savard. They recently replaced Ron Garrett and "The Sin City Sports Dude," co-hosts of "The Wise Guys." ... Sports talk veteran Papa Joe Chevalier has returned to the airwaves. He's on KLAV-AM 1230 Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m. His show can also be heard on the Internet at www.papajoetalk.com

The Scene And Heard

Terry Fator, winner of NBC's "America's Got Talent," has signed a 15-show deal for 2008 with the Las Vegas Hilton, it was announced Tuesday. He will perform at 6 p.m. New Year's Eve as well. ... Restaurateurs Michael Cetrulo and brother Joe of New York City's highly regarded Scalini Fedeli are in town, reportedly on a scouting mission. They dined at Guy Savoy Restaurant (Caesars Palace) on Sunday and Mario Batali's B and B Ristorante (Palazzo) on Monday night. ...

Los Tigres Del Norte will be honored at 4 p.m. today at a Las Vegas Walk of Stars ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel. The band is in town for the Latin Grammys on Thursday at Mandalay Bay. The event is for media and invited guests. The star installation will take place later this week outside the MGM Grand.

Thursday 11-08-07

Fabio, Clooney go head-to-head

Romance novel cover boy Fabio has experienced another bird incident. This one came when actor George Clooney flipped off Fabio and a table of his friends on Friday when Clooney thought they were taking pictures of him and Sarah Larson, his Las Vegas galpal.

The 6-foot-3 Fabio flew into Clooney's face, and a shoving match broke out, according to In Touch magazine. "Stop being a diva," Fabio reportedly told Clooney, explaining that the camera flashes were directed at his group, not Clooney and Larson. Clooney quickly paid the tab and left the Hollywood restaurant, Madeo, where Oscar winners Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci also were dining.

Fabio's manager told In Touch, "George is lucky he didn't end up in the ER." Fabio had his nose bloodied and broken during the inaugural ride of an attraction at Busch Gardens Tampa in 1996. Defying all odds, he was struck again on a thrill ride, when a stray goose flew into his face in 1999 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

The Scene And Heard

R-J reader Greg Clarke (no relation) has come up with a lodging option for O.J. Simpson, who is getting a cold shoulder from a number of major hotels. Simpson, who has a 10 a.m. pretrial hearing today in his armed robbery case, "should consider the New Frontier," Clarke said in an e-mail. "I hear they have VERY reasonable rates these days -- especially the upcoming night of Nov 12-13th. He should ask for a 15th floor room in the Atrium tower where he will certainly get the most bang for his buck! His media circus would also be most welcome." The New Frontier is being imploded at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. ...

Terry Fator, who signed a 15-show deal in 2008 with the Las Vegas Hilton, said the turning point of his career came two years ago during a long car ride from Las Vegas to Butte, Mont. Fator was riding with manager John Raymond, a Butte native. Fator, a ventriloquist, was singing a Garth Brooks song when Raymond said, "Have you ever seen Danny Gans?" On his next trip to Vegas, Fator saw Gans and the light bulb went off. Instead of doing comedy with his eight characters, Fator switched to singing. The payoff came quickly: He won the "America's Got Talent" show back in June, and he's one hot commodity. ...

Mexican actor Eduardo Verastegui, known as the Latin Brad Pitt, is in Las Vegas for the Latin Grammys tonight at Mandalay Bay and to promote his film, "Bella." He plays a soccer star who starts a new life as a cook in his brother's New York restaurant and meets a waitress, played by Tammy Blanchard, who turns his world upside down. ...

Among the White House invitees to Tuesday's social dinner for French President Nicolas Sarkozy: Las Vegas and Macau hotel magnate Sheldon Adelson his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson, French chef Guy Savoy of Paris and Guy Savoy Restaurant at Caesars Palace, Vice President Dick Cheney and Lynne Cheney, and New York Mets pitcher Tom Glavine.

Friday 11-09-07

'Camelot' to tinge Goulet's funeral

Echoes of the "Camelot" era will be heard today at the funeral of Broadway legend Robert Goulet.

He made his Broadway debut as a big-voiced Sir Lancelot in Lerner and Loewe's 1960 hit musical, which became a metaphor for the presidency of John F. Kennedy.

"I think he's the one who really inspired 'Camelot,'" said former Broadway producer Mike Merrick, a longtime Goulet pal. "The first time you hear 'Camelot,' it is Robert's voice."

Merrick will be among the speakers saying farewell to Goulet, 73, who died Oct. 30 after battling a rare lung condition.

Goulet's services will be held at the Shrine of the Holy Redeemer Church, 55 E. Reno Ave.

Sons Michael and Christopher, daughter Nicolette and grandchildren are in the program, as is Dr. David Kipper of Los Angeles.

Merrick, a Las Vegas resident, was Goulet's publicist for a decade, starting with "Camelot," which opened Dec. 3, 1960, at the Majestic Theater and closed Jan. 5, 1963.

After the assassination of Kennedy, his wife, Jacqueline, said in an interview that the president loved the original cast recording, especially the final number in which a young boy knighted by King Arthur is told to keep the story of Camelot alive.

Merrick said Goulet's wife, Vera, told him a large photo of Goulet as Lancelot is featured at the entrance of a JFK museum in Dallas, where Kennedy was killed Nov. 22, 1963.

CIRQUE DU O.J. DU JOUR

You're out of luck if you want to stay in the O.J. room at Palace Station, where the memorabilia grab occurred.

"There has been great fascination about the room where the incident took place," but the parent company, Station Casinos, has no plans to open it to the public or the media, company spokesman Lori Nelson said.

The requests are from people who want to tour the room or from media, including national news outlets, that asked to be the first to stay in the room and report from it.

"Because we knew this would become a media circus anyway, we chose to take the high road," Nelson said.

"But we did have a couple people come up to the hotel registration, toss their credit card on the desk and say, 'Charge me whatever you want so I can stay in the room."

The Scene And Heard

Beacher's Madhouse creator Jeff Beacher is donating the net proceeds from tonight's show at the Hard Rock Hotel for one of his little-people performers. Robin Sherwood, a member of Beacher's Oompa Loompas troupe, the Tiny Kiss band and a member of a wrestling team that spoofs the UFC, has been hospitalized with kidney failure. Beacher said he is forming the Robin Sherwood Oompa Loompa Foundation. Gene Simmons of KISS is the featured "Madhouse" act tonight at The Joint. ...

Actor-comedian Kevin Pollack will open for Barbra Streisand, who performs at a private grand-opening weekend event Nov. 17 at Planet Hollywood Resort. Pollack, a friend of founding Planet Hollywood investor Bruce Willis, will join him and more than 100 celebrities on the red carpet.