November '07 Entertainment—The Vegas Eye Column

Vegas Eye Exclusive

Five years ago Iron Chef Kerry Simon opened Simon Kitchen at The Hard Rock Hotel with his partner, restaurant maven Elizabeth Blau. Simon has always known as the place to see and be seen. It was rare that a celebrity would come into Vegas an not stop in to the restaurant for dinner and to say hello to Chef Simon. All good things must come to an end. There are many different stories on why Simon is leaving The Hard Rock. But, why point fingers.

I am excited to give you the the good news. Simon has struck a deal with our good friend and owner of The Palms George Maloof. Simon at Palms Place is going to be added to the line up with brands like Sunset Tan that will be located at Palms Place condominium hotel, connected to the Palms by The Sky Tube, a beautiful, glass- enclosed, elevated moving walkway, permitting residents constant admittance to the amenities at the Palms. This 50-story, 520-foot condominium hotel will feature 599 condos with an exclusive, gated entryway, a 50,000-square-foot pool and spa facility. Simon at Palms Place is set to open in early spring. As Kerry further develops the restaurant design and the new menu I will continue to keep you updated.

Stroman Rocks Love!

Entertainment marketing guru Mark Stroman has been brought in by The Morgans Group to try and revive the Hard Rock Hotels’ brand that was created by Peter Morton and maintained for over 10 years by marketing VP’s like Yale Rowe (who is now building another dream team further South on the strip at The Silverton).

Stroman is coming in after almost a year of well-publicized scandals and bad partnering decisions that have lead to rumors in gaming revenue decline and poor overall casino attendance. Stroman has consulted on large projects like this for over 25 years and is highly respected and has always been successful. He will begin his campaign on Monday with the shooting of VH1’s Rock of Love season 2.

Former Poison front man Bret Michaels will reprise his role as the object of affection for Rock of Love's second season, which is scheduled to premiere in early 2008. Rock of Love's first season premiered in mid-July. The reality dating series followed Michaels as he whittled down a group of bachelorettes to Jes Rickleff, a 23-year-old cosmetologist from Chicago, IL, and my friend Heather Chadwell, a 32-year-old exotic dancer from our dear old town Las Vegas.

While Chadwell seemed better suited for Michaels' rock 'n roll lifestyle, he chose Rickleff as his selected suitor during the show's September 30 finale broadcast.

However Rickleff already ended her romantic relationship with Michaels, informing him that it was over when she returned home to Chicago after filming the show because she's instead decided to remain with her Windy City-based boyfriend. VH1 formally revealed Rickleff's decision during the broadcast of Rock of Love's reunion special.

Hard Rock my Love

Bret Michaels, star of VH1 hit show Rock of Love and lead singer of Poison, was spotted all over the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino yesterday (11.19.07) as well as today (11.20.07). He experienced the Rock Spa, visited the Penthouse, dined at AJ’s Steakhouse and was seen outside at the pool. Michaels was surrounded by a pack of lovely ladies and stopped a number of times to take photos with fans.

Wayne Newton Cancels Vegas Shows Due to Heart Condition

My friend Mark Gray from People Magazine just reported at people.com that a viral infection to the heart called cardiomyopathy has sidelined entertainer Wayne Newton for several months, but the star tells PEOPLE exclusively that he’s “going to be just fine.”

As a result of his condition, the former Dancing with the Stars contestant has had to cancel a two-month engagement at Harrahs in Las Vegas and will be forced to miss performing in the upcoming Dancing finale, though he will be there.

“This is just another little bump in the road,” Newton said. “The doctors are a little more concerned than I am. Part of their concern is that I feel so good—I’m not taking this lightly.”

The man known as “Mr. Las Vegas” successfully battled the condition in the past after having contracted a virus in 2001 in Afghanistan while performing as part of a USO tour.

Doctors have told Newton he should be back to full health within two months.

And Newton, who says being away from the stage is “awful,” is already gearing up to get back to what he loves best: performing. On Thursday he films a segment for Ellen DeGeneres as part of her TBS special, Ellen’s Really Big Show. He’s also going ahead with plans to perform on a portion of the Dancing with the Stars tour, which starts next month.

“I really want to apologize to the fans that were going to see me in those shows,” he said. “I’m terribly apologetic. And for those who want to paint this situation with a black brush, they’re not going to get their wish. I’m going to be fine.”

What a Rack

Taking Bada Bing to a whole new level

James Gandolfini gropes the hostess with the mostest Frank Marino Tuesday for the unveiling of "The Sopranos" slot machines. Gandolfini quipped, "What a rack!" Both New Yorkers and of Italian descent were in casino heaven at the gaming industry's annual event.