December '07 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 12-08-07

Mayweather likes to flash the cash

Most nights, Floyd Mayweather Jr. hits the red carpet with more diamonds than Lucy's sky.

In the city that's seen a galaxy of big spenders, the 30-year-old welterweight champ is the reigning king of flash and cash.

Name a nightclub or strip club and Mayweather has likely rained thick wads of $100 bills on the crowd, often $10,000 a night. That doesn't include the Cristal champagne he showers on his entourage and club patrons.

"I've seen him (make it rain) at least 20 times in the last couple years," said Branden Powers, marketing director for Forum Shops hotspot Poetry, formerly OPM, one of Mayweather's favorite haunts.

"Pound for pound, he's the best tipper," Powers said.

One lucky stripper got a $50,000 tip one night, according to my spies.

When Mayweather and his posse roll, each with a gold goblet on occasion, it's not unusual to see his mini-fleet made up of a Maybach, a Mercedes McLaren SLR and a Rolls Royce Phantom, each worth about $500,000.

Mayweather and British champ Ricky Hatton meet tonight in a battle of unbeatens at the MGM Grand.

With celebrities seemingly being targeted more often, including the recent home-invasion murder of Sean Taylor, the Washington Redskins' young star, I asked Mayweather if he considered dialing back his ostentatious public persona.

"I think athletes are targeted, but sometimes you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

"That situation that happened happens every day around the world. It just happened to be a star athlete," added Mayweather, who was dripping in diamonds, including a studded religious cross as wide and as long as a hand.

"With me it's entertainment," Mayweather said Thursday night, after a red carpet appearance at Tabu Ultra Lounge at the MGM Grand for a Toys for Tots drive.

"We're in the entertainment capital of the world," Mayweather told me. "Why not bring something different to the sport? Flash and flair.

"When you watch Floyd Mayweather, you don't just see a guy who entertains -- a guy that's flamboyant -- but also a kid who has a heart and who gives back to the community, to kids who are less fortunate."

Powers said: "I've seen him buying out Nike Town, with 20 to 30 bags of shoes in tow."

Added Mayweather, "I'm just going to surround myself with the right people ... good, clean guys," he paused, "and security."

"He travels with more muscle than John Gotti did," Powers said.

The Scene And Heard

Hot spots, cool stuff: Mayweather's after-party is at Jet, and Hatton's is at Body English at the Hard Rock. ...

Last call for the online silent auction being conducted by cast, crew and orchestra of "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular." They are presenting "A Phantom Family Holiday Concert: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" to benefit Family Promise of Las Vegas. The concert is 2 p.m. Sunday at the Nicholas Horn Theater, on the Cheyenne Campus of the College of Southern Nevada. Admission: $30 donation per person. To bid: www.Family PromiseLVTickets.com.

Sunday 12-09-07

Knievel pal recalls rapper's shooting

One more Evel Knievel story from his Vegas days with buddy Joey Battig.

They were riding in a limo with dates after attending the Mike Tyson-Bruce Seldon fight on Sept. 7, 1996.

The limo was heading eastbound on Flamingo Road and was about to pull into the driveway of the Maxim Hotel (now the Best Western), where Knievel lived in the penthouse.

"Michael Jordan's limo was in front of us," Battig said. "All of a sudden we heard about six loud pops and Evel said, 'Those are gunshots, hit the floor.'"

The car in front of Jordan's limo had come under fire. Rapper Tupac Shakur, who was riding with music mogul Suge Knight, died from injuries he received in the shooting. The slaying went unsolved.

Knievel's funeral is Monday in Butte, Mont. The motorcycle daredevil died Nov. 30 at age 69.

The Scene And Heard

TV food personality Rachael Ray signs copies of her new book "Just in Time" at Sur la Table from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort.

It is a ticketed event, with tickets going to those who buy a book.

Monday 12-10-07

NORM: Brits show little respect at fight

United Kingdom icons Tom Jones and David Beckham were caught in the middle of a "really nasty" U.S.-British incident Saturday when British fans booed and whistled during the singing of the U.S. national anthem at the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Ricky Hatton fight at the MGM Grand.

Jones, after singing the British anthem on behalf of Hatton, and Beckham, who, like Jones, lives on U.S. soil, squirmed a bit as the rowdy Brits tried drowning the singing of Tyrese Gibson.

"I've never seen anything like it, not even at the Olympics," said Tim Dahlberg, national sports columnist for The Associated Press.

"I saw a photographer on the ring apron giving the finger to the Brits and American writers yelling at them," said Dahlberg, who is based in Las Vegas and has been covering major fights for AP for almost 30 years.

"It was really nasty," said Dahlberg, who has witnessed numerous nationalistic incidents in the nine Olympics he has covered.

"It's one thing to root against the other guy, but to disrespect a national anthem was in real bad taste," he added.

Anti-Brit sentiments were still running high well after the fight. When Mayweather arrived at Jet nightclub at The Mirage at 2 a.m., Kid Rock had the deejay play Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The U.S.A.," whipping the club crowd into a frenzy.

CHRISTMAS GIVERS

Boosted by $5,000 donations from local headliners Toni Braxton and Wayne Brady, deejay Chet Buchanan's annual KLUC-FM, 98.5 Christmas toy drive shattered its previous record for gift cards by taking in more than $50,000.

Other celebrity donations came from George Wallace, Ne-Yo, Boyz II Men, Dane Cook, Mosaic, the Chippendales, Zowie Bowie, Jason Giambi and Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls.

Joe Montana showed up in person and offered an autographed football to the person who donates the most bikes by today. Brady also chipped in 10 bikes.

Buchanan's 12-day stay atop a 30-foot high scaffolding ends at 10 a.m. today at the Nevada Power building, 6226 W. Sahara Ave.

Tuesday 12-11-07

British fans fault Mayweather Jr.

British boxing fans are blaming a hooligan element and Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s inflammatory remarks for the booing of the American national anthem at the Ricky Hatton-Mayweather fight Saturday.

"That was not directed at Americans, it was directed at Mayweather and his bigheadedness," said Sean Reynolds, a 19-year-old boxer from West Yorkshire, England.

The booing and whistling came from a faction of British soccer fans who are "well-known for their hooliganism," Reynolds said.

Mayweather, who knocked out Hatton, the undefeated British champ, in the 10th round Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden, deserves some of the blame, said Reynolds and his father, Mark, who runs a boxing club.

"That was not directed at Americans, it was directed at Mayweather and his bigheadedness," said Sean Reynolds, a 19-year-old boxer from West Yorkshire, England.

The booing and whistling came from a faction of British soccer fans who are "well-known for their hooliganism," Reynolds said.

On the subject of baseball, Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka continues to add to his legend.

Competing against U.S. pro athletes, the Japanese star won the longest-drive competition last month during a tournament at Shadow Creek, the exclusive MGM Mirage course.

Matsuzaka became a national hero in Japan's top high school baseball tournament in 1998 when he threw 250 pitches in a 17-inning game a day after a 148-pitch complete game shutout. In the tournament finale, he threw a no-hitter.

Also taking bows at Shadow Creek was Fred Couples, who tied Tiger Woods' course record with an 11-under par 60. That's a big step for a guy who has been out of competition since the Masters with a serious back injury.

The Scene And Heard

New York Post gossip columnist Liz Smith is reporting Cher has canceled her headline appearance at a Los Angeles gala because of a health problem. Cher announced more than a year ago that she had a deal to headline at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, but there has been no official confirmation. There have been reports an announcement is being withheld until Bette Midler launches her show at Caesars in February. ...

Southern Wines' Larry Ruvo and his wife, Camille, on Sunday attended the White House Christmas party featuring Italian singing star Andrea Bocelli. The Ruvos wound up sitting beside President Bush and first lady Laura Bush.

Wednesday 12-12-07

Beckhams check bawdy side of LV

British soccer star David Beckham and his wife, Victoria, spiced things up Monday by sampling Sin City's bawdy side.

Spies say they spent three hours in a private room at Spearmint Rhino, an adult entertainment club often favored by celebrities.

When Beckham walked in, I'm told, the scene looked like a jail break.

Beckham and his wife were in town for a long weekend that included the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Ricky Hatton title fight and three concerts by the reunited Spice Girls, who played their final show here on Tuesday. Beckham's wife is "Posh Spice."

The Beckhams had dinner with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes at SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas on Sunday night.

SHOW MUST GO ON

There's no business like show business, and Flamingo headliner George Wallace gave 'em a show to remember Saturday.

The veteran comedian was forced to wheel around the Flamingo stage on an office chair after rupturing his Achilles tendon earlier in the evening during a corporate gig at Bellagio.

Left with one good leg, Wallace gamely went ahead with his 10 p.m. show -- and had the house rocking while he rolled.

"I didn't want to use a wheelchair, ala George Wallace," cracked Wallace, a reference to Alabama's segregationist governor who was shot during the 1972 presidential campaign and required a wheelchair the rest of his life.

The comedian tripped on a coil of speaker wire during his appearance at Bellagio in front of an Asian banking group.

Wallace finished his gig standing in one spot and walked off using the mic stand as a crutch.

"Everybody thought I was kidding," he said.

During his show at the Flamingo, he worked his accident into his routine and ended up with two doctors on stage.

"One was an orthopedic surgeon, and the other was a pathologist. I told him, "If I see ever you again in light, that will be too soon for me.'" The orthopedic surgeon offered his help and some advice. "He told the boys from Mosaic (his opening act) 'Sing loud, because this is going to hurt.'"

"A camera guy told me afterwards, 'I think you'll want to save this DVD; it's one of the best shows we've had here," said Wallace, who has put off getting a cast on his leg until later this week.

The Scene And Heard

The finale of the Third Annual image Model Search will take place tonight in the Great Hall at the Fashion Show mall at 7 p.m.

Mike Mecca, chief executive officer at Planet Hollywood Resort, will announce the winners. The public is invited ...

U2 fan Bill Gerski still hasn't found what he's looking for, so he's sold his Hurricane Bar and Grill, 10420 Bermuda Road., in the Silverado Ranch area. Village Pub has purchased the live band venue. "The good news is we'll have one more band this Saturday," said Gerski. Fittingly, he's hired the U2 tribute band, Achtung Baby, for the farewell party.

Correction: The Maxim hotel, where Evel Knievel formerly lived in the penthouse, is now the Westin Casuarina.

Thursday 12-13-07

Vegas gets ready for the big squeal

Hannah Montana mania is coming to town.

The hottest ticket in show business goes on sale at noon Saturday for Disney superstar Miley Cyrus, who plays Hannah Montana. She'll be at the MGM Grand for two shows, Jan. 18-19, according to a report by KVBC-TV, Channel 3, entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs.

Miley is the 15-year-old daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, who had a No. 1 hit in "Achy Breaky Heart" in 1992.

Jacobs also reported that Donald Trump's Miss USA Pageant will be at Planet Hollywood Resort on April 11 and will be broadcast live.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

Pamela Anderson and new husband Rick Salomon are developing a reality show of their lives for E! Network, according to Us Weekly.

Anderson and Salomon, who both made headlines for infamous sex videos with other partners, were married in Las Vegas on Oct. 6.

Anderson just finished a six-month run at Planet Hollywood Resort as a magician's assistant in Hans Klok's "The Beauty of Magic."

Jacobs reported late Wednesday that Anderson will stay at the property and will star in an erotic show that'll replace the "Stomp" show.

“Definitely not a done deal," I'm told.

The Scene And Heard

Showman Jeff Beacher said he's shifting "Beacher's Madhouse" to a touring mode because the demand "has been amazing." He's booking clubs around the country, and "it's a home run for us and for the venues." His three-year relationship with the Hard Rock Hotel will continue, he said, with occasional shows. "I love the Hard Rock. It's what made me who I am today, it's the best place for talent to work, but the demand for my show around the country has been amazing."

Marie Radeva and Avi Dan-Goor won their divisions of the Review-Journal's third image model search Wednesday at Fashion Show mall. She is a foreign student from Bulgaria and the adopted daughter of former Gov. Bob Miller and his wife, Sandy. Dan-Goor told the judges he has lost 100 pounds over several years. ...

Mischa Barton of "The O.C." will join celebrity chef Kerry Simon as co-host of the opening of his restaurant CatHouse Loungerie on Dec. 29 in the Luxor. ...

Rap and R&B singer/songwriter Ne-Yo, fresh from four Grammy nominations, has an album signing at 5 p.m. today at the Wal-Mart at Lake Mead and Rancho. ...

The Lifetime Channel is taping footage today for "Top This Party" with cast members from "Bite," the topless revue at the Stratosphere. A benefit party to celebrate the 1,000th show is scheduled for 6 p.m. at producer Tim Molyneux's house. The event benefits the Gynecological Cancer Foundation.

Friday 12-14-07

Thankful singer gets sentimental

A sentimental Celine Dion said she will forever remember Caesars Palace as the site of her son's first steps.

"And his first potty training," she told the Governor's Conference on Tourism on Thursday at Caesars Palace.

Gov. Jim Gibbons presented Dion, whose 4 ½ -year run at Caesars Palace ends Saturday, with the newly created Nevada Entertainer of the New Millennium Award.

The award recognized Dion for "entertaining millions and changing the lives of all Nevadans through her commitment to philanthropic giving."

Nevada first lady Dawn Gibbons gifted Dion with a Nevada-mined turquoise necklace.

Dion told the gathering she will miss her life in Las Vegas and thanked her husband/manager Rene Angelil for "taking the big gamble."

"As you know, my husband is a gambler, and I'm glad he is," she said.

Angelil couldn't be happier, either. He won more than $1 million in a $100,000 buy-in no-limit Texas hold-em poker tournament this week at Caesars Palace.

The Scene And Heard

Pamela Anderson sounds like she's got cold feet about doing a TV reality show with husband Rick Salomon. In a diary entry Thursday on her Web site, Anderson acknowledged she was considering it "only to promote and have people see what it's like to create a show and be on stage starring in a big Vegas production ... probably not happening anymore." She added, "I have to make a lot of big decisions." ...

Oscar winner and Broadway legend Liza Minnelli was hospitalized in Sweden on Wednesday after collapsing in an early Christmas show performance. She flew back to the United States Thursday morning. "It was a terrible situation," local promoter Michael Silfverskiold told Reuters. "She fell off the side of the stage. The production manager caught her." ...

Ex-bull rider Carl Nafzger, who trained Kentucky Derby winners Unbridled (1990) and Street Sense (2007), is in town for the National Finals Rodeo. He was a three-time NFR bull riding qualifier (1963-65) and finished 1963 ranked third overall. ...

Remember the name: Fast-rising country singer Jason Michael Carroll performs at Stoney's Rockin' Country at 9:30 p.m. today. His debut single, "Alyssa Lies," hit the Top 10 last year on Billboard's Hot Country Songs charts.

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