February '08 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 1-26-08

FORMER MISS USA CONNER PULLS OUT OF VEGAS EVENT

Former Miss USA Tara Conner pulled out of a Las Vegas nightclub event Friday after Donald Trump's national organization viewed it as inappropriate.

Conner, who was almost stripped of her title a year ago, was to be crowned Miss Jet Nightclub by dethroned former Miss Nevada USA Katie Rees at The Mirage. Rees was crowned Miss Jet a year ago in a mock coronation after she was dumped by Nevada's Miss USA organization after shocking photos of her appeared on the Internet.

Sources say Miss USA organizers were informed of the Jet event after an item ran in Norm Clarke's column in the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Friday edition and saw it as another example of Conner's poor judgment and pressured her to back out.

The Jet event was to include a little person impersonating Trump, who owns the Miss USA and Miss Universe franchises. Trump gave Conner a second chance and allowed her to remain as Miss USA after reports of indiscretions that included underage drinking, drug use and kissing Miss Teen USA Katie Blair of Montana.

Conner's event would have come a few days before an announcement that the Miss USA pageant will be held at Planet Hollywood Resort on April 11.

JAHNA STEELE R.I.P.

Las Vegas transgender legend Jahna Steele has died, according to her close friends.

Steele rose from a Texas altar boy to the title of Las Vegas' sexiest showgirl. She was a member of the "Crazy Girls" topless revue at the Riviera before being outed in 1992 by the syndicated TV show "A Current Affair."

Steele grew up in San Antonio as John Matheny before undergoing a sex change in his early 20s. After her identity became public, she dropped out of show business for several years because of personal issues, including drug use.

THE PRIDE OF UTAH

Look for Miss Utah Jill Stevens to have one of the largest cheering sections at today's Miss America finals.

Stevens hails from Cedar City, about a two-hour drive northeast of Las Vegas. And I'm guessing she'll be a sentimental choice because of her military background.

A member of the Utah National Guard for seven years, Stevens served more than a year (2004) in Afghanistan as a combat medic based at Bagram Air Base. When she wasn't riding helicoptors into hot spots, she was treating injured soldiers and assisting Afghan locals.

On one of her missions, she noticed a cross-eyed 5-year-old village girl. Stevens not only talked tribal elders into allowing her to help, but also recruited a U.S. Army surgeon to correct the condition. The child later was Stevens' guest on the base.

A 12-time marathoner, Stevens won the women's division of the first Afghanistan Marathon.

Her biggest local supporter is her father, who works at a Las Vegas auto body shop.

"Miss America Live!" airs on TLC at 8 p.m.

The Scene And Heard

Among the evacuees from the Monte Carlo fire Friday: entertainers Gavin and Lydia, aka Soul Mystique. They had to leave behind all the costumes and props for their show, "Variety Live! Direct from The London Palla-dium," which opens next weekend at the Suncoast. The show will go on, the Suncoast said.

Sunday 01-27-08

TV newswoman didn't get it right

Morning show co-anchor Monica Jackson is on the hot seat at KVVU-Channel 5 for her shaky coverage of the Monte Carlo fire.

Jackson's inaccurate reports, including claims of trapped workers and evacuations at Bellagio and City Center, came under criticism from several news outlets, including a rare on-air rebuke from a fellow anchor.

KLAS-TV veteran anchor Gary Waddell told viewers several times that the Fox station had its facts wrong.

Jackson's report of workers trapped on the roof was picked up by other networks and news outlets and later corrected.

Casey Hendrickson, afternoon drive-time host at KXNT Radio, 840 AM, called Jackson's reporting "unprofessional and irresponsible. It was like she was reporting the apocalypse."

Even after fire authorities said there was nothing to the story of trapped workers, Hendrickson said he flipped over to Fox "and they were saying those people were rescued."

The evacuation claims could have caused panic and injury, he said.

Jackson is Fox5's co-anchor of the celebrity-driven morning show "More."

KVVU news director Adam Bradshaw could not be reached by deadline. A message on his cell phone said he was out of the country until Monday.

WYNN'S $25 MILLION SURPRISE

Resort developer Steve Wynn made a surprise announcement Thursday that left his wife, Elaine, in tears.

Before a private dinner on the eve of the Communities in Schools national board meeting at Wynn Las Vegas, Wynn informed the board that he was committing $25 million to establish an endowment for the nation's largest dropout prevention organization.

Elaine Wynn, the organization's new national chairwoman, said in an e-mail Saturday that she and her husband had discussed wanting to start an endowment for CIS.

"But I had no idea the amount he was considering and when he would want to do it," she said. "I think he was so impressed by the new information he heard during our program, that he decided right then and there to make this extraordinary commitment. Even though I know how generous he is, this was a gesture that completely overwhelmed me. I did lose my composure."

CIS is in over 3,400 schools and impacts over 1.5 million children, including the Las Vegas branch.

BETTE ON OPRAH

Bette Midler arrives in Las Vegas this week to continue rehearsals for the Feb. 20 debut of "The Showgirl Must Go On" at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

But first she's going on "Oprah" on Monday to beat the drums for her return to Las Vegas as a two-year resident headliner.

Meanwhile, Tait Towers, a Pennsylvania-based lighting company, issued a recent news release announcing they have been hired by Caesars for work with the property's three-artist rotation in 2008 "that begins with Bette Midler and includes Cher and Elton John."


Monday 01-28-08

Executive defends coverage of blaze A top executive at KVVU-TV, Channel 5, is defending the station's coverage of the Monte Carlo fire. In an e-mail, Holly Steuart, vice president and general manager at KVVU-TV, took issue with the wording in my Sunday item that said anchor Monica Jackson is "on the hot seat" for her reporting. "On the contrary: I applaud her outstanding performance during a very fluid breaking news situation," Steuart said. "Our reporting of workers on the roof was sourced on reports coming from our network, Fox News, and Monica attributed the information correctly." Steuart was referring to reports of trapped workers, which Clark County fire authorities said didn't happen. Steuart dismissed the on-air criticism by KLAS-TV, Channel 8, anchor Gary Waddell and KXNT-radio, 840 AM, host Casey Hendrickson. "While I always appreciate the competition monitoring our broadcasts, their opinions are irrelevant," she said. "Our viewers are the final arbiters of our performance," she said. "My news team produced over five hours of continuous live coverage when the fire broke out and I commend every one of them." ADVISE AND DISSENT The wrong contestant won the 2008 Miss America pageant, said an adviser hired by the organization to encourage a new look. Celebrity photographer Mark Liddell, a member of the three-person advisory panel for the reality show "Miss America: Reality Check," said Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash, who was first runner-up to 19-year-old Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund, "was the most modern." "Miss America isn't totally ready for change," he told me. Twice asked for his reaction to Miss Michigan's win, Liddell said, "No comment." "Change is a good thing," he said. "Maybe next year." The reality show's advisory board, which also included celebrity stylist Jeanie Mae and Us Weekly editor Dina Sansing, picked Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto as the winner in the final episode Friday. Rash was their second choice. One of the Miss America judges, former Miss Ohio Robin Meade, an anchor on CNN's Headline News, said Liddell "didn't have the advantage of the private judging interview." Haglund was "very poised and very real" during the interviews, Meade said. "We want someone who is not a speaking robot. She didn't act like she was a 40-year-old stuck in a 20-year-old body. "This is not your momma's Miss America," Meade added. The Scene And Heard I'll take a bow for this report I posted on normclarke.com after attending Tuesday's preliminaries: "Most impressive of the night: The poise of Miss Michigan, 19-year-old Kirsten Haglund, who won swimsuit competition and undoubtedly scored high with her evening gown. From the row behind me, I heard a veteran pageant goer gasp and say, 'Now that's a dress!' This kid is a natural."... John O'Hurley returns as King Arthur in "Spamalot' at Wynn Las Vegas tonight. He left the show in September to promote his new book, "Before Your Dog Can Eat Your Homework, First You Have To Do It -- Life Lessons from a Wise Old Dog to a Young Boy." The break included a 21-city book tour, hosting the National Dog Show and attending his father's 80th birthday. ... Las Vegas-based Mosaic, winner of CBS' "The Early Show" a cappella contest in December, received the prize today: a live appearance on the CBS morning show. The judges were Boyz II Men.

Tuesday 01-29-08

The Queen's Tiara was Most Unruly

KVVU-TV, Channel 5, anchor Monica Jackson is convinced I'm a royal pain.

Which explains why she donned a tiara, proclaimed herself queen and gave me a lecture on Journalism 101 during Fox 5's Monday morning show "More."

Her beef had to do with my Sunday column in which I pointed out that KLAS-TV, Channel 8, and KXNT-radio, AM 840, were critical of her coverage of the Monte Carlo fire, including her dramatic reports that four workers were trapped and Bellagio and City Center were being evacuated.

She began her rant Monday with the claim that I "attacked" her when she first arrived here 31/2 years ago.

That "attack" was a rehash of a 2002 off-camera catfight involving Jackson at a Detroit TV station. Quoting the Detroit News, a "festering personality conflict" came to a head between Jackson, then a traffic reporter at the ABC affiliate, and morning anchor Carolyn Clifford.

The News reported that the feud had to do with Jackson's unhappiness that she lost out on the morning anchor spot given to Clifford. One morning, they exchanged some off-camera taunts and finger-pointing that escalated to chest-bumping and a hair-pulling battle that was broken up by a male co-anchor.

Jackson was placed on administrative leave, according to the Detroit newspaper.

During her two-minute rant Monday, Jackson admonished me for not trying harder to get a Fox 5 comment on the coverage (a phone message to news director Adam Bradshaw was not returned) and for not using my "platform" in a more "positive manner.

"So let me teach you how you're supposed to do this, sir. You are supposed to thank your firemen, who were on the scene at the Monte Carlo, the emergency workers, also the police, because they did a fantastic job. You don't use your platform to lambaste me personally. I'm married by the way, so I can't help you.

"And when you are the queen," she said as she placed a tiara on her head, "you will always be a royal subject, so bow down. The next time you want to talk to me, give me a call. The number is 435-5555 and get it right."

With that, the tiara toppled off her head.

After fire closed the Monte Carlo, Lance Burton was a hit

when he performed magic tricks in the lobby as people

came to reclaim their belongings over the weekend.

Wednesday 01-30-08

Spears didn't pay bills, lawsuit says

A local fashion consultant is suing Britney Spears for more than $50,000 because the singer hasn't paid her clothing bills.

Nancy Rosu on Jan. 18 filed a complaint in District Court alleging that Spears hasn't paid her since August 2007. Rosu, who is a fashion consultant and purchases and ships clothing to Spears and her children, has worked with Spears since August 2006.

Rosu's attorney, Natricia Tricano, said Spears owes her client an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 for clothing -- including custom items -- Rosu purchased on the singer's behalf.

She said Rosu tried to contact Spears' personal assistants and accountants for about two months but hasn't had any luck getting compensation.

Despite the lawsuit, Rosu wants to continue the relationship with Spears, Tricano said.

"There's no ill will or hard feelings," Tricano told R-J court reporter David Kihara. "I know she's (Spears) got a lot of things going on in her life."

Last summer, Spears' bodyguard, Cesar Julio Camera, got into a scuffle with paparazzi at the Wynn Las Vegas. He was cited for misdemeanor battery.

Thursday 01-31-08

Miss USA contest lands in Las Vegas

It's official: Hard on the stiletto heels of the Miss America pageant comes the announcement that the Miss USA contest is landing in Las Vegas for the first time.

Donald Trump, owner of the Miss USA franchise and Miss World competition, is holding the event at Planet Hollywood Resort, host of the Miss America event the past three years.

Trump is hoping to restore some luster to the Miss USA event after a scandalous stint by Tara Conner, the 2006 winner. Trump almost stripped her of the title after she admitted to underage drinking, drug use and sexual improprieties.

The announcement appeared Wednesday on the Miss USA Web site, www.missusa.com.

The Scene And Heard

UFC icon Chuck Liddell signs copies of his book, "Iceman: My Fighting Life," from 6-9 p.m. today at the bar at the main entrance to the Mandalay Bay Events Center. It's a ticketed event and tickets can be obtained only through advance purchase at The Reading Room at Mandalay Place. ...

Twenty-five cast members from "Love," the Beatles-Cirque du Soleil collaboration, will perform live at the Grammys 50th anniversary at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The dancers and acrobats will be performing to a specially edited "A Day in the Life" from the "Love" album. The Grammy Awards will air on CBS at 8 p.m. on Feb. 10. ...

I hear George Wallace might have a very famous guest on stage with him tonight at the Flamingo. They are old pals, and the mystery man is a regular headliner here. ...

Poker icon Doyle Brunson has probably already framed my Wednesday column after reading a sighting at Ferraro's that identified him as "former UFC champion and poker star Doyle Brunson." Inadvertently omitted after "UFC champion" was the name Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, the UFC light heavyweight champ. Either way, I'm flirting with a caning or a maiming.

Friday 02-01-08

Brady's keeping fine company

Romance has bloomed on the Strip between Venetian headliner Wayne Brady and a local topless dancer.

Brady, who starred in "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," and Meeka Onstead, a member of "X Burlesque" at the Flamingo, have been dating about two months, spies say.

The Emmy-winning comedian was spotted with the South African beauty at the "Hannah Montana" concert 10 days ago, shopping in the Forum Shops at Caesars and at the "X" show.

Brady, 35, was divorced last year after an eight-year marriage.

Onstead, 24, was an Olympic gymnast for South Africa.

The Scene And Heard

Tony Sacca, longtime syndicated entertainment producer /host, will join the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. His star ceremony will be Feb. 17 at 2:30 p.m. at Josette's Bistro, 4983 W. Flamingo Road. The star will be placed on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard at Flamingo, near the site of the original MGM Grand (now the site of Bally's). Sacca and his twin brother, Robert, got their first Las Vegas nightclub act booking at the original MGM Grand. ...

Diana Ross' diva act is wearing thin again. She was booed and heckled by a crowd Saturday in Montego Bay, Jamaica, when the 40,000 concert-goers were told Ross would not be shown on the jumbo screens. Sound familiar? She insisted on the same thing at the grand opening party for the Palazzo. In both cases, many concert-goers were so far away from the stage, they couldn't tell if it was Diana Ross or Betsy Ross. She also restricted cameras in Jamaica, like she did at the Palazzo party, but it was ignored here. ...

NBC will air the Miss USA contest April 11 from the 7,000-seat Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort. ...

Message on the Palms' marquee: "Thank You Clark County Fire Department Las Vegas and the World Are Safe With You!" ...

That was Robby Gordon, not Jeff Gordon, who ran the fastest lap at Pole Position Raceway during Tuesday's celebrity-studded grand opening.

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