January '08 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 1-12-08

Mayor pals with 'Las Vegas' cast

Mayor Oscar Goodman won't be inviting actress Molly Sims to a drinking contest.

"She's a very naughty lady," said Hizzoner, recalling the still-foggy details of the night Sims went shot for shot with him while shooting an episode of NBC's "Las Vegas."

The scene called for them to down boilermakers, a shot of whiskey dropped, glass and all, into a mug of beer.

"The best thing about this, in the history of my life, is that we did it four times," Goodman told a gathering at the Palms' ghostbar, site of the 100th episode party where he issued ceremonial keys to the city.

"I had no idea until I saw the episode what happened that night," said the mayor. "Molly, you didn't take enough advantage of me."

"Next time, next time," Sims hollered back.

Sims' cast mates, Josh Duhamel, James Lesure and newcomer Camille Guaty, were on hand for the occasion.

Goodman, who had three cameos (two that he remembers) on the show, is so popular that Duhamel told the mayor that he hoped the key to the city included stopping by Goodman's home.

While reminiscing, Duhamel said his favorite episode, of course, would be No. 30, the one that featured the Black Eyed Peas as guest stars in the 2004-05 season. He and band member Fergie, who met on the set, got engaged last month.

"It was a pre-existing crush," Duhamel said.

Gary Scott Thompson, the show's creator, has been in love with Las Vegas since his first visit and carries a daily reminder with him.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a $1 gaming chip from the Desert Inn, where Wynn Las Vegas now stands.

"I was 16 years old and I actually played craps with my dad at one of the older casinos, the Frontier or Sands," he said. "I remember playing keno with my mother. I looked older. I had a beard."

The Scene And Heard

Bruce Steivel has stepped down as artistic director for Nevada Ballet Theatre after more than 10 years with the company. He was the second artistic director, succeeding founding artistic director Vassili Sulich. ...

Overheard when "Las Vegas" stunner Sims walked by at the Palms' ghostbar: "She's high-def hot," said Timothy Jasionowski, a Nokia executive from Boston. Translation: not a single imperfection. ...

E! Entertainment's one-hour countdown special, "12 Sexiest Vegas Jobs," airs at 6 tonight, with the Playboy Club Bunnies and X Burlesque cast members on the list.

Sunday 01-13-08

If you've dined at one Eiffel Tower ...

Who hasn't committed this mistake: accidentally going to the wrong restaurant?

But how many of you had reservations at the wrong Eiffel Tower?

Taking faux pas to new heights, diners continue to make the tres expensive gaffe of confusing the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.

"I've had people show up and say they had reservations with us, and people have made reservations with us and shown up in Paris," said French-born chef John Joho, who operates the Eiffel Tower Restaurant in Las Vegas.

A recent case, Joho said, involved a gentleman who called to say he was offended that he was not invited to the "reopening."

"But we never closed," he was told.

"I am a regular customer. Why was I not invited?" the injured party insisted.

After a few more awkward exchanges, the mystery was solved. The caller was under the impression that French star chef Alain Ducasse, who last month took over the Eiffel Tower restaurant in Paris, also had taken over the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas.

Both restaurants get their share of reservation mistakes, said Joho, who grew up in the Alsace region of France.

The restaurant in the French capital has sent e-mails to Las Vegas saying diners accidentally booked reservations at the restaurant in the real Eiffel Tower.

"And we have had people show up at our restaurant with a confirmation from Paris," Joho said.

Recent confusion apparently stems from an erroneous published report out of Las Vegas that Ducasse, who operates Mix restaurant at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, had replaced Joho, who also owns Everest in Chicago.

The Scene And Heard

Diana Ross, Seal, Andy Garcia and his band, the Cineson All-Stars, and the cast of "Jersey Boys" will supply the entertainment during next Saturday's grand opening gala at the $1.8 billion Palazzo. Wayne Brady, who headlines next door at The Venetian, will host the Saturday soiree. Red carpet stars will include superchefs Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali, Wolfgang Puck and Charlie Trotter, actress Angie Harmon and husband Jason Sehorn, James Denton of "Desperate Housewives," actress Mandy Moore and entertainer Gordie Brown. The grand opening officially begins on Thursday.

Monday 01-14-08

Jameson stunner brings questions

Porn queen Jenna Jameson has raised more doubts about her health by announcing she's retiring from the business.

"It's been a bit of a rocky year," an ultra-thin Jameson, 33, told a hushed crowd during the Adult Video News Awards on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

"I think that you're all aware," she said of what she called "tabloid" rumors about "why is she so skinny, why is she so crazy."

"Everything's beautiful," she added. "Everything's amazing." The crowd applauded when she said boyfriend and former Ultimate Fighting Championship title holder Tito Ortiz has stood by her during her difficult year.

Jameson said, "I really want to be honest for a second." She explained that she had recently denied US magazine's claim that she was retiring.

"But, honesty is the key. I will never ever, ever, ever" get back in the business.

In her book, "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale," she said she followed in her mother's footsteps by working in "Folies Bergere" at the Tropicana before turning to stripping in Las Vegas.

Her mother died of cancer when she was about 2 years old.

In 1993, she began appearing in erotic films and eventually became the world's most famous porn star.

MAFALDA GETS A STAR

Longtime headlining pianist Mafalda will become the 22nd addition to the Las Vegas Walk of Stars on Sunday at a private ceremony at the Liberace Museum.

Her star will be placed in front of the MGM Grand at a later date.

Mafalda, a 2002 inductee into the Casino Legends Hall of Fame, performed on stage more than 15,000 times and worked at most of the top hotels on the Strip for 50 years.

Her first Las Vegas engagement was at the Tropicana in 1958. In 1994, she received an invitation to play for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican on Easter Sunday, but the concert fell during the middle of a tour.

"I had even learned the Warsaw Concerto," she said.

The Scene And Heard

Don't look for train wreck ex-model Janice Dickinson on the red carpet at the Jan. 24 world premiere of "Rambo" at Planet Hollywood Resort. During an interview last week on Fox New Channel's "Red Eye," she accused "Rambo" and "Rocky" star Sylvester Stallone of shooting her up with steroids.

Stallone, in an interview with the New York Post's Page 6, denied the allegation. Dickinson and Stallone were engaged briefly in 1993. She accused him of fathering her daughter, but tests proved otherwise.

Tuesday 01-15-08

Norm took the day off

Photo of the day



	Illusionist Criss Angel, center, with Pure Management Group's Vice President of Entertainment Michael Greco, left, and members of the Wicked Pictures adult entertainment empire pose for a photo Saturday at LAX nightclub inside the Luxor. (Photo courtesy of Pure Group)

Wednesday 01-16-08

Michael Jackson staying at Palms

Michael Jackson has been camped out atop the Palms in a suite with his children for almost two months, according to spies.

He may have arrived under the radar, but he's been out in the public with regularity.

Twice in a week, Jackson has taken his three children out to see the sights.

They attended the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur on Saturday and took an after-hours tour of Madame Tussauds Las Vegas the previous Monday.

Jackson spent six months in a Summerlin home last year before vacating it at the end of June. The multimillion-dollar home was left a mess, with a Christmas tree still in place.

The former King of Pop moved to Virginia after he had no luck in getting takers for a headliner gig here.

Sources told me over the holidays that Jackson's handlers were making overtures for a six-figure deal to have Jackson host a New Year's Eve countdown party. But, again, he got no takers.

"Too radioactive," is the term I keep hearing.

The Scene And Heard

NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams kept pronouncing Nevada as "Ne-VAH-da" the other night. In mid-newscast, he switched to the correct pronunciation, as if a producer corrected him in his earpiece. He probably also got an earful from Nevadans during his visit for the Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday at Cashman Center. ...

Holly Kiser, one of the competitors on Bravo's "Make Me a Supermodel," may look familiar if you've driven by Planet Hollywood Resort lately. Kiser, 21, is the face of Privé Las Vegas' advertising campaign. That's her on the Strip-facing wallscape at Planet Hollywood Resort, and a half-dozen billboards around town. Privé, which opened New Year's Eve in the former Curve space, is owned by The Opium Group, a Miami nightlife heavyweight with plans to put two clubs in Planet Hollywood. ...

Hacking into e-mail wasn't all District Judge Elizabeth Halverson had in mind, as colleague Jane Ann Morrison reported last week. Halverson wanted to set up a Web site so she could answer the avalanche of allegations that include sexual harassment on the job to operating a hostile workplace. A reliable source told me months ago that Halverson was frustrated and wanted a blog to tell her side of the story. ...

After closer inspection, the South Point informs us their weekend sighting of Kid Rock at the Extreme Monster Truck Nationals was a case of mistaken identity.

Thursday 01-17-08

Adelson has Some Words about Wynn

Billionaire casino developer Sheldon Adelson is taking on his favorite targets again. "I will not be cowered by either the unions, Steve Wynn or any other competitor," Adelson told Las Vegas freelance writer Steve Friess in an interview for USA Today.

That's among several juicy quotes that didn't make it into the article that led USA Today's business section Wednesday as Adelson prepares to open his latest property, the $1.9 billion, 50-story Palazzo across the street from Wynn's $2.7 billion Wynn Las Vegas.

The third-richest man in the United States and No. 6 in the world, with a reported $28 billion, Adelson, 74, said he's not conceding an inch to gaming giant Harrah's, the owner of Caesars Palace, or fellow billionaire Wynn, whom he hasn't spoken to in years.

"I like Gary Loveman," Adelson said, referring to the chairman, CEO and president of Harrah's Entertainment Inc. "I think he's a very good guy. He's a good operator for what he's doing. I don't even consider him a competitor; he's a colleague, he's a peer.

"But I think Caesars' time has come, and Wynn has come and gone," said Adelson, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Wynn properties years ago took away the mystique of Caesars Palace, Adelson said. "Wynn is very, very good at creating mystique. Of course I don't like him, but he's the best at doing mystique."

Adelson said he complimented Wynn about the time he opened The Mirage and said, somewhat as a joke, "I said you do a good job ... maybe you could work for me. I think he got a little insulted."

RUDNER SPECIAL

Rita Rudner's 2,000th and 2,001st shows in Las Vegas will be taped Feb. 22 for a first-ever PBS comedy special and a DVD. Harrah's theater will be transformed into a 1930's-style Hollywood nightclub, and attendees are encouraged to dress according to the era.

"I want it to be an elegant evening," Rudner e-mailed. "I'm even considering washing my hair."

Tickets for "Rita Rudner: Live From Las Vegas" are available for a special reduced price of $30 from Harrah's at www.harrahs.com or (702) 369-5222. The shows are at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The five-camera shoot will be conducted by an award-winning Los Angeles production company.

Rudner began her Vegas run at MGM Grand in June 2000 before moving to New York-New York in 2001 and Harrah's in 2006.

"And, yes," she said, "we are definitely going to stage the play again. We were thrilled at the reaction."

She and Bobby Slayton teamed up for a reading of the comedy play "Room 776" on Monday at the Las Vegas Little Theatre. It was written by Rudner and her husband/manager, Martin Bergman.

The Scene And Heard

From the e-mail bag: "I'm going to take a wild stab here and say that more than one person at the Extreme Monster Truck Nationals might have looked like Kid Rock." -- Mike Fruitman of Denver, on the mistaken-identity item we ran here Wednesday about the musician being spotted at South Point over the weekend.

SIGHTINGS

Star Jones, a former host of "The View," waving off several people who tried to sit in her row at the Democratic presidential debate Tuesday at Cashman Center, including a VP of public relations for a Strip property who had an assigned seat. Also spotted: James Denton of "Desperate Housewives," seated next to actress Madeleine Stowe with John Edwards supporters. Stowe was at the steelworkers union hall Wednesday on Edwards' behalf. ... Songbird Gennifer Flowers, singing "Stormy Weather" and "It Had to Be You" at Fellini's on West Charleston Boulevard on Tuesday night after dinner. ... Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton, having lunch Tuesday at Firefly, the tapas emporium on Paradise Road. ... Former big league pitcher Orel Hershiser, with his girlfriend, Dana, and her parents at Becker's Lakeside on Tuesday.

Friday 01-18-08

Makeovers, smiles among contestants

Showing off bolder new looks, participants in the 2008 Miss America pageant arrived Friday to launch the Year of the Makeover.

Many of the 50 state winners who assembled outside Planet Hollywood Resort have undergone startling transformations, taking a cue from pageant organizers who are pushing for change and taking chances.

Miss Alaska, Cari Leyva, had 12 inches of hair lopped off during the four-part reality show "Miss America: Reality Check." Close behind was Miss California, Melissa Chaty, whose hair is eight inches shorter.

Miss Nebraska, Ashley Bauer, made the most dramatic hair color change during the reality show, going from platinum blond to chocolate brown.

But three days ago, Bauer went back to her comfort zone, settling on golden blond.

An advisory board of fashion experts, from hairstylists to a celebrity photographer, had preached change.

Most embraced the move, like California's Chaty, who came to Las Vegas to observe the preliminaries and finals. "I jumped at the chance (to change). I think we need more of an updated look."

Miss New Mexico, Jenny Marlow, worried about how much a dramatic makeover would affect their chance.

"I was really nervous before I got my hair cut because the big hair, the dark makeup, the looking like you're 40 has been in my head what would win Miss America," Marlow said during the second episode, which aired Jan. 11.

One contestant dug in and resisted. Miss Illinois, Ashley Hatfield, was the only one who said "no thanks."

Miss Nevada, Caleche Manos, in her 15th pageant and a six-time first runner-up, was pleased when the experts advised her not to make any changes.

"I think I'm more fashion forward, a little more edgier," she said. "For a long time, the traditional pageant look wasn't really me, and I had to work really hard to create that.

"So, for me, I was relieved when they said it would be 'more Hollywood, more red carpet, more West Coast.' "

A meet-and-greet is being held Saturday at 7 p.m. in Koi, the new sushi restaurant at Planet Hollywood Resort.

The annual fashion show is Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at Fashion Show mall. Preliminaries start Tuesday at Planet Hollywood Resort, the host site for the third year in a row, and conclude Thursday. The finals are Jan. 26 and will air on The Learning Channel.

The Scene And Heard

John O'Hurley rejoins "Monty Python's Spamalot" as King Arthur on Jan. 28 at Wynn Las Vegas. 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."

(Photo above)

Miss Nevada, Caleche Manos, top right, smiles with other Miss America contestants after being formally introduced Thursday in front of Planet Hollywood Resort in Las Vegas.
Photo by Jeremy Lyverse/Review-Journal

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