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Saturday 11-01-08 |
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Angel's belief in 'Believe' is
strong
 Criss
Angel
believes in
"Believe."
"We're
incredibly proud and pleased," he said, with the magic show he
created with Cirque du Soleil and helped launch Friday in front
of a VIP crowd at the Luxor.
In a
wide-ranging exclusive interview in his dressing room, Angel
responded to some of the concerns I've heard, from angst over a
bloodied bunny to the show's sexual and darker overtones.
The
interview, our first meeting since April, was an extended olive
branch on his part. He picked up the telephone about 10 days ago
and we mutually agreed we regretted some harsh words in the
aftermath of a public incident after the Miss U.S.A. pageant at
Planet Hollywood Resort.
I attended
"Believe" for the first time on Thursday and came away with
several impressions, but I made the point to Angel before our
sit-down on Friday that I'm not a theater critic.
That said,
the show has many spectacular elements and like other Las Vegas
Cirque shows that overcame early criticism, it has a chance to
succeed.
The show will
need stronger acting from the illusionist when it shifts from
Cirque's "Believe" to Angel's "Believe."
The tweaking
process will need to address some early darker material, when
some in the audience were jolted by the bunny carcass and the
dismemberment of Angel by some evil rabbit people.
The energy in
the room seemed to vanish at the sight of the bloodied rabbit
and it took a while before applause grew.
The
dismemberment scene, explained Angel, "was about playing with
the synonymous symbol of the magician pulling the rabbit out of
the hat and saying that all of these rabbits that have been
pulled out of the hat by all of the magicians all of these years
now get their revenge."
To make his
point, he said check out the proscenium, the golden outline of
the stage, where mechanized rabbits pull Angel's head out of a
hat.
Some of his
sexual double entendres didn't fly either.
"You know
what it is," countered Angel. "At the end of the day, I'm Criss
Angel. I'm the guy on television they beep out (for bad
language).
"Trying to
please everybody is the kiss of death," he said. "I have to do
what I think is right for me and Serge (director Serge
Denoncourt) as well, and what I think is very fascinating is
when I ask somebody after the show, what was your favorite part
and what was your least favorite part.
"No two
people," he said, "including Celine Dion (she loved his
walk down the side of the wedding dress wall) and Jennifer
Lopez, have the same answer... . I think we've really done
our job to have created so many diverse -- diverse is the key
word -- moments in the show that we have something in the show
for everybody."
It's not a
show he recommends for 8-year-olds, he said, but, "I think if
the kids 11 to 12 years old and the parents are comfortable with
it, that's fine.
"But this is
a show from that age on that people will really enjoy, will be
very entertained and will have an experience that is completely
unique than any other show in the world, quite frankly."
The Scene And
Heard
Michael
Jackson
has issued a statement saying he won't be joining family members
for a Jackson 5 reunion tour.
"My brothers
and sisters have my full love and support, and we've certainly
shared many great experiences, but at this time I have no plans
to record or tour with them," Jackson said in a statement
released by representative Dr. Tohme. "I am now in the
studio developing new and exciting projects that I look forward
to sharing with my fans in concert soon." He has been recording
at the Palms Hotel Casino.
Sightings
Holly Madison
of
"Girls Next Door" fame, joining Angel on the black carpet at the
opening of "Believe."... Sally and Chuck Heath,
the parents of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin,
turning heads at Green Valley Ranch on Friday. Palin has been
campaigning in Nevada. ... Andre Agassi and Steffi
Graf, dining at Vintner Grill on Thursday |
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Sunday 11-02-08 |
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Jacko turns down Wynn Encore gig
 Michael
Jackson
was approached about performing for the opening of Steve Wynn's
Encore tower in December but declined, it has been learned.
Jackson, who
last performed in 2002 at a concert for the "Every Vote Counts"
campaign at the Apollo in Harlem, N.Y., has been recording in
the Palms studios.
Encore is
Wynn's $2.2 billion project that adds a 2,034-room tower next to
Wynn Las Vegas, which opened in 2005.
Jackson was
back in the news in recent days when he announced he won't be
joining a Jackson 5 reunion tour set for 2009.
NO 'ANGEL' IN
WINGS
There is no
Plan B or understudy if Criss Angel is unable to perform
in "Believe," his collaboration with Cirque du Soleil.
"It's like
Madonna," he said before Friday's opening night. "If Madonna
is sick, there is no show."
 But,
he added, "I've yet to miss a performance" over the years and
that includes a number of under-the-weather days. It would take
laryngitis," he said, "or not being able to get out of bed. I'm
going to do everything in my power to do the show."
REDD FOXX
PROJECT
New York Post
TV columnist Michael Starr is working on another book
project with Las Vegas ties and he's looking for some research
assistance.
He just
signed a deal for a "dream project" -- to author what he's
tentatively titled "Black and Blue: The Life and Times of
Redd Foxx.''
A number of
Las Vegans helped him on "Bobby Darin: A Life," which
came out in 2004.
You can reach
him at msethstarr@gmail.com.
Sightings
Vernon Davis,
the San Francisco 49ers tight end who was sent to the locker
room by coach Mike Singletary last week, was in Las Vegas
on Friday, getting away from it all. Davis was spotted at Drai's
After Hours inside Bill's Gamblin' Hall. The 49ers have a bye
this week. ... On the black carpet for the opening night of
"Criss Angel Believe," Angel and "Girls Next Door" star Holly
Madison, Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte,
director Serge Denoncourt, Christina Hendricks of
"Mad Men," Evangeline Lilly and Dominic Monaghan
of "Lost," actor Justin Long, Neil Patrick Harris
of "How I Met Your Mother," Paula Abdul, porn princess
Tera Patrick and boyfriend rocker Evan Seinfeld,
reality TV star Tila Tequila, "That 70s Show" star
Wilmer Valderrama, Adam Shankman of "So You Think You
Can Dance," Deborah Gibson, "CSI Miami" star Jonathan
Togo, actor Keir O'Donnell, "American Idol" alum
Michael Johns, Siegfried Fischbacher of Siegfried &
Roy, Penn & Teller, Mike Tyson, Jeremy Jackson
of "Baywatch," actor Joey Kern, comedian Carrot Top,
singer/songwriter Clint Holmes, the Fantasy Girls,
Frank Marino, chef Kerry Simon, comedian Louie
Anderson, comedian and magician Nathan Burton,
"Charlie's Angels" star Tanya Roberts, Mötley Crüe
frontman Vince Neil, Zowie Bowie and triplet
violinists Alizma. ... Aubrey O'Day, formerly of
Danity Kane, serving as host of Tabu's Halloween Party.
O'Day, with her pup Ginger in hand, dressed as Ariel from "The
Little Mermaid." Her date was Jeremy Anderson from ABC's
season four of "The Bachelorette." Also in Tabu: Kassim
Osgood of the San Diego Chargers. ... Valderrama, at Pure
(Caesars Palace), dressed up as James Bond. ... At LAX (Luxor)
on Friday: Angel and Madison, celebrating opening night with
Laliberte and guests. ... At Christian Audigier the
Nightclub (Treasure Island): Tila Tequila, celebrating
her 27th birthday with cake before heading for LAX. ... Blues
and rock guitarist George "Buddy" Guy, dining at Nove
Italiano (Palms) on Friday. |
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Monday
11-03-08 |
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Trombonists jam at Bootlegger
It was a jam session for the ages at the Bootlegger Bistro on
Sunday.
About 40 to
50 trombonists, some of the best in the world, joined the Gus
Mancuso Trio shortly after performing in the 24th annual 76
Trombones 4 Concert at Artemus Ham Concert Hall as the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
"They wanted
to jam after the concert," said Mancuso's wife, Maggie,
also known for her role as Charlene Darling in "The Andy
Griffith Show."
The standouts
included award-winning Andy Hunter, who has performed
with some of the top big bands in the New York area, including
the "Saturday Night Live" band.
SNUB HUB-BUB
 Steve
Flynn,
Criss Angel's publicist, said he has apologized to Los
Angeles Times blogger Richard Abowitz for what Abowitz
considered an exclusionary policy.
Abowitz, who
has been among Angel's strongest critics, was informed by Flynn
on Wednesday that Angel was no longer granting one-on-one
interviews. Two days later, Angel gave one-on-one interviews
before the launch of "Believe," his magic show collaboration
with Cirque du Soleil.
Flynn said
Angel "decided to open up the opportunity to select journalists
at the last minute." He added, "I have apologized to Richard if
he thinks it was anything other than that. He wasn't the only
person we turned away and Richard was invited to both the Q&A
session Friday afternoon and the black carpet Friday night to
ask anything he wanted."
Abowitz, in
his blog on the Times Web site (http://vegasblog.latimes.com),
said Angel "is blaming the press for the buzz-killing groan
emitting en masse from previews."
Abowitz said
Sunday he is not backing away from his one-on-one request.
The Scene And
Heard
It was
reported here Sunday that Michael Jackson declined
overtures to perform at the opening of Steve Wynn's
Encore tower next month. Tipsters are now saying the smart money
is on Michael Buble, the hot Canadian big band crooner.
... Entertainer Clint Holmes pulled double duty on
Saturday. After singing at the Barack Obama rally at the
Coronado High School football stadium, he was a surprise guest
singer for the wedding of local hair stylists Robert Aganza
and Jorge Rodriguez at Mariposa inside Neiman Marcus.
KVBC-TV, Channel 3, entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs,
the best man/maid of honor, came up with the idea of having
Holmes give a whole new meaning to the wedding tradition of
"something old, something new, something borrowed, something
blue." She arranged for him to sing Etta James' blues
classic "At Last" as "something blue." ... Former KTNV-TV,
Channel 13, sports and news anchor Ron Futrell is back on
the local airwaves. He is now hosting a weekly radio show on the
Sports Byline USA radio network (KSHP-AM 1400) from the Silver
Nugget. He tapes the show with live celebrity guests on
Thursdays or Fridays at the Silver Nugget. The show is carried
by about 100 radio stations nationwide on Saturday night. He
also has started hosting a local bowling TV show, Silver Nugget
Challenge, and a nationally syndicated bowling show, Celebrity
Bowling, at the Silver Nugget. It will be seen on KSHOTV.com, an
IPTV-fed local independent TV station.
Sightings
Tom Jones
and "American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe, greeting fans
filming on their way through Planet Hollywood Resort on Sunday.
... Angel and Holly Madison, touring Screamers, the
haunted house on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York New York on
Saturday. ... Los Angeles Angels pitcher John Lackey,
celebrating his bachelor party at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel)
with former teammate Adam Kennedy, second baseman for the
St. Louis Cardinals, and others. The group was spotted partying
in a VIP booth inside the club. ... At AJ's Steakhouse (Hard
Rock): Director-producer Renny Harlin ("Die Hard 2") with
Capital Films producer Kia Jam. ... Actor Justin Long,
closing down Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce (Mandalay Bay) on Saturday.
He's appearing in the upcoming "He's Just Not That Into You"
with Jennifer Aniston. ... Actress Amy Smart,
hosting a GetOutTheVote.org party at Lavo, in the Palazzo.
Joining her was Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.
Also dining at LAVO on Saturday: Neil Patrick Harris, A.J.
Buckley, Jonathan Togo, Christina Hendricks and Long. ... At
LAX (Luxor) on Saturday: Actors Wilmer Valderrama and
Marlon Wayans, and, at another table, San Francisco 49ers
tight end Vernon Davis. |
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Tuesday
11-04-08 |
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Norm took
the day off
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Wednesday
11-05-08 |
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Norm took
the day off |
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Thursday
11-06-08 |
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Norm took
the day off |
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Friday
11-07-08 |
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Comedians happy Obama won race
 The
victory party at Jerry Seinfeld's home in New York City on
Election Day had a little something for everyone.
"We were all
terribly happy," said Flamingo headliner George Wallace,
Seinfeld's former roommate.
The celebration
"was bigger than New Year's Eve. We wanted fireworks," said Wallace,
after Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama was declared
the winner over Sen. John McCain.
The gathering
consisted of a number of old friends of Seinfeld and his wife,
Jessica, including "Seinfeld" star Michael Richards.
Wallace said a
celebratory voice was heard over the party din when Obama and his wife,
Michelle, appeared on the runway with their children for his
victory speech at Chicago's jam-packed Grant Park.
"Oh, that's my
dress!" hollered Cuban-American fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez.
The red and black ensemble from Rodriguez's Spring 2009 Ready-to-Wear
collection featured a criss-cross black satin detail, one of Rodriguez's
signature looks.
Another surprise
came at the end of Obama's speech.
"Jerry went
'that's my music,'" Wallace said.
It was the theme
song from "The Bee Movie," which was co-created by Seinfeld, who starred
in the animated comedy about a bee who rebels against being forced to
make honey and files a class action lawsuit against humans.
"This is big,"
said Wallace. "It's big for the world. Did you see how the world
reacted? People rejoicing in Kenya, Australia, Hong Kong. To me, it had
nothing to do with race. More non-African-Americans put him in office.
"It teaches
everybody what an education can do," said Wallace. "He got to Harvard
because of his education. He became a senator through education."
Wallace said he
wouldn't miss the inauguration for anything.
"Oh yes, I'm
going," he said.
The Scene And
Heard
CBS is airing a
one-hour "48 hours" special Saturday on the Craig Titus-Kelly Ryan
case. Elite bodybuilders, Titus and his wife, Kelly Ryan, were charged
and convicted in the death of their personal assistant, Melissa James,
28. Their attorneys -- Michael Cristalli (Titus) and Marc
Saggese (Ryan) are in the special. ...
Clint Holmes
is the featured guest artist tonight at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
He'll be performing with his pianist and conductor Vincent Falcone
of Las Vegas and the New York Pops orchestra. Holmes, a Las Vegas
headliner for almost a decade, will perform 10 songs in "New York Songs:
A Love Letter to the City." Holmes has his fans in the New York area. He
had his own television variety show and interview series on Channel 9 in
New York and was Atlantic City's "Entertainer of the Year" three times.
MAY I
RECOMMEND...
The Vegas Valley
Book Festival, the area's largest literary event, continues today and
Saturday, with most sessions and book signings taking place in the
historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth. For more information go to
the city Web site at www.artslasvegas.org/vvbf.
DANCING WITH
THE STARS
The fourth edition
of the "Dancing with the Stars" tour stops Dec. 29 at the Orleans.
The lineup will
include Lance Bass, Toni Braxton and Maurice Greene
from Season 7, as well as Marlee Matlin from Season 6, joining
other professional dancers. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday
and can be purchased at www.DancingWithThe StarsOnTour.com as well as
www.orleansarena.com.
Sightings
At Rain (Palms) on
Wednesday: Indy Racing League driver Danica Patrick, with
friends. At another table, Gene Simmons of KISS. Patrick was in
town for the league's awards bash at The Pearl. Also attending: Helio
Castroneves, Arie Luyendyk, Scott Dixon, Paul Tracy,
Graham Rahal, and Victor Mira. ... Former NASCAR champion
Rusty Wallace, checking out Aliante Station and dining at MRKT
Sea & Land on Wednesday night. Aliante opens to the public next week.
... Holly Madison and Criss Angel, at Pure Tuesday and at
Keith Barry's hypnomagician show at Planet Hollywood on
Wednesday.
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Pre Order Vegas
Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales
Norm Clarke's newest book, Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity
Tales ($12.95, Stephens Press, February 2008), dishes up a feast
from Sin City's Ace Insider on celeb's club hopping, spending sprees,
outrageous behavior, feuds and meltdowns, and the best (and worst)
tippers. Discounted pre-orders are $9.95 and include free shipping.
Pre-order your copy now! |
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