November '08 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 11-08-08

Angel's early exit offends magician

Early in Keith Barry's hypnomagician show Wednesday at Planet Hollywood Resort, Criss Angel, Holly Madison and three members of their entourage stood up in the seventh row and began leaving.

Barry, the newcomer from Ireland, stopped the show and said, "I'd like to give a shout out to Criss Angel, who is in the house, in fact he's just leaving."

Angel turned around and a bit sheepishly said something like, "Good show, man."

Angel's party, including his two bodyguards, had barely left the showroom when text messages began flying with breathless news that Angel had snubbed Barry.

I gave all parties the opportunity to address the matter on Friday.

Angel's spokesman, Steve Flynn, said Madison "started feeling bad almost as soon as they sat down. Criss didn't want to get up right then and be rude.

"Twenty minutes later, she was worse for wear. She was resting her head on Criss' shoulder. Criss was concerned it would look like she appeared bored."

The decision was made to leave, Flynn said "No disrespect was intended by any stretch of the imagination. She was not feeling well."

End of story, right?

"Regardless," said Barry's manager, Eamonn Maguire, "it looked bad."

"Twenty five minutes into the show he got up and left. That never looks good," he said.

Fast forward to Thursday night. Angel, Madison and Barry were walking the red carpet, within speaking distance, at the world premiere of Paris Hilton's 'Repo! The Genetic Opera."

There was no acknowledgement, no apology. "They were 10 feet from each other," said Maguire.

I e-mailed Maguire back, asking if he was suggesting Barry deserved an apology.

"I am sure it never crossed (Angel's) mind," responded Maguire, "and maybe best left that way. As my father always says, 'manners maketh the man.' "

Barry, reached after the other interviews, said, "It is what it is. On a personal note, I've never walked out of somebody's show, good, bad or indifferent. I was surprised."

"I did hear Holly wasn't feeling good. But I thought it would have been nice had he had come over to me.

"But Vegas is a small town," said Barry. " I'm sure our paths will cross again."

Sightings

Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan and his son, Nick Bollea, leaving the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Thursday after a four-day father-son outing in Vegas. The son was released from a Florida jail late last month after serving 166 days of an eight-month sentence for an accident that left his friend severely injured. ... Bollea, dining at N9NE Steakhouse (Palms) on Thursday. ... "Access Hollywood" correspondent Maria Menounos, lunching at Simon at Palms Place....

Hilton and Benji Madden, dancing at Privé (Planet Hollywood Resort), site of the after-party for the premiere of the horror film in which Hilton plays a plastic surgery addict. ... NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, racing Wednesday night at Fast Lap Indoor Kart Racing with the Interstate Battery Team, Kyle Busch's team. ... NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, at Thursday night's round of the PBR World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center. ... Funnyman Frank Caliendo, spotted at the Hilton Center for a SEMA show on Thursday. ... Excalibur headliner Louie Anderson, dining at Brand (Monte Carlo) on Wednesday. ... Jewel, with pals at Social House (Treasure Island) on Monday. ... Also at the Hard Rock: UFC star "Rampage" Jackson and pro wrestling icon Bill Goldberg, having dinner together at Ago on Tuesday and at Nobu on Wednesday. ... At Tryst (Wynn) on Wednesday: Former world middleweight boxing champion Bernard Hopkins, Goldberg, and Mad Mike from the popular hit MTV show, "Pimp My Ride." ... At Jet (Mirage) on Monday: NASCAR'S Robby Gordon and actors Justin Long and Chris Gartin.

Sunday 11-09-08

Last word on last day's 'last straw'

Veteran political writer Erin Neff has left the Review-Journal, saying a decision to pull her column without her being notified was "the last straw." Her last day was Wednesday, the day after elections.

Review-Journal publisher Sherman Frederick said in an e-mail, "Erin made the decision to leave before that episode. She applied for (and I approved) her early out on the first day the program was implemented."

He made the decision to hold the column because of its "personal content," Neff's "own personal endorsements for public office."

When she heard through the grapevine that Frederick had held it, "that was the last straw," said Neff, who joined the R-J five years ago after a number of years at the Las Vegas Sun.

"My point was, and still is, the writer is supposed to be notified," she said.

Neff acknowledged she had applied for the company buyout days before her Oct. 30 column, which included a Barack Obama endorsement. She said a "toned down and tweaked" version of her column ran a day later, but her line, "Obama is the right candidate for this time," remained intact.

On the day her column ran, she learned her buyout had been approved, Neff said. Her last column ran Thursday.

Given her liberal-leaning ideology and the R-J's voluntary staff buyouts, "I felt my days were numbered," Neff said. "I decided to jump before I got pushed."

Frederick said, "I was told she was returning to school and to spend more time with her child. We're going to miss her, and I considered her to be an asset for our opinion pages. That decision was hers.

"As for the column: The column for Thursday (Oct. 30) came to me Wednesday night, and her content, which was to issue her own personal endorsements for public office, caught us by surprise. I was out of the city when editors alerted me to the unusual content, and I made the decision to hold it. The next morning, after giving it more thought, I decided it was fine to publish and did so on Friday. If it was edited at all, it was edited through the normal channels, and none of the editing was cut through me.

"As publisher, I and my editors make calls like this all the time. We edit and direct the content and assignments of stories every day," Frederick said.

The Scene And Heard

French entertainment icon Line Renaud was among those elated that they lived to see a person of color become the U.S. president-elect. In a message left on the voice mail of longtime Las Vegas friend Jerry Engel the day after the election, Renaud, 80, recalled Las Vegas in the 1960s, when black entertainers had to use back doors. After Sammy Davis Jr. was not allowed in the Dunes showroom to see her show, "Casino de Paris," she held a backstage reception for him. The next day, Renaud was summoned to the office of Dunes owner Major Riddle, who told her not to do that again. ...

KVBC-TV, Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs, reporting on the Miss USA contest returning to Planet Hollywood Resort for two years, said the big question will be whether Miss USA falls down for the third year in a row at the Miss Universe contest. Jacobs said a Las Vegas oddsmaker plans to post odds. In an interview last week, Miss USA Crystle Stewart told Jacobs her gown got caught under a shoe and the bugle beads caused her to slip "like I was on roller skates."

Sightings

Lindsay Lohan, at Pure (Caesars Palace) on Friday, hosting a holiday collection showcase for her leggings line, 6126, to benefit the Women's Cancer Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She joined friend Samantha Ronson in the deejay booth and danced to "Bossy," from her upcoming album, "Spirit in the Dark." Also in the house: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. ... At "O" (Bellagio) on Friday: Emmy-winning actress Patricia Heaton, her husband, David Hunt, and their four sons, meeting performers. They are in town for the boys' tae kwon do competition. ... Comedian/UFC fan Kevin James, dining Friday next to UFC legend Randy Couture and friends at Stack (Mirage).


Monday 11-10-08

Dunne returns to hospital for tests Dominick Dunne's friends and fans are waiting for good news on the 83-year-old writing legend's medical condition. The cancer-stricken Vanity Fair columnist, who had health issues arise during the O.J. Simpson trial here in September and October, was unable to attend a party in his honor last week. A screening of the documentary "Dominick Dunne: After the Party" was held at the Plaza in New York, with many of his friends in attendance, including "Casino" author Nick Pileggi and Tina Brown, who hired him at Vanity Fair 25 years ago. Many of us were alarmed by reports that Dunne had two surgeries last week. I checked in Sunday with his close friend, veteran Associated Press reporter Linda Deutsch, who said she just heard from Dunne's son, Griffin. "Bottom line is Dominick is in the hospital for tests, is comfortable and is in the hands of good doctors. I guess they had to get him into the hospital to keep him from flying around," Deutsch said in an e-mail. "The last e-mail I got he said he had just returned from England, was met by a helicopter and flown to a film festival where they were showing an Australian documentary about him. ... The guy is unstoppable." The Scene And Heard While Whitney Houston nears completion of a comeback album, we hear talk of a Las Vegas headliner deal. She's reportedly been clean and sober for about three years. With Britney Spears and Houston working on returns, 2009 is shaping up as the Year of the Comeback. Sightings Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, among a group celebrating a birthday party at Privé (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Saturday night. Ford took on the role of bartender, frequently pouring drinks for revelers. ... Outfielder Shane Victorino, a spark plug in the Philadelphia Phillies' postseason run, hosting a World Series championship party for his family and friends on Sunday in the VIP bowling suite inside Red Rock Lanes at Red Rock Resort. Among his friends joining him was Reed Johnson of the Chicago Cubs. Victorino lives in Las Vegas in the off-season. ... Lindsay Lohan, in the crowd at the Madonna concert at MGM Grand on Saturday. ... John Travolta, taking in the Ray Romano/Kevin James performance at The Mirage on Saturday. ... At Tao's third-anniversary party on Saturday: Lohan, Mickey Rourke, Amanda Bynes, Denise Richards, Ellen Pompeo, Greg Bello, Hill Harper, Holly Montag, Jenna Fischer, John Enos III, Kate Walsh, Taye Diggs, Shawn Hatosy, Roger Cross and Richard Kind, singer Robin Thicke, Stacey Keibler, Perez Hilton, director Darren Aronofsky and the Alizma triplets. ... Chicago White Sox players Carlos Quentin and Brian Anderson at Moon nightclub (Palms) on Friday with friends. They were celebrating Quentin's bachelor party. ... Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, dining at StripSteak at Mandalay Bay on Saturday. ... Kiefer Sutherland, in the Fantasy tower at the Palms. ... Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes, with friends at Drai's After Hours inside Bill's Gamblin' Hall on Saturday. ... Former UNLV wide receiver Keenan McCardell, who last played with the Washington Redskins in 2007, hanging out with Tank Johnson and Keith Davis of the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday at Body English at the Hard Rock. ... Las Vegas headliners Lance Burton and Frankie Scinta at "Strut Your Mutt" at Dog Fanciers Park on Saturday afternoon.

Tuesday 11-11-08

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 11-12-08

Jones forced to state the obvious

Superstar Tom Jones has incorporated a recent bogus Internet report about his death into his act.

He opens his show these days with "I'm Alive," which is on his upcoming first U.S. album in 15 years.

Jones, playing the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, learned about the Internet report earlier this month when a friend asked him how he was feeling.

Then the friend showed him the Internet story.

"I read my own obituary," he told the audience during Monday's first show.

Backstage, he told me one of the first calls he received came from Las Vegas lounge legend Cook E. Jarr, his longtime late-night running mate.

When Jones checked his voicemail, a distressed Jarr had left a tell-me-it's-not-true message. The stress in Jarr's voice was the opposite of his usual high-energy, dog-barking persona.

"He said, 'I don't want to stay on this planet if something's happened to you,' " said Jones, who was touched.

Jones co-wrote much of the new album, "24 Hours," because "I wasn't getting any good material coming my way," he said.

His 2000 album, "Reload," featuring the club hit "Sex Bomb," wasn't released in the United States.

The new album comes out Nov. 25 on S-Curve Records, and he has high hopes after a strong start in Europe. It features two covers, Bruce Springsteen's "The Hitter" and "I'm Alive" by Tommy James and the Shondells. Bono and Edge of U2 join him for the song "Sugar Daddy."

GLUSMAN: 'NOT SELLING'

The rumors aren't true, longtime restaurateur Fred Glusman says.

The story out there has Glusman selling Piero's Italian Cuisine and putting The Ritz, his Orange County eatery, up for sale.

"Untrue," he said Tuesday. "Who in their right mind would buy in this economy? There is no deal on Piero's. Business is good, and I'm not selling anything."

Meanwhile, Glusman attorney Joe Smith said the former Ritz cocktail server who had Glusman jailed after an altercation has not followed up with charges, "nor do I expect charges to be filed."

Jennifer Kenney, 30, told the Orange County Register that Glusman beat her on June 25 at his Newport Beach home after he invited her to a party. Both claim they suffered a broken tooth in the scuffle. Glusman was arrested and booked for battery with serious bodily injury.

The Scene And Heard

Richard Chen, executive chef of Wing Lei at Wynn Las Vegas, is in New York City where he has joined seven other leading Chinese chefs in Thursday's James Beard Foundation holiday gala dinner and auction. Chen, the only Chinese chef in the United States to receive a Michelin star, steamed glutinous rice, sautéed Matsutake mushroom, and braised abalone and King Crab with soya glaze.

Sightings

Jones, pausing during his 7:30 p.m. performance Monday to acknowledge "Hollywood royalty," 83-year-old Tony Curtis, who was with a group that included the violin-playing Alizma triplets. A roar of approval went up for Curtis, who arrived in a white cowboy hat and was mobbed on his way backstage. ... Martin Sheen, holding the door at the Bellagio for a 30-something Colorado couple who did a double take when they recognized the "West Wing" star. ... Toni Braxton, shooting what appeared to be a reality show pilot at Whole Foods in The District over the weekend. She was spotted sniffing produce as cameras followed her through the store. ... Patrick Dempsey, making multiple stops at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at the Palazzo over the weekend for intensely flavored black coffee and pastries. ... Lindsay Lohan, hosting a Madonna concert after-party Saturday in the penthouse in the Palms Fantasy Tower. Earlier, she dined at Simon at Palms Place with friends.

Thursday 11-13-08

Launch Party photos of 'Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity

Friday 11-14-08

Big UFC match might draw Jack

Maybe it's on his "bucket" list.

Jack Nicholson, a ringside fixture for decades at the biggest boxing matches in Las Vegas, is rumored to be making an appearance at Saturday's big UFC battle between Randy Couture and former pro wrestler Brock Lesnar.

The Hollywood icon, the Los Angeles Lakers' No. 1 fan, played a hard-boiled CEO in "The Bucket List," a 2007 movie about things you want to do before "kicking the bucket."

Rapper 50 Cent will be taking in his first UFC event. His new single, "Get Up," soared to No. 10 on Billboard's Hot Rap Tracks. It's from his upcoming album "Before I Self Destruct," which also includes a free full-length feature film by the same name that 50 Cent wrote, directed and stars in.

UFC regulars David Spade, Rob Schneider, Mandy Moore and Laura Prepon are showing up.

MY NEW WINGMAN

It was wall-to-wall eye patches Wednesday at the Palms' Playboy Club during the launch of my new book, "Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales," and I came away with the souvenir of the night: the patch worn by Donny Osmond.

He was the surprise guest of the night, but we had to meet at Nove Italiano restaurant because the Playboy Club is off-limits for one of us.

His out-of-character rakish appearance looked like he had just finished shooting a "Man in the Hathaway Shirt" campaign.

Any time he wants to go rogue, or mavericky, he would be the perfect wingman.

I'll be signing copies at the sports book at Red Rock Resort on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Scene And Heard

The high-energy Zowie Bowie lounge act has just signed a deal to headline on New Year's Eve at Monte Carlo. Zowie Bowie, featuring the duo of Marley Taylor and Chris Phillips, has been a fixture at the Rocks Lounge at Red Rock Resort.

MAY I RECOMMEND

The fourth edition of The Comedy Festival runs next week Thursday through Saturday with Jerry Seinfeld and Ellen DeGeneres among the lineup at Caesars Palace. Also appearing will be Dane Cook, Katt Williams, Tracy Morgan, Jeff Dunham, Dave Attell, Jamie Kennedy, Mike Epps, David Alan Grier, The Kids in the Hall, Russell Peters, Kate Clinton, Jim Breuer, Andrew Dice Clay, Jim Norton and John Oliver. DeGeneres will film "Ellen's Even Bigger Really Big Show," Morgan will host Laffapalooza! and Cheech and Chong will be roasted. Comedian and master impressionist Frank Caliendo will host Funniest Movies of the Year, which will be taped at Caesars and the Rio and aired on TBS on Nov. 29. Ticket information: box office, (702) 866-1400; group sales, 800-933-7110; or the Web site thecomedyfestival.com.

Sightings

Oscar winner Sidney Poitier, dining at Wolfgang Puck's CUT in the Palazzo on Wednesday. Poitier, 81, broke a barrier in 1963 when he became the first black man to win the Academy Award for best actor for his role in "Lilies of the Field."... Pro wrestling icon "Diamond" Dallas Page, checking into the Hard Rock Hotel on Thursday to celebrate his daughter's 21st birthday.

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!