October '08 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 10-04-08

	Birthday boy Roy celebrates quietly The fifth anniversary of Siegfried & Roy's final show was quietly commemorated on Friday. The German illusionists, along with their leading lady Lynette Chappell, were in London, having tea at Kensington Palace on Roy Horn's 64th birthday. Their longtime manager, Bernie Yuman, was hours away from launching his new show, "Raw Talent Live," at the Sahara with Nicole Durr, who is known as ND. Executive producer Kenneth Feld continues to operate an entertainment empire that includes the Ringling Brothers circus franchise and ice skating extravaganzas. Dancers and cast and crew members from the show have since scattered to the wind, taking jobs elsewhere in the entertainment community, while gathering for reunions on occasion. It was shortly after 8 p.m. on Oct. 3, Horn's birthday, that one of his white tigers, Montecore, began acting up. When Horn attempted to get Montecore's attention, Horn tripped and the tiger bit him and began dragging the illusionist backstage. The show ended at that moment, after 5,750 live performances at The Mirage. More than 10.5 million have seen the show, which grossed $1.5 billion in ticket sales. Montecore remains a member of the duo's animal family at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden at The Mirage. "The big news here is that Roy returned from the dead," said Yuman. "He was laying dead at the trauma center, and now for him to be walking, how strong is that?" said Yuman, who got received a "break-a-leg" call from Horn on Friday. Siegfried & Roy are in the early stages of preparing for their one-night comeback at Larry Ruvo's "Keep Memory Alive" Alzheimer's benefit Feb. 28 at the Bellagio. Meanwhile, Horn continues to work out four days a week, working on weights and playing racquetball. "They helped change the face of live entertainment forever in Las Vegas," said Yuman. Meantime, Siegfried & Roy remain as active as ever with their charities. They are again hosting the Friends for Las Vegas Police Canines Oct. 19 at The Orleans, and they are the faces of the Great Santa Run, which benefits Opportunity Village, on Dec. 6. The Scene And Heard The fifth annual Meatball Awards are Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Plaza hotel to acknowledge and honor entertainers, media, chefs, sommeliers and entrepreneurs. Vinnie Favorito will emcee the event. The entertainment lineup includes The Scintas, The Las Vegas Tenors, Clint Holmes, Kelly Clinton, Grant Griffin, Lorraine Hunt-Bono, the Marveletts, Martin Nievara, Jeff Hobson, Kevin Burke, Babe Pier and Fielding West. The after party starts at 9:30 p.m. at Vox restaurant at 2630 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson. ... Darrin McDonald has been promoted to vice president and general manager at KVVU-TV, Channel 5 (Fox). McDonald, who has been general sales manager since 2007, was promoted to acting general manager in August after the departure of Holly Steuart. McDonald was general sales manager at Meredith Corporation's KSMO-TV in Kansas City prior to moving to Las Vegas. Sightings Burt Young, who portrayed cantankerous trainer Paulie in the "Rocky" series, having breakfast with old pals Gene Kilroy and Al Benedict at Bagelmania. ... Sid Haig of Rob Zombie film fame, having breakfast Friday at The Egg & I on West Sahara with Jason Egan, the Fright Dome creator at Circus Circus.

Sunday 10-05-08

Simpson planned acquittal party

O.J. Simpson was so confident that he was going to beat the rap again that he had an acquittal party planned, it was learned.

Simpson associate Thomas Riccio, after an in-studio interview Friday with radio talk-show host Anthony Crivello and retired Las Vegas police detective Phil Ramos, invited them to join O.J.'s entourage at an undisclosed location.

"That's how certain he was," Crivello said during an interview on Saturday, a day after Simpson and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart were found guilty on all counts, including armed robbery and kidnapping with a deadly weapon.

"He's been predicting a hung jury," said Ramos, who attended the trial and provided expert commentary on Crivello's show, "The Sicilians" on Fox Sports Radio KBAD-AM, 920.

"The first thing that popped into my head," Ramos said, "was Sandy Murphy." He was referring to Murphy's overconfidence the day the jury began deliberating in 2000 when she and Rick Tabish were accused of killing casino operator Ted Binion in 1998.

While getting ready to return to jail, Murphy called out to her attorney John Momot, "See you at Piero's tonight, John," a reference to her favorite restaurant.

She had to eat her words when the jury came back several days later with guilty verdicts for her and Tabish, her lover. They were convicted of killing Binion in 1998. Three and a half years later, the Nevada Supreme Court overturned her and Tabish's convictions for murder.

Riccio had arranged Simpson's meeting that led to the September 2007 holdup of two memorabilia dealers at Palace Station.

CHER MYSTERY DEEPENS

Cher canceled two more shows this weekend at Caesars Palace, which identified her health issue as asthma-related bronchitis.

That raised eyebrows for several reasons.

Cher's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, told a reporter last week that Cher is suffering from a condition called "Vegas throat." That after Caesars Palace spent millions on a giant humidifier designed to protect Celine Dion's voice from the dry desert air in The Colosseum.

Adding to the mystery: Cher was spotted at Neil Diamond's concert on Thursday night at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, according to a Website.

Cher had six cancellations in less than a month. The Saturday and Sunday cancellations ended her 2008 engagement.

"Cher looks forward to her return to The Colosseum early next year with performances to be announced soon," Caesars Palace said in the release.

Rosenberg denied reports that Cher's problems were related to rumored chronic abdominal issues.

There has been speculation that her problems are related to a recent breakup with former Hell's Angel Tim Medvetz.

The Scene And Heard

Los Angeles interior decorator Faye Resnick was in Las Vegas on Friday, the 13th anniversary of the day Simpson was acquitted in the killing of his former wife Nicole Brown Simpson, one of Resnick's best friends. Through a local intermediary, Resnick was asked to comment on Simpson's conviction, but she declined. She was in town to celebrate the 25th birthday of Nicky Hilton, her goddaughter.


Monday 10-06-08

Bobbitt trains for boxing bout in LV John Wayne Bobbitt, who made headlines in the 1990s when his wife cut off his penis, has re-emerged in Summerlin in recent weeks. Bobbitt had worked a number of odd jobs here and served as a minister at a local church in 1997. He has been in and out of jail on a variety of charges, from domestic abuse to grand larceny, and got married a couple of more times. Bobbitt, 41, is training for a Nov. 15 celebrity boxing match in Philadelphia against Greg Smith, the barber who made news in May when he knocked out rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight during a street altercation in Hollywood. Bobbitt was scheduled to fight Joey Buttafuoco in a televised celebrity match several years ago, but the event fell apart. Earlier this year, Bobbitt agreed to slug it out with former baseball star Jose Canseco, but the promoter switched to former NFL player and BYU standout Vai Sikahema, who pounded the beefier Canseco into carpaccio. Bobbitt was maimed in 1993 in Manassas, Va., by his wife, Lorena Bobbitt, who drove away after the incident and threw the penis out the car window. It was later found and reattached. Bobbitt later appeared in porn movies to pay for his mounting legal and medical bills. TONY AND MARILYN An excerpt from Tony Curtis' new book, "American Prince: A Memoir," is in Vanity Fair's November issue, and it's a sizzler. The excerpt details the 1948 affair between Curtis and Marilyn Monroe and their steamy reunion 10 years later while shooting the classic, "Some Like It Hot." Both were in their early 20s, on the brink of Hollywood breakthroughs, when they met while walking down a street at Universal Studios. Curtis wasn't shy. He offered Monroe, then a redhead, a ride downtown in his green Buick convertible. They hit it off and started dating. One day, Curtis asked his actor friend Howard Duff if he could take a date to Duff's Malibu bungalow. After steaks and wine, well, you'll have to buy the book or Vanity Fair. Curtis, who has lived in Anthem in Henderson since 2001 with his wife, Jill, sets the record straight on a famous comment he made about kissing Monroe during the filming of "Some Like It Hot." After shooting a romantic scene in a yacht near the Hotel del Coronado outside San Diego, Curtis was hanging out with some crew members when someone asked him what it was like to kiss Hollywood's hottest sex symbol. "Like kissing Hitler," he said, meaning it as a deadpan joke. "So let me set the record straight once and for all," Curtis writes in the book. "I hated Hitler. As a Jewish kid in New York, I threw condom bombs on pro-Nazi parades. I loved Marilyn Monroe. And she was a terrific kisser." The Scene And Heard John Daly is returning to Las Vegas to play in next week's Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Tournament director Mark Gardner made it official the other day during a radio interview with Dennis Silvers' "The 19th Hole" on Fox Sports News KBAD-radio, 920 AM. The big-hitting Daly is having a horrible year on the PGA Tour, currently 229th in the standings. But he remains one of the most popular players after leading the Tour in longest drive average in 11 of 12 seasons, from 1991 to 2002. ... Gaetano Benza, 81, of North Las Vegas, won the third annual Maggiano's cooking contest with chicken breasts stuffed with eggplant and mozzarella and baked in tomato. The recipe came to him in a dream, he said, and the judges agreed: It was a dreamy dish. The judges were Kim Wagner, morning host at KVBC-TV, Channel 3; Anthony Crivello, who stars as the phantom in "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" and co-hosts "The Sicilians" on KBAD; Maggiano's executive chef John Psyk; and this writer. Sightings Mariah Carey, filming a music video at The Bank (Bellagio) on Sunday. She was the celebrity host at the club Saturday and dined with her husband, Nick Cannon, at Yellowtail (Bellagio) earlier. ... Nicky Hilton, celebrating her 25th birthday at Pure (Caesars Palace) on Saturday with boyfriend David Katzenberg, sister Paris and Paris' boyfriend, Benji Madden, of the rock group Good Charlotte, her parents, Rick and Kathy Hilton, and Jeff Beacher.

Tuesday 10-07-08

Hard-core fans ask: Has Jacko moved?

Michael Jackson fans who have been waiting for days outside his residence at West Palomino Lane are wondering if he's beat it.

Fans have regularly been camping out in front of the home more than a month, since word leaked here that a long vigil by a group of British fans paid off when Jackson signed autographs at the home on Aug. 29, his birthday.

The fans serenaded him that night and his security detail sent pizzas to the group.

Las Vegas attorney/food critic John Curtas, who lives nearby, said he drove by on Saturday morning and saw three young people with bed rolls.

About six weeks ago, Curtas saw a young woman carrying a wrapped gift wandering around the neighborhood.

"She said she was from Denmark and asked me if I knew what house was his," said Curtas. She was still there the next day, hoping for a glimpse of the pop icon, he said.

Two young men seated in lawn chairs were waiting across the street when I drove by shortly after noon Monday.

Both were from London, one of them said, and they had been there for five days, without a sign of any activity, other than two men who appeared to be working in the yard.

"I don't think he lives here anymore," said the Brit, who declined to give his name.

There have been rumors in the real estate community that Jackson was in escrow on another home.

DION, FAMILY SEE ANGEL

Celine Dion, her husband René Angélil and their 8-year-old son René Charles attended Criss Angel's new magic show at Luxor on Monday night.

René Charles is one of Angel's biggest fans, we're told. Angel presented the youngster with some "Master Mindfreak" DVDs, his series that teaches magic tricks to kids.

Dion's family is in Las Vegas taking a break from her six-continent "Taking Chances" tour. Her greatest hits "My Love: Ultimate Essential Collection," a 26-song compilation, comes out Oct. 28.

CHARO, SACCA TEAM UP

Entertainment legend Charo is in town filming two days of segments for a PBS pledge drive special with "Entertainment Las Vegas Style" host Tony Sacca.

They shot numerous scenes Monday, including a gondola ride at The Venetian.

The open-to-the public filming continues at 9 a.m. today on the Walk of Stars outside New York-New York, the MGM Grand Hollywood Theater ticket booth at 11 a.m., the Las Vegas Hilton showroom this afternoon and a live performance by the duo at 8 p.m. on the Fremont Street Experience.

Much of the show will include footage from Sacca's 23 years as host. The show airs in January.

Sightings

Actor Martin Lawrence, taking in "Jersey Boys" (Palazzo). ... San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito, dining at Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar at Bellagio on Sunday. ... At Lavo (Palazzo) on Sunday: Wayne Brady and Lawrence at separate tables, Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean and the cast of Showtime's "Dexter." ... Kiki and Lauren from Paris Hilton's new MTV reality show "My New BFF," spotted at Forty Deuce (Mandalay Bay) Saturday Night. ... Mila Kunis, best known for "That 70's Show," at a birthday party with large group of friends at Lavo. ... Lawrence, with Sacramento Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof and friends at Nove Italiano (Palms) on Saturday. ... Music star Ray J and boxer "Sugar" Shane Mosley, hanging out together Saturday at Tryst nightclub inside Wynn Las Vegas. ... Ray J, performing live at Poetry (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Friday. ... At Tao (Venetian) on Saturday: "The Office" actor John Krasinski. ... Ray Romano and Kevin James, having nightcaps at Jet Nightclub at The Mirage on Saturday after their show at Danny Gans Theatre. ... At Rok Vegas (New York New York): Danity Kane's Aundrea Fimbres, with friends, and New York Giants Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, at another table.

Wednesday 10-08-08

Norm took the day off

Thursday 10-09-08

Letterman gives an 'A' to O.J. jury

The O.J. Simpson jury got a thumbs up from talk-show host David Letterman.

"Here's what happened," said Letterman, turning serious during his monologue Monday.

"The jury did a little something unusual for an O.J. jury. What they did is they paid attention to the evidence."

The comment, more of an observation than a joke, drew loud applause.

Letterman had plenty of O.J. fodder on Tuesday's show, too.

"Did you hear what O.J. said after the trial? 'How does a nothing incident turn into something like this?'"

Letterman continued: "You know you've led an interesting life when armed robbery and kidnapping is a nothing incident."

He also quipped, "In the present economy, the real winner is O.J. Simpson. He got 25 to life, with free room and board."

ENCORE'S LINEUP

Steve Wynn's next generation of restaurants and chefs has been announced for Encore, the sister hotel to Wynn Las Vegas.

The chef and restaurant roster will include: Theo Schoenegger of four-star Patina in Los Angeles will helm Theo's, which will feature Italian cuisine. Jet Tila, whose family owns L.A.'s Bangkok Market, will operate Wazuzu, a modern Asian bistro.

Marc Poidevin, formerly executive chef of Le Cirque at the Bellagio and most recently Wynn's executive chef of catering and special events, will head Switch, a French-inspired steakhouse and seafood restaurant.

Mark LoRusso, previously the executive chef of Tableau at the Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas, will be in charge of Botero Steak. The restaurant will be next to Encore's megaclub, XS, and will overlook Encore's pool.

Taking over LoRusso's space at the Tower Suites will be Larry Forgione's An American Place, which previously was announced.

Kim Canteenwalla will be executive chef of Society Café Encore.

The Scene And Heard

"Saturday Night Live" star Jason Sudeikis is returning to Las Vegas this weekend with a group of fellow "SNL" writers and others. Sudeikis performed for The Second City at the Flamingo before jumping to "SNL" five years ago. His career has been flourishing: He played the former fiance of Cameron Diaz's character in "What Happens in Vegas" and a band manager in "The Rocker." He is married to Kay Cannon, a Second City cast mate and a writer for NBC's "30 Rock." ...

Ky Plaskon, a former reporter at KLAS-TV, Channel 8, joins KXNT-radio, 840 AM, as a reporter starting Monday. ...

Planet Hollywood Resort will host the world premieres of the horror franchise "Saw 5" on Oct. 23 and "Repo! The Genetic Opera," starring Paris Hilton and Sarah Brightman, on Nov. 6...

Today's "The Tyra Banks Show" features her Las Vegas visit, including scenes from Janet Jackson's concert, Palms Place, Bette Midler's show and "Zumanity." It airs at 3 p.m. on KTUD-TV, Channel 23.

Tonight's season finale of TLC's "American Chopper" focuses on the $350,000 SW1000 custom-made motorcycle built for Planet Hollywood Resort illusionist Steve Wyrick. The show airs at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. The chopper was built to commemorate Wyrick's 1,000th show at Planet Hollywood Resort.

Sightings

Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers, dining with family and friends at Mount Charleston Lodge on Wednesday. ... So much for the Mariah Carey pregnancy rumors. She was drinking wine during her dinner Monday with hubbie Nick Cannon. They inaugurated the new private dining room at Rao's at Caesars Palace. ... Bette Midler, dining at Sushi Roku in the Forum Shops on Saturday with three guests. ... At BOA Steakhouse in the Forum Shops: Aussie Michael Johns, who finished in eighth place in "American Idol" last season. ... Actress Heather Graham, at the 7 p.m. Monday performance of "Love" at The Mirage. She was accompanied by director Todd Phillips. They are in town filming for "The Hangover," a Las Vegas-set comedy.

Friday 10-10-08

'Phantom' star is radio personality

Tony Crivello's moonlighting job starts at noon.

Eight times a week, he heads for The Venetian to play the phantom in "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular."

About six months ago, he added a new job title: sports-talk show host at KBAD-AM 920 (Fox Sports Network) after regularly calling in under the name of "Tony the phantom."

His foray into the sports-talk universe began late last year. One day his plumber recognized Crivello's voice on the radio and, during a conversation, said he knew someone who knew a producer at the station.

He made a connection, was invited to the studio and was offered a stint as a vacation fill-in host on "The Wise Guys."

When the main job opened up a short time later, Crivello landed in the lead role and renamed the show "The Sicilians."

It's been a joyride for the Milwaukee native, who always had time for sports while pursuing a career in theater. He also majored in broadcasting. If the theater career didn't work out, he figured he could do voice-overs or become a shock jock.

Funny how things turn out. He's balancing a singing career with sports on the side.

When the sports-talk job opened up, his vocals coach asked him whether he was sure he wanted to put added strain on his vocal cords.

At 53, Crivello said he was confident that wouldn't be a problem.

"After 35 years, I know my instrument," he said.

As ringmaster of the radio show, he shares a lot of air time with his co-hosts Clark Schwieger, Jimmy Tuma and Brandy Carey.

The irony is that even with the added exposure, not many would recognize him.

"It's funny, in radio I'm behind the microphone and nobody knows my face. As the phantom, they only see half my face."

The Scene And Heard

What recession? A New York City strip club that caters heavily to Wall Street clients has introduced a $1,000 lap dance premium package that includes a bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne, a private room for 20 minutes and an autographed G-string. Sam Zherka, the owner of The VIP Club in Chelsea, told the New York Times that he's getting a lot of patrons despite the Wall Street meltdown. About 80 percent of his clients are Wall Street types, he said. ... Glass artist Dale Chihuly is signing copies of his newest book, "Chihuly Black," Saturday from 1-2 p.m. at the Chihuly Gallery at Bellagio. The 208-page collection features his most recent work with black glass. Chihuly designed the Fiori di Como ceiling in the Bellagio lobby.

Sightings

Mariah Carey, her husband, actor Nick Cannon, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, dining Wednesday with Steve and Elaine Wynn at The Country Club at the Wynn. ... Brad Penney, the Los Angeles Dodgers opening day pitcher before he was disabled, hanging out with mixed martial arts competitor Frank Trigg at LAX (Luxor) on Wednesday. Also there: Olympic gold medalist and freestyle sprint swimmer Cullen Jones.

Kevin Sorbo, best known as Hercules from the 1990s "Hercules" television series, was seen having dinner at Strip House (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Wednesday. ... Former Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach, who recently won the reality show "Gone Country," was shopping at Fashion Show Mall on Thursday. ... Marla Maples and her daughter, Tiffany Trump, are arriving today to celebrate Tiffany's 15th birthday. They are staying at Trump International Tower with their guests and dining at DJT restaurant. ...UFC star Wanderlei Silva, loaded up on protein at Texas de Brazil (Town Square) on Thursday.

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