October '08 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 10-11-08

	Simpson attends jail prayer service O.J. Simpson was allowed to leave isolation to attend a worship service during his first week in jail, it was learned Friday. The NFL Hall of Famer was found guilty a week ago Friday and immediately jailed in the Clark County Detention Center. He was convicted on all 12 counts involving the armed robbery and kidnapping of two sports memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel room 13 months ago. Also attending the worship service earlier this week was Simpson's co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart, it was learned. Simpson, 61, faces a life sentence. He awaits a Dec. 5 sentencing. SHERWOOD REMEMBERED Producer Jeff Beacher and his "Madhouse" cast and crew are gathering tonight at Mix restaurant (THEHotel) to remember Robin Sherwood, who died Sept. 30 in Lancaster, Calif. Sherwood, who appeared in numerous films as a little person stunt double, was 37. His films included "Waterworld," "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" and a Grinch movie. More recently he was one of Beacher's Oompa Loompas, including Little Trump. "The highlight of his life was entertaining people," said his sister, Lesley Hitt. Sherwood's ashes will be spread over Las Vegas. "That's what he wanted," said Hitt. The Scene And Heard John F. Kennedy's personal 1962 Lincoln Continental that regularly transported the Kennedys (and, word has it, Marilyn Monroe) around Palm Beach will be on the sales block Oct. 15-18 at a Barrett-Jackson auction at Mandalay Bay. Bette Davis' "Black Beauty," a 1980 Ford Mustang, which she ordered on the morning of her 72nd birthday, is among the more than 500 vehicles up for auction, including those owned by Toby Keith, Evel Knievel and Nicholas Cage, as well as Carroll Shelby's first race car, a 1949 MG. Sightings At Bette Midler's show (Caesars Palace) on Friday: Music industry icon Clive Davis, Celine Dion and her husband Rene Angelil, John Prine, the singer and composer who wrote "Hello in There," a song in Midler's show. ... Jason Sudeikis of "Saturday Night Live," having lunch at Planet Dailies (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Friday with some fellow writers. They were watching CNN, which was showing clips from Thursday's special episode of "SNL." Also at Planet Hollywood Resort: Lake Bell, Sudeikis' co-star in "What Happens in Vegas." She is in town with friends taking a weekend break from her latest film project, "A Good Old-Fashioned Orgy" with her co-star Lindsay Sloane. Sudeikis and Don Johnson are also in the film. ... Supercross/motocross champion James Stewart, racing at Pole Position Raceway on Thursday. He is in town for the U.S. Open at the MGM Grand Garden this weekend. ... Comedian George Wallace, ordering fried chicken and stone crabs Friday for lunch at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars). ... Former Tropicana co-owner J.K. "Kell" Houssels and his wife, Nancy, co-founder of Nevada Ballet Theater, at Zowie Bowie's Vintage Vegas show at Santa Fe Station on Thursday. ... Tony Orlando, touring Opportunity Village on Friday. He's headlining a charity show for Opportunity Village today at South Point. ... Chris Carrabba, lead singer and guitarist of the acoustic-alternative band Dashboard Confessional, hanging out inside Wasted Space (Hard Rock Hotel) on Thursday night after their concert at the Hard Rock.

Sunday 10-12-08

13th Agassi slam another big hit

Andre Agassi summed up the evening early on Saturday. His 13th Grand Slam for Children, he said, was "in a different home, different year and different times."

The different home was the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas instead of the MGM Grand Garden, which was the host site of the previous 12 charity extravaganzas.

Different times?

Well, everyone in the crowd of 1,900 understood that part, and the ramifications, with financial markets in freefalls.

For a few hours, Agassi helped put that on hold with a best-ever lineup of entertainment that included Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow (who teamed up with Stewart on a "First Cut is the Deepest" duet and sang "Always On Your Side" at Agassi's request), The Killers, David Spade, British star Natasha Bedingfield and special guest Charice Pempengco, a 16-year-old Filipino sensation who performed at Madison Square Garden last month.

Joining Agassi and his wife, Steffi Graf, on the red carpet were Steve and Elaine Wynn, Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who guided Team USA to a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, Donny Osmond and star chef Emeril Lagasse.

Sightings

At Bette Midler's "The Showgirl Must Go On" (Caesars Palace) on Saturday: former Cirque du Soleil artistic director Franco Dragone, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, producer, director and screenwriter Nora Ephron and songwriter Linda Perry. ... Justin Timberlake and his girlfriend, actress Jessica Biel, campaigning Saturday at a rally for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama at the Clark County Amphitheater. ... Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, celebrating his 40th birthday Friday at "Criss Angel Believe" (Luxor) and later at LAX, where they joined Angel, and The Bank (Bellagio. ... Heather Graham, shooting scenes for "The Hangover" near the valet area at Caesars Palace on Friday. ... Actress Kirsten Dunst, treating her best friend to a birthday weekend in Las Vegas that kicked off Friday at LAVO (Palazzo). They continued the party upstairs in the nightclub, where they celebrated with cupcake cones and sparklers. Also at LAVO, Justin Bartha, who is filming "The Hangover" in Las Vegas, and Lake Bell and her "What Happens in Vegas" co-star, Jason Sudeikis of "Saturday Night Live," along with fellow actors Lindsay Sloane and Nick Kroll. Earlier, Sudeikis attended "Love" (Mirage). ... At Ovation (Green Valley Ranch) for the Steel Panthers show on Friday: Poison drummer Rikki Rockett, pop-rock musician Ryan Cabrera, and "Saved By the Bell" principal Dennis Haskins, joining the band onstage and singing "School's Out." ... Los Angeles Lakers talent scout Bonnie-Jill Laflin, one of Maxim's "Hot 100," hosting Friday at Hawaiian Tropic Zone (Planet Hollywood Resort). ... Pop singer-songwriter Bedingfield, chilling out Saturday at the newly opened Minus 5 Ice Lounge at Mandalay Place before her concert at Mandalay Bay. It's the first permanent ice lounge in the United States.


Monday 10-13-08

Emeril stirring up new LV sports bar Emptying the notebook after the 13th Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit concert on Saturday at Wynn Las Vegas: •Star chef Emeril Lagasse broke some news on the red carpet: He's putting a sports bar into the space formerly occupied by 40/40 Club, which was recently sold back to The Palazzo by entertainment mogul Jay-Z. Lagasse said he hopes to have it open near the end of the football season. "We're going to have a lot of fun with it and do the ultimate sports bar. Killer food and great fun," said Lagasse, who already operates Emeril's Fish House at MGM Grand, Delmonico at The Venetian and Table 10 at The Palazzo. He's considering naming it "E.J.'s," after his son, Emeril John, 5. "It may be E.J.'s Sports Bar & Grill," Lagasse said, with a chuckle. The 40/40 Club opened on New Year's Eve and was purchased by The Palazzo in August. It is currently used as a sports book. •The wildest ovation of night went to special guest performer Charice Pempengco, whose star has been soaring since appearances with Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah and Celine Dion (go to YouTube.com for their duet). The 16-year-old phenom from the Philippines wowed the crowd with a medley from "The Bodyguard." Grand Slam musical director David Foster, who has won more than a dozen Grammys as a musical producer, said he's hoping to sign her to a deal, but right now, "she's working with Oprah and Oprah's people." •No announcement is planned on how much the event raised in its first year at the Wynn. The previous 12 were held in the MGM Grand Garden, where a crowd of 8,200 last year helped push the evening's total to $9.1 million for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation. This year's event drew 1,900, close to the 2,000 who sat at tables on the arena floor in the past. The venue switch made it more of a corporate affair, with table sales only, the highest going for $85,000 for 10 seats. Agassi, in a statement released Sunday, called it an "amazing party" that celebrated "the many successful years of raising money for underserved children." DIFFERENT VERSIONS An Oregon man contends his speech impediment was ridiculed by Pete Rose at a sports collectibles store at Caesars Palace. In an e-mail, Jim Scornerston of Talent, Ore., said he approached the former baseball great on Oct. 4 at Field of Dreams to "let him know I was a fan." Rose, who signs his merchandise at the store during four appearances a week, showed no interest in talking, according to Scornerston, who said he hadn't purchased any merchandise. "I told him how much I used to love to get up Saturday mornings with my sister to watch 'The Baseball Bunch,'" said Scornerston, referring to a syndicated TV baseball show hosted by Rose's former teammate, Johnny Bench. According to Scornerston, Rose was "clearly annoyed" and responded by mocking Scornerston's lisp, saying, "Did ya thee me on Thaturdayth? With your thithter?' Then just looks away." "I was humiliated. I'm embarrassed just to repeat the story now," said Scornerston, 33. "At first, it'd happened so fast I almost thought he was trying to be funny, I forced an embarrassed little laugh. And said, 'OK, just wanted to say hi.' He just says (still looking away), 'Roger that.'" When Scornerston left the store and began sharing the account with a buddy, they saw Rose "staring right at us." Rose made a wincing expression and then waved his hand behind him, suggesting he had passed gas, said Scornerston. "Real class," he added. "A total bum rap," responded Jim Nagourney, general manager of Field of Dreams. He said Rose "remembers the man and vehemently denies the nasty allegations." "Not only does Pete graciously pose for photos with nonbuyers," Nagourney said, "he even keeps a supply of 'Pete Rose' cookie packages, which he autographs and hands out to kids whose parents cannot afford to make a purchase." Fans who don't purchase merchandise are allowed to shake hands with Rose while friends or family take photos, Nagourney said. Fans who want to sit next to Rose while they have their picture taken are required to purchase an item, with prices ranging from $70 for an autograph to $400 for personalized merchandise. "Pete's been doing this gig for four years and this is the first complaint," said Nagourney, who in a 2007 interview said Rose's Field of Dreams job earns more than $1 million a year.

Tuesday 10-14-08

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 10-15-08

LV clubs feeling pain of downturn

The Wall Street crisis has sent a chill through the once-blazing Las Vegas nightclub industry, with reports of downsizing and the slashing of celebrity fees.

"Business was down 10 percent before the crash. Now it's 20 to 25 percent," said a veteran club operator. "Wait until November or December. The bigger places will have to trim the fat."

Clubs that routinely paid six figures for celebrity hosts during a free-spending three-year run have dramatically cut back, said a club entertainment executive.

Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey and Jessica Simpson will still get $100,000-plus, the source said.

But the clock is ticking on the Kevin Federlines and the Spencer Pratts. It was Pratt, the fiancé of Heidi Montag in the MTV reality show "The Hills," who famously told David Letterman during a June appearance that he "won't go to a club anymore for less than $100,000."

"Celebrities who were getting $30,000 to $40,000 a night are now lucky to get $10,000," the club industry source said.

The stripper industry is taking a hit as well, a source said.

"Strippers were making five grand a night. Now you're hearing horror stories from the top clubs. They're used to making a minimum of $1,000 a night. They're not seeing as many high rollers coming in."

One of the club executives predicted the age of the mega-club is "officially dead."

"I know people who are leaving Vegas that think the heyday is done. People are wracking their brain over what's the next big thing," he said.

The celebrity host bidding war has been fueled by Pure and Tao, the two biggest clubs on the Strip.

Celebrity fees were falling well before the financial meltdown.

"The economy is part of it," said one of the club executives, "but it started with the IRS raid. Steve Davidovici drove the market up."

Davidovici is one of the managing partners of Pure Management Group. Two of its clubs, Pure and LAX, along with the headquarters, were raided by the IRS in February.

Davidovici, a veteran club operator, "outspent everybody" when it came to A-list talent and DJs, two of the industry execs said.

When he was still talking to the media before the IRS investigation, Davidovici emphatically denied published reports that he's paid up to half a million dollars to land Hilton or Spears for special events such as New Year's Eve.

A story has been circulating for several years that Davidovici guaranteed DJ AM $1 million a year to keep him from the competition.

It wasn't long ago that DJs received $1,500 a night, an executive said. That jumped to $8,000 in recent years, and Davidovici doubled and tripled that to beat the competition.

The Scene And Heard

Rumors were flying Tuesday that Ellen DeGeneres was planning a surprise appearance at the "Legends in Concerts" celebrity impersonation show at Imperial Palace. Word was she was going to film the segment for her TV show without fessing up until she completed her gig. The show features tribute artists who impersonate Jay Leno, Donna Summer, Justin Timberlake, Tom Jones, Madonna and Elvis. DeGeneres also is taping a segment at today's celebrity pro-am tournament at TPC Summerlin, site of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Sightings

Actor James Woods, having a cocktail with a female companion at Caramel Bar & Lounge at Bellagio on Monday night. ... "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" star Ty Pennington, dining at Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar at Bellagio on Sunday night with friends. ... Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, dining at Japonais (Mirage) on Sunday after the Lakers-Kings game. Bryant, who was with his agent and some teammates, ordered Kobe beef. ... Terry Fator, surprising Tony Orlando during his show Sunday at the South Point with an impromptu appearance with his sidekicks, Emma and Winston the Turtle. On Monday, Orlando attended Fator's show at the Las Vegas Hilton and was summoned to perform. Orlando sang "Knock Three Times" and "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" with Fator and Emma.

Thursday 10-16-08

Norm took the day off

Friday 10-17-08

Mentalist's death ruled accidental

The mysterious death of mentalist Jason Scott, one of the original 10 contestants for NBC's "Phenomenon" series a year ago, has been ruled an accident from mixing a pain killer with alcohol.

Scott, 33, died in July at his Summerlin home. His full name was Jason Scott Ogilvie.

The Clark County coroner's office ruled it "alcohol and OxyContin intoxication," Scott's mother, Peggy Santana of Redding, Calif., said by telephone Thursday.

He had been ill after returning from a gig in Boston and joined his girlfriend for drinks the night he died.

He had about 10 beers and two pain pills, which were prescribed, his mother said. The coroner's report found Scott had very low sodium in his system, a sign of dehydration.

"You just can't mix alcohol and prescribed medication, especially if you are sick," said Santana, a registered nurse. "This is just about the saddest thing I've ever dealt with. It's so senseless.

"I bought him a magic kit for a Christmas present when he was 6. I don't think he's had another job (other than magic). He would never give in. It's what he wanted to do."

Scott's career was taking off. He had left a regular gig with the House of Blues to perform at the Playboy Club. He was hired in 2007 to perform at filmmaker Steven Spielberg's birthday party. His last performance was at a party for Sting.

ROOM RATES PLUNGING

More signs of declining times: Room rates have fallen dramatically since the economic downturn.

Rooms at Bellagio are going for $149; $110 at Mandalay Bay, $90 at MGM Grand, $69 at Treasure Island, and $60 at Monte Carlo and Luxor.

Excalibur is offering $42 deals, and Circus Circus has rates starting at $37.

The Scene And Heard

Bette Midler will be appearing at Krave nightclub on Monday between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at a Barack Obama rally, it was announced Thursday. ...

The Travel Channel is in town filming episodes for the "Vegas Revolution," a six-episode series that begins airing Nov. 13. Wednesday's filming took place at Simon at Palms Place. Other restaurants being featured include the Peppermill, Wolfgang Puck's CUT at The Palazzo, Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at the Wynn, Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill at Caesars Palace and Puck's Postrio (Venetian) and Chinois (Forum Shops at Caesars).

Sightings

"America's Got Talent" host Jerry Springer and many of the show's favorite contestants, including 2008 winner Neal E. Boyd, arriving just before the curtain came up Wednesday at Terry Fator's show (Hilton). Fator won the 2007 competition. The "America's Got Talent" delegation is performing tonight at MGM Grand. ... The Killers rock group, being interviewed by Rolling Stone magazine during dinner Wednesday at Hugo's Cellar (Four Queens). The group's music video for their single "Human," came on iTunes Thursday. Siegfried & Roy's cats make a cameo. ... Tyra Banks, dining with her sister and friends Wednesday in a private cabana at Bartolotta. Banks attended "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" on Thursday. ... Las Vegan Tommy Armour III and fellow PGA Tour vet Pat Perez, dining at SushiSamba (Palazzo) on Wednesday. ... Verne "Mini Me" Troyer, racing through McCarran International Airport on Wednesday in his souped-up scooter. ... "Laugh-In" star Ruth Buzzi and satirist "Kinky" Friedman, among a group at the Donny & Marie show (Flamingo) on Wednesday. They had attended a fundraiser for Judge Don Mosley. ... Antonio Tarver and his wife, Denise, dining at Café Martorano (Rio) on Wednesday) while watching "Rocky Balboa" on a plasma screen. Tarver played Rocky's rival in the film.

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