January '09 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 01-24-09

Dancing is a hit for Clooney's ex

Sarah Larson had been flying under the radar, avoiding negative headlines and tending to her modeling career since her May breakup with George Clooney.

That changed this week with some Cloo-less, girl-gone-bad behavior, according to Fox News entertainment columnist Hollie McKay.

She is reporting Larson was spotted "provocatively grinding half a dozen guys on the dance floor - yes, all at once" last Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

At one point, McKay wrote, Larson "even had her legs wrapped around a gentleman's waist."

Several celebrity Web sites identified a member of her group as former boyfriend Ryan Doherty, the Las Vegas-based publisher for 944 magazine.

The former "Fear Factor" winner was last seen heading out with Ashlee Simpson's former boyfriend Ryan Cabrera, McKay reported.

A go-between attempted to get a comment from Larson for Vegas Confidential, but we didn't hear back.

The Scene And Heard

KVBC-TV Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs has followed through with her "Name the Puppy" contest. She was given the two-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel last Saturday after her date, "American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, paid $10,000 during a live auction at Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black and White Ball. She announced the name on Friday: Starlette Nigella Jacobs. Starlette, or Star for short, because Lythgoe creates stars and Nigella to honor Lythgoe for the gift. A fan of news anchor Jim Snyder offered "Jim-eta." Donnie Osmond, who turned "Puppy Love" into a big hit when he was 14, picked the final name from five choices. ...

Quote of the Week: There's not much on the walls of Phil Ruffin's office. But one thing caught the eye of local writer/blogger/podcaster Steve Friess during an interview after Ruffin purchased Treasure Island recently for $775 million from MGM Mirage: It was a framed check for $171,953,438. "That's my check to the IRS last year," said Ruffin, "so don't let anyone ever tell you the rich don't pay taxes." Ruffin paid $167 million for the New Frontier in 1998. He sold it to El Ad Properties for $1.2 billion in May 2007. ...

Longtime publicity director Candi Cazau was part of sweeping layoffs by Boyd Gaming on Wednesday that claimed 70 jobs. Feb. 15 would have been her 10-year anniversary with Coast Casinos and Boyd. She handled showroom publicity at the Orleans and the Suncoast. She's a pro.

Sightings

Venetian headliner Wayne Brady, hugging the No. 1 girl in his life, daughter Maile, who turns 6 on Feb. 3, at McCarran International Airport on Friday. ... Victoria Secret model and "Project Runway" host Heidi Klum, taking a gondola ride through The Grand Canal Shoppes. Later, she was seen directing a fashion photo shoot in the Venezia Lobby, while the cameras were filming for her show "Germany's Next Top Model." ... Mario Lopez, who is hosting tonight's finals of the Miss America Pageant, dining at Bartolotta (Wynn) on Thursday night with a group of friends. ... Saxophonist Kenny G., dining at Nobu (Hard Rock Hotel) on Thursday.

Sunday 01-25-09

Farm life just fine for Miss Indiana

The new Miss America grew up around dairy cows and county fairs.

Katie Stam's definition of reality was bottle-feeding calves instead of bottle service and red carpets.

Almost overnight the fresh-off-the-farm, church-going beauty is a shining star in the glamour world after winning the Miss America title in her first try on Saturday at Planet Hollywood Resort.

Her best job growing up? Feeding the calves, she said.

The worst? Training the family's four milk cows for the county fair. One of those cows was named "Miss Indiana" after she won the state title last summer.

No one knows how it transpired, but "Miss Indiana" suddenly became known as "Miss America" to family and friends.

Saturday the dream came true for the girl who grew up wearing a tiara made from a cereal box and faux sashes.

FRIENDS OF STEVE

The guest list for Encore's opening Saturday and Steve Wynn's 67th birthday included: Neil Diamond, Donald and Melania Trump (they celebrated their fourth anniversary Thursday), CBS honcho Les Moonves and wife Julie Chen, Playboy's Christie Hefner, former Rat Pack member Angie Dickinson, singing legend Paul Anka, director Brett Ratner, Monty Python star Eric Idle, Randy Jackson of "American Idol," TV star Don Johnson, yesteryear film star Robert Wagner, sports newscaster Al Michaels, former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, politico James Carville, Phoenix sports leader Jerry Colangelo, music icon Quincy Jones. Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Sisters, the Maccione family of Le Cirque restaurant fame, boxing promoter Bob Arum and motivation guru Tony Robbins.

SONDHEIM SHOWCASE

Kelly Clinton's Celebrity Spotlight, billed as "An Evening of Sondheim," showcases some of the top local talent tonight at the Bootlegger Bistro.

Clinton joins a lineup that includes her husband, Clint Holmes, his longtime music director Bill Fayne, Bobby Black, Teddy Davey, Leigh Zimmerman, Dominick Allen, Gayle Steele, Robin Vincent, Connie Murray, Natalie Carson, Lorena Provencio, George DeMott, Cody Gay, Cayleigh Capaldi, Chris Coyne, Gloria Allen, Rebecca Kaufman, Vita Corimbi, Mollie Tenant, Doug Baker and Kevin Sherrell.

Sightings

The Trumps, chatting Friday with local producer Joey Battig in the high-limit area at Wynn Las Vegas. ... Monty Python icon John Cleese, dining at Koi (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Friday. He is in town for his daughter Camilla's 25th birthday. ... At Lavo (Palazzo) on Friday: Sgt. Harvey Walden of "The Biggest Loser" and his girlfriend, "American Idol" finalist Kimberly Locke; Mario Lopez and his family; actor Shane West with friends and family; actress Zoe Saldana along with her sister and friends and actress Fairuza Balk. ... At Pure (Caesars Palace) on Friday: Nick Cannon, working the turntables; West with his posse, and San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, mingling with fans. ... Lopez, with his mother at "Jersey Boys" (Palazzo) on Friday, as well as touring XS, the Encore nightclub. ... Pete Rose's son, Tyler, making his Las Vegas debut as a club deejay on Friday at Poetry nightclub (Forum Shops at Caesars). His mother, Carol, showed up for young Rose's biggest job to date. He opened for DJ Kid Capri under his deejay name, TRose.


Monday 01-26-09

Indiana farm girl no Miss Modesty Newly minted Miss America Katie Stam passed many tests with flying colors on her way to the title: she was well-spoken, poised beyond her years, and photogenic as all get out. Indiana's first Miss America, the farm girl from Smalltown U.S.A., brought it all. You could make a case for her 'til the cows come home. But she could use some finishing touches. Miss Modesty, she's not. The first sign came in the fourth and final episode of the reality show "Miss America: Countdown to the Crown." When it was clear she had emerged as a favorite of the judges, she and a group of other leading contenders were asked, "Why should you be Miss America?" Stam, 22, boldly grabbed the bull by the horns in a manner rarely seen in the pageant world, where so much is riding on the right response. "This is a transitional year for Miss America," she said. "We're trying to rebuild the image of Miss America, making her the 'it' girl and I am the 'it' girl. "I can take Miss America to the next level, put her in the public eye, give her the media attention that she needs, rebuild the program, make it what we want it to be." She raised eyebrows again Saturday during the post-pageant news conference. During the question-and-answer session, she gushed to the media about what an exciting year it has been, with Barack Obama becoming the first African-American president "and now I'm Miss America!" CONNICK CROONS Harry Connick Jr. had 'em at hello Saturday as the featured entertainer for the gala opening of Encore, which also served as the 67th birthday party for Steve Wynn. A spy tells me Connick told a star-studded crowd that Wynn had invited him and his wife, Jill, to dinner a couple of nights earlier at Encore's Sinatra restaurant. Connick said Wynn called up again on Friday and invited him to join him again. "And there I was seated with Steve on one side and Donald Trump on the other with Neil Diamond sitting across from me. "I felt like a homeless person," Connick said. The highlight of his performance Saturday -- to many -- was his homage to Sinatra, when he sang Ol' Blue Eyes' "Luck Be A Lady" and "Here's to the Losers." The Scene And Heard The buzz out of Encore's gala was a rumor that Wynn planned to spend his birthday Tuesday in St. Moritz, the white-hot Swiss ski resort. ... The tough economy hit the Miss America Pageant especially hard. An insider said the number of free tickets given away to fill Planet Hollywood Resort's 7,000-seat Theatre for the Performing Arts was in the thousands. The good news: Another jump in the TV ratings was anticipated. Sightings Stam, starting her first full day as Miss America with a family breakfast Sunday at Planet Dailies (Planet Hollywood Resort). At a separate table, Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund, who did the organization proud during her reign. Stam must have felt like she was in familiar territory the previous Saturday when the 52 contestants had dinner at Buca di Beppo on East Flamingo Road. She worked as a hostess in a Buca di Beppo in Indiana. Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl purchased the 88-restaurant chain last August. Stam heads for the Super Bowl in Tampa this week. ... Candice Bergen, taking in Bette Midler's "The Showgirl Must Go On" Saturday at Caesars Palace. ... Comedy icon Jerry Lewis, at the championship bull riding at the South Point arena on Saturday. ... At Lavo (Palazzo) on Saturday: Miss America host Mario Lopez, with a party of 15 that included former Miss USA Shanna Moakler and Palms owner George Maloof. ... At Poetry nightclub (Forum Shops at Caesars) Saturday Night: A group of NFL players that included Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Patrick Surtain, Kansas City Chiefs, and Paul Williams, Tennessee Titans.

Tuesday 01-27-09

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 01-28-09

Norm took the day off

Thursday 01-29-09

Wynn marriage appears cloudy

Representatives for Steve and Elaine Wynn are saying little about a published report claiming the power couple split several months ago.

Citing anonymous sources, the New York Post's Page Six gossip column Wednesday reported the hotel developer is romantically involved with a British woman in her late 40s.

Media queries were directed to a Wynn Las Vegas Web site. "We don't comment on the Wynns' personal lives," a rep responded.

The rumors went public after surfacing over the weekend. Vegas Confidential reported on Monday that word was circulating at the opening gala of his Encore hotel -- and his birthday party -- on Saturday that Wynn was spending his 67th birthday in St. Moritz, Switzerland's exclusive ski haven.

Sources say there were recent signs that something was amiss. Elaine and one of the couple's daughters were seen crying, and there was buzz among staffers that Steve had moved out of their Wynn Las Vegas suite.

They have been building a home at Southern Highlands Golf Club.

The Wynns were married in 1963 and divorced, but never separated, in 1986, when he risked everything by building The Mirage with help from junk-bond trader Michael Milken.

They remarried five years later at the Waldorf-Astoria, site of their first wedding.

Elaine, Miss Miami Beach 1960, was no shrinking violet while Wynn was credited with re-inventing Las Vegas. As director of Wynn Resorts since 2002, she has been extensively involved.

In a 2006 interview with The New York Times, Steve Wynn said he often worked long hours at the Frontier, near their golf-course home at the Desert Inn, now Wynn Las Vegas.

One morning when he arrived home at dawn, he said, "She's looking at me. She says, 'Careful now, don't get confused.' Elaine is not the kind of woman who would passively tolerate disrespect."

KILLER VERSION

Some top Democrats who stopped in Harry Reid's Washington office Wednesday heard a Killer version of Nevada's state song.

Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the majority whip, walked in and were introduced to Las Vegas rock band The Killers, who are in the capital for a concert.

Reid, the Senate majority leader from Nevada, said he had heard that the group recently performed "Home Means Nevada" during a concert and asked if the band members would sing it.

Frontman Brandon Flowers, who was seated on a couch, stood up and sang the state song a cappella.

During the 20-minute stop, Reid asked if the band members had any legislation they were interested in bringing up. Renewable energy, one of The Killers said.

The Scene And Heard

Flamingo headliner Marie Osmond is returning to the TV talk-show world this fall, with a syndicated show originating from here. It was announced Wednesday at the NATPE conference that the show will be seen in 70 percent of U.S. households, including New York and Los Angeles. ... Beginning Monday, the KMXB-FM 94.1 morning team of Mark and Mercedes, along with producer JC, is being syndicated. They've been picked up by fellow CBS station KZZO-FM, 100.5, one of the most powerful FM stations in Northern California and based in Sacramento.

Sightings

Josh Groban, attending the Donny & Marie show (Flamingo) on Tuesday. ... Food Network star Paula Deen, the "Queen of Southern Cuisine," at the 7 p.m. performance Tuesday of "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" (Venetian). ... Actress Amanda Bynes ("Hairspray"), having lunch Tuesday at SushiSamba (Palazzo Shoppes) with two other girls and two guys. Bynes appeared to be cozying up to one of the guys, suggesting she's moved on from her breakup with "The Hills" reality actor Doug Reinhardt. ... Superstar rapper T.I., performing at Jet Nightclub (Mirage) on Monday, his last West Coast performance before heading to prison in March as part of a plea deal on federal weapons charges. Usher, in town recording his upcoming album, was there checking out his pal's show.

Friday 01-30-09

Wynn Las Vegas villa being refit

There are rumblings that a villa being renovated at Wynn Las Vegas is the future home of Steve Wynn and his British girlfriend.

"It's being redesigned for them," my source said Thursday.

The bombshell romance made headlines this week when the New York Post's Page Six column reported Wynn, the founder, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts, has been involved with the woman for five months.

"They met at St. Tropez," said the source. She's a divorcee in her late 40s with children, according to several reports.

Neither Wynn nor wife Elaine has confirmed or denied the separation.

Company officials are declining comment, saying the Wynns' personal lives are off-limits.

Further complicating the sensitive nature of the split, Elaine Wynn's nephew, Andrew Pascal, is president of Wynn Las Vegas and the new Encore.

Steve Wynn and his girlfriend were reportedly in St. Moritz, Switzerland, celebrating his 67th birthday, which was Tuesday.

He has been spending time on the French Riviera since his purchase last summer of a 183-foot yacht that was moored at Nice, France.

The yacht, named the Allegro, ranks among the top 50 largest owned by an American.

The Scene And Heard

It's official: The Miss America pageant is making a comeback. The Learning Channel's telecast of the pageant was the most-watched show on cable among adults and women age 18 to 49. It drew 3.5 million viewers, based on Nielsen Research data. After years of dismal rating, that's good news for the second year in a row. A year ago, the number of viewers rose 50 percent over the previous year's airing on Country Music Television. ...

Singing legend Tom Jones headed for Poland late Wednesday after wrapping up his latest engagement at the MGM Grand this week. That makes him Tom Jonesky to his Polish fans. He's there promoting his new album. Earlier this week he had a belated Christmas dinner with his longtime running mate Cook E. Jarr, the Las Vegas lounge legend. Jarr's spread included linguine and clams, Crab Louis Salad, king crab and steak, and Italian wedding soup.

May I recommend

Hawaiian Tropic Zone in the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood Resort is offering a fight special to watch UFC on a big screen Saturday: $25 admission, with a minimum of $40 for food and beverage. The fight telecast, which features the main event pitting Georges St. Pierre against BJ Penn, starts at 7 p.m.

Sightings

Former "Friends" star Lisa Kudrow, in town for the NATPE convention, spotted dining at Aureole (Mandalay Bay) on Wednesday night. ... Les Stroud, star of the Discovery Channel's "Survivorman" series, having dinner with friends at Eiffel Tower Restaurant on Wednesday. ... Recording artist/songwriter Usher, hanging out at LAX (Luxor) Wednesday with record producer and Grammy-winning songwriter Jermaine Dupri and Starlight Tattoo mogul Mario Barth.

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