February '09 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 02-21-09

'Legends' move to feature parade

Monday's opening night of "Legends in Concert" at Harrah's will feature a Mardi Gras-like parade down the Strip with Elvis, Madonna and Frank Sinatra leading the way.

The parade will start at 4 p.m. in front of Imperial Palace, home of "Legends in Concert" for the past 25 years.

Harrah's president Don Marrandino will join more than 50 in-costume celebrity impersonators, showgirls, crew members and performing musicians on their way to Harrah's, their show's new home.

Imperial Palace employees will gather for a farewell sendoff to the sister property, and Harrah's employees will welcome them at the hotel entrance.

Tribute artists in the parade will include: Britney Spears, Bette Midler, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Barbra Streisand, Blues Brothers, Bobby Darin, Jay Leno, The Temptations, Frankie Valli, and Whitney Houston.

The Scene And Heard

KVBC-TV, Channel 3 weekend anchor Geraldo Ramalho had it all planned: He would propose during a stroll through the historic main street district in Park City, Utah.

But when he stopped at a bench on a cold and snowy night, his girlfriend Elizabeth Watts, who didn't see it coming, didn't warm to the idea of staying out in the cold. He found a bench under a heater and popped the question.

"I pretty much asked her out on her very first day at Channel 3," said Ramalho, when she was a newsroom assistant at the station. Now an anchor/reporter at KVBC's sister station, KYMA, in Yuma, Ariz., she is planning to move back to Las Vegas. ...

One of the best meals we had during our first visit to Nantucket in 2007 was at Le Languedoc, helmed by executive chef Jason Albus, who regularly wins best-lobster best-French restaurant honors. And he's not even 30 yet.

He's been in town this week, adding to his resume with a visiting-chef stint at Daniel Boulud's at Wynn Las Vegas. ... A rising star in the food world, Albus and his girlfriend, Kelly Hulme, his sommelier until recently, celebrated their last night in town by dining at Michael Mina (Bellagio) and going to "Love" at The Mirage.

M Resort, the newest addition on the southern end of the Strip, is joining the burgeoning pool party scene. The team behind Blush Boutique Nightclub has the management contract for the 14,000-square-foot pool area. The pool party will be called Daydream. ...

Raymond Cruz and Michael Paul Chan, stars of "The Closer," the No. 1 show on cable (TNT), are in Las Vegas this weekend. The season finale of "The Closer" airs Monday. ...

Hot spots, cool stuff: The annual Taste & Sounds of Soul event runs through Sunday at the Fremont Street Experience. The action starts at noon today at the Third Street stage. ...

Sightings

"Twilight"star Ashley Greene, celebrating her 22nd birthday with actress Brittany Snow and "Twilight" co-star Kellan Lutz on Thursday at "Zumanity" (New York-New York). ...

"American Idol" contestant Katrina "Bikini Girl" Darrell, at the Sunset Tan bikini fashion show at Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside Miracle Mile Shops on Thursday. ...

Film legend Tony Curtis, dining with a large group at Charlie Palmer Steak (Four Seasons Hotel) on Thursday night. Tony and his wife, Jill, are the guests of honor at the FEAT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment) Angels Gala on April 4 at the Stirling Club (Turnberry). ...

Louis Petrozza, one of the more controversial contestants in the reality show "Hell's Kitchen," dining Friday at Hash House A Go Go. Also there: Hooter's headliner Bobby Slayton. ...

Actress and fashion designer Taryn Manning and partner Tara Jane, showcasing the latest collection from their line Born Uniqorn at Tao (Venetian) on Thursday. Also at Tao was comedian Orlando Jones. ...

Identical twins Chip and Pepper Foster, who sold a half-million dollars of their Chip & Pepper denim line at the MAGIC show last week, celebrated at Blush on Thursday. They have co-hosted "The Look for Less" on E! Entertainment and the Style Network, as well as working as fashion correspondents for "Extra."...

"Hills" star Audrina Patridge, staying in the Fantasy Tower at the Palms on Wednesday. ...

Lulu Von Brochwitz, described as the "Next Heidi Klum" of Germany, attended "Lance Burton: Master Magician" (Monte Carlo) on Friday and met with him after the show to film a segment for an entertainment news show on Germany's BILD-7.

Sunday 02-22-09

Comedian Faces Paternity Claims

Former rock ’n’ roll star Gary Lewis, one of Jerry Lewis’ sons, has agreed to submit to a DNA test on behalf of a woman who believes she is the comedy legend’s daughter.

Results of the test will be announced next month on “Inside Edition,” which has been covering the claim by Suzan Lewis, aka Suzan Minoret, now in her late 50s.

Photos of her can be seen at http://suzanlewis.com/index2.html.

Jerry Lewis, a longtime Las Vegas resident, is being honored today with an Oscar at the 81st Academy Awards for his humanitarian efforts.

On her Web site, the woman, who lives in Florida, said she met Jerry Lewis in the 1980s while he was visiting France.

“We spent a very warm and special day together in his suite. It was his idea to place an overseas call to Mom. After he talked with her, he seemed even more relaxed and accepting of me. I have great memories of that day with Jerry Lewis.”

She wrote on the Web site that the comedian’s manager, Joe Stabile, told her the next day she had to leave because, “You look so much like him, people will catch on that you’re his daughter.”

The woman said she was 26 when her mother told her Jerry Lewis was her father from a tryst with Lewis in a suite above the famous Copacabana nightclub in New York City, where Lewis was performing with Dean Martin.

Jerry Lewis has not publicly acknowledged that the woman is his daughter.

Suzan Lewis said she is disabled from an automobile accident and homeless. She is releasing a book titled “Jerry’s Kid” in April, according to her Web site.

Gary Lewis and The Playboys were instant stars in 1965, with a No. 1 hit (“This Diamond Ring”) two No. 2’s (“Count Me In” and “Save Your Heart for Me”), a No. 3 (“She’s Just My Style”) and a No. 4 (“Everybody Loves a Clown”). The group had 17 top 40 hits .

Another paternity claim has emerged from a Virginia man.

Tim Weller, who turns 60 next month, contacted Vegas Confidential last summer. His mother never told him who his father was, only that she dated Jerry Lewis when he was working in the Newark, N.J., area and “that he was Jewish and that I looked like him.”

“I’m not trying to gain from this, just clear up a nearly 60-year-old mystery. And my 9-year-old son deserves to know about his grandfather, if Jerry turns out to be him,” said Weller, an X-ray technician in Fredericksburg, Va.

The Scene And Heard

Las Vegas actress and singer Meaghan Jette Martin debuted her “When You Wish Upon A Star” music video on Saturday on the Disney Channel. It accompanies the third DVD and first Blu-ray disc release of “Pinocchio.” Martin, 17, also recently covered Olivia Newton-John’s “Magic” for the “Wizard’s of Waverly Place” soundtrack.

Sightings

New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, with Oakland Raiders tight end Darrell Strong, at Drai’s After Hours on Friday in Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall. ... Tony Gonzalez of the Kansas City Chiefs and his wife, Tobi, on Friday at T-Bones Chophouse at Red Rock Resort. ... Cedric the Entertainer, joining Wayne Brady Friday for the finale, the James Brown number, at Brady’s show at The Venetian). ... Haylie Duff, celebrating her 24th birthday with beau Nick Zano and several actor friends at Yellowtail (Bellagio) and later at The Bank Nightclub. ... Keri Hilson, performing her hit “Tear’n Me Up” with Lil Wayne on Friday at Poetry nightclub (Forum Shops at Caesars). She bought about 100 shots of Patron for her fans during the night. ... Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker, dining Friday evening at Fix (Bellagio). ... Comedian Brad Garrett, checking out the Imperial Palace Auto Collection on Saturday. No word on whether he was just browsing or buying.


Monday 02-23-09

Jacobs, friends walk red carpet Usually TV reporter Alicia Jacobs is working the red carpet, not walking it. Sunday was a first: her first time on the red carpet for the Academy Awards. She was on the arm of "America Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, taking in the pomp and parties with a Star on her other arm. Well, in an elegant, customized dog carrier to be more precise. She took Star, her 11-week-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel to the Oscars. This pampered pup is no slumdog. Lythgoe, who has a home at Lake Las Vegas, gave Star to Jacobs last month at the Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black & White Ball after a winning auction bid of $10,000. At Friday's party at the new SLS Hotel, near the Beverly Center, their table mates included an Oscar nominee, Taraji P. Henson, and British TV personality Jordan, a former glamour model. Henson was nominated for best supporting actress for her role as the adoptive mother of Brad Pitt's character in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Jordan, one of Europe's most popular cover girls, was there with her husband, British singer Peter Andre, whom she met on Britain's version of "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here." When introduced to Jacobs, Jordan and her husband said they were coming to Las Vegas soon. When Jacobs asked whether there was a specific headliner they would like to meet, Jordan's husband blurted out, "Donny and Marie!" Jacobs assured them she thought she could arrange that. At a private party Jacobs and Lythgoe attended on Saturday, Candy Spelling, widow of producer Aaron Spelling, confessed to Jacobs that she loves slot machines. "She said she's like the No. 1 most-winning slot player," Jacobs said. Spelling said she's always winning and even hit a $100,000 jackpot at Bellagio. Spelling has a book signing coming up in Las Vegas for "Stories from Candyland." Oh, and Candy's in love. At one point during the evening, her beau, songwriter Jerry Goldstein, who co-wrote the No. 1 hit "My Boyfriend's Back," sang two songs to Spelling. The Scene And Heard Emeril Lagasse chefs have been seen around the Sportsbook Bar & Grill at the Palazzo. Word has it Lagasse plans to delay the takeover of the former 40/40 space until after March Madness. ... Gary Anderson of Vegas Oasis Studio created the theme and wraparound for the Oscars red carpet show. A music director, producer, composer and arranger, he is a Grammy winner and three-time Emmy nominee. ... CORRECTION: The first name of Gerard Ramalho, anchor/reporter at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, was misspelled in Saturday's column. Sightings Drew Barrymore, celebrating her 34th birthday Saturday at the Palazzo with a group of friends including fellow birthday girl Ellen Page of "Juno" and Kristen Wiig of "Saturday Night Live." Page and Wiig are starring in "Whip It," Barrymore's directorial debut. Barrymore's group strolled through the Palazzo casino singing and dancing to old-school jams on her boom box while walking up to their rooms. They dined at Lavo and had birthday cakes on the hookah patio. Page was celebrating her 22nd birthday. ... Adler's Appetite, featuring Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler, performed at Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel on Saturday. Adler, the band's original drummer from 1985 to 1990, recently appeared on the VH1 reality show "Sober House."... At "Tony N' Tina's Wedding" at Planet Hollywood Resort on Friday: "Twilight" actress Ashley Greene and "The Closer" co-stars Raymond Cruz and Michael Paul Chan. They cheered on pro wrestling legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who appears in the show through March 5.

Tuesday 02-24-09

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 02-25-09

Picture captures show biz history

Ten years ago on Valentine's Day, illusionists Siegfried & Roy met backstage with Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight and his family.

What a difference a decade makes.

Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, who were at the height of their popularity as one of the most successful acts in Las Vegas entertainment, will say farewell Saturday at Larry Ruvo's 13th annual Keep Memory Alive gala at Bellagio.

A photograph taken that night 10 years ago at Siegfried & Roy's show at The Mirage captured the rare family reunion.

With Voight that night was daughter Angelina Jolie, who was filming "Girl, Interrupted," a role that would win her an Academy Award a year later.

With Jolie was her husband, British actor Jonny Lee Miller, though they were estranged at the time and soon would be divorced.

Also in the picture is Angelina's film-making brother, James Haven, whom she singled out during her Oscar speech, declaring her love for him.

With the group was Angelina and James' mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who had separated from Voight when Angelina was a year old.

Marcheline died two years ago of ovarian cancer.

On May 5, 2000, a couple of months after her Oscar win, Angelina, 24, married fellow Oscar winner Billy Bob Thornton, 44, in Las Vegas at the Little Church of the West.

The Scene And Heard

Danny DeVito is among the celebrity lineup for the Keep Memory Alive fundraiser. Returnees include Teri Hatcher of "Desperate Housewives," actress Hilary Duff, Steve Schirripa, formerly of "The Sopranos," architect Frank Gehry, and celebrity blogger Robin Leach. The chefs will be Wolfgang Puck, Todd English, Jean-Philippe Maury and Martin Heierling. Making their local debut will be the ladies of Peepshow, which opens for previews March 30 at Planet Hollywood Resort. ...

Bon Jovi has been added to the mix for the big opening week of The New Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. They are the third band lined up for the weekend. The Killers open the new 4,000-capacity venue on April 17, Paul McCartney follows on April 19 and Bon Jovi on April 24. Tickets go on sale to the general public at noon this Saturday.

Sightings

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a few of his Super Bowl champion teammates, partying Monday at Jet nightclub inside The Mirage during the nightclub's second annual Crunk Cup Ball. ... NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman and their crews watching Carrot Top (Luxor) on Monday, with Joe Balash, NASCAR Nationwide Series director. .... At Coyote Ugly (New York-New York) on Monday: NASCAR driver David Stremme, with friends. ... Actor-director Danny Glover, dining Tuesday night at Twin Creeks restaurant (Silverton). ... Luxor headliner Criss Angel, shooting a gag Tuesday at MGM Grand with Howie Mandel for Howie's "Howie Do It" show on NBC. ... "American Idol" Season 2 finalist Josh Strickland, who originated the role of "Tarzan" on Broadway, at the "Peepshow" cast welcoming party Sunday night at Strip House (Planet Hollywood Resort), along with director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, who conceived the show. ... "Girls Next Door" star Kendra Wilkinson, filming her new E! reality show at the Palms casino. She filmed a photo shoot for Marc Ecko Cut & Sew in the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa.

Thursday 02-26-09

The magic lasted only four months

The magic is gone. Holly Madison and Criss Angel are history after a four-month relationship.

The Playboy Playmate and the Luxor illusionist split sometime after Valentine's Day, according to E! News.

Madison, a former Hooters Girl who ended up in the Playboy Mansion as Hugh Hefner's No. 1 girl, recently moved back in with her family, according to E!

Madison and Angel, the star of "Believe," were seen on a romantic date on Valentine's Day and vacationed together last month in Cabo San Lucas.

They met in Hollywood when Angel was taping the NBC show "Phenomenon" in Los Angeles in the fall of 2007. Madison and her "Girls Next Door" gal pals, Kendra and Bridget, served as assistants.

In an interview with CNN's Larry King late last year, Madison said she and Angel continued talking while she was staying at the Mansion and began dating when she moved out.

"It was a conflict of schedules," a source told E! News. "She felt she couldn't devote 100 percent of her time in Vegas and his career at the expense of her career and her goals."

Las Vegas-based publicist Steve Flynn, who repped both, confirmed they "are no longer a couple. They remain very close friends and wish each other the very best."

The Scene And Heard

The producers shooting "Housewives of Las Vegas" have begun contacting potential audition candidates. ...

Shelley Bruner, main anchor at KVVU-TV, Channel 5, is leaving the station. Her last day is Friday. Bruner, who joined the station in 2001 after starting her career in Phoenix, notified the station last summer that she would not be staying beyond her contract, news director Adam Bradshaw told Vegas Confidential on Wednesday. She has been a co-anchor for five years. ...

About 40 former cast members of "Enter the Night," including "Showgirl for the 21st Century" Akke Levin, are reuniting -- and performing -- tonight at Bahama Breeze, 375 Hughes Center Drive. Among those committed to attending: singers Tony Davich, Marva Scott and Jennifer Page. "Enter the Night" was a hit for years at the Stardust. ...

Fast company: Some of Kurt Busch's running mates are supporting his inaugural Race for the Kids tonight at Pole Position Raceway. Drivers competing in the race will be brother Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, Sam Hornish Jr., David Stremme and Jamie McMurray. Proceeds benefit the Kurt Busch Foundation. ...

The 11th Annual Legends of Bartending World Championship are being held March 1-3 at LAX nightclub at Luxor, with an international lineup of competitors. The qualifying rounds on Monday are open to the public at no charge. Tuesday's competition will have a cover charge. ...

Kyra White, a 14-year-old at Liberty High School, has won the "Speedway Superstar" competition, which qualifies her to sing the national anthem for the Sam's Town 300 race Saturday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. She bested 170 contestants who auditioned for the honor. KVVU and Sam's Town sponsored the contest.

Sightings

At Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace) on Tuesday: NASCAR drivers Stremme, Hamlin and Hornish and comedian Kevin Hart. ... Mirage headliner Terry Fator, introducing fellow ventriloquist Ronn Lucas on Tuesday during Fator's new show. Fator told the crowd he became interested in ventriloquism at an early age after seeing Lucas perform. After his show, Fator and friends dined in a private room at Kokomo's (Mirage). ... Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, playing blackjack Tuesday at the Playboy Club (Palms), site of the Miss Playboy Club February competition hosted by Kendra Wilkinson of the "Girls Next Door." The winner: Meghan Beck. Also there: rapper Too Short and Kendra's Playmate pals and a film crew. ... At Bobby Slayton's farewell lunch at Dan Marino's restaurant at Hooters Hotel on Wednesday: Carrot Top, Penn Jillette, Amazing Johnathan, Jimmie Walker, David Brenner, Kevin Burke, Anthony Cools, porn legend Randy West and George Wallace. Slayton is leaving Hooters on March 8 after a two-year run.

Friday 02-27-09

Earnhardt prank was quite slick

If Dale Earnhardt didn't win the race, it was rare that anyone beat him out of town.

Only the bravest of souls tried slowing down the gruff racing legend, who won 76 races and seven NASCAR Winston Cup championships. He and Richard Petty, another legend, each have won seven titles, a NASCAR record.

No sooner had Earnhardt crossed the finish line than he changed quickly into civilian clothes, said Chris Powell in a story he related to Vegas Confidential recently. Powell is a former public relations director for RJ Reynolds who is now the executive vice president and general manager of Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

One day in 1997 after a race at Sears Point Raceway (now Infineon Raceway) near San Francisco, Powell watched from the media center as drivers Sterling Marlin and Kenny Schrader played with fire.

They found Earnhardt's rental car and "put some gravy substance on his windshield and grease under door handle," said Powell, who then worked for RJR.

"They put lug nuts in his hubcaps and baby powder in the air conditioning so it blew out baby powder when it came out," recalled Powell.

Within a few minutes after the race ended, Earnhardt and his wife, Teresa, arrived at the car in a rush.

Teresa was the first victim. She grabbed a door handle and came up with goo all over her fingers.

Powell watched as Earnhardt had little luck in cleaning off the windshield.

Powell never heard the full details on how it all played out later.

"I don't know how he got them back," said Powell, " but I heard he got them back big time."

The Scene And Heard

Seven-foot center Chris Mihm, traded to the Memphis Grizzlies last week by the Los Angeles Lakers, got the VIP treatment for the very large on Wednesday at "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" at The Venetian. After Mihm arrived with his date, it was quickly apparent that a regular-sized theater seat would not suffice, and a special seat was brought in for him.

Sightings

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger racing Wednesday at Fast Lap Indoor Kart Racing. Roethlisberger, who has been in town all week, was also spotted at the Palms' ghostbar. He'll be calling shots of another kind tonight at Tao (Venetian). He and several of his teammates are gathering for a party to celebrate their Super Bowl-winning season. ... "Private Practice" star Taye Diggs and a pal, taking in "KA" (MGM Grand) on Wednesday night. Afterwards, he saluted the cast in the KA training room. He showed up at CatHouse (Luxor) about 3:45 a.m. with two gal pals and ordered Patron shots. They danced until 6 a.m. ... At LAX (Luxor) on Wednesday: Jamie McMurray, David Stremme, Robbie Gordon, Elliot Sadler, Denny Hamlin, Reed Sorenson and Brian Vickers. Also in the club: country music star Cowboy Troy.

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