April '09 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 04-18-09

Bush to co-host pageant after all

More drama has unfolded at the Miss USA pageant.

"Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush, after pulling out as co-host of the Miss USA event this Sunday, has made an about-face and is back in the fold.

Scrambling pageant organizers had brought in television personality Mark Walberg for rehearsals, only to hear back from Bush, who had cited stomach problems, that he was OK and ready to go.

Bush, first cousin of former President George W. Bush, will co-host with "My Name is Earl" star Nadine Velazquez.

Walberg's hosting experience includes "Antiques Roadshow," "Russian Roulette" and "The Moment of Truth."

Pageant judges will be Robert Earl, owner and co-chairman of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino; Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA 2004 and TV presenter; Willie Geist, co-host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe;" Brian Graden, president of entertainment, MTV Networks Music Channels; "Days of our Lives" star Shelley Hennig; celebrity blogger Perez Hilton; KVBC-TV, Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs; Claudia Jordan, "Deal or No Deal" model and former star of "The Celebrity Apprentice 2"; John Miller, chief marketing officer, NBC Universal; Kelly Monaco, season one celebrity winner of "Dancing With the Stars,"; Kenan Thompson, comedian and cast member of "Saturday Night Live;" and Eric Trump, executive vice president, development and acquisitions of The Trump Organization.

The Scene And Heard

Playboy's May edition will include Las Vegas native Alicia Taylor in a "Women of Wall Street" pictorial, according to a press release. She is in the running for the new Bravo series, "Real Housewives of Las Vegas," the release said. Taylor has worked in the lending and finance industry for almost 20 years and founded Mortgage Solutions LLC in 2004. She is a Rancho High School graduate and received a degree in business management from UNLV. ...

A May 2 benefit concert will be held for Las Vegas celebrity impersonator Trina Johnson-Finn, who has been jailed in South America more than six weeks. Johnny Stuart, longtime operator of "Legends In Concert," is allowing the event to be held at his Legends Ranch. It will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Johnson-Finn goes on trial in early May on charges of fraudulently performing as Toni Braxton in Suriname. ...

Kanye West is reporting on his Web site that he's been working on a song with The Killers' Brandon Flowers and actor Jared Leto. West said he was in his studio collaborating with Leto, who fronts "30 Seconds to Mars," when Flowers stopped in to say hello. ...

Marklen Kennedy, former vice president of customer development with Light Group properties in Las Vegas and New York City, has joined Tao Beach (Venetian) as director of VIP marketing.

Sightings

At The Killers concert at the new Joint (Hard Rock Hotel) on Friday: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, Owen Wilson and Stephen Dorff. ... Mark Stoermer of The Killers, drinking Coronas at Blush Boutique Nightclub (Wynn) after rehearsals on Thursday. ... CNN's "Moneyline" host Lou Dobbs, doing his weekday radio show out of KNUU-AM, 970 on Thursday and Friday. He's in town with his wife, Debi, to watch their daughter Hillary compete in FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage at the Thomas & Mack Center. ... The Food Network's Guy Fieri, dining at Simon at Palms Place on Thursday after a being honored at the Bubblicious champagne festival at Rain nightclub (Palms) with Palms owner George Maloof and former National Foodball League quarterback Glenn Carano. Also at Bubblicious: Carano's daughter, Gina, a professional mixed martial arts standout. She's "Crush" on "American Gladiators." ... Michael Flatley, who made a fortune as creator of "Riverdance," "Lord of the Dance"and "Celtic Tiger," spotted at Capital Grille (Fashion Show Mall) on Friday, having a long lunch with Las Vegas dealmaker Jack Wishna. Flatley has hinted for years that he was opening a hotel-casino in Las Vegas. ... Five-time Wimbledon and six-time French Open champ Bjorn Borg, among the field of the weeklong World Poker Tour event, which begins today at Bellagio. ... From noon to 7 p.m. today: Top X Games skateboard and BMX athletes in the world will be performing and signing autographs at the launch of Journeys Backyard Barbecue at the Galleria Mall. Among the standouts: Bucky Lasek, Dennis McCoy, Steve Caballero; Omar Hassan; Christian Hosoi; and Rob Lorifice.

Sunday 04-19-09

Coarse shout-out stirs up Tweeters

The Twitterati world is aflutter over Criss Angel's profane parting shot at celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

As Angel was ending his magic show Friday at the Luxor, the "Mindfreak" illusionist gave a shout-out.

"I have to recognize someone special here in the house," said Angel, according to a showgoer. "Perez Hilton, please stand up.

"We have the world's biggest douchebag asshole in the house!" Angel said.

Perez Hilton smiled broadly and said, "Thanks for the free tickets."

There's buzz that Angel berated the blogger after his camp saw Perez Hilton's Twitter site, which carried real-time comments lambasting the show, including "unbelievably BAD!" and "I would rather be getting a root canal."

Perez Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, has one of the most popular celebrity sites (PerezHilton.com) on the Internet and more than 600,000 "followers" on his Twitter site, a social networking service.

Neither Cirque du Soleil, Angel's corporate and creative partner in "Believe," nor Angel's camp responded to e-mails by deadline.

Perez Hilton, reached by e-mail, said he was "flattered by the very special shout-out."

He said he wanted to see the show, because "until 'Believe,' Cirque has had an incredible track record of excellence. I have seen all of their Vegas shows and loved them all."

It's not the first time a Las Vegas headliner fired back at a critic in the audience.

In the late 1990s, Wayne Newton stopped his show at the MGM Grand and directed a diatribe at Michael Paskevich, then the entertainment critic at the Review-Journal.

Paskevich, reached in Hilton Head, S.C., where he operates a comedy club, recalled that he suddenly "had a spotlight in my face" and Newton proceeded to tell the crowd that he was upset at Paskevich for his criticism of fellow entertainer Tony Orlando.

When Newton finished, Paskevich said he joined "two people from the band and 11 in the audience in applauding."

The Scene And Heard

The drama quotient went up a couple of notches Saturday when Holly Madison of the "Girls Next Door" was a late addition to the Miss USA judging panel. That means the seating arrangement for the pageant today (KVBC-TV, Channel 3, 7 p.m.) should be interesting, with KVBC entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs also on the panel. They've been feuding. ...

Beyonce's "I AM ..." tour ends with a four-night residence at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas July 30-Aug. 2. ...

Sightings

Donald Trump, in town for the Miss USA pageant, attending "Tony 'N Tina's Wedding" (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Saturday before taking in the premiere of "Peepshow."... Chris Noth, "Mr. Big" of "Sex and the City" fame at "Peepshow.".... Perez Hilton, pulled on stage during "Peepshow." ... Brody Jenner and his girlfriend Jayde Nicole, at Palms Place. ... Former "American Idol" Mikalah Gordon of Las Vegas, singing the national anthem at the home opener of the Las Vegas 51s on Friday. ... Latin crooner Luis Miguel, having dinner Friday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars).


Monday 04-20-09

The devil to pay for Angel tantrum Criss Angel has got to go. That's the decision, I am convinced, that Cirque du Soleil and MGM Mirage partner will reach this week after the illusionist's latest brand-damaging stunt. His foul-mouthed shout-out at celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton on Friday in front of a G-rated audience shouldn't be tolerated. Threatening a journalist, as he did a year ago, in a relatively isolated area is one thing. A mega-million dollar show was in the works, so Cirque decided to ride out the storm. But this time he crossed the line: He insulted a lot of people, including those who work in his Luxor theater. It couldn't have come at a worse time. Las Vegas doesn't need that kind of publicity during one of the country's worst economic downturns. With all the other concerns heaped on their plate, Cirque and especially MGM Mirage don't need it either. He's a goner, sooner than later. 'PEEPSHOW' Give "Peepshow" creator Jerry Mitchell PR points for bringing Lindsay Lohan in to add opening-night star power to his hot burlesque show Saturday. But because I'm in a free-advice mode today, I would think twice about signing Lohan as Kelly Monaco's replacement when the latter's three-month contract ends. Whether it's a legit consideration or a publicity grab is unimportant, what matters is that putting Lohan in Las Vegas at this fragile-flower stage of her life could be a disaster for everyone, except her understudy. Lohan can sing and dance (she has an album coming out), but can she sidestep the temptations of Sin City at a time when she needs to work on stabilizing her life before her acting career is ruined? Only 22, she already has been in rehab three times. By the way, I heard solid reviews of "Peepshow." I liked it a lot, but I'd like it better if there was more subtlety and less in-your-face shock value. The Scene And Heard Former boxing champion Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini and his partner, Mandy Kuhn, waltzed off with first place in the "Dancing With the Las Vegas Stars" cancer fundraiser Sunday at Rain nightclub at the Palms. Second place went to Chet Buchanan of KLUC-FM, 98.5's "Morning Zoo" and his partner, Jennifer Atlas. ... A benefit concert will be held May 2 at Johnny Stuart's Legends Ranch for Las Vegas celebrity impersonator Trina Johnson-Finn, who has been jailed in South America for more than six weeks. More details to come. ... The Killers killed Friday at the opening of the new Joint, and kudos as well to the staff at the Hard Rock Hotel. From all of the reports I got, it was one well-oiled operation. Parking ran as smooth as any opening event I can remember. And the warm cookies served in the VIP boxes went over big. The new look at Dolce Group's Rare 120 steakhouse, formerly A.J.'s Steakhouse, is stunning. Check out the dessert "tree." Sightings Steve and Elaine Wynn, at the Paul McCartney concert Sunday night at the Hard Rock Hotel's Joint, reportedly with their dates. Steve Wynn was believed to be with his girlfriend, British divorcée Andrea Hissom. ... Lohan and Mel B, sharing a VIP table at Privé, in Planet Hollywood Resort, until 3 a.m. Sunday. Lohan ordered vodka with soda water and a splash of cranberry. ... Holly Madison and KVBC-TV, Channel 3, entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs, making peace on the green carpet at the Miss USA pageant on Sunday. Madison was a late addition. ... On the "Peepshow" red carpet Saturday at Planet Hollywood Resort: Mitchell, Mel B, Monaco; Planet Hollywood Resort boss Robert Earl, Donald Trump, Charlie Sheen and his wife, Brooke, tennis great Boris Becker, "Sex and the City" star Chris Noth, Hilton (offering an unsolicited double-bird salute to Angel, who was not there, for the photographers' benefit), reality show star Bob Guiney, entertainer Susan Anton, Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy and the "Peepshow" cast.

Tuesday 04-21-09

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 04-22-09

Now you see it, now you don't

Word that Criss Angel's promotional wrap was being removed from the face of the Luxor set off a media scramble Tuesday.

Was it lights out for the controversy-courting magician?

No, just a routine cleaning of the pyramid resort where Angel's collaboration with Cirque du Soleil has been running since last fall.

It was a case of crazy timing, coming days after Angel sparked a furor by lashing out at celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton, who was in the audience for Friday's second show.

Hilton was bashing the show on Twitter, a social networking service, during the performance.

Cirque issued an apology Monday for Angel's shoutout, which might be popular epithets for a frat house party but not appropriate behavior for headliners.

Cirque, the Montreal-based entertainment juggernaut, apologized for Angel's "inappropriate and disrespectful remarks."

Luxor president Felix Rappaport, asked to address Angel's status, said, "It's business as usual."

The wrap relocation "had nothing to do with any current events," he said.

Rappaport said Angel's 44,000-square foot vinyl wrap on the east face of the pyramid has "outlived its useful life by several months" and will be moved to the East tower on a "permanent basis."

Rappaport would not say what wrap is replacing Angel's, but there are rumblings that artwork for "Transformer 2" going up in May will be the largest ever.

"Everybody wants the east face" of the pyramid, he said, because about 30 million cars a year pass by the Luxor on Las Vegas Boulevard.

JACOBS 'INSULTED TO THE CORE'

Alicia Jacobs had Miss North Carolina winning it and Miss California fifth.

Jacobs, entertainment reporter for KVBC-TV, Channel 3, was a judge for the Miss USA pageant. She admitted Tuesday that she was offended by Miss California Carrie Prejean's opposition to gay marriage.

"Had it not been for her answer, which insulted me to the core, she would have been my first runnerup," said Jacobs, a former Miss Nevada and Mrs. United States.

Jacobs had Miss Arizona second, Miss Utah third and Miss Kentucky fourth.

Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton won the crown, and Prejean was second.

Prejean told news outlets Tuesday that her answer "cost me the crown," but she said, "I feel like I'm the winner. ... I said what I feel."

The Scene And Heard

Elton John ends his five-year, 241-show run tonight at Caesars Palace. A boatload of bold-faced names are among nearly 200 attending the after-party at Sophie Ideker's Sea Harbour, the high-roller seafood emporium at Caesars. Cher also is leaving Caesars. She had signed to do 200 shows over three years, starting last May, but chose to complete the deal in 18 months. Her last show will be Dec. 20.

Sightings

At Green Valley Ranch Resort on Tuesday: "C.S.I" Las Vegas cast members Laurence Fishburne and Paul Guilfoyle filming scenes with Gerald McRaney of TV's "Major Dad" fame, joining the cast for the episode. ... Fishburne, with a friend Monday night at Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar (Bellagio). ... Jason Alexander of "Seinfeld," with his sons, Gabriel and Noah, at "Criss Angel Believe" on Saturday. ... Donald Trump, spotted dozing off during Paul McCartney's concert Sunday at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. ... At "Love" on Saturday: Franco Dragone, actor Gary Oldman with his family, and Adam Foote of the Colorado Avalanche. ... Actress Eliza Dushku and NBA hunk-turned-actor Rick Fox got cozy -- and camera shy -- Saturday at Blush (Wynn Las Vegas). Fox had his hand on her leg much of the night. When the club's photog was spotted asking for a photo, they declined. Fox agreed to a solo shot. ... Suzanne Somers, Oldman and his family, among a group Saturday at Rao's at Caesars Palace. ... Kenan Thompson of "Saturday Night Live" at "Peepshow" (Planet Hollywood Resort). ... Comedy legend Bob Newhart at the Hilton Center on Monday, giving a show at the NAB convention. ... Twisted Sister's Dee Snider, at JR's Place Italian Kitchen, 5745 S. Durango, on Sunday with Hilton exec Ken Ciancimino and his family. Snider sang happy birthday to Ciancimino's daughter Alexa, who was celebrating her 15th birthday.

Thursday 04-23-09

Elton John wraps at Caesars Palace

Elton John closed out his five-year, 241-show engagement at Caesars Palace on Wednesday with "Your Song" and hints that he might be returning to Las Vegas.

It was a night of long ovations for the Rocket Man, who started his run on Feb. 13, 2004, and kept adding dates.

In the audience for his finale was Elizabeth Hurley, her husband, Arun Nayar, American artist Julian Schnabel, jazz musician Dave Koz, and Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne.

John wore a red shirt under a long black jacket that had "Pirates" embossed on the back and a skull and crossbones patch high on his right sleeve, with the word "captain" underneath.

After opening with "Benny and the Jets" he joked about Celine Dion's skinny frame and mused about who would fill the shoes of Celine and himself.

"Bette Midler, Cher ... The Village People?" he said.

The rest of his playlist, in order: "Philadelphia Freedom," "Believe," "Daniel," "Rocket Man," "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues," "Someone Saved My Life Tonight," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Tiny Dancer," "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," "Candle in the Wind," "Pinball Wizard," "The Bitch is Back," "I'm Still Standing" and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting."

The Scene And Heard

Doesn't look like Lindsay Lohan will be shopping for pasties anytime soon. Her rep, Leslie Sloane, said the actress-in-distress "isn't interested at this time" in joining the cast of "Peepshow," which opened last weekend at Planet Hollywood Resort. ...

Miss California Carrie Prejean's stance against gay marriage, voiced during the Miss USA pageant telecast Sunday from Planet Hollywood Resort, sparked a firestorm. Miss USA organizers embarrassed and angry by her comments might not have seen the last of her. One of the Miss USA judges, KVBC-TV, Channel 3, entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs, points out in her blog that Prejean would become Miss USA if Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton, the 2009 winner, were to become Miss Universe this summer. ...

Perez Hilton is reporting Katy Perry will be premiering her new single, "Waking Up in Vegas," on an upcoming episode of "American Idol." Perry stimulated the local economy by hiring a number of local celebrity impersonators for the music video. ...

After 25 years in "An Evening at La Cage" at the Riviera, Frank Marino is back on the Strip as a special guest star in "Tony n' Tina's Wedding" at Planet Hollywood Resort. Starting May 8, he will be appearing as a famous drag queen friend of the bride's family. ...

Correction: A news release that stated Cher fans had only "33 more opportunities" to see her before her Dec. 20 finale at Caesars Palace led to the erroneous conclusion that she had completed her run at the Colosseum. Her contract continues into 2010.

Sightings

CNN political reporter John King, taping state-of-the-union interviews Wednesday at Jamms, 1029 S. Rainbow Blvd., for his Sunday show. ... Poker star and "Celebrity Apprentice" contestant Annie Duke and friends, going all-in on buttermilk flapjacks at Hash House A Go Go on Tuesday. ... Miss Nevada USA 2009 Georgina Vaughan and Miss Alabama USA 2009 Rachel Philippona, on stage during "Mesmerized" with hypnotist Marc Savard on Tuesday at V Theatre (Planet Hollywood). ... Lara Spencer of "Entertainment Tonight/The Insider," having dinner at Steakhouse46 (Flamingo) on Tuesday with her husband. She's in town to interview Donny Osmond, who is unveiling the new "Crazy Horses" number in the "Donny & Marie Show." ... Jenna Jameson and Tito Ortiz, buying swimwear and lingerie at Love Jones (Hard Rock Hotel) on Tuesday.

Friday 04-24-09

Friends celebrate at 'Piano' party

Toughest ticket in town? Had to be the 170 invitations to Elton John's after-party on Wednesday at Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant at Caesars Palace.

The Rocket Man got half of them, Caesars got 30 to 35 and the restaurant's co-owners, Sophie Ideker and Susie Phelps, got the other 30 to 35.

Sir Elton's friends included his partner David Furnish; Houston socialite Lynn Wyatt, a major contributor to the Elton John AIDS Foundation; British model (and face of Estee Lauder) Elizabeth Hurley and her husband, Indian textile heir Arun Nayar; supermodel Cheryl Tiegs, a three-time cover girl for Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition during the 1970s and 1980s; rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his wife, Sharon; Frank Presland, John's manager; Keith Bradley, John's European tour director; Howard Rose, John's agent for almost 40 years; jazz saxophonist Dave Koz; and acclaimed American painter and filmmaker Julian Schnabel, best known for his films "Basquiat," "Before Night Falls" and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly."

Among the locals who attended: former Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren; Gayle Anderson, chief of protocol for the Nevada Commission on Economic Development; interim City Councilman David Steinman; Rita Vaswani, Bank of Nevada vice president; Thalia Dondero, a former Clark County commissioner; Allen Fawcett, former host of Dick Clark's "Puttin' on the Hits"; and Bob Goodman, chairman of the Sino-American Trade Development Association.

John Nelson, vice president of AEG Live/Concerts West (operators of the Colosseum), mentioned that Britney Spears' show at the MGM Grand on Saturday is the "highest-grossing stop on her tour."

Hammargren was there with an Elton John clothes hanger he had purchased at John's merchandise store prior to the "Red Piano" finale.

He's adding it to his eclectic collection. Hammargren held up the hanger and said, "I've got Liberace's piano in my music room and now I've got Elton John in my closet."

The hottest buzz? Look for John to return to Caesars in about a year.

The Scene And Heard

Nevada first lady Dawn Gibbons has been proudly sporting a new accessory since a recent divorce filing by her estranged husband, Gov. Jim Gibbons, who in court documents compared her to an "enraged ferret."

She's been seen with a ferret pin on her lapel, and she's also been seen at the Carson City gym wearing a T-shirt featuring her favorite furry mascot with the words: "Real Men Love Ferrets." She's in town Saturday for the Heart Ball at Planet Hollywood Resort. ... Lindsay Lohan's heavy partying here last week was so obvious to some of my spy witnesses that smart money says she will be back in rehab before she considers "Peepshow."

She's a mess.

May I Recommend...

With Spears in town, Prive nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort on Saturday is going with a circus theme for Virgin Mobile's "The Circus Tour Afterparty." Here's the deal: Flash your Virgin Mobile phone -- Virgin is a tour sponsor -- or concert ticket and receive complimentary entry before midnight. Prive fliers include the line: Britney is not expected to attend.

Sightings

Laurence Fishburne, Marg Helgenberger, among cast and crew members of "CSI: Las Vegas," holding their season wrap party at the Revolution Lounge (Mirage) on Wednesday. ... Fading UFC star Chuck Liddell at the LBS Burger Joint on Wednesday at Red Rock Resort.

Order Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales

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