May '09 Notes from Norm — Norm Clarke Column

Saturday 05-09-09

Injured magician to miss 19 shows

Monte Carlo headliner/magician Lance Burton will miss 19 shows after breaking a foot bone during Thursday's show.

Burton is undergoing surgery Monday on his right foot, according to his publicist, Wayne Bernath.

The accident occurred 15 minutes into the show as Burton was preparing to do the floating bird cage with Elvis the bird.

When Elvis flew into the audience, Burton left the stage and retrieved the bird. The injury took place when the entertainer twisted his right foot on his way up the steps.

Burton finished the show despite considerable pain but "not knowing anything was broken," said Bernath.

The Scene And Heard

Michael Neal, who co-hosts the Melanie & Mike morning show on KSNE-FM 106.5 (Sunny), announced Friday during the show that he is taking a two-month leave of absence to undergo radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Tom Chase, operations manager for the Clear Channel station, along with KWNR-FM 95.5 and KPLV-FM 93.1, said Neal went public "to encourage men over 40 to get a PSA test."

NBC's "Last Call with Carson Daly" is in town doing a week's worth of shows. Daly is featuring the culinary extravaganza Las Vegas Uncork'd, along with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, "Peepshow" at Planet Hollywood Resort and the Wynn golf course, among other places. ...

A court battle between former "Crazy Girls" gal pals Marla Gomes and Angela Sampras has resulted in a $1.3 million judgment against Sampras and her husband, Matt Stabile, producers of "X Burlesque" at the Flamingo and "Men of X" at Hooters casino hotel. The award included Gomes' $150,000 investment as a co-producer in 2005, plus attorney fees of $74,596, and costs of $5,659. Sampras said she is filing an appeal. ...

Richard LeFevre of Henderson has qualified for the 93rd Annual Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4 in Coney Island, N.Y. He chowed down 26 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes during Thursday's qualifying round on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York. Second place went to Las Vegas photographer Ron Koch, who ate 23 dogs and buns.

Correction: The probe of former Crazy Horse Too owner Rick Rizzolo was separate from the corruption investigation that sent several county officials to prison. Stan Hunterton, a former prosecutor with the Justice Department's Organized Strike Force, made the "infamous hoodlum" comment about Rizzolo during Rizzolo's racketeering trial.

Sightings

Members of the Dave Matthews Band and friends, celebrating the birthday of bassist Stefan Lessard at the Playboy Club (Palms) on Thursday. Lessard and band mates, Matthews, Rashawn Ross and Jeff Coffin were joined by a large group that included actor Jason Biggs. ...

Actor Clifton Collins Jr. of the new "Star Trek" movie, taking in the view at ghostbar (Palms) on Thursday. ...

Grammy Award nominee Jason Mraz, at the 9:30 p.m. performance of "KÀ" at the MGM Grand on Thursday. ... David Spade, having lunch at The Country Club (Wynn) on Friday. ...

Uncensored hypnotist Anthony Cools appeared on Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker" on Thursday. The girl he picked, comedian Brie Johnson, is opening Cools' show at Paris Las Vegas through May 16. ...

Kyle MacLachlan of "Sex and the City" and "Desperate Housewives," showcasing his "Pursued by Bear" cabernet during the Las Vegas Uncork'd dinner at Bradley Ogden restaurant (Caesars Palace) on Thursday. He scored a robust 91 from Wine Spectator on what he called "my 300-case adventure."

Sunday 05-10-09

Heart problems in Gans' family

Entertainer Danny Gans had high blood pressure "for years" and a history of heart problems in his family, his manager said Saturday.

Chip Lightman said Gans, who died May 1 at 52, three months into his long-term deal at the Encore hotel, "really watched his health, knowing it (heart trouble) was in his family."

Lightman acknowledged he has heard "all the rumors," but said he is not concerned about what might surface in toxicology tests that could take several weeks before the Clark County coroner's office releases the results.

"I can swear on a Bible I never saw Danny involved with drugs," Lightman said. "I can't imagine that being a factor. In my 18 years, he's never done one thing in front of me. Ever. I'd be surprised."

KVBC-TV, Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs, a close friend of Gans, said she was aware of Gans' high blood pressure.

"But he took very good care of it, and he certainly had it under control as far as I knew," Jacobs said.

"He wouldn't even eat fried food, so you'd think he wouldn't be involved in any kind of risky behavior.

"He was an athlete in a lot of ways. Who amongst us, that work out on regular basis, doesn't have a constant ache or pain. I'm sure he took Motrin. I think that's about as adventurous as he ever got."

A week before Gans died at his Henderson home, the singing impressionist made a cryptic comment about dying during a telephone conversation with Jacobs about his new music video, "What a Wonderful World."

"When I die and you do my obituary piece," he told her, "it will be the most brilliant work of your career."

PESCI'S PARTNERS

Tough-guy actor Joe Pesci was on the telephone confirming he has a deal to open some pizza restaurants in Las Vegas, while disavowing any business connection with convicted racketeer Rick Rizzolo.

Pesci, who won an Oscar for best supporting actor in "Goodfellas" in 1990, said he's partnering with Las Vegas businessmen Sig Rogich and Elias Ghanem II.

Pesci blamed a miscommunication on the Rizzolo connection reported here Thursday.

"I want the connection made clear," said Pesci, who was in town to go over details of the venture, to be known as Pesci's Pizza Parlors.

The source of the story, Pesci's longtime friend and personal assistant Tommy DeVito, founder of the Four Seasons musical group, "was confused," Pesci said.

Rogich, a prominent local public relations and marketing executive, advised the presidential campaigns of Ronald Reagan in 1984 and George H.W. Bush in 1988.

Ghanem works for Wynn Resorts in the executive training program. His father, Dr. Elias Ghanem, was known as the "physician to the stars," serving celebrities that included Elvis Presley, Liberace, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Ann-Margret and Wayne Newton.

Rogich said the first of several pizza restaurants will open in Las Vegas this summer, with several planned in a foreign country.

Sightings

Donny Osmond, making a surprise appearance for the David Foster & Friends concert at Mandalay Bay on Saturday. He sang Michael Buble's "Love" and "Puppy Love." ... Actress Lisa Rinna and husband Harry Hamlin (People's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1987), belatedly celebrating their 12th anniversary at Blush (Wynn) Saturday. They got married March 29, 1997, in Los Angeles. ... Singer/songwriter Peter Cincotti, dining with friends from Denver at Alex (Wynn) on Friday. Cincotti, whose Las Vegas debut was in 2002 at AJ's Steakhouse at the Hard Rock Hotel, when he was 19, was in town to perform in Foster's lineup.


Monday 05-11-09

Allergic reaction halts performance Flamingo headliner Marie Osmond had another health scare over the weekend. Osmond, who famously fainted after a 2007 "Dancing With the Stars" performance, experienced breathing problems shortly before Friday's "Donny & Marie" show, forcing it to be canceled. "She had an allergic reaction to shellfish," Osmonds' publicist Laura Herlovich said. Marie, who turns 50 in October, returned to the show on Saturday. "She went down about 20 minutes before the show," said Don Marrandino, president of Harrah's Las Vegas and Flamingo Las Vegas. It was the first time she's missed a show at the Flamingo in the more than 120 since the brother-sister act opened last September, he said. The singing star caused a stir on "Dancing With the Stars" when she collapsed after a samba with dance partner Jonathan Roberts during judge Len Goodman's appraisal. She attributed it to being "too winded." The competition was down to three couples the night she fainted. Eventual runner-up Maksim Chmerkovskiy, the professional dancer who was paired with Spice Girl Mel B, accused the brother-sister duo of playing the sympathy card. Donny Osmond appeared on the show as a nondancing special guest. Indy car driver Helio Castroneves and his partner, Julianne Hough, won the competition. The Scene And Heard It was supposed to be a working vacation: Local entertainers Clint Holmes and Kelly Clinton were booked on a Holland America cruise ship, a one-week Acapulco-to-San Diego getaway. Their first indication that something was amiss came when their plane landed in Acapulco "and everybody had masks," Holmes said. They went ahead with their plans on what passengers later referred to as the "swine flu cruise." Five days later, with no stops along the way, they arrived in San Diego. Their relief was replaced by another shock when their telephone rang: Danny Gans had died. ... Say hello to former sports talk show host Paul Howard, now involved with 3 Tomatoes and a Mozzarella restaurant, which opens tonight at 945 W. Craig Road at Revere Street. Sightings Making guest appearances at the David Foster & Friends concert Saturday night at Mandalay Bay: Cher, Paul Anka and Donny Osmond. Anka and Osmond came over to the concert after their own shows. Cher was dressed in her iconic Navy ship video dress. At the concert, Anka and Osmond teamed up on Anka's 1960 hit "Puppy Love," which Osmond covered in 1972 and turned into one of his biggest hits. Anka sang a tribute of "My Way" for Foster that included references to Lindsay Lohan, Viagra and ex-wives. ... Vanessa Minnillo, amid recent speculation that she's split with Nick Lachey, spotted Saturday at Strip House (Planet Hollywood Resort), having drinks at the bar. She was in town for actress Malin Akerman's 30th birthday celebration. ... Sean "Diddy" Combs and R&B artist Cassie, flanked by four bodyguards and an entourage that included San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl defensive end Shawne Merriman, at Jet (The Mirage). Combs also made stops at Lavo and Privé over the weekend. ... Pop singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat, joining Jason Mraz for a duet of "Lucky" on stage during his tour-ending concert at The Pearl (Palms) on Saturday. She later joined friends at the Playboy Club (Palms). ... Celebrity couple Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna, dining at Society Cafe Encore before attending "Le Reve" with their family. Their 12th wedding anniversary party later moved to Blush (Wynn). ... GQ's food critic, Alan Richmond, munching on truffle popcorn and cotton candy during Sunday's showing of the Julia Childs' film "Julie & Julia" at Brenden Theatres. Chef Kerry Simon was passing out his signature treats to the Vegas Uncork'd crowd.

Tuesday 05-12-09

Norm took the day off

Wednesday 05-13-09

Trump says, sure, Perez can judge

No fool when it comes to TV ratings, Donald Trump said Tuesday he would "love" to have celebrity blogger Perez Hilton back as a judge for next year's Miss USA contest at Planet Hollywood Resort.

And Hilton told me by e-mail Tuesday he'll accept the invitation.

"I would love to be back as a judge next year," said Hilton, "and I look forward to asking another question that is just as good, relevant and fair." The openly gay Hilton asked Miss California USA Carrie Prejean the gay marriage question that she claims cost her the title.

Meanwhile, his fellow judge, KVBC-TV, Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs continues to be all over the networks, commenting on Trump's decision to allow Prejean to keep her title.

Jacobs, a former Miss Nevada USA, told CNN Tuesday that a source indicated some "raunchy" photos and an embarrassing video of Prejean are still out there.

The Scene And Heard

A lineup featuring an all-star cast of blasts from Las Vegas' past will provide the entertainment for Sunday's Italian earthquake benefit in the main showroom at the Orleans Hotel and Casino. Nearly 40 entertainers will take part in the main event, including Shecky Greene, Rich Little, Pete Barbutti, Clint Holmes, Charlie Callas, Frankie Scinta, Phyllis McGuire, Cork Proctor, Lorraine Hunt, Frankie Randall and Denise Clemente. Organizer Nelson Sardelli will emcee the benefit, which starts at noon with pre-show entertainment. Admission is $35. ...

Members of Bobby Darin's former band are getting together Sunday at 6 p.m. at the South Point for "Music from the Heart," a tribute to the late singing great. They'll share stories and flash video memories, while marking the 50th anniversary of Darin's classic "Mack the Knife." Proceeds benefit the Children's Heart Foundation of Nevada. The talent includes the Las Vegas-based Fat City Horns; Bill McCubbin, Darin's music director; Dennis Tufano, original lead singer of The Buckinghams; Gene Sironen, who worked with Legends in Concert in a Righteous Brothers act; and Dakota, the Chicago Singing Sensation. ...

Tom Jones canceled his Tuesday show at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre. His doctor told him to rest those ageless pipes.

Sightings

Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jonah Hill and Russell Brand, shooting a scene in front of Planet Hollywood Resort on Tuesday for "Get Him to the Greek." In the scene, Combs was hit by a taxi. Hill plays a rookie insurance adjuster who is hired to accompany an out-of-control rock star (Brand) from London to a gig at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles. Combs plays a record company executive. Shooting moves to Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace tonight. Pink, Christina Aguilera, Katie Perry and Dee Snider are signed up for the film. ... George Clooney is shooting airport scenes this week for the comedy drama "Up in the Air." He plays a guy trying to get a million frequent flyer miles. ... Michael Bublé, in town for the David Foster & Friends concert, visited "Bodies ...The Exhibition" and "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" inside Luxor on Sunday. He was accompanied by a female guest he called "Lou," reportedly an actress from Argentina. ... Siegfried & Roy, leading a "Happy Birthday" serenade Tuesday for their five white tiger cubs, who weighed 2 pounds when they were born April 29, 2008. Sisters Star, Celestial, Chakra, Cosmo and brother Svengali now weigh about 160 pounds. The tigers tore into gift-wrapped treats during the birthday celebration at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden at The Mirage.

Thursday 05-14-09

Duke goes all-in against Rivers

Poker player Annie Duke said she can accept Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" choice, but she's remains outraged by Joan Rivers' personal attack against poker players.

"I don't feel like I was robbed," said Duke, during an interview with a Las Vegas radio station Wednesday, three days after the "Apprentice" finale on NBC.

"The thing I'm most upset about and I really feel bad about," she said, is having Rivers label 70 million poker players as "mafia."

"I don't feel I did anything to incur that wrath," she told deejays Dave Farra and Jason Mahoney on KXTE-FM 107.5 (Xtreme).

"I didn't get pissed when she called all poker players white trash, and I didn't get pissed when she denied she called all poker players white trash. I truly got pissed when she called all poker players mafia."

At one point, Rivers called Duke "Hitler" and apologized to Adolf Hitler.

"I'm pretty sure in Germany that's illegal, and you can go to jail," Duke told the deejays.

Duke said a "Beat Joan Rivers" charity poker event is being planned at the Hard Rock Hotel, with participants playing against a Joan Rivers impersonator.

MONACO HIDES FROM BURGLAR

Merrill Wetter, 50, faces arraignment next week for allegedly breaking into a Planet Hollywood resort penthouse and taking $4,500 from "General Hospital" star Kelly Monaco, who hid behind a bed during the burglary.

According to a Las Vegas police report, Wetter wasn't the stealthiest criminal to come down the pike.

A week before the incident, Wetter had stayed in the hotel for 30 days between March and April before he was evicted after security saw him "following a money cart in the casino."

And he apparently forgot what every aspiring crook should know about Las Vegas: There are cameras everywhere. The police report says surveillance footage shows Wetter as the only person observed on the 50th floor, where Monaco was staying.

Monaco, who co-stars in "Peepshow," was awakened by loud noises at her door about 3:15 a.m. on April 23.

After breaking through the door, the burglar found Monaco's purse and took $2,000 in $100 bills and about $2,500 in Planet Hollywood chips.

Hotel security recognized the bald, 285-pound man, who had an arm in a cast, as a previous guest and informed police, who contacted cab drivers who had taken the man to several casinos.

He was found less than an hour later in a room at The Venetian, in possession of cash and chips, the police report said.

Wetter pleaded not guilty April 28 to charges of burglary, home invasion, trespassing and defrauding an innkeeper.

'PEEPSHOW' HIRES HOLLY?

Holly Madison recently met with the "Peepshow" brass, showed 'em her credentials, and came away with Monaco's job, we hear.

Hugh Hefner's former No. 1 girl will co-star opposite Spice Girl Mel B in the adult cabaret show at Planet Hollywood Resort. Monaco never planned to go beyond her three-month contract.

"I can't say anything right now," said Madison, when reached Wednesday.

Today she's leading what's being billed as the world's largest bikini parade -- 300 in all, covering 50 years of swimwear -- to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.

Mayor Oscar Goodman will read a proclamation announcing that summer has officially begun in Las Vegas -- a month before the official start.

The Scene And Heard

No one's willing to discuss it, but there's an insurance issue involving Danny Gans and his deal with Encore at Wynn Las Vegas that suggests Gans had concerns about his health.

Sightings

Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond, getting a tour of the Agassi College Preparatory Charter School on Wednesday by Andre Agassi.

Friday 05-15-09

Dion's husband OK after heart work

Celine Dion's husband, Rene Angelil, has undergone a heart-related medical procedure, Dion's publicist confirmed Thursday.

The Palm Beach Post, quoting a source, said Angelil, 67, had arterial blockage.

Dion's Los Angeles-based publicist Kim Jackwerth e-mailed me Thursday, saying Angelil's procedure -- "not heart surgery" -- had been planned for months. "He's back home," Jackwerth said.

The Post noted that Angelil has acknowledged in past interviews that he suffered a near-fatal heart attack when he was 50. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1999.

Dion, who left Caesars Palace in December 2007 after a highly successful five-year run, finished her world tour earlier this year and is reported to be planning to undergo in vitro fertilization again to have a second child.

They have a son, Rene-Charles, who turned 8 in January.

There are unconfirmed reports that Dion, whose No. 1 hit "My Heart Will Go On" was the theme of the blockbuster film "Titanic," plans to return to Caesars Palace in June 2010.

The Scene And Heard

Say sayonara to the Sahara you once knew. It's still alive but barely: Room service and the keno lounge were scuttled last month and the buffet is currently closed on weekdays. Now there are rumblings that the House of Lords Steakhouse, a celebrity magnet during the Rat Pack era, and Paco's Mexican restaurant are closing this month. Senior management has been bailing. Can't be long before the new owners close the doors and start the hip transformation. ... A half-hour interview of Danny Gans with TV personality Tony Sacca in 2002 will be broadcast at 5 p.m. Sunday on KTNV-TV, Channel 13. ... British radio personality Russell Brand, in town to shoot scenes for "Get Him to the Greek" with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Jonah Hill, among others, sent this Twitter "tweet" to Combs at 1 a.m. Wednesday: "Please! We have to work in the morning. Go to bed or we'll never be recognized by those 'haters' at the Academy." On filming in Vegas, he said, "God meant it to be a desert."

May I Recommend...

Parrothead alert! They'll be flocking to the street party at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Cafe from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday before winging it to Buffett's 8 p.m. concert at MGM Grand. Admission is free to the street party.

Sightings

George Clooney, shooting scenes and reacting to fans outside Bally's on Thursday for Paramount's "Up in the Air." Later, Clooney shot scenes at a vacant hotel across from Mandalay Bay on Las Vegas Boulevard. When filming wrapped, he was seen hugging and thanking everyone he worked with. ... Gwen Stefani of No Doubt, at "The Lion King" (Mandalay Bay) on Wednesday with her son Kingston, who turns 3 on May 26. ... At Cathouse (Luxor) on Wednesday: dethroned Miss Nevada USA Katie Rees with nightlife organizer Tiffany Masters; former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, canoodling with a galpal, and Cage and Tool Box of VH1's new reality show "Daisy of Love." ... Tom Colicchio of Bravo's "Top Chef," dining at Dos Caminos Mexican Kitchen and Lounge (Palazzo) on Wednesday night. He's in town shooting the Las Vegas "Top Chef" episodes. At another table: comedian Eddie Griffin. ... No Doubt's Adrian Young and Tony Kanal, hanging out Monday at the J-Pop (formerly the Coral Reef Lounge at Mandalay Bay), taking in The Limit. Young joined The Limit for a song. Young and Kanal invited The Limit guitarist Michael Ellis to their headlining performance at Tiger Jam XII on Saturday at the MGM Grand. ... Welterweight champion "Sugar" Shane Mosley, dining with friends Wednesday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab (Forum Shops).

Order Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales

Norm Clarke's newest book, Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales ($12.95, Stephens Press, February 2008), dishes up a feast from Sin City's Ace Insider on celeb's club hopping, spending sprees, outrageous behavior, feuds and meltdowns, and the best (and worst) tippers.