Las Vegas was the setting for the celebration, of the Billboard Awards held at the MGM Grand. The official after party was at Studio 54 which is located inside the MGM Grand. There were some big parties which were held at TAO at the Venetian and Pure at Caesar’s Palace which surprisingly had many celebrities. The late crowd headed over to Rum Jungle at the Mandalay Bay and Body English at the Hard Rock, so it was without question a heavy party night. Sunday at the club “Light” inside Bellaggio, we caught up with Roger Cross who plays Curtis Manning on the Fox Network’s show 24. Cross said, “Las Vegas is a great getaway to release all of your frustrations”.

He should know, the young actor from Jamaica, danced the night away. Before, things got really hot; Roger and I talked about the validity of Reality Television. He stated, “CBS is doing a great job of presenting live reality shows”. “I think the majority of them should go on the reality channel”; “because they are hurting the ratings of the television market”. Incidentally, Cross never realized he was going to be an actor, he was a pilot before he entered the profession.

Rap artist Flavor Flav (former member of Public Enemy and star of VH1’s hit reality show, Flavor of Love”) who attended the Billboard Awards; said this year was the best, for content and choreography. Flav who is having his record release party; at Studio 54 on Friday December 8th, 2006; said he wants to have his own Nationally Televised Talk Show from Las Vegas. Well Flavor, you just might be surprised what may happen next year to broaden your horizons. Flavor Flav is credited as bringing VH1 their highest ratings with his show (Flavor of Love).

Other musical guests who attended the awards and the after parties included Boyz II Men, one of the most recognized R&B groups of the music business. Shawn Stockman, somewhat the leader of the group, said “the Billboard Awards was especially spectacular with Janet Jackson’s Performance”.

One of the highlights of the evenings awards was Mary J. Blige receiving a total of 9 awards for  R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year - Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year - Hot 100 Airplay Song of the Year, “Be Without You” - R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Artist of the Year - R&B Album Artist of the Year - R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year, The Breakthrough - R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year, “Be Without You” - R&B/Hip-Hop Song Airplay of the Year, “Be Without You” – and Videoclip of the Year, “Be Without You”

The following artists also received awards:

		Chris Brown (3 awards total) Artist of the Year Male Artist of the Year New Artist of the Year
		T.I. (5 awards total) Rap Artist of the Year Rap Album of the Year, “King” Rap Album Artist of the Year Rap Songs Artist of the Year Video clips Artist of the Year
		Carrie Underwood (5 awards total) Album of the Year, Some Hearts Country Album of the Year, Some Hearts Female Billboard 200 Album Artist of the Year Female Country Artist of the Year New Country Artist of the Year
		The Fray (3 awards total) Digital Album of the Year, How to Save a Life Digital Album Artist of the Year Digital Songs Artist of the Year
		Kenny Chesney (2 awards total) Male Country Artist of the Year Country Songs Artist of the Year
		Three Days Grace (1 award total) Rock Single of the Year, “Animal I Have Become”
		“High School Musical” (1 award total) Soundtrack Album of the Year, “High School Musical”
		Rihanna (3 awards total) Female Artist of the Year Female Hot 100 Artist of the Year Pop 100 Artist of the Year
		Nickelback (3 awards total) Rock Album of the Year, “All the Right Reasons” Artist-Duo/Group of the Year Hot 100 Artists-Duo/Group of the Year
		Nelly Furtado (1 award total) Pop Single of the Year, “Promiscuous” (featuring Timbaland)
Other Artist’s who attended the Awards Ceremony we’re very impressed with its outcome. Rapper Too Short was one of the more positive individuals that was not only elated with the awards ceremony but thinks Las Vegas is the city of the future. “There is no question, that this is the most exciting city on the planet”. ”Even though Vegas will go through changes it will only be for the better”. He further stated, “Sure we all remember the Rat Pack, you know the old Vegas”, “that’s a memory that will always be a part of Vegas”. “But, it is overshadowed with the new city developments here”. “I mean look at my music, I am expanding my horizons”. “The bottom line, things are gonna change, in this case it’s for the better”.

Mayor Oscar Goodman and associates light up

Fremont Street with Xmas Tree and New Landscape Project.

Mayor Oscar Goodman, along with Mayor Pro - Tem Gary Reese and the Fremont Street Experience President Jeff Victor lit up the Fremont Street Christmas tree and had good news for the New Year. According to Mayor Goodman the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas will be seen by the world on New Years Eve via Direct TV. The national televised celebration will feature Chicago, OK Go, Smash Mouth, Super Nova, Rockstar, Five for Fighting, & All American Rejects. Lookout New York City – Direct TV one of the nations leading satellite television service providers will ring in the New Year not only in New York but across the nation via the Fremont Street Experience. More good news for Fremont Street, Mayor Oscar Goodman including Councilman Lawrence Weekly, Councilman Larry Brown, Councilman Steve Wolfson, Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian and Councilman Steven D. Ross voted in favor of  the new landscape project which will increase pedestrian traffic from Las Vegas Blvd, all the way down Fremont Street to 8^th St. The roadways will have one lane on each side which will increase the sidewalks with beautiful landscape and replicas of the Silver Slipper electric sign and Martini Glass.

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Farrah Fawcett - Letter to her fans via Access Hollywood

To My Friends around the World,

All your cards and letters have meant so much to me during what has been a very difficult time in my life . . .

So, many of you wrote that I had inspired you in one way or another over the years. Well, now you have done the same for me. Your words of encouragement have helped keep me strong during these last six weeks. And now that I have completed my treatments, I am happy to say that the hardest part is over. Of course the passage of time will be the most accurate test, but I am starting to feel better and I am looking forward to going back to work after the holidays.

Until then, I wanted to thank you all and wish you and your families a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Love, Farrah

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The Beatles™ REVOLUTION Lounge Offers New Vision

Inspired by the spirit of The Beatles and created by Cirque du Soleil, the Beatles Revolution Lounge offers a revolutionary experience in design and atmosphere. This ultra-lounge features cutting edge, interactive experiences to create a psychedelic sensory environment and a contemporary interpretation of the Beatles era. Each night will be an evolutionary journey, where both the music and interior transform, resulting in an eclectic nightlife adventure at The Mirage. The Lounge is scheduled to open this month.

Showbiz Bits 

Blair Farrington one of the more popular producers of live stage shows in Las Vegas, said, “He was honored to be involved with Comic Relief 2006”. Farrington directed and choreographed the opening and closing numbers of the televised show; as well as a special production featuring Billy Crystal. Ludacris who is in town for the Billboard Awards told me he was recording in the studio at the Palms. “It’s off the hook and the sounds lay out good”, said the rap star. Lance Burton was picked as the best entertainer by Nevada Magazine, this is a first for the magazine to provide a panel of judges for their annual entertainer of the year.