Ex-LV newswoman releases new book
Former KTNV-TV, Channel 13 reporter and anchor Melissa McCarty, who left here six years ago to work in the Los Angeles market, has written a book titled “News Girls Don’t Cry.”
She’s now working for Larry King on his new network ORA-TV as a fill-in host on the news-breaking segment.
She’s a terrific storyteller, and she dishes some doozies about her demons and her personal life. Her chapter on Las Vegas mentions an unnamed mogul she dated and how she watched him lose $250,000 one night at blackjack.
One night at a Hollywood club, she was swept off her feet by a man she refers to as Mr. Wonderful-the athlete. After an argument-filled courtship, he called it off, saying he needed to focus on his career. He went on to “great success,” she said. “In fact he was an overnight sensation.”
Other media notes:
■ Stefanie Jay of KVVU-TV, Channel 5, topped six local celebrities to take home the Season 2 title of “DJ-ing with the Las Vegas Stars” competition on Mark &Mercedes in the Morning (KMXB-FM, 94.1). Jay won $5,000 for her charity, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Runner-up was Marcus Deegan from Thunder from Down Under (Excalibur). Third place went to hypnotist Anthony Cools, who performs at Paris Las Vegas.
■ Las Vegas photographer Denise Truscello has been nominated for the 2013 National Entertainment Journalism Awards for her photo essay during the 2013 CinemaCon in Las Vegas. She photographed Morgan Freeman, Chris Pine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elizabeth Banks, Aubrey Plaza, Asa Butterfield and director Justin Lin in at-the-movies poses.
■ Anjeanette Damon, political writer at the Las Vegas Sun since 2010, is returning to the Reno Gazette-Journal.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
N9ne Steakhouse at the Palms closed Saturday for a five-week remodeling project. Executive chef Barry Dakake said the face-lift includes a new kitchen and “you can kiss the caviar bar goodbye.” Dakake added, “It’s the first time we’ve closed since it opened (Nov. 15, 2001).” ...
So when’s the last time you saw a poet listed on a Las Vegas marquee? “Love poet” Lee Mallory, an-ex English professor at Santa Ana College in Orange County, Calif., headlines at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Silver Sevens casino. Mallory moved to Las Vegas in the spring and has been a one-man PR machine when it comes to getting the word out about his passion for poetry. Here’s the deal: free verse, free admission and a buck-beer special.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel, Nov. 13, 1967.
Former UNLV basketball standout/NBA analyst Greg Anthony, Nov. 15, 1967.
The late Horseshoe owner Benny Binion, Nov. 20, 1904.
The late singing legend Robert Goulet, Nov. 26, 1938.
Comedian Rich Little, Nov. 26, 1938.
SIGHTINGS
Former “Gossip Girl” actor Chace Crawford, dining with friends at Hakkasan restaurant (MGM Grand) on Saturday. ... TV personality Flavor Flav, at Body English nightclub &Afterhours (Hard Rock hotel) on Saturday for the 2013 Soul Train Awards after party. ... Jillian Rose Reed of MTV’s “Awkward,” at Culinary Dropout (Hard Rock Hotel) on Saturday for a friend’s 21st birthday. ... Vivica A. Fox, at Trevi Italian Restaurant (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Friday. ... Bally’s headliner Veronic wowed ’em at Opportunity Village’s gala fundraiser, Camelot, on Thursday. So did Barrick Gold Corp., with the announcement that the company was donating $1 million to Opportunity Village. ... Ron Isley, lead singer of the Isley Brothers, dining at Carmine’s inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Thursday night with his wife and son. They were in town for the Soul Train Awards.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford’s approval ratings have been skyrocketing since he announced that he’s smoking crack cocaine. Is everybody up there on crack?” — David Letterman
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow @Norm_Clarke on Twitter. “Norm Clarke’s Vegas” airs Thursdays on the “Morning Blend” on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.
