Friday, December 06, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
COLUMN: Norm!
J.Lo pulls tight on Affleck's tipping purse strings during LV trip
Jennifer Lopez
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Jennifer Lopez is clamping down on fiance Ben Affleck's legendary tipping habits.
During their Thanksgiving holiday visit, Hollywood's hottest couple was at a baccarat table at The Mirage, and my spies tell me Affleck was on a roll.
When he tossed a $5,000 white chip to the dealers, J.Lo told him "no," retrieved the chip, and put it in her pocket book. Then she reached over and took three of Affleck's $100 black chips and pushed them across the table.
Affleck took J.Lo's family members on a shopping frenzy Nov. 28 and 29, buying clothes at the Forum Shops at Caesars and two Mercedes-Benz automobiles at Fletcher Jones Imports.
Affleck twice distributed tips of about $150,000 after big wins at the Hard Rock in the past 2 1/2 years.
Hanks Good as Gold?
Two films of the gangster genre, "Gangs of New York" and "Road to Perdition," have the best shot at an Oscar for best film.
That according to odds released by John Avello, director of race and sports book operations for Bally's and Paris Las Vegas.
Both films are 4-1 co-favorites to win on Oscar night, March 23, in Hollywood. Wagering is not allowed on the Academy Awards; Avello offers the odds as entertainment.
"Gangs" features Leonardo DiCaprio, and "Perdition" stars Tom Hanks and Paul Newman.
At 5-to-1 odds is "Antwone Fisher." Surprise hit "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" is listed at 12-1.
Moving on
John Gilbert, noon and 4 p.m. anchor at KLAS-TV, Channel 8 and temporarily at KTUD-TV, Channel 25 leaves Dec. 20 for KCEN-TV, an NBC affiliate in Texas' Waco-Temple market, as primary anchor.
"That's home; I was born and raised in Texas," he said. "I'm tired of moving."
Gilbert was briefly suspended earlier this year by Channel 8. That came after he is alleged to have added sound to a silent casino surveillance videotape that he was using to illustrate a story about a robbery at Harrah's hotel-casino that left a security officer wounded and a tourist dead.
Ken Carson, program director at KKLZ-radio, FM 96.3, and KSTJ-radio, FM 102.7, is out as of Monday.
The Scene and Heard
Charo is heading for the new Latin restaurant and nightclub, Sevilla, which is opening in Desert Passage at the Aladdin on Jan. 15. Charo, who ends her engagement at the Sahara on Dec. 15, told Sevilla managing partner Bart DeLorenzo, "I finally found my home." Replacing her at the Sahara on Dec. 27 will be The Platters, Cornell Gunter's Coasters and Elsbeary Hobbs' Drifters. ...
In a city built on big finales, for pure electricity, I'll take "Viva Las Vegas" by "Legends in Concert" star Graham Patrick, the Irish Elvis. And when it comes to special touches, you gotta love an orchestra that dons jailbird-striped headgear for "Jailhouse Rock." They celebrated the show's 20th anniversary Thursday night with a benefit for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. ...
Look for Oprah's Dr. Phil to land an Aladdin booking in the spring.
Sightings
Charlie Daniels and 14-time Nevada fiddling champion Johnny Potash, who does a tribute to Daniels in "American Superstars" (Stratosphere), jamming together Thursday night at the NFR kickoff party at the downtown hoedown. Daniels attended "Superstars" and enjoyed Potash's knockoff so much he invited him to join him. ... Vocal impressionist Rich Little, speaking at a UNLV privacy and publicity law class on Wednesday night, in his own voice. ... Gov. Kenny Guinn and wife Dema, lunching at Spago (Forum Shops at Caesars) with Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns and wife Stephanie, while Wolfgang Puck autographed his new cookbook "Live, Love, Eat!" at their table. Puck, in town for Spago's 10-year anniversary in Las Vegas, has book signings from 2 to 3 p.m. today at Postrio (The Venetian) and from 4 to 6 p.m. at Spago. ... Judge-elect Jackie Glass, sitting over the shoulder of Judge Joseph Bonaventure in court Thursday, taking copious notes. ... Alonzo Mourning of the NBA's Miami Heat, dining at Michael's (Barbary Coast) Tuesday.
The Punch Line
"We'll be the Osbalds." -- Ozzy Osbourne, on his kids' vow to shave their heads if Sharon loses her hair through cancer treatment.
Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can reach him at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
