Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

COLUMN: Norm!

Catholic League leader wants Penn & Teller punished for raunchy skit

Bill Clinton The macarena craze moved the president Latin musical star Charo takes credit for the macarena.

Penn & Teller's X-rated parody of the crucifixion of Christ should be grounds for removal from ABC's Super Bowl show, the Catholic League said Tuesday.

Calling it "an incredibly anti-Christian statement," William A. Donohue, president of the New York City-based 350,000-member organization that fights anti-Catholicism, sent ABC a letter saying such conduct should not be "rewarded."

The parody by the Rio's magic-comedy team came during last week's roast of Amazing Johnathan at the World Magic Seminar at the Riviera.

Penn & Teller are part of ABC's pregame and postgame live Super Bowl show from Times Square on Sunday.

Their skit involved a nearly naked Teller, dressed as Christ on a cross, and a simulated sex act by a midget dressed as an angel. Penn, clad as a Roman soldier, unveiled the scene by pulling away a "Shroud of Turin" that covered the cross.

Mark Mandel, vice president of media relations for ABC Sports, said the network had not received the request to cancel Penn & Teller and "has no comment." Penn & Teller and the Rio declined comment too.

Queen of macarena

Charo knew when she saw President Clinton doing the macarena that she had missed the boat.

The Latin musical star says she was on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship working an Herbalife convention when she accidentally launched the 1996 international dance craze.

During the cruise, she took a CD of the song and used it to accompany daily stretching exercises with the passengers.

"It became so popular that Royal Caribbean asked if they could incorporate it on all of their cruises," Charo said during an interview in her dressing room after opening night at Sevilla in the Aladdin last week.

"So I said, 'Why not?' "

Every week thousands of passengers returned home, buzzing about the catchy tune and Charo-inspired dance moves.

"Then a very clever producer produced the dance video in England. Next thing I see President Clinton doing the macarena."

Charo rushed to get a copyright on the dance but learned, alas, "You can't patent a dance."

The Scene and Heard

"Ocean's Twelve," the sequel to "Ocean's Eleven," looks like a go for a late 2004 release. Variety reports that Warner Brothers has asked screenwriter George Nolfi to rewrite his "Honor Among Thieves" screenplay as a spinoff of the 2001 remake of the Las Vegas casino heist caper. ...

The Learning Channel on Thursday airs the wedding of KLAS-TV, Channel 8, weekend anchor Colleen May and KVBC-TV, Channel 3, financial planner Steve Budin. The show airs at 2 p.m. on Channel 38.

Sightings

San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, dining Monday at N9NE at the Palms. ... New York Yankees ace Roger Clemens, having brewskies and signing baseballs Monday at V-Bar at The Venetian. ... Former Los Angeles Lakers star Norm Nixon, at the piano, joining Skip Martin of Kool and the Gang at the Bootlegger Bistro on Monday night. Former baseball star Eric Davis was in the audience. ... Comedian Paul Rodriguez, chatting up Jerry Lewis at Piero's Italian Ristorante on Monday night. ... Steve Lawrence, singing "Summer Wind" at Fellini's piano bar Sunday night, during a dinner break with wife Eydie Gorme.

The Punch Line

"If winning isn't everything, why do they keep score?" -- Vince Lombardi, NFL coaching legend.

Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can reach him at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.