Sunday, April 18, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: 'Idol' hotshot savors spotlight

Jessica Simpson had too many gawking fans at the Grand Canal Shoppes. Simon Cowell and attitude graced Light nightclub. Jamie-Lynn DiScala and Joe Pantoliano of TV's "The Sopranos" dined at separate tables at the Palms' N9NE Steak House. Joe Pantoliano

Simon Cowell, the tart-tongued "American Idol" judge, stirred up the crowd at the Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Missy Elliott concert on Friday.

Apparently on a busman's holiday, the British music executive sat in fourth-row seats and created a buzz when his face was flashed on the big screens at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Later, he displayed his trademark pomposity at the Bellagio's Light nightclub.

Upon entering the packed hot spot, he demanded the best table in the house.

Jessica wows crowd

A shopping spree by pop culture phenom Jessica Simpson created a commotion at The Venetian on Saturday.

Curious onlookers got so carried away that security cut short her shopping tour at the Grand Canal Shoppes and escorted the 23-year-old reality TV newlywed out a back door.

Simpson, in town to participate in the "VH1 Divas" live broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden tonight (taped delayed until 9 p.m. on the West Coast), was participating in a KMXB-FM 94.1 promotion that gave her and local winner Christine Hardwick $5,000 shopping sprees.

The ponytailed Simpson, in blue jeans and a sleeveless terry cloth top, had her shopping ended after an hour when the crowds jammed the walkways outside Jimmy Choos shoes, Bebe and Dooney & Bourke.

Offered a ride in the Grand Canal, she was overheard saying, "I can't get in a gondola. With my luck I'd tip it over."

The Scene and Heard

There was buzz late last night that a primo table at Light was reserved for Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire.

Sightings

Jamie-Lynn DiScala and Joe Pantoliano of "The Sopranos" at separate tables at N9NE Steak House (Palms) on Saturday. Earlier, Pantoliano was spotted at One Guy From Italy, 5447 S. Rainbow Blvd., grabbing a to-go order "for the boys."... Friday, baseball great Pete Rose was in N9NE, putting away a New York sirloin. ... A crowd of 700 showed up Saturday for "Fear Factor" auditions at Ra nightclub (Luxor). Among those invited back: local prop comic Joe Trammel. ... Barbara Sinatra, Angie Dickinson, Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence, dining at Caffe Giorgio (The Hotel at Mandalay Bay). ... Sandra Bullock, joining the cast and crew for a first-day wrap party at The V Bar (The Venetian) after filming a fight scene in a ladies restroom. ... "West Wing" star Martin Sheen, deplaning Saturday at McCarran International Airport. ... At Rain nightclub (Palms) on Friday: Wilmer Valderrama of "That 70's Show," Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, James Marsden of "X Men" and comedian Paul Rodriguez. ... Flamingo headliner George Wallace, polishing off a platter of barbecue at Ellis Island on Friday. ... Former NFL quarterback Warren Moon, arriving at Big Mama's Rib Shack in a limo for a feast Friday that included the barbecue combo, chicken wings, macaroni and cheese and yams. ... Keyshawn Johnson, a new member of the Dallas Cowboys, at Prana (Aladdin) on Friday for the Alicia Keys after-party.

The Punch Line

"Low self-esteem support group will meet Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Please use the back door." -- From Jay Leno's "Headlines."

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.