Sunday, March 07, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Still managing Siegfried & Roy

The Amazing Johnathan isn't happy about being fired. Jack Nicholson, above, and Adam Sandler, below, share a few laughs.

Siegfried & Roy's longtime manager, Bernie Yuman, on Saturday brushed off rumblings that his role has been diminished.

"My position as manager has not changed in any way, shape or form since Day One 28 years ago," Yuman said when asked about the issue.

Signs of strain surfaced last week when Siegfried & Roy's publicist in Germany, Claudia Dressler, told news outlets Roy walked 500 steps with the aid of a wheeled walker. TV stations reported that Siegfried & Roy's local management was "distancing" itself from the report.

Dressler, sources say, would not have given such details without the approval of Siegfried & Roy. That signals a serious shift in protocol at a time when insiders say Yuman now must schedule appointments to see Horn.

"Something's definitely brewing," said a source close to the situation.

That's gossip he won't dignify, said Yuman, who met with the legendary performers Saturday to discuss their big project, the animated series "Father of the Pride" for NBC this fall.

"We're deep in pre-production. We're looking to go forward," he said.

Johnathan to sue

The Amazing Johnathan isn't ready to disappear after his bombshell termination by the Golden Nugget's new management.

He's planning to sue for breach of contract and "intent to failure," he said in an e-mail, upset he was fired five weeks into what he characterized as a "monster contract."

Friday's announcement of his departure came a day before the hotel's gala grand opening under new owners Tim Poster and Tom Breitling.

According to the headliner, the duo initially agreed to honor the deal MGM Mirage offered to lure the performer away from the Flamingo late last year. Then, "they changed their minds before we even opened," he said.

"It was clear the new owners wanted me out, but their only loophole in the contract was a 'kill clause.' " That "basically states that, if my attendance is ridiculously low, they can terminate the deal," he said.

New management set him up to fail, he said, by not advertizing the first two weeks, raising ticket prices, not holding a press opening, leaving callers on hold too long at the box office "and various other tactics."

"I wasn't even allowed a meeting to try and fix the situation. After years of working hard to establish myself in Las Vegas, the Nugget has tried to tarnish my reputation and deny me my livelihood. Saddest of all, I'll never be able to play the place that's most special in my heart, a place I helped put back on the map."

The co-owners, through their PR department, said the headliner received "a consistent marketing program," adding, "However, the show did not produce the results that we all anticipated, and as a result, we could not continue to move forward. It's unfortunate that the show didn't work out at this particular time. Johnathan is a unique talent, and we wish him all the best."

The Scene and Heard

KVBC-TV, Channel 3 weatherman Jim Siebert was told late last week his contract won't be renewed, sources say. "We don't comment on personnel issues," said Gene Greenberg, executive VP and general manager.

Sightings

Tom Cruise with his children and Penelope Cruz, riding the roller coaster Saturday at Circus Circus. ... Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler (together), cracking up at Chris Rock's show Friday at MGM Grand. ... At the Palms' ghostbar Friday: 'N Sync's Lance Bass, having toddies with John Fogarty of Creedence Clearwater fame. ... Teresa Earnhardt, widow of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, at Madame Tussaud's Saturday.

The Punch Line

"Lowe's Motor Speedway is one of those tracks where the sun usually sets in the west." -- NASCAR radio commentator Barney Hall

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