Saturday, March 13, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Hopper bids Vegas farewell tonight

Jimmy Hopper is taking his act to Lake Tahoe. Dennis Miller still feuding with Elton. Mark Burnett proposes big bash. Sen. Harry Reid recounts run-in.

ends a successful six-year Las Vegas run tonight.

Two of the five band members are staying behind, while Hopper and Co., fixtures in the Fontana Room since July 2000, head off for a 16-week deal at Harrah's Lake Tahoe.

"It's painful," said electric violinist David Ragsdale, a four-year member. "This is the closest thing to a family I've got," said the musician, who spent six years with the group Kansas before settling in Las Vegas.

He's remaining in Las Vegas because "I've done the travel thing, and I just can't do it anymore. I'm going to see what I can find to do here."

Also staying is Brian Hicks, the group's musical director. He will be replaced by John-Paul Gasparrelli, former musical director at "O" for two years. Replacing Ragsdale will be Jerry Goodman, violinist for the Mahavishnu Orchestra, a 1970s fusion phenomenon. "One my heroes," said Ragsdale.

Andy Vargas, lead singer for Carlos Santana's band, will start in the Fontana Lounge on Tuesday.

Winding down

Mark Burnett, creator of the latest reality show, "The Casino," had a suggestion during last week's visit to Las Vegas: finish the six-week shoot with a big splash.

He suggested to Golden Nugget co-owners Tim Poster and Tom Breitling that filming wrap up with a blowout pool party.

That explains why one of the largest local outdoor St. Patrick's Day parties will be held at the Golden Nugget pool on Wednesday.

I asked Roy J. Bank, one of the producers, to address reports of camera crews staging events to make "reality" more interesting.

"It's reality. We find the stories and we follow up. It's not a script; we don't set things up. There are a lot of rumors; everyone likes rumors. They say we faked this or staged that..."

Bank said the crews have tapped a rich vein of Golden Nugget material.

"They say truth is stranger than fiction, and it's once again proven on this show. I'll take a step farther: Truth is stranger than fiction, and it's even stranger in Las Vegas," he said.

The Scene and Heard

One more flashback of former Gov. Mike O'Callaghan: During Thursday's funeral, Sen. Harry Reid was recounting O'Callaghan's famous run-in at a bar. O'Callaghan had walked away from his bar stool and upon returning found a stranger in his seat, next to the governor's friends. When O'Callaghan politely asked for his seat back, the stranger refused. Big Mike flexed his executive power and physically extradited the smart aleck squatter to the floor. A guy behind me chuckled and said, "I spent two weeks denying that story."...

No sign of a thawing in the cold war between Dennis Miller and Elton John. A Friday guest on The Point Morning Show (KXPT-FM, 97.1) with Chris Foxx, Steph, and Gregg, Miller was asked about John's blowup over Miller's political remarks last year at Andre Agassi's Grand Slam for Children. Miller, who is appearing at the Paris Las Vegas this weekend, said he recently ran into John at a restaurant. Did it bother him, Miller was asked. "No, not really. It's not like Bernie Taupin was mad at me."

Sightings

Barenaked Ladies, performing a private high-roller concert at the Golden Nugget on Friday.

The Punch Line

"Reality in our century is not something to be faced." -- Graham Greene

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