Friday, April 08, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
NORM: Next stage for Newton uncertain
Wayne Newton arrives at a crossroads after his departure from the Stardust.
Eva Longoria to pay a visit to Pussycat Dolls Lounge.
Patti LaBelle washes down her noodles with champagne.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. gets a taste of Tangerine.
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Two key questions remain unanswered in the aftermath of Wayne Newton's announced April 20 departure from the Stardust:
• Was it Newton's last stand as a Las Vegas headliner?
• And how does his exodus from the Stardust effect Delisco, the winner of Newton's reality show "The Entertainer?"
No one in Newton's camp is answering questions, but Newton filled in a couple details after Sunday's final episode of the E! Entertainment series.
"I will feature him (in Newton's show) and he will start at the Hilton in September," Newton told me during his surprise birthday party in the Hilton's Glimmer Lounge.
"We'll be writing his act," added Newton, who replaced Bob Hope as the USO's ambassador in late 2001.
A bigger question is what Newton plans for his next act. Voice problems have dogged him for years, and crowd counts have slipped dramatically.
His relationship with the Hilton on "The Entertainer" project, at a time when he was under contract with the Stardust, raised eyebrows, and it is no secret that the Hilton's new ownership has been hinting quietly about more big moves, in the manner of the Barry Manilow signing, being in the works.
Given Newton's role as co-executive producer in "The Entertainer," there's been speculation that his next step might be as a talent producer.
The Scene and Heard
KVBC-TV, Channel 3 anchors Beth Fisher and Nina Radetich will emcee the annual Firefighters Bachelor Auction tonight at the House of Blues (Mandalay Bay), with foreplay beginning at 6 p.m. After a performance by the Chippendales, auctioneer Christian Kolberg starts the action at 8 p.m. ...
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Hooters hotel and casino have been scheduled from 4-7 p.m. April 19 at the Hotel San Remo. ...
Get-well wishes to local music icons Ruth Brown and Freddy Bell, who have been under the weather. ...
Corrections: In Thursday's item about Siegfried & Roy's private audience with Pope John Paul II, incorrectly provided information stated that Siegfried Fischbacher's sister who joined the convent was named Sister Delores. Her real name is Margot, and she took the name Sister Delore when she joined the convent at age 17. The birth year listed in the column for the first white tigers was a typographical error. They were born in 1986.
May I recommend ...
The Pussycat Dolls Lounge, with Eva Longoria of ABC's hit "Desperate Housewives" in the lineup, officially opens Saturday with a private VIP bash. The Pussycat Dolls are performing tonight and with Longoria on Saturday. The lounge is part of Pure, the three-month mega-club at Caesars Palace. Red-carpet arrivals begin at 8:30 p.m. Pure opens at 10:30 p.m.
Sightings
Elton John, holding court Thursday in Pure's VIP "red room" which he rented out for a birthday party. ... Patti LaBelle, having champagne with her crab noodles at Crustacean (Aladdin) on Wednesday night. ... NBA Hall of Famer Julius "Dr. J." Erving and boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., at Tangerine (Treasure Island) on Wednesday night.
The Punch Line
"It was a very somber moment, and a very awkward moment, when (President) Bush met a group of cardinals and congratulated them on beating the Astros." -- Craig Ferguson, host of CBS' "Late Late Show."
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
