Thursday, April 21, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Details surface on Newton deal

Wayne Newton might have his eyes on the Las Vegas Hilton. Ben Affleck... ...and Jennifer Garner reportedly were engaged over the weekend. Howie Mandel goes clubbing in Vegas.

With workers scheduled to start removing Wayne Newton's name from the Stardust marquee at sunrise today, the Las Vegas Hilton was preparing to announce the return of Newton for a six-week run.

Sources said Newton's management team of wife Kathleen and publicist Trish McCrone was spotted at the Hilton earlier this week.

Here is what they were working out: Newton will start what I hear will be a "limited" engagement from June through August.

It's a homecoming of sorts: Newton was a Hilton headliner from 1987 until 1993.

The dates, I'm told, will run from June 14-18, July 5-9, July 12-16, July 19-23, and Aug. 16-20 and 23-27. During his engagement, he will introduce Delisco, winner of Newton's recent reality show, "The Entertainer."

Newton on Wednesday ended a run of five-plus years at the Stardust. He opened there on Jan. 24, 2000, after a signing a contract that was billed as a 10-year deal worth up to $25 million, with an exit after five years.

The Scene and Heard

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Nicolette Sheridan of "Desperate Housewives" are among the celeb crowd expected at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final at Thomas & Mack Center this weekend. Georgina Bloomberg, youngest daughter of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is a World Cup jumping rider. Clint Holmes will be singing the national anthem and his hit Las Vegas anthem "LV" at today's opening ceremonies. ...

Man-about-all-things-decadent Robin Leach emcees Bubble-Licious, the kickoff for the annual UNLVino bash, from 7-10 p.m. tonight at the Hard Rock Hotel pool. Tickets are $50. Tickets can be bought at www.unlvtickets.com or call (702) 739-3267. ...

Ben Affleck, who reportedly got engaged to Jennifer Garner over the weekend, is at the Palms today for an episode of "Project Greenlight."

Sightings

Linda Gray, who played luscious lush Sue Ellen Ewing for 11 years on "Dallas," at the opening night Tuesday of "The Graduate," starring Morgan Fairchild, at Cashman Theater. Gray played the lead role of Mrs. Robinson in the London West End production of "The Graduate" and also on Broadway. Also in the crowd: Frank Marino and Delisco. ... Dino's daughter, Deana Martin, is a special guest of the Riviera for 50th anniversary festivities this week, which kicked off Wednesday. ... Rob Thomas, dining Wednesday at Nobu in the Hard Rock Hotel before his concert. ... REO Speedwagon, playing at a private party Tuesday for CNN at PURE nightclub in Caesars Palace. ... Fairchild, getting a tour of Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce burlesque joint on Wednesday. ... Siegfried and Roy, at the Hofbrauhaus on Tuesday, telling management they were there to "celebrate the German pope with German food." They sat in the main hall and ordered sauerbraten, schweinebraten and a stein or two of German beer. ... Howie Mandel, hanging out at Tabú in MGM Grand with pals on Tuesday night. ... Andrew Dice Clay, dining at Morton's on Tuesday. ... Frank Sinatra Jr. signs autographs today in front of his father's new slot machine at the Aladdin, near the north Strip entrance.

The Punch Line

"The U.S. government has convicted Osama bin Laden's spiritual adviser. I believe his name is Sheik Phil." -- David Letterman

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