Saturday, April 23, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Mirage sticking with Danny Gans

Danny Gans gets contract extension. Bill Clinton chows down at Il Mulino. Vince Neil is loyal to Vegas buddy.

Danny Gans is staying put at The Mirage. A contract extension was announced on Friday, but no details were given on the length of the deal.

Gans, one of the most successful singing impressionists in Strip history, opened at The Mirage in April 2000 after a multiyear run at the Rio. His seven-year contract would have expired next spring.

His initial deal with Steve Wynn had an "out" clause after five years. Under terms of the deal, he would take over the marquee when Siegfried & Roy retired. If they were not retired after five years, he could get one side of the marquee or leave.

In a statement released Friday, Scott Sibella, president of The Mirage, said, "We are delighted that Danny will continue to thrill audiences at The Mirage for years to come."

The Scene and Heard

Five finalists in the search for a new talk-show host at KXNT-AM, 840 will compete for the spot, starting Monday with copier salesman TJ Hampton. Each contestant joins Alan Stock and Heidi Harris each morning. The others: Ted Karant, a code enforcement officer for the city of Las Vegas, Tuesday; Casey Hendrickson, pest control tech, Wednesday; Jodi Jorjrian, civil engineer, Thursday; and Jim D'Arrigo, bike patrol officer at McCarran International Airport, Friday. ...

Tom Star, manager of Pete "Big Elvis" Vallee, died Friday at his Henderson home after a battle with cancer. Our condolences to his wife, Lucille, and Pete.

Sightings

Bill Clinton, dining Friday night at Il Mulino (Forum Shops at Caesars) with George and Phil Maloof. No word on whether the party ended up at the Palms in the "Real World" suite's Confessional Room. Thursday, Clinton was spotted checking out jewelry at DaMincci Jewelers at The District at Green Valley Ranch. ... Luis Miguel, dining on stone crabs and a 1995 Cheval Blanc bordeaux ($595) on Friday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crabs (Forum Shops at Caesars). ... Toni Braxton, celebrating her fourth wedding anniversary with her husband, Casey, at Danny Gans' show (The Mirage) on Thursday night. She sent Gans a note that read: "You so rock!" ... Director Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate, at the Equestrian Foundation auction at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on Friday. ... Three-time Stanley Cup champ Sergei Federov of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, intercepting passes at Tabu (MGM Grand) on Thursday night. Rumor has it he's in town to buy a condo at the Hard Rock Hotel. ... At Caramel (Bellagio), musician Kip Winger, performing at the launch party celebrating the opening of the Las Vegas bureau of national photo agency Wireimage, headed by Denise Truscello. ... At Light nightclub (Bellagio) on Thursday: Pete Rose and other former big-leaguers Mariano Duncan and Chuck Knoblauch. ... Eddie Money, trying the calamari and spaghetti and meatballs at Manetti's (Plaza) on Thursday night. ... Siegfried & Roy are guests of honor tonight at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final. Their appearance includes a ceremonial lap around the arena floor prior to the finals in a Rolls Royce convertible. ... Deana Martin, Dino's daughter, in the audience Friday at the Bootlegger Bistro to see "Uncle Sonny," better known locally as Sonny King, who roomed with Dean Martin for 6 1/2 years in New York City's Bryant Hotel on 54th Street. ... Motley Crue's Vince Neil, dashing onstage in Jacksonville this week wearing a jersey of his pal, former University of Florida quarterback Bob Hewko (1980-82). A Vegas regular, Hewko, before knee injuries, was a star pro prospect under quarterbacks coach Mike Shanahan and teamed with favorite targets Cris Collinsworth and Mike Malarkey.

The Punch Line

"Did you hear about the stock market today? Up 206 points. It's like they were playing the Lakers." -- Jay Leno

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