Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
NORM: Clooney, Gerber joining forces
Rande Gerber, above, and George Clooney, below, are teaming up with developers from The Related Group on the $3 billion Las Ramblas collaboration.
Jesse Metcalfe to serve as judge at Areeva swimwear model search.
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In the "Ocean's Eleven" remake, George Clooney's character asks his would-be accomplices, "are you in or out?" Brad Pitt may be hearing the line again from Clooney, on another Las Vegas project.
Clooney and nightclub king Rande Gerber are teaming up with heavyweight developers from The Related Group on the $3 billion Las Ramblas collaboration.
"We're still talking about it, and we hope he's involved," Gerber said by telephone on Tuesday.
Pitt, who played Rusty Ryan, right-hand man of Clooney's character Danny Ocean, has backed away, reportedly to focus on his relationship with Angelina Jolie and his insta-family.
"We've been talking about Brad doing some of the architecture," said Gerber, whose Midnight Oil nightclub empire includes Whiskey Bar at Green Valley Ranch and Cherry nightclub at the upcoming Red Rock Station. A major nightclub is planned for Las Ramblas, as well, he said.
Gerber and Clooney started talking about teaming up in Las Vegas during a flight to our city, said Gerber.
Clooney was shooting "Ocean's Eleven," and Gerber recalls the duo discussing "how great it would be to open a hotel and casino and bring back our perception of Old Vegas, with the glamour and romance, our interpretation of the Rat Pack era. "
"We want to cater to a different clientele, but we're not saying you have to wear a suit," he added.
Stunt stalls
Extreme heat got the best of extreme street magician Jimmy Luv.
Less than four days into his planned 30-day stay in a clear plastic box, Luv was advised by his medical staff to call off his stunt to publicize and raise funds for the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.
The 100-degree temperatures outside pushed temps inside the box in excess of 125 degrees, according to a press release.
The stunt took place at Grand Canyon Parkway (Interstate 215 and Flamingo Road), near where the inaugural event he was promoting, the Southwest Fest, will take place on Sept. 24-25.
The Scene and Heard
Morning Zoo deejay Chet Buchanan of KLUC-FM, 98.5 is departing today for hurricane-ravaged New Orleans with a convoy of donated water, ice, cash and other supplies. Donations should be dropped off by 8 a.m. today at World Kia, 5600 W. Sahara Ave. Several truckers are donating their trucks and time for the humanitarian mission organized by Buchanan. Donation information: 253-9800. ...
Former Review-Journal columnist Jude Wanniski, who went on to become an editor of The Wall Street Journal editorial pages, died Monday at age 69. An adviser to President Reagan, Wanniski was credited with coining the phrase "supply-side economics" and designing many of the Reagan tax cuts. ...
In a battle of testosterone, the Chippendales dancers have served a cease-and desist-order on the Men of Russia male review for an advertisement. The Chips want the Russkies to stop using "A Girls Night Out" in their ad, saying it represents a violation of their patent ad, "The Ultimate Girls Night Out."
Sightings
Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, dining at Il Mulino (Forum Shops at Caesars) with comedy impresario Jeff Beacher. ... Nicky Hilton and pal, at Spago (Form Shops). ... Jesse Metcalfe of "Desperate Housewives" and Josh Henderson of "Over There" are celebrity judges at tonight's Areeva swimwear model search at Tabu (MGM Grand). ... Stardust headliner Rick Thomas, testing his wings in the cockpit of a commercial airline flight simulator at the SimProUSA training facility in Henderson.
The Punch Line
"I'm not sure what four nines does, but the ace, I think, is pretty high." -- Danny Ocean (Clooney) in the "Ocean's Eleven" remake.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
