Sunday, January 09, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Garner dispels pregnancy rumors

Jennifer Garner signs autographs at Saturday night's Palms premiere of her new movie, "Elektra." Photo by Jeff Scheid.

Was Jennifer Garner making a red carpet statement Saturday night at the premiere of "Elektra" at the Palms?

Although the temperature was in the 40s, Garner immediately took off her coat for the first interview, revealing a slender figure, as if to answer questions about her rumored pregnancy.

More than 2,000 fans greeted her at the entrance to the Palms, where she was joined by a dozen Hollywood stars.

Her boyfriend, Ben Affleck, did not appear at the event, but he was with her, actor Michael Clarke Duncan said during a radio interview heard over the PA.

Affleck, sporting a beard, was later spotted in the high-limit room at the Palms.

Diva duel

It's Kenny Kerr's turn in the sniping war with rival drag diva Frank Marino.

Kerr stirred the pot during the New Year's weekend with some comments as Connie Francis' opening act.

Marino, in his 20th year as the star of "La Cage," countered, "If it wasn't for talking about me, he wouldn't have an act."

Kerr, the grand dame of female impersonators but missing from the local scene for several years, called to say, "I was here before him, and I'll be here after him."

He added, "At least show a little respect for the innovator. I'm the innovator; he's the imitator.

"If he didn't have all the plastic surgery he's had, and if he took the wig off that he wears as a man or woman, he'd look a lot more like Joan of Arc than Joan Rivers," said Kerr, a Barbra Streisand impersonator.

"I know he's a publicity hound, but there's no need to become a bloodhound."

Kerr isn't buying Marino's claim that he'll get the second star on the Walk of Stars. "Anybody who pays $15,000 can have their star on the Walk of Stars."

"I say this with love, of course," added Kerr.

The Scene and Heard

Roy Horn is soaking up the sun at Cabo San Lucas. ...

Hey, I caught Buddy Greco having a rough day last week. He was packing to move from his hometown of 50 years, and that's never easy. A lot of frustration spilled out. "Las Vegas has been fabulous to us; it's been great," said Greco. He and his wife, Lezlie Anders, are moving to Palm Springs, Calif., to open Buddy Greco's Supper Club, where they hope to book such local legends as Jack Jones, Frankie Randall, Keely Smith and Jerry Vale.

Sightings

Kanye West, performing for 45 minutes at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) on Friday. Also in the house: Jenna Jameson, Kansas City Chief Tony Gonzalez, Lil' John and Damon Dash. Thursday: Shannon Elizabeth, Joan Jett and Macy Gray attended a CES party at Body English. ... Jackie Chan, Friday at Tabu (MGM Grand), where Tom Arnold danced on the tables for a Fox News Channel camera. Fox is putting together a one-hour Las Vegas special set to air this month. ... Darryl McDaniels, DMC of Run DMC, made a surprise performance at Pure, the new nightclub at Caesars Palace on Friday. ... Backstage after Itzhak Perlman's performance at UNLV's Performing Arts Center on Thursday: Steve and Elaine Wynn and Robert and Vera Goulet. ... Dreamworks honcho Jeffery Katzenberg and friends, checking out Ka (MGM Grand) on Friday. ... At Light (Bellagio) Friday: Chicago Bear Brian Urlacher, former NFL star Cris Carter, actor Vincent Gallo and hip-hop innovator Rick Ruben. ... Carter and Gray, playing poker together at Mandalay Bay on Saturday.

The Punch Line

"An associate producer is the only guy in Hollywood who will associate with a producer." -- Humorist Fred Allen

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