Monday, July 04, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Maloof too busy for 'Ultimate' fight

George Maloof answers rumor. Quentin Tarantino all about town.

Rumors were popping like firecrackers over the weekend.

Is a breakaway version of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the works? Scuttlebutt has the Maloof family exploring the possibility.

"Not true," said Palms owner George Maloof, reached by telephone Sunday on his way to Dodger Stadium. "There was some discussion three or four years ago, but we decided not to get involved. We've got enough to do."

On another front, an insider tells me New York nightclub operator Andrew Sasson, a part owner in Light and Caramel nightclubs and Fix restaurant, all at Bellagio, and Panorama Towers, is getting his own boutique hotel in the MGM Mirage City Center project. Not bad for a former nightclub doorman.

Also joining the boutique hotel competition: the W hotel chain, which has big plans for the land occupied by ICE Nightclub at 200 E. Harmon Ave.

Live 8 report card

The British Broadcasting Corporation handed out grades for the Live 8 concert at London's Hyde Park.

U2, Elton John, Madonna, Sir Paul McCartney's closing, Pink Floyd and Robbie Williams received perfect 10s.

Nines went to McCartney for his "Sgt. Pepper" opening with U2, Sting, The Who, REM, Snoop Dogg and Razorlight.

Coldplay rated an eight, as did Annie Lennox, Joss Stone, Keane, Travis and the Scissor Sisters.

The Killers of Las Vegas were in the middle, with a seven. "This white-suited band went to so much trouble for just one song ("All These Things That I've Done"). But the Vegas electro-pop kings made good use of their time," the BBC wrote.

The biggest disappointments, according to the BBC: Bob Geldof and Mariah Carey received fives, while UB40, Ms Dynamite and Velvet Revolver garnered sixes.

The Scene and Heard

No matter how you slice it, the first half of the Centennial Celebration has met with mixed results. The $95,000 Sara Lee cake debacle that still frosts a lot of folks and raised leadership questions. What ever happened to the Walk of Stars program? And what's up with an executive director who walks away midway through the project? Let's hope there's enough time to regroup for a strong finish. Bringing in lounge legend Keely Smith for an Old Vegas tribute would be an awesome tribute.

Sightings

Quentin Tarantino, club hopping with Shar Jackson of "Moesha" and the mother of Kevin Federline's two children. They were spotted dining at Nobu (Hard Rock Hotel), "Beacher's Madhouse" and Body English, at RA (Luxor) and at the Rainbow Bar & Grill at 4 a.m., where their party of a dozen shared pizzas and breakfast. ... Members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, dining at Fix restaurant (Bellagio) after their concert near Sam Boyd Stadium. ... "Stuttering" John Melendez and his wife, Susan, spotted at Saturday's "Beacher's Madhouse" rehearsals. Susan is the creator and director of a new Hard Rock Hotel show that's being co-produced with Jeff Beacher and Jeff Gitlin, producer of "Tony & Tina's Wedding" (Rio). The show, which has roots in New York, is titled "Birdie's Bachelorette Party" and will go into a 250-seat converted ballroom. ... At Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace) on Saturday: boxing champ Floyd Mayweather, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and Tarantino. ... Carmen Electra, dancing with her "Bombshell Babes" burlesque troupe at Tangerine's one-year anniversary party on Friday at Treasure Island. ... At Light over the weekend: NBA star Stephon Marbury, and Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson with the Chiefs' new quarterback Casey Clausen.

The Punch Line

"Take a photo of me lighting this cigar with an M-80." -- One of David Letterman's "Top Ten Things You Don't Want to Hear at a July Fourth Barbecue."

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