Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
NORM: Michael Jackson still has appeal
Toby Keith's eatery about to open.
Mel Gibson spotted at Wynn Las Vegas.
George Carlin attends CineVegas.
Michael Jackson's acquittal means Vegas headliner offer stands.
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If Michael Jackson decides to bring his moonwalk to Las Vegas, Phil Ruffin's New Frontier will have a showroom ready.
Las Vegas has a long history as a city of second chances and would be a perfect launching pad for a comeback, Ruffin's partner, Jack Wishna, said Tuesday.
"America loves a comeback story, and what better platform to showcase such a comeback than a new show in a new resort," Wishna said in a statement.
Wishna said he contacted Jackson before his molestation trial began early this year, and the pop singer "remains on my short list" of headliners Wishna hopes to line up for the resort. Wishna put together Wayne Newton's deal with the Stardust in 1999 and has been a catalyst in Donald Trump's plan to build a residential tower on Ruffin's New Frontier land.
Jackson would be almost 50 when the renovated New Frontier opens in late 2007 or early 2008.
Reached by telephone Tuesday night, Wishna said Jackson, during their pretrial conversation, said he would consider a resident headliner deal.
"I believe that two, two and a half years is time enough for him to clean up his act professionally and personally," said Wishna.
The Scene and Heard
KVBC-TV, Channel 3 weekend anchor Kim Capozzo and weekday weatherman Dana Wagner won't forget where they were the day of the Jackson verdict. After more than 12 hours in labor, Capozzo at 6:59 p.m. Monday delivered their first child, daughter Kathryn Ashlyn Wagner. Her vital statistics: 7 pounds, 3 ounces, 19 1/4 inches. "During the birthing process, she only told me to shut up once," said Wagner. They met at Reno's ABC affiliate, KOLO-TV, in 1998 and got married June 10, 2000. ...
Country superstar Toby Keith's "I Love This Bar & Grill" at Harrah's opens June 22 at 11:30 a.m. The down-home menu: a fried bologna sandwich with seared onions and American cheese, a pulled-pork sandwich, "freedom fries," sweet potato pecan pie with bourbon ice cream, warm chocolate bread pudding or blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream. ...
One hundred past and present Folies Bergere showgirls are gathering at the Tropicana for Thursday's 7:30 p.m. show and will bus to the Fremont Street Experience afterwards for a group shot with film legend Rhonda Fleming. The second headliner to appear in the Tropicana's showroom, Fleming is in town to receive the CineVegas Centennial Legend award. ...
A $2 million renovation on the Rio's Voodoo Lounge and its two outdoor patios is done.
Sightings
Mel Gibson, dining at Wing Lei (Wynn Las Vegas) and spotted testing his luck at the gaming tables over the weekend. ... Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper and Laurence Fishburne on the red carpet before Walken received the CineVegas' Marquee Award at the screening of "King of New York" at the Palms' Brenden Theatres. Later, Joe Pesci joined the trio on stage for Walken's presentation. ... At the CineVegas screening of "The Aristocrats" at the Palms on Monday night: Phyllis Diller, Phyllis McGuire, David Brenner, George Carlin, Andy Richter, Pat Cooper, Lance Burton, Monti Rock III and Jeff Beacher. ... Marie Osmond, signing her Marie Osmond dolls at the Tutto store at the Bellagio on Tuesday. ... At the Wynn over the weekend: Matt Damon, at the spa and dining at Tableau, Wayne Gretzky and Pete Sampras spotted at the VIP entrance. ... Oscar nominee Jennifer Tilly, playing in Tuesday's no-limit hold-'em event at the Rio with beau and pro poker player Phil Laak.
The Punch Line
"It's been revealed that (John Kerry) ... had a lower grade-point average than President Bush. That's like losing a spelling bee to Jessica Simpson." -- Jay Leno
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
