Jerry Lewis has arrayed a long list of Las Vegas talent for his annual Muscular Dystrophy telethon on Labor Day weekend. The event will be staged at the South Coast.
Jerry Lewis will tap a rich vein of local talent when his Muscular Dystrophy telethon returns to Las Vegas for the first time in 12 years.
Joining Lewis from 6 p.m. Sept. 3 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the South Coast will be resident headliners Louie Anderson, Lance Burton, Celine Dion, Clint Holmes and Rita Rudner. Barry Manilow, whose double hip surgery will keep him home, will send a tape.
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Also invited: cast members of "Phantom: The Vegas Spectacular," ventriloquist Ronn Lucas, comedian Max Alexander and members of The Coasters, Platters and Drifters.
Co-anchoring with Lewis will be Ed McMahon. Co-hosts include Jann Carl, Tom Bergeron, Norm Crosby, Billy Gilman, Larry King, Tony Orlando and Bob Zany.
The on-air talent includes Paul Anka, Goo Goo Dolls, Lee Greenwood, Dave Matthews Band, Neil Patrick Harris, Ray Romano, William Shatner, Patti LaBelle, BeBe Winans, Brian McKnight, Branford Marsalis, George Clinton and members of the casts of Phantom of the Opera, Shout, The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee, The Color Purple and the Wedding Singer. There will be segments from New York, Chicago and the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur.
Dealers involved in the World Series of Poker are sputtering mad that no one at the final table left a tip. If their complaint is true, it's insanely shameful, considering that all nine players were guaranteed at least $1 million each from the $37.7 million final-table split. The late Benny Binion would have had a colorful message for the cheapskates. ...
"La Cage" headliner Frank Marino is a big fan of comedian Kathy Griffin, star of "My Life on the D-List" reality show. In an effort to meet her, he sent an Easter basket when she was performing at the Suncoast, had people make calls for him and has tickets to see her Friday at Mandalay Bay. He hopes the fourth time's the charm. ...
Michelle Nunes, the newly crowned Miss Hooters International 2006, will throw out the first pitch tonight at the Las Vegas 51s game at Cashman Field. ...
MEDIA UPDATE
KTNV-TV, Channel 13 announced the hiring Tuesday of Casey Smith, a former morning anchor at KLAS-TV, Channel 8. Smith, whose contract was not renewed at KLAS earlier this year, will join the ABC affiliate when his noncompete clause expires next year. News director Dick Tuininga said he envisions Smith moving into an on-air role. ... Les Krifaton has been appointed weekend weather anchor at KVVU-TV, Channel 5.
SIGHTINGS
Mike Tyson, dancing near his front-row seat during Toni Braxton's show Wednesday at the Flamingo. ... Porn star Tera Patrick, hosting the FHM cover party Tuesday at Pure (Caesars Palace). ... TV prankster Tom Green, unveiling his white rap band called the "Keeping It Real Crew" on Saturday at the Stuff party at Simon's Bar & Grill (Hard Rock Hotel). They rocked the patio until 5:15 a.m. Few knew that Green was a musician until he teamed earlier in the night at Simon's with entertainer Jeremy Cornwell on Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth." ... Pro wrestling star Chris Jericho, in the crowd at the "Fab Four Mania" show Tuesday at V Theatre (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood).. ... Julie Chen, mentioned here on Wednesday, is the current, not former, host of CBS' "Big Brother" show.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Give you an idea how expensive gas is getting: In Pennsylvania Amish country there has been a rash of horse and buggy jackings." -- Jay Leno
