Janet Jackson is in town for Billboard Music Awards.
Lynn Bennett, co-owner of the Sahara and a long-coveted 55 acres of Strip real estate, died Sunday, putting on hold a potential deal involving British entrepreneur Richard Branson.
Ron Garrett, director of marketing for the Sahara, confirmed that Bennett, the widow of casino developer Bill Bennett, had passed away. Cause of death was not immediately known, he said.
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Bill Bennett, who died in 2002 at age 78, bought the Sahara in 1995 after helping create Circus Circus, Excalibur and Luxor.
His death left his wife and William Gordon in charge of Gordon Gaming Corp., which owns the Sahara and a package of land that includes the prized 26 acres of long-vacant land across from the Sahara.
Reached Sunday, Las Vegas deal-maker Jack Wishna confirmed that he has been working on an acquisition deal involving the Sahara, Virgin honcho Branson and Disney designer Don Dorsey.
There have been meetings, Wishna said, "but no formal deal is in place for a Branson-Dorsey deal."
Wishna put together Wayne Newton's megadeal with the Stardust seven years ago and the Donald Trump-Phil Ruffin real estate deal that brought Trump to Las Vegas.
WEIGHT A MINUTE
You'll be seeing a lot less of Jeff Beacher, zany show creator and promoter extraordinaire, if he has his weigh.
The 370-pound Beacher plans to launch a bid to lose 100 pounds in a year when he enters the Las Vegas Marathon next Sunday.
He plans to walk as far as he can this year, his first steps in going from "Hollywood slob" to "Hollywood heartthrob." Beacher plans to be in good enough shape to run the 26.2 miles next year.
He's taking the challenge in conjunction with the Hard Rock Hotel, site of his Beacher's Madhouse for nearly three years, and the Las Vegas Marathon.
"It's time to change," said Beacher, who said he has gained 100 pounds since moving here from New York three years ago. "If I don't, I will die and lose everything."
Beacher means business. He's vowing to stay celibate for the year and will give away $200,000 if he gives in to temptation -- $100,000 to the temptress and $100,000 to a charity.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Frontman Brandon Flowers' bout with bronchitis has likely knocked The Killers out of the Billboard Music Awards show tonight. Flowers' voice gave out during the VH1 "Big in '06" awards show in Culver City, Calif., on Saturday as he finished "When We Were Young," the first of two songs scheduled. The Killers were to perform "Bones" tonight. ...
The official Billboard after-party is at Studio 54 (MGM Grand) tonight at 11 p.m. Pharrell Williams is hosting an after-party at Tao.
SIGHTINGS
Ludacris, at his sound check Sunday for the Billboard show, wasn't pleased with the proximity of the pyrotechnic eruption in the MGM Grand Garden. "Is anyone's hair on fire?" he cracked, evoking memories of Michael Jackson's hair-on-fire incident in 1984. ... Siegfried & Roy and Lynette Chappell, getting a standing ovation at Gregory Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater at V Theater (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood) on Sunday. ... Janet Jackson, catching a late dinner Saturday at Sushi Roku (Forum Shops at Caesars) after a Billboard sound check. ... Prince, twice surprising patrons at his 2131 Jazz Cuisine (Rio) Saturday by jamming with the restaurant band before his show and for two hours afterward, with Maceo Parker joining in. ... World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Torrie Wilson, taking in the Pussycat Dolls at Pure (Caesars Palace) after dining at Social House (Treasure Island). She was at Pure as host. ... At Tryst (Wynn) on Saturday: Jason Giambi, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Young Jeezy.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Everybody Loves Raymond ... Especially Steve." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Shows on the New Gay Television Channel
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
