Signs of trouble with Steve Wynn's "Avenue Q" appeared early.
Jaime Pressly among guests of "The View."
Tom Arnold referees Globetrotters game.
Nicollette Sheridan at Pure nightclub.
Steve Wynn predicted a 10-year run for "Avenue Q." So where did it take a wrong turn?
Signs of trouble cropped up early.
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On one of the first of many trips to see the risque puppet show at Wynn Las Vegas -- obviously I loved it -- I turned to introduce myself to a young couple on my left.
"Great seats," I told the California visitors.
Yes, they said gleefully, considering they had purchased balcony seats an hour before the show.
I looked back up at the balcony and it was empty, as it was on the other nights I attended.
Was it a case of a puppet show too low-brow for such a high-brow joint?
Frankly, I blame the marketing strategy, which was inexplicably slow off the mark.
For one thing, why did it take until late October to get the fuzzy cab campaign rolling when the show opened in early September?
Nor did we understand why the press conference for the cab rollout was held at 3 p.m., way late in the day to make a splash on the evening newscasts.
Now I'm hearing worrisome rumors about "Le Reve," the Wynn's aquatic show that stumbled early but righted the ship, from most accounts.
The story is that we'll know something more concrete by April.
THE 'VIEW' FROM HERE
Barbara Walters' ABC show "The View" will feature Celine Dion, Roseanne and James Denton near the fountains at Caesars Palace starting Monday.
Their two-day stay in Las Vegas will cover five shows, two live. Monday's lineup includes Denton of "Desperate Housewives," a segment on Las Vegas cocktails, Maurice Benard of "General Hospital" and the Pussycat Dolls as musical guests.
On Tuesday, the lineup includes Roseanne, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and a shopping spree with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
The taped shows will feature actress/model/designer Jaime Pressly and Jennifer Tilly on Wednesday, Marg Helgenberger of "C.S.I.," magicians Penn & Teller and comedian Carrot Top on Thursday, and Dion and co-host Joy Behar's behind-the-scenes visit with the Aussie male revue "Thunder From Down Under" on Friday.
SIGHTINGS
Jerry Lewis and his wife, Sam, celebrating Valentine's Day and their 27th wedding anniversary at Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas. ... Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden, checking into the Hooters Hotel on Wednesday. ... A dressed-down Jay-Z and Beyoncè Knowles, taking in the 7:30 p.m. performance of "Mystere" (Treasure Island) on Sunday. ... "Desperate Housewives" star Nicollette Sheridan, holding a red rose and sipping Dom Perignon while kissing boyfriend Michael Bolton during her appearance with the Pussycat Dolls on Tuesday night at Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace). She wore a military outfit and wished the troops worldwide a Happy Valentine's Day. ... Tom Arnold, refereeing the Harlem Globetrotters' game against the New York Nationals at The Orleans Arena on Wednesday. ... Howie Mandel, joining friends at Tabu (MGM Grand) after his show on Tuesday night. ... Cast members of "Skintight," "Fantasy," "X," the Pussycat Dolls, "Fashionistas" and "Erocktica," at Chuck E. Cheese on West Flamingo Tuesday, showering affection on Macallan Padon, who was celebrating his first birthday. His dad, John Padon, is the comic star of "Skintight" and mom Dejah is a member of "Erocktica." ... Lisa Marie Presley and her mother, Priscilla, chatting backstage with Danny Gans after his show (The Mirage) on Sunday night.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Happy Valentine's Day everybody, or as Dick Cheney calls it, 'Guns n' Roses.'" -- Jay Leno.
