Craig Kilborn takes in Rain with pals. John Rocker does the town. Dennis Hopper goes the Pure route. Deion Sanders acts very unjock-like.

Siegfried & Roy's absence from the 20th anniversary of the city's largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser -- one of their pet projects -- raised eyebrows Sunday.

The legendary illusionists were to be honored with Golden Rainbow's highest honor, the Toddy Award, for "lifetime commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness."

Paul Spiers, an event spokesman, said, "We were informed a couple days ago that they were triple booked and were trying to work things out."

Organizers went ahead with the tribute to the duo before a packed house at Bally's "Jubilee!" Theater. Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn have been major supporters of the event from the start, "when people didn't want to be involved," Spiers said.

"Just say there was disappointment," said one of the longtime organizers.

Siegfried & Roy spokesman Dave Kirvin said, "They had travel plans that could not be changed, and no one could be more disappointed than them that they could not attend."

About 250 performers from 25 local shows participated.

Sunday's show-stopping number, "Our Favorite Son," from the Will Rogers Follies, featured some of the Strip's legendary names: Fluff LeCocque, longtime company manager of "Jubilee!"; choreographers Karen Denise and Mistenguett; and dancer Cinnamon Steen.

MEDIA UPDATE

Reporter Chris Saldana made his debut as a weekend co-anchor at KLAS-TV, Channel 8 over the weekend. He's sharing the anchor desk with Colleen May. ... Local publicist Jackie Brett, who has been chronicling Las Vegas doings for 29 years, has a new tabletop book out, titled "Fabulous Las Vegas" (Beautiful America Publishing Co.). She teamed up with photographer Larry Hanna. ... Longtime Detroit radio personality Lee Horn launches "The Frank Sinatra Story," a weekly two-hour show, on KJUL-FM, 104.7 on Sunday. The show runs from 5-7 p.m. every Sunday. ... The WB Las Vegas will become MY LV TV on Sept. 5, and Gold 33 will become the CW Las Vegas on Sept. 18.

SIGHTINGS

"Neon" Deion Sanders, attracting a horde of fans at OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Saturday, and turning down a complimentary table and bottle -- that could be a first for a jock in this town. Four security guards were needed to keep the crowd at bay, and he finally departed rather than disrupt the club. ... At the Palms on Saturday: former talk-show host Craig Kilborn and pals at Rain; Josh Duhamel at ghostbar; Larry Rudolph, Britney Spears' former manager, with Ashley Parker Angel, formerly of O-Town, at N9ne Steakhouse. Also at Rain: former major league pitcher John Rocker. ... Pete Rose, receiving a warm ovation when introduced by Danny Gans (The Mirage) on Saturday. Later, Rose and Gans talked baseball backstage, with Gans' teen son Andrew taking it in. ... Dennis Hopper, sipping Mojitos at Venus Pool Party (Caesars Palace) before heading on to Pure on Saturday night. ... Late-night TV host Carson Daly, at Tao (The Venetian) for the launch party of the burnlounge.com Web site. Also there: "American Idol" star Justin Guarini, actress Joy Bryant, Simon Rex, and Tichina Arnold of "Everybody Hates Chris."

THE PUNCH LINE

"The Senate has rejected the gay marriage ban. But if you think about it, do you really want Congress defining marriage? Isn't that like asking Charlie Sheen to define monogamy?" -- Jay Leno

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