Fans are wondering about the next move of Molly Sims' character on "Las Vegas,"...
...while actor Dean Cain isn't expected to return to the show.
The twice-bumped season opener of NBC's "Las Vegas" will answer several questions: Is "Big Ed" dead? And did Delinda flee her wedding to finally find true love with Danny?
Oh yes, and what happened to Dean Cain?
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The former star of "Superman" played Montecito owner Casey Manning last season, but there's chatter that he's not returning because of contract differences.
Show creator Gary Scott Thompson isn't saying, but Cain has confirmed he's out.
Starting its fourth season, "Las Vegas" has been pushed back twice.
Thompson addressed the pushbacks by telephone, saying "rumors of our death are greatly exaggerated."
"A lot of our fan base thinks because (NBC) pushed back the show so late that it's a negative, and that's not true," he said.
The network decided to stagger the openings of new shows this year "so all the advertising money didn't go all up front. They wanted to give us two full weeks of promos and print ads to really launch," he said.
Then the Oct. 20 premiere was bumped to next Friday.
That's because NBC is giving hot newcomer "1 vs. 100" another week in Friday's 9 p.m. slot, where "Las Vegas" moved to last season.
The premiere of "100" gave NBC its highest nonsports adults 18-49 rating in that spot since December 2002 (an episode of "Dateline NBC") and its highest nonsports overall viewer total in the time period since March 2004 (also an episode of "Dateline NBC").
Next week, "100" will become the lead-in to the "Las Vegas" premiere, which features songbird Jewel singing three songs.
The season-opening episode picks up where the show left off: with "Big Ed" Deline, James Caan's character, being shot and his daughter, Delinda (Molly Sims), running away from her wedding and into the arms of Danny McCoy (Josh Duhamel).
Thompson is promising some big surprises this season, including a Christmas special that features snow in Las Vegas.
Plus there's an intense two-hour movie Dec. 1 in which some "very bad guys come to town," Thompson added.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
A former car racer and a Filipino musical group are the latest additions to the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. Former IndyCar Series driver Sam Schmidt will receive his star Oct. 28. The Society of Seven is being honored Nov. 28 at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Schmidt was paralyzed in a crash during a practice session in 2000.
HOT SPOTS, COOL STUFF
I'm often asked to recommend a local late-night spot for the over-40 crowd. Beginning Oct. 27, Maggiano's Little Italy at Fashion Show mall is offering entertainment from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Nightly specials include $4.95 martinis, $3.95 wine by the glass and complimentary hors d'oeuvres.
SIGHTINGS
A teetotaling Prince, arriving at Tangerine (Treasure Island) about 3 a.m. Thursday with a lady friend and leaving about 4 a.m. ... Figure skater Brian Boitano, the Olympic gold medalist, and friends, at the 7 p.m. performance of "Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular" (Venetian) on Thursday. ... R&B legend Gladys Knight, in the audience for the Society of Seven show (Flamingo) on Thursday.
THE PUNCH LINE
"This is a much bigger stage than my last one, and it makes my hips look smaller." --Harrah's headliner Rita Rudner.
