David Hasselhoff picked "The Producers" over a similar opportunity for a stunt casting gig on Broadway in "Chicago." And at this early stage, it sounds like he enjoys it at least as much as judging "America's Got Talent."

By coincidence, Hasselhoff spent last summer as part of the NBC talent show with strong Las Vegas connections. It may have even stronger ones -- perhaps a Las Vegas "boot camp" for contestants -- when the show comes back for a second season after producer Simon Cowell and company finish the latest "American Idol."

But The Hoff was noncommittal last week during a rehearsal break for the musical, which was scheduled to have its first preview Wednesday. "There's been some changes made" in the format, and "I don't know what's going on," he said. "The thing for me is, if it's not the same show, I'll stay here (with 'The Producers'). I've already told 'em, I'm happy here."

That kind of talk can be construed as a bargaining ploy. But Hasselhoff said it's a point in his career to do the things he likes to do. "I don't just want to do ('The Producers') for three months and forget about it. I want to get this in my bones. I want to grow," he said of his wacky turn as an extremely gay director.

The minimum three-month run in "The Producers" came at the urging of teen daughters Taylor-Ann and Hayley, said the 54-year-old "Baywatch" veteran. "I actually clear everything with my children."

The Broadway version of "Chicago" maintains interest by casting a rotation of name stars as razzle-dazzle attorney Billy Flynn. John O'Hurley, who also is new to Las Vegas to launch "Monty Python's Spamalot," played Flynn last year.

But Hasselhoff said he "turned it down because I knew I was going to have to be away from my children. They won't be around with me forever and 'Chicago' probably will." But when Las Vegas offered a shorter commute from California, "they said, 'Dad, do it.' They know that I'm happy when I'm working."

And they were happy to see how Dad is featured in billboards around town. "They stopped the limo and got out and took pictures of the billboard." ...

By a twist of show-business fate, Hasselhoff is performing next door to the Aladdin, where magician Nathan Burton does an afternoon show in the Desert Passage mall. After being at the mercy of Hasselhoff as a "Got Talent" judge, "people keep asking me if I'm going to go and judge him," Burton said. Of course he plans to check out "The Producers." ...

One of the two off-Broadway shows on Flamingo Road marked five years in Las Vegas on Wednesday while the other prepares its final stand.

"Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding" celebrates five years at the Rio -- somewhere on the high side of 1,850 shows -- and maintains a seven-day schedule in a room that holds about 300 people.

Next door at the Gold Coast, "Forever Plaid" reopens Tuesday for a two-month stint through April 6, possibly to return in the form of a sequel next fall.

It sounds like Boyd Gaming isn't rushing into another long-term booking for the Gold Coast's cozy cabaret, but is leaning toward concert acts or short-term residencies such as the recent Las Vegas Tenors shows.

"The problem has always been getting people here from the Strip," said general manager Mike Growney. "Once they find us, they love us." But the reality is that entertainment there is more locals-driven, and locals need variety. ...

"Monty Python's Spamalot" creator Eric Idle recently joked of a Broadway era when "musicals were all about helicopters." He was referring to "Miss Saigon," the Vietnam drama that people seem to remember more for its helicopter than its score.

The helicopter makes its Las Vegas debut today, along with the world premiere of the student edition of the musical -- a little shorter, some content toned down -- at the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Art.

A professional tour that visited Las Vegas faked the chopper with projections, but a more lifelike version is "hanging right there above our heads," said Academy Theatre's Gerry Born. The 200-student production also employs a 16-foot statue of Ho Chi Minh and a pink Cadillac. But Born said the biggest challenge was the set of 15 panels that enclose the stage and shift to create various playing areas. The production runs through Feb. 16. ...

Finally, an update to a recent report on Gerry McCambridge, aka "The Mentalist," starting a Web site that hooks people up with free show tickets from producers or shows needing to fill empty seats for whatever reason.

I signed up at vegasseatfillers.com two weeks ago, just to see what shows were offered and how often. So far, the answer is three: "The Scintas" and "Hypnosis Gone Wild!" on certain days, and Larry G. Jones, "The Man of 1,002 Voices" every day.

While the site could be something major down the road, if you haven't signed up already, you haven't missed much.

Mike Weatherford's entertainment column appears Thursdays and Sundays. Contact him at 383-0288 or e-mail him at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com.