Gale Sayers attends a VIP Super Bowl party at the Gold Coast. Photo by Ralph Fountain.
Did the NFL drop the ball, allowing Las Vegas to score a victory of sorts in the Super Bowl?
It happened late in the third quarter Sunday.
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During the "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" commercial, actor William Petersen, who has taken a break from the series as Las Vegas CSI chief Gil Grissom, looked into the camera and said, "I miss Las Vegas."
Given the NFL's obsession with all things Vegas, you have to wonder how it got past the NFL censors. Was it a sneak play by CBS, or the network's insistence that it be allowed to promote one of its biggest hits?
Keep in mind, the NFL prohibits commercials promoting Las Vegas and went so far as to force NBC to move the series "Las Vegas" to Friday night because the league refused to promote Las Vegas on NBC's Sunday Night Football.
Best line of the day came during the T-Mobile commercial: A female fan rushes up to Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and gushes about how much she loves the NBA star. Then, upon noticing Charles Barkley with Wade, she asks: "Is this your dad?"
Sir Charles will never hear the end of it.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Bill Clinton's stepfather, Richard Kelley, who died Wednesday, had strong ties to Las Vegas. A longtime friend of Col. Tom Parker and Hank and Dixie Cartwright, Kelley regularly came to Las Vegas for his birthday, including his 91st last April. The Clintons often made the trip here for his birthday.
SIGHTINGS
David Hasselhoff and Roger Clemens, schmoozing the VIP crowd at an Aladdin/Planet Hollywood Super Bowl party at Curve nightclub on Sunday. Also at the high-roller bash: David Dombrowski, president and CEO of the Detroit Tigers. ... Michael Jackson, attending the late show of "Love" (Mirage) on Saturday. On the way out, he was seen browsing in the "Love" boutique and stopping at Impulse and DKNY, while accommodating fans who requested photo opportunities. ... Derek Jeter, at Tao (Venetian) with friends before returning to the Playboy Club and Moon nightclub (Palms) for some blackjack. Also there: Baltimore Ravens All-Pro offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans. Jeter spent the weekend in a penthouse suite at the Palms. ... Lisa Marie Presley and Priscilla Presley, continuing Lisa Marie's birthday weekend at Caramel Bar & Lounge (Bellagio). ... Actor Matthew Lillard ("Scream" and "Scooby-Doo"), dining at Stack (Mirage). ... At Mix (Mandalay Bay): Drew Bennett, Tennessee Titans wide receiver. ... Socialites Rick and Kathy Hilton, at Pure (Caesars) after dining at Fix (Bellagio). ... At Body English (Hard Rock Hotel): Wesley Snipes, Jamie Lynn Sigler of "The Sopranos," actor Eric Balfour, Joe Rogan, Jenna Jameson, Tito Ortiz, Laura Prepon, Chris Masterson, David Williams, Rampage Jackson (fresh from his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut win over Marvin Eastman), Kansas City Chiefs rushing star Larry Johnson, actor Andrew Keegan, and comedians Artie Lange and Rev. Bob Levy, with their producer, Jeff Beacher, celebrating a boffo weekend of shows at the Luxor. ... NFL Hall of Famer Gale Sayers, watching his Chicago Bears at a VIP Super Bowl party at the Gold Coast. ... Actress Kate Bosworth and her "21" co-star Jim Sturgess, playing blackjack at the Heart Bar at Aladdin/Planet Hollywood on Saturday. ... At Pure: MC Hammer and UFC main ring announcer Bruce Buffer. ... Baseball great Rickey Henderson and the Chiefs' Johnson, holding court at OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars).
THE PUNCH LINE
"Starting fullback: Richard Simmons." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Signs Your Team Won't Be Going to the Super Bowl
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
