Michael Jackson mends fences with parents after long silence.

Michael Jackson appears to be moving quickly with his comeback plans.

Jackson was spotted Friday dining with Emmy-Award winning director/choreographer Kenny Ortega, who choreographed Jackson's last tour, almost a decade ago.

Jackson, who moved to Las Vegas two weeks ago after 16 months overseas, had dinner with Ortega in a private room at Wynn Las Vegas.

In another development, I learned Saturday that Jackson has reconciled with his parents, Las Vegas residents Joe and Katherine, after a long silence.

Joe Jackson confirmed by telephone on Saturday that "he made contact with me and his mother (Friday)." They had not communicated since Michael moved to Bahrain shortly after being acquitted of child molestation charges in California in May 2005.

The reconciliation is reported to have occurred after Joe and Katherine solicited Jack Wishna, a friend of the pop icon, to reopen the lines of communication.

Still under wraps is where Jackson wants to relaunch his career.

Both Jackson and Ortega have been associated with Steve Wynn, who transformed Siegfried & Roy into international stars with a major production show at The Mirage. Wynn's friendship with Jackson dates back decades. Jackson was often a guest of Wynn's at The Mirage, and there was talk Wynn was bringing Jackson to Las Vegas. Jackson listed Wynn as a character witness in his 2005 trial.

In his 2004 bio, Ortega said he was "overseeing the creation of a production" for Wynn.

Ortega's choreography credits include Madonna's "Material Girl" video, "Dirty Dancing," the opening ceremonies of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and Atlanta Summer Olympics, and world tours with Barbra Streisand, the Pointer Sisters, Cher, Gloria Estefan, Kiss and Diana Ross.

Jackson's comeback album is reported to be due out at the end of the year on the Bahrain-based label Two Seas Records.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Mirage headliner Danny Gans has two TV deals cooking: ABC has offered him the job as host of "The Imposter," and filming for Gans' first TV special, titled "This is Danny Gans," should wrap in the next week. ...

Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose is putting the final vocals down on a new album that he has been working on at the Palms recording studios. The new album is due out in March.

SIGHTINGS

Prince, arriving at Social House (Treasure Island) at 1:30 a.m. with a huge security force. He shared tempura with a stunning brunette. ... "America's Got Talent" judge David Hasselhoff and friends, dining at Tao (The Venetian) on Friday. ... At Fix (Bellagio): Rose, with family and friends. At another table: Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees. ... Earlier at Social House, Jaime Pressly and beau/deejay Eric Cubiche having dinner after seeing "O" (Bellagio), then heading to Pure (Caesars). ... In the crowd at Jay Leno (Mirage): Dog the Bounty Hunter and Carrot Top. ... At the Palms' ghostbar: Pittsburgh Steelers Hines Ward, James Farrior and Clark Haggans. ... Rapper Lil' Jon making the rounds: He showed up at the Playboy Club, Tao and Scores with his Patron-fueled crew. ... R&B sensation Omarion, who just released his album, "21," taking the stage Friday at OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars). ... The Wayans Brothers, celebrating at a bachelor party at Drai's (Barbary Coast). ... At Tangerine (Treasure Island): ultimate fighter Phil Baroni. ... At Jet (Mirage): MTV funnyman Andy Milonakis, acting as host at the door and entertaining patrons.

THE PUNCH LINE

"New Year's kiss was swiftly followed by a restraining order" -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Signs You're Already Having a Bad Year

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