American Idol" judge Paula Abdul is raising eyebrows, two weeks before being honored as the "Woman of the Year" by the Nevada Ballet Theatre.
Abdul canceled a number of TV appearances on Friday after a series of bizarre interviews in which she slurred her words and gestured wildly.
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Video clips of her odd behavior were all the rage on YouTube.com, the video-sharing Web site.
Nevada Ballet announced in September that Abdul would be honored as "Woman of the Year" at the annual gala on Jan. 27 at Wynn Las Vegas.
A year ago in January, two graveyard-shift employees at the Silverton hotel and casino said Abdul had them fired after she complained they caused her to miss an early morning flight during New Year's weekend.
Silverton president Craig Cavileer denied that Abdul had anything to do with the dismissals. Abdul was rumored to be heading for the Silverton as entertainment director and choreographer.
Cavileer and his wife, Charlene, are honorary chairs of the "Woman of the Year" event.
Abdul's spokesman, Jeff Ballard, told media outlets that the former pop singer was exhausted from a difficult schedule and a minor throat infection.
PORN TO BE WILD
Porn star Jenna Jameson and ultimate fighter Tito Ortiz, were seen getting into a very public spat early Monday at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel).
The duo's body English said it all: As things got more heated, they stood up and engaged in a verbal throw down.
They cooled off with champagne and stayed two more hours until 2:30 a.m.
LONG NIGHT, EH NICK?
A disoriented Nick Nolte wasn't sure what country he was in while shopping at Red Rock Resort on Sunday. Looking considerably better than his infamous mug shot, Nolte started to pay for some shirts, jeans and a pair of sunglasses when he asked a clerk at Talulah G boutique, "We are in America, right?"
After paying for his purchase in U.S. dollars, he tipped two clerks $5 each Canadian.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Tao Asian Bistro announced a new executive chef de cuisine on Monday: Mark Andelbradt, who has the same position at Morimoto New York, takes over for Josh Thomsen. Andelbradt worked as chef de cuisine at Chicago's Tru and was sous chef at Daniel Boulud's Daniel in New York. ...
Commander's Palace closes tonight after seven years in Desert Passage at the Aladdin. There will be an early seating only, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. All bottled wines will be discounted 50 percent. "We're working on a couple (site possibilities), nothing solid," said chef Carlos Guia. ...
Ron Dante, who has produced more than 100 hit songs, including Barry Manilow's 1970s run, starts recording a new album with 1960s hitmaker Trini Lopez this week at the Palms recording studios.
SIGHTINGS
Britney Spears, hopping on the bar at Coyote Ugly (New York-New York) Sunday and dancing with the Coyotes, who invited her to join them. Spears was in town working on her album at the Palms recording studios. Spears' Sunday tour also included a banana split after dinner at Social House (Treasure Island) with her new beau, Isaac Cohen, taking in "Zumanity" (New York-New York) and a walk-through at the Pussycat Dolls Lounge at Pure before partying until 4 a.m. at Pure. Also at Social House: singer Ryan Cabrera. ... Spears and Cohen had dinner at Spago (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Monday night. Today is the 25th anniversary of Spago Los Angeles and the 15th for Spago Las Vegas. ... Eddie Murphy and new girlfriend Tracey Edmonds, at "Love" (Mirage) on Sunday night. Edmonds, the ex-wife of singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, attended the New York premiere of "Dreamgirls" with Murphy and said they have been dating since October. Murphy attended pal Johnny Gill's show at Boulder Station on Saturday and went onstage with music producer Jimmy Jam and Eddie Levert. Barry Bonds was in the audience.
THE PUNCH LINE
"He who laughs last didn't get it in the first place." -- Rodney Dangerfield
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
