Las Vegas resident Rich Little performs his impersonation of President Nixon. Kato Kaelin spotted at Treasure Island. Billy Gibbons at Stack restaurant and Jet. Richard Belzer shops with his fox terrier.

Rich Little won't be mentioning Iraq or ratings when he addresses the White House Correspondents' Dinner April 21.

Little said organizers of the event made it clear they don't want a repeat of last year's controversial appearance by Stephen Colbert, whose searing satire of President Bush and the White House press corps fell flat and apparently touched too many nerves.

"They got a lot of letters," Little said Tuesday. "I won't even mention the word 'Iraq.'"

Little, who hasn't been to the White House since he was a favorite of the Reagan administration, said he'll stick with his usual schtick -- the impersonations of the past six presidents.

"They don't want anyone knocking the president. He's really over the coals right now, and he's worried about his legacy," added Little, a longtime Las Vegas resident.

C-SPAN's Steve Scully, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, said he came up with the idea of inviting Little as the featured entertainer after seeing him during impersonators' week on "The Late Show with David Letterman" in November.

Little said he's been promised a tour of the White House and an introduction to President Bush.

President Reagan invited Little to the White House a half dozen times, including the inauguration in 1981.

"I even played Santa Claus one year for Nancy. She didn't know it was me until she pulled my beard past my chin and let it go. Almost took my nose off."

Little's favorite White House moment came when a hungry President Reagan turned over a press grilling to Little, outside the Lincoln Room.

"They were firing questions about Grenada, and he said, 'Talk to Rich. He does me better than I do. I'm going for a sandwich.'"

THE SCENE AND HEARD

A name change at MGM Grand: Effective Monday, "La Femme" switches its name to "Crazy Horse Paris," the parent name of the revue. When "La Femme" arrived at MGM Grand six years ago, the owners chose not to take on the Crazy Horse Too strip club in court. Crazy Horse Too has been knee-deep in legal issues since a federal investigation that led to numerous plea deals. ...

Molly Ball, the Review-Journal's political reporter by way of Denver, is on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" Thursday and Friday. Gary Higgins, a technical editor from Boulder City, takes his shot on Friday and Monday. The show airs at 7:30 p.m. on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.

"The Dennis Bono Show" has been canceled this week because of the death of Al Perry, Lorraine Hunt's father. The variety show, performed live every Thursday at Sam's Town, returns next week.

SIGHTINGS

Richard Belzer of "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," shopping with his fox terrier at Lush Puppy (Mandalay Place) on Tuesday. ... Actor Kato Kaelin and two galpals at Social House (Treasure Island) on Monday night. ... Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, at Stack restaurant and Jet (both at Mirage) on Monday night. ... The wax versions of "American Idol" stars Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest made their debuts at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas on Tuesday. The interactive figures offer critiques of those who participate in karaoke auditions.

THE PUNCH LINE

"I think everyone is entitled to my opinion." -- Victor Borge

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