DiCaprio’s new digs near ready

Leonardo DiCaprio's Las Vegas hideaway is almost ready for occupancy.

Spies say the film star could be closing any day now on his double unit near the top of one of the Panorama Towers on Dean Martin Drive.

Closing has been delayed because of "significant" renovations on his combined units.

Pamela Anderson was supposed to be another high-profile Panorama tenant, but there's some question whether that was more about publicity than an actual deal.

DiCaprio's neighbors will be happy to see him. "Just knowing Leo's in the 'hood should help get us a better resale rate," said a tenant.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

George Osmond, patriarch of Utah's singing Osmond family, is reportedly gravely ill, as his family prepares for Monday and Tuesday tapings of the Osmonds' 50th anniversary PBS special at the Orleans. Osmond, who turns 90 in October, launched the family's entertainment dynasty when he had four of his sons, Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay, perform as a barbershop quartet. The big break came when singer Andy Williams saw their act at Disneyland and hired them. From 1962 to 1971, the Osmond Brothers appeared on The Andy Williams Show. ...

Reno's Sean Palmer will star opposite former Las Vegas performer Sierra Boggess, the lead in "The Little Mermaid," Disney's much-anticipated next Broadway stage production. "Mermaid" will arrive on Broadway in November at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater, where "Beauty and the Beast" just finished its long run. Boggess played "Christine" in "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular" until recently. "Mermaid" opens its pre-Broadway tryout Aug. 23 in Denver, where Boggess, 25, grew up. Palmer played Marcus in "Sex and the City" and an intern in "Grey's Anatomy."...

Here's the story behind that recent Strip sighting of Sean Penn and Eddie Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam: Vedder has a debut solo album called "Into the Wild" coming out Sept. 17. It will be the soundtrack to Penn's same-named film about a young man who gives up all luxuries to live -- and die -- in the Alaskan wilderness. Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt and Vince Vaughn star in the film. ...

The Dancing Fountains at Bellagio roared to life about three hours earlier than usual Friday. Turns out it was a special behind-the-scenes tour for a group of interns from around the country who are here working for Hillary Clinton's Nevada campaign. They heard Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" and "Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye)," by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. ...

SIGHTINGS

Planet Hollywood Resort's Heart Bar, one of Anderson's local hangouts, looked like an all-star dance studio on Saturday. "Dancing With the Stars" cast members Kelly Monaco, Cheryl Burke, Kym Johnson and Karina Smirnoff were there for an engagement party for colleague Edyta Sliwinska. Her fiancé, Alec Mazzo, and his male cohorts from "Dancing With the Stars" were also in town, on a separate floor. ...

Anderson, having a family day at a Palms cabana on Saturday with her two sons. ...

Local football phenom Steven Jackson, featured in a four-page spread in the Aug. 13 edition of Sports Illustrated.

THE PUNCH LINE

"We've really bonded since we started watching 'Oprah' as a team." -- from David Letterman's Top 10 Things You Never Knew About the New York Mets

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.