MDA telethon reinstates Lewis

Comedy king Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association have made peace.

In a stunning reversal, Lewis was reinstated Saturday to the MDA Labor Day Telethon he has hosted since 1966, a source close to Lewis told Vegas Confidential.

Lewis, 85, was eased out as host about two weeks ago and has remained silent about the MDA's change of direction.

He made no mention of the development while accepting a lifetime achievement award Saturday night at the Nevada Broadcasters Association's Hall of Fame gala at Red Rock Resort.

The closest that Lewis came to referring to the controversy was when he told the crowd "the reason I felt so enamored by this evening is very difficult to get into."

A SPECIAL SERENADE

One of the best things about show business is the friends you make before they hit it big.

About a decade ago, comedian Carrot Top was taping the hilarious "I Think I'm Dancing with a Man" video in Dallas with comedian and country singer Rodney Carrington.

During the taping, in which Carrot Top was dressed in drag, he was introduced to an aspiring country artist.

"He was looking for a hit. He was kind of down in the dumps," recalled Carrot Top.

But things turned around and Carrot Top's new friend was soon topping the charts.

Carrot Top, who headlines at Luxor, reported via Twitter on Friday that Toby Keith serenaded him with his new song, "Red Solo Cup." It's a reference to the cups often used in beer pong. Keith is known to toast to his audiences with a red Solo cup.

"He said it might be 'the most absurd song I've recorded,' " Carrot Top said.

Keith was calling to invite Carrot Top to be in the video, and said he has invited big names, including former President George W. Bush and actor Jack Nicholson, Carrot Top said.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

A most telling statistic as Cirque du Soleil heads for a major revamping of "Viva Elvis" in January: Some weekend crowds have filled less than half the theater. ...

Penny Pibbets, the petite assistant who rocks and shocks in "Absinthe" (Caesars Palace), is bringing her Los Angeles band, Fish Circus, to downtown Las Vegas tonight and Monday. They will be performing at the Beauty Bar tonight and the Artifice on Monday. Pibbets' boss and producer, The Gazillionaire, will host both nights. Information: www.FishCircus.com

SIGHTINGS

Director and screenwriter M. Night Shyamalan, best known for his paranormal films such as "The Sixth Sense," with friends at Marquee (Cosmopolitan) on Friday. ... "Gossip Girl" actress Dreama Walker, dining Friday night at Lavo (Palazzo). Also spotted: MTV's "Teen Wolf" stars Colton Haynes and Holland Roden. ... Latin superstar Luis Miguel, having lunch Saturday at Estiatorio Milos Greek restaurant at The Cosmopolitan...

THE PUNCH LINE

"He apologized. ... His exact words were, 'I'm sorry, I thought I was in coach.' " -- Conan O'Brien, on French actor Gerard Depardieu, who urinated in the aisle of an airplane last week.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.