Planet Hollywood may land Britney
Planet Hollywood Resort's long search for a major long-term headliner has turned to pop princess Britney Spears.
Caesars Entertainment, which became the parent company of Planet Hollywood three years ago, has been negotiating with Spears' reps, it was confirmed on Thursday.
Planet Hollywood made a serious run at Whitney Houston in the past decade before her personal issues chilled talks.
The hotel offers one of the largest entertainment venues in Las Vegas. The 7,000-seat Theater for the Performing Arts can be downsized to 4,000 seats for a more intimate setting.
Reports have surfaced in the past week that Spears, one of the best-selling music artists of all time with more than 100 million albums worldwide, was close to signing her first Las Vegas residency.
Caesars Palace was being mentioned in reports as the leading candidate to land Spears, but it wasn't in the running, a source said Thursday.
Caesars' 4,000-seat Colosseum is booked through 2014, according to another source. The recent addition of Shania Twain capped the last open dates. The Colosseum lineup includes Celine Dion, Elton John, Rod Stewart and Jerry Seinfeld.
Spears was the highest- paid female musician of 2012, pulling in $58 million. She also topped the list in 2002.
"Some might think this is the way to start a bidding war," said the second source, "but Vegas doesn't work like that anymore. It's hard to get the bean counters in a frenzy."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Elton John and David Furnish's second child, another son, was born in Las Vegas last Friday via a surrogate. Following English tradition, the baby was given three surnames: Elijah Joseph Daniel Furnish-John. Daniel was chosen as a nod to John's 1973 hit "Daniel."
Austin "Chumlee" Russell of "Pawn Stars" fame is coming out with a wine, but don't look for it in a bottle. Or a box. "It's a pouch wine. You pick the place and pour the party. That's the slogan," said Russell, a red carpet invitee at the grand opening of Andrea's restaurant at Encore. "Finest grapes in the Napa Valley," he added.
Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges will perform April 19 at Santa Fe Station and April 20 at Red Rock Resort. The star of "Crazy Heart" will perform original songs from his self-titled solo album.
SIGHTINGS
Kate Upton, in the kitchen at Andrea's getting some tips on Asian cooking from executive chef Joseph Elevado. On the red carpet she told me she hopes the rumors are true that Miss Alabama USA Katherine Webb will be part of the upcoming 2013 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot, which reportedly will be held in Las Vegas. Also attending the grand opening: George Clooney's galpal, Stacy Keibler; "Extra" host Maria Menounos; Holly Madison; Claire Sinclair; Arianny Celeste; actresses Krysten Ritter of "Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23" and Ashley Greene of "Twilight"; actor Elijah Wood; Rich Harrison, and DJ Afrojack. Also spotted: crooner Steve Lawrence, with Dennis and Lorraine Bono; Sig Rogich and limo mogul Alan Waxler.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg held a press conference to announce that if you post one more picture of your cat sleeping, they're going to delete your account." - Jimmy Kimmel
Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. "Norm Clarke's Vegas," airs Thursdays on the "Morning Blend" on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.
