Agassi’s memoir a No. 1 best-seller

Andre Agassi is No. 1 -- again.

This time in the book publishing arena.

Nine days after the debut of his explosive memoir "Open," the book has claimed the top spot on the prestigious New York Times' nonfiction best-sellers list, for the week beginning Sunday, Nov. 29.

Agassi's collaborator, Pulitzer Prize-winning author J.R. Moehringer, revealed the stunning news to Vegas Confidential on Wednesday night during dinner at Botero Restaurant at Encore.

"For him to be No. 1 in a season with books by Mitch Albom, Sarah Palin, John Grisham, Ted Kennedy, Stephen King -- big books, big authors, all vying for people's book dollars -- he didn't hit No. 1 in a slow season," said Moehringer, who was on the telephone with Agassi when the eight-time Grand Slam winner got the news Wednesday afternoon from publisher Alfred A. Knopf.

"My reaction is that I'm so happy for Andre," Moehringer said.

"He got knocked around pretty good right before the book came out. How dare he write an honest memoir? This is vindication, the ultimate sign that things have turned around."

BIDEN STORY ON LIMBAUGH

Rush Limbaugh picked up the Joe Biden item that ran here Wednesday about the vice president's aide who made it clear that Biden "really" wanted to play at South Shore at Lake Las Vegas.

Normally, I'd thank Limbaugh or anyone else who mentions our work, but, well, here's how he put it: "The only story we're getting out of this is a local Las Vegas newspaper, and, of course, this is how the elites do it: They want to go play golf where they're not a member, they want to angle themselves in using the force of federal power and intimidation, they do it. The media doesn't say a word about it."

Unless he's moonlighting as a caddy, where else did he hear about it but from the media?

DEAL OF THE DAY

From Dec. 1 to Dec. 12, Flamingo headliner George Wallace is giving away a free ticket to his show to guests who bring two or more new, unwrapped toys.

The ticket can be redeemed anytime from the night of the donation through Saturday, Dec. 19. Donations can be dropped off between 6-10 p.m. in the designated donation box located to the right of the showroom near the Donny & Marie Osmond kiosk at the Flamingo hotel. Donations are accepted Tuesday through Saturday. All donations will benefit HELP of Southern Nevada.

SIGHTINGS

Award-winning actress Allison Janney, who played C.J. Cregg on NBC's "The West Wing," celebrating her 50th birthday Wednesday with breakfast at Simon at Palms Place. Janney, whose birthday is today, dined at Lavo (Palazzo) on Tuesday night. Also in on Wednesday: Chuck Liddell. ... Chris Noth of "Sex and The City," dancing with friends at Blush (Wynn) on Tuesday. Earlier, he had dinner at AGO at the Hard Rock Hotel. ... Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps, at XS nightclub (Encore) on Monday. At another table: Rapper Too Short. ... Sean "Diddy" Combs, hosting a corporate brunch for 200 on Sunday on the Stratosphere Tower's observation level located on the 108th floor. ... Carlos Santana, ordering lobster bisque, a Cajun ribeye steak and Morton's hot chocolate cake on Sunday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Some critics are saying President Obama made a faux pas when greeting the emperor of Japan because he did the traditional bow but mixed in a handshake.

And to make matters worse, Obama then tried to get out of that with an awkward end-of-a-blind-date 'half-hug.'" -- late-night TV host Conan O'Brien

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