A Chippendale to the rescue
A Las Vegas woman who suffered a seizure at a Rio nightclub must have thought she was hallucinating when she realized she was being assisted by members of the Chippendales male revue.
The woman, who had just seen the Chippendales' late show at the Rio on Friday, was with some girlfriends in the Flirt Lounge next to the Chips' showroom when the seizure occurred.
James Wilcox, a Chippendales dancer who also works as a fitness editor for KVVU-TV, Channel 5, saw her fall and rushed over to help. Wilcox, who was in street clothes, was assisted by other members of the revue until paramedics arrived.
The woman told Wilcox that she had a history of seizures and thought her latest was triggered by abdominal surgery she underwent earlier in the week.
Wilcox, who went through the Navy's SEAL program, said it was a team effort.
"That's what we do when someone is in trouble," he said. "It's not like I saved her life. I just helped her through a situation."
Whether the woman's heart rate will return to normal anytime soon is another question.
MEDIA UPDATE
KVVU-TV, Channel 5, morning anchor Jason Feinberg will be the co-host of the Miss USA preliminaries Saturday with Miss USA Rachel Smith.
Feinberg landed the gig after the Miss Universe organization, the parent company of the Miss USA pageant, saw a pageant spoof he put together on Smith and Channel 5's same-named reporter, Rachel Smith.
Feinberg also hosts the Miss Nevada USA pageant and the Miss Texas USA pageant.
Alicia Jacobs, entertainment reporter for KVBC-TV, Channel 3, will be a judge of the prelims, which will be held at 7 p.m. at Planet Hollywood Resort.
Chet Buchanan has signed a new three-year deal to remain on the "Morning Zoo" with KLUC-FM, 98.5 FM.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Kitty Rodman and Claudine Williams will receive the Philanthropist of the Year awards tonight from Gov. Jim Gibbons and his wife, Dawn, at the eighth Governor's Black-Tie Invitational at Garry Goett's Southern Highlands Golf Club.
Rodman is being honored for her longtime support of UNLV and her philanthropic work and Williams for her contributions in education and child welfare as well as her charity work.
The event is sponsored by Southern Highlands Golf Club Charitable Foundation, which benefits charities in Southern Nevada. Ventriloquist Terry Fator, winner of NBC's "America's Got Talent," is the entertainment headliner. ...
The three-day UNLVino extravaganza gets off to an effervescent start tonight at the Hard Rock Hotel with a 21-cork Dom Perignon salute to Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. For tickets and information: 895-1330.
SIGHTINGS
Dining at Maggiano's Little Italy (Fashion Show mall) on Wednesday: Miss USA Smith and the 51 Miss USA 2008 contestants. ... Drew Carey, host of "The Price is Right," bought a custom-made Bling Tricycle for his nephew at the Hard Rock Hotel's retail store Monday. The black trike, which has 5,000 Swarovski crystals, goes for $2,000. Later, Carey was seen in The Joint, taking in the punk band My Chemical Romance. Also in the crowd: Joss Stone as well as Ronnie Vannucci of The Killers. ... Veteran CBS sports broadcaster Verne Lundquist and wife Nancy, at "Love" (Mirage) on Monday, "Spamalot" (Wynn) on Tuesday and the Danny Gans show (Mirage) on Wednesday. He's headed for Palm Springs to broadcast the Kraft-Nabisco LPGA telecast this weekend, followed by the Masters next week. ... Among the 3,500 well-wishers at Tom Breitling's launch party for his book, "Double or Nothing," on Friday at Red Rock Resort: his business partner, Tim Poster; Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf; Steve Schirripa; Bernie Yuman; Kerry Simon; Heather and Jim Murren; Camille and Larry Ruvo; Sen. John Ensign; and Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta. ... At Gans' show Tuesday: Mentalist Gerry McCambridge, who starred in NBC's "Phenomenon," with wife Kim.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Kathy Lee Gifford is returning to television. She will be hosting the 'Today' show. Here's the scary thing: President Bush knew but failed to act." -- David Letterman
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
