‘Roadshow’ returns to Las Vegas

All roads lead to Las Vegas -- including the one leading PBS' "Antiques Roadshow" back for the first time in seven years.

"Roadshow" checks into the Las Vegas Convention Center Friday to set up for Saturday's main appraisal event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All 8,000 "Roadshow" tickets were snapped up earlier this year, but Marsha Bemko, the show's executive producer, hopes more than a few ticket-holders stay home.

"If all those people showed up, we'd be in the soup," she acknowledges.

The 5,000 to 6,000 attendees "Roadshow" usually attracts are "about all we can handle."

In addition to the appraisal event, three field shoots (closed to the public) will take host Mark L. Walberg to The Venetian's Guggenheim Hermitage Museum with appraiser Alan Fausel Thursday, the Greek Isles' Star Theatre Friday (where appraiser Nicholas Lowry will analyze vintage magic posters) and the Little White Wedding Chapel (where appraiser Gloria Lieberman discusses diamond jewelry).

The Vegas visit will yield three episodes for the show's 12th season, which begins in January.

"We can't wait to meet all the people," Bemko says of the show's upcoming Vegas visit. "I hope everyone walks out with their dreams come true."

Magic time: U.S. television hasn't come up with an "American Idol"-style competition for magicians -- yet. But Israeli television has -- and contestants will be showing off their talents this week in the magic capital of the world.

Featuring Israel's top mentalist and illusionist, "Nimrod Harel's Amazing Illusion Show" is expected to shoot Tuesday night at the Fremont Street Experience, where finalists will perform eight magic routines. (They're also scheduled to perform illusions for Strip visitors on Tuesday.)

And on Wednesday, Harel is scheduled to interview Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton for his show "Nimrod Harel: Inconceivable," a weekly prime-time series ("Guaranteed to stupefy!" -- at least according to Harel's website) in its third season on Israel's Channel 10. (And if you're wondering about Harel's first name, Nimrod was a biblical character, Noah's great-grandson, who became a mighty hunter.)

On the street: The Fremont Street Experience is scheduled to host two more shoots this week.

Japanese entertainer Mikawa Kenichi was expected to shoot segments for a television show Sunday afternoon featuring chats with tourists.

And today, a McDonald's commercial is scheduled to roll, featuring a red carpet scenario -- which makes sense, considering the spot will air during this year's Latin Grammy Awards, which originate Nov. 8 from Mandalay Bay.

Carol Cling's Shooting Stars column appears Mondays. Contact her at 383-0272 or e-mail her at ccling@reviewjournal.com.