Soap star set to film infomercial

Most of the time, you'll find daytime drama queen Susan Lucci (or, more precisely, her TV alter ego, Erica Kane) in the fictional Philadelphia suburb of Pine Valley, the setting for ABC's "All My Children," Lucci's on-air home since January 1970.

This week, however, Lucci trades Pine Valley for Las Vegas to shoot an infomercial touting her "Youthful Essence" skin treatment system.

The JW Marriott, 221 N. Rampart Blvd., hosts the shoot Thursday and Friday, with the lobby, Valencia Ballroom, Edge nightclub and pool as locations.

On Saturday, the action shifts to The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, with Lucci expected to enjoy a Grand Canal gondola ride in addition to a quick product demonstration on St. Mark's Square. Exterior views, including the Doge's Palace balcony, also will be featured.

Poker faces: The Canadian TV sitcom "Les Boys" -- based on a series of popular Quebec movies about an amateur hockey team -- hits Vegas this weekend for a scheduled two-day shoot.

The show's story line has Stan (Rémy Girard), the pub owner who sponsors the team, entering Les Boys in a Million Dollar Tournament, held (where else?) in Las Vegas.

After shooting driving shots in the desert and on the Strip, the show is expected at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Locations there include the poker room, where Rene Angelil, husband and manager of soon-to-depart Colosseum headliner Celine Dion -- and a real-life poker player -- is expected to join the on-camera game.

Luxe life: A new (and as-yet-untitled) Travel Channel series devoted to high-end destinations spends all week luxuriating in Las Vegas, shooting segments for the show, which debuts next summer.

Scheduled stops include Palms and MGM Grand suites, along with The Venetian's Canyon Ranch Spa Club, reports supervising producer Keren Markuze of GRB Entertainment, which is producing the eight-episode series.

Holiday notes: The 22nd annual TV special "Merry Christmas Las Vegas" tapes at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Stratosphere showroom, with singer Clint Holmes, comedian Pete Barbutti and impressionist Fred Travalena among the guests expected to join host Tony Sacca.

Proceeds from the show will benefit the Youth Foundation for the Performing Arts -- and help Helen Joy's Young Entertainers and Sacca finance a trip to perform at the White House Dec. 8.

The matinee is open to the public, with a suggested donation of $30; call 889.3587 for reservations.

Infomercial, please: Lucci's isn't the only informercial shooting here this week. Local producer Ben Kalb begins shooting a program promoting a special hair brush; two local residences serve as locations.

Carol Cling's Shooting Stars column appears Mondays. Contact her at (702) 383-0272 or e-mail her at ccling@reviewjournal.com.