Actors rehearse for their wedding

Sarah Shahi, whose acting career got a huge boost when she appeared in a steamy cameo with Tony Soprano, is getting married in Las Vegas today.

With an assist of an Elvis impersonator, she's tying the knot with fellow actor Steve Howey at an undisclosed chapel. The rehearsal dinner was held at Tony n' Tina's Wedding at Planet Hollywood Resort on Friday.

Shahi, the only first-year member of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading team featured on the cover of the cheerleaders calendar, stars in "Life" as sexy detective Dani Rees. In "The Sopranos," she played a stripper who spent a peyote-fueled weekend with Soprano (James Gandolfini). Shahi and Howey recently confirmed she is several months pregnant. Howey starred as Van Montgomery in "Reba" and opposite Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway in "Bride Wars."

LENO SUPPORTER

Local car enthusiast Danny Barnett e-mailed me to say he had a far different experience with talk-show host Jay Leno than the grumpier version cited here last Sunday by Ed Bernstein.

Barnett said he met Leno at Auto Aero Books in Burbank, Calif., the day after Thanksgiving 2007.

"He was very friendly and gracious, especially after learning that I own a 1966 Tatra 603 car from Czechoslovakia. He too owns a Tatra, a 1948 model 87."

Leno chatted with Barnett for 10 minutes, signed an autograph for Barnett's brother and "cheerfully" posed for photos with them.

Last April, Barnett sent Leno a birthday card that featured a photo of a Tatra 87.

A few days later, Barnett's cell phone rang and it was the NBC star, who called to thank him.

A couple of weeks later, Leno called again, this time with an invitation to be his guest at "The Tonight Show."

"I still haven't taken him up on the offer, but I will," said Barnett.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Paul McCartney has been added to Hard Rock Hotel's opening weekend of the new 4,000-capacity theater on April 19. The Killers will open the weekend celebration two nights before McCartney's Sunday concert.

McCartney tickets go on sale at noon Feb. 14 at the Hard Rock and Ticketmaster outlets. Prices have not been announced.

Steve and Elaine Wynn were absent from the premier of the Danny Gans show Friday at Encore. Both were out of town, Vegas Confidential has learned. Elaine's absence from the benefit concert is noteworthy in that the two charity groups are her pet projects: the Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars and Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada. The Wynns, who have reportedly split, were together earlier this week at one of Gans' preview shows. Steve Wynn has made no secret, to his friends, that he is romantically involved with a British woman.

Local salon operator Michael Boychuck is included in the "50 Hairstylists" book, which features the industry's elite. He operates Amp at the Palms and Color at Caesars Palace. ...

Venetian headliner Wayne Brady is co-hosting with Tia Carrere the non-televised parts of the Grammys on Sunday. He is nominated for a Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for his remake of Sam Cooke's "A Changse Is Gonna Come." The song became popular during the election season, with both Brady and Seal recording Barack Obama-inspired versions.

Media update: KVVU-TV, Channel 5 news anchor Dave Hall has signed on to continue in the 5-7 a.m. slot. ... Lotus Broadcasting says last week's layoffs numbered four, not eight, as stated here.

SIGHTINGS

At Society Cafe (Encore) on Friday: Baseball Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, having breakfast and TV talk show host Bonnie Hunt, having an early dinner with friends before attending Gans' opening night. ...

Frankie Valli, in town to introduce the Las Vegas cast of "Jersey Boys" to the upcoming Australian "Jersey Boys" company. The Las Vegas cast acknowledged Valli from the stage at the curtain call on Tuesday. ...

Nikki Sixx and his girlfriend/tattoo artist and star of "LA Ink" Kat Von D, celebrating the launch of her new book "High Voltage Tattoo" at Tao Las Vegas (Venetian) Thursday. With them: her friend, My Space sensation and transgender make-up artist Jeffree Star. ...

Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe, dining with friends at Simon at Palms Place on Thursday. ...

At Ne-Yo's concert at The Pearl (Palms) on Thursday: music producer Jermaine Dupri and boxer Zab Judah.

Luxor headliner Criss Angel and Holly Madison, taking in a full day of magic and entertainment on Thursday. They attended Dirk Arthur "Extreme Magic" (Tropicana), Scarlett - Princess of Magic (V Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort) and David Copperfield (MGM Grand).

THE PUNCH LINE

"The economy is bad ... so bad, Paris Hilton had to change her name to Paris Red Roof Inn." -- Jay Leno

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