An Oscar’s finally coming for Lewis

Comedy giant Jerry Lewis is getting a ceremonial Oscar.

Lewis, 82, will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the 81st Academy Awards on Feb. 22.

He'll be presented with an Oscar statuette to honor his decades of work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Lewis has been MDA's national chairman since 1952 and has raised more than $2 billion through his Labor Day Telethon since 1966.

"Jerry is a legendary comedian who has not only brought laughter to millions around the world," said Academy President Sid Ganis, "but has also helped thousands upon thousands by raising funds and awareness for those suffering from muscular dystrophy."

The award is given periodically to an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.

Lewis, who has made Las Vegas his home for much of his life, joins a list that includes Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Charlton Heston, Danny Kaye and Quincy Jones.

The award is named after Jean Hersholt, who served as president of the Motion Picture Relief Fund for 18 years.

Lewis, who has never been nominated for an Oscar, won a Golden Globe award in 1966 for his role in "Boeing (707) Boeing (707)" for Best Motion Picture Actor in Musical/Comedy.

A ROSE IN POETRY

Pete Rose's youngest son will have the leadoff spot in the lineup next Friday at a Las Vegas nightclub.

Tyler Rose, who has taken the DJ name TRose, has been hired to open the evening Jan. 23 at Poetry, the hip-hop club in the Forum Shops at Caesars.

"It's a test run. He's on deck for the big leagues," said Branden Powers, a partner in the club and marketing director.

Don't look for young Rose to play a version of "The Hustle," the 1970s disco hit that was played at National League ballparks when his dad went to home plate.

"He'll play hip-hop," Powers said. "He came in last week and personally delivered one of his mix CDs. He originally brought in a CD that was mashup style," a mix of rock, hip-hop and house music. "I call it wedding music, a little bit of everything. It wouldn't work here."

It didn't hurt that Pete Rose went to bat for his son. The senior Rose, who helped the Cincinnati Reds win consecutive World Series in 1975 and 1976 and the Philadelphia Phillies go all the way in 1980, saw Poetry partner Michael Goodwin in the Forum shops and gave him a signed Reds jersey.

DONNY OSMOND'S BAD BET

Donny Osmond isn't much of a betting man, especially after the beating his image took during his teen years.

He recalled the episode during an interview Wednesday with KKLZ-FM 96.3 morning hosts Mike O'Brian, Jim Tofte and Charly Kayle.

Osmond was playing the dice game Yahtzee, killing time with brother Jimmy in the 1970s.

"It was a game that lasted 25 years," Donny said. "The first to reach 300,000 points won. The loser had to buy the winner a car."

Donny won, but because he failed to specify what kind of car he wanted, Jimmy bought him "the dumpiest car he could find."

Donny said he drove it for a year. "Everybody thought, 'Wow, that Donny Osmond is really down on his luck.' "

Donny & Marie return to their Flamingo headlining gig Tuesday.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The 2009 Miss America candidates arrive by bus today for 2 p.m. group photos on the plaza in front of Planet Hollywood Resort. They'll be at Fashion Show mall Saturday from 5-6 p.m. for the annual meet-and-greet sneak peek on the runway. Lynn Weidner, Miss New Jersey 1971 and a member of the Board of Directors, will emcee the event. On Monday, they'll attend "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular." The pageant is Jan. 24 at Planet Hollywood Resort.

SIGHTINGS

Latoya Luckett, a former member of Destiny's Child, doing a photo shoot Wednesday with Rap-Up Magazine, a national music publication, throughout Red Rock Resort. After she launched a solo career in 2006, her self-titled debut album reached No. 1. ... Four-time heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, having dinner with a group Tuesday at N9NE Steakhouse (Palms).

THE PUNCH LINE

"Freezing cold today. ... So cold, Bernie Madoff had his hands in his own pockets." -- 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.