Angel calls talk of Spears an illusion

Las Vegas illusionist Criss Angel says his rendezvous with Britney Spears is not what you think.

He was meeting with her, he said, to work on her possible comeback launch at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 9 at the Palms.

"We were talking about how she wants to do something more with the [awards] show, and about me helping out and hoping to work with her on doing something to make her MTV appearance more innovative," Angel told People magazine.

"It's amazing what people think," he told People. "We're not together. Her manager is my manager, and I'm helping with one of her shows."

What got people thinking were the sightings of Angel and Spears entering The Tower Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., late Wednesday and leaving Thursday afternoon.

"It's amazing how you can't do anything now without people making up stuff," said Angel, who has been linked with Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Cameron Diaz.

Angel, who has signed a deal with the Luxor for a collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, confirmed that he had dinner with Spears and friends on Wednesday night.

MEDIA UPDATE

In a local TV shocker, Dick Tuininga is out as news director at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, six months after leaving KTNV-TV, Channel 13 as news director. It's the latest departure in a year of newsroom turmoil at NBC's longtime powerhouse affiliate, which was asked for comment but did not respond to e-mail and telephone messages. ...

The "Wise Guys" talk show on Fox Sports Radio 1460 went off the rails Friday and crashed in a heap of political incorrectness. Co-hosts Ron Garrett and "The Sin City Sports Dude" made numerous sexist and racist jokes, referring to District Court Judge Elizabeth Halverson as "the fat judge" and ridiculing KTNV-TV, Channel 13 morning anchor Rikki Cheese, saying she needed a new wig. ...

Honorees at the 12th Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame soiree tonight at Red Rock hotel-casino include CNN talk-show host Larry King, local broadcasting executive Gene Greenberg, former Nevada Athletic Commission chairman Luther Mack and the late Hal Rothman. ...

Casey Smith made his on-air debut on KTNV-TV, Channel 13 this week, after a year layoff because of a noncompete clause with KLAS-TV, Channel 8.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Sahara headliner Trent Carlini won the "Greatest Elvis in the World" contest Friday at Graceland. ...

One of the most-heard questions after the closing of the New Frontier was: With Gilley's gone, where's the country nightclub action? Stoney Gray, who ran Gilley's, has come up with the answer. Stoney's Rockin' Country, 9155 Las Vegas Blvd. South, opened Friday night. The 20,000-square-foot honky-tonk venue features live music, a dance floor, bowling, pool and the Cowboy Ultra-lounge. ...

The MTV show "The Hills" will be filming at the Palms this weekend. ...

Whup me upside the head for misunderstanding orchestra leader Sasha Semenoff's mention of Merv Griffin at the Sultan's Table at the Dunes. While music was part of the scene, the Sultan's Table was not a lounge but one of the city's most-honored gourmet rooms.

SIGHTINGS

Kobe Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, at SW Steakhouse (Wynn) on Thursday. At another table: Steve and Elaine Wynn, with Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, Jerry Colangelo and former Duke player J.J. Reddick. ... At Stack Restaurant & Bar (Mirage) on Thursday: Michael Jordan and Charles Oakley. Later, Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers had a Kobe burger with bacon. ... Pamela Anderson, golfing Friday with sons Dylan and Brandon at Spanish Trails Country Club. ... "Hell's Kitchen" chef Gordon Ramsey, dining with a lady friend Wednesday at Restaurant Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace). ... NBC travel expert Peter Greenberg, touring McCarran International Airport to shoot a "Today" segment featuring the airport's use of an innovative new technology.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Madonna gives millions to charity, has done lots of benefits. ... Her greatest gift, of course, to mankind: She's promised never to do another movie." -- Craig Ferguson

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