Authors less than kind to Siegfried

Siegfried Fischbacher receives the lion's share of criticism in a new book by Siegfried & Roy's inner circle.

Fischbacher's temper led to several incidents, including a citizen's arrest by a camera girl, according to "The Secret Life of Siegfried & Roy."

Another time, he gave a black eye to cast member and friend Lynette Chappell.

The book is an as-told-to collaboration by the German illusionists' former security staffers, Jim Mydlach, the duo's chief of security for about 20 years, and his son, Louis, along with show consultant Jim Lavery. It was written by Henrietta Tiefenthaler.

The camera girl claimed Fischbacher became violent and shoved her to the floor.

Retired Metro officer John Hannon told Lavery he marched Fischbacher to the jail after the camera girl made the citizen's arrest in 1978. He spent the night in jail missing the second show.

Lavery said Chappell, his longtime girlfriend and "Evil Queen" in the show, admitted Fischbacher had hit her.

It's no secret Fischbacher struggled with painkillers and sought help, which is mentioned in the book.

During Roy Horn's early struggles after a tiger bit him Oct. 3, 2003, his longtime doctor quit in frustration after Fischbacher meddled with the prescribed medical regimen.

The book is a mix of revelations, along with hijinks (an elephant handler sharing beers with the show's lead pachyderm) and details of Horn's near-death experience, with heavy borrowing of material from local reporters.

The authors claim that the first time Horn "stood" on his own in public was a case of razzle dazzle.

When Siegfried & Roy showed up at the Stardust in August 2004 to see "Havana Night Club," which they had co-produced, Horn arrived in his wheelchair to huge applause and, after the show, performed "one of the most brilliant illusions he ever sold to an audience," the book says.

"In actuality, Louis Mydlach was standing close behind Roy, surreptitiously holding him up by his pants!"

The audience might have gone home with the impression that Horn had made a miraculous recovery 10 months after the tiger incident, but from my vantage point, it was clear he hadn't stood on his own. A day later, I reported that Horn "twice rose from his wheelchair, with help from friends."

'THE VIEW' LINEUP

The entertainment lineup for the June 23-25 taping of "The View" at Caesars Palace was announced Thursday, along with ticket information.

Joining Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd on Monday, June 23, at 8 a.m. (live) will be Jimmy Kimmel, who grew up in Las Vegas and whose Uncle Frank was a security guard at Caesars Palace; cast members of HBO's hit show "Entourage," Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and Debi Mazur; and musical artist Rhianna.

On Tuesday, June 24, at 8 a.m. (live): performances by "American Idol" David Cook and first runner-up David Archuleta, Danny Gans and The Chippendales. At 10:30 a.m. (taped for broadcast on Thursday, June 26): comedian Wayne Brady, "The Hills" star Heidi Montag and "Jubilee!" showgirls.

On Wednesday, June 25, at 8 a.m. (live): Jessica Simpson and Rita Rudner. At 11 a.m. (taped for broadcast on Friday, June 27): Bette Midler and Lance Burton.

The show will be broadcast from a stage built atop the Caesars Palace front fountains.

Audience members must be 18 or older and must have a ticket. Ticket holders are asked to gather 90 minutes before the scheduled show start time in the Roman Plaza.

Audience tickets are free and available online at abc.com while seating remains available. Tickets will not be available at The Colosseum box office.

SIGHTINGS

Country star Kenny Chesney, at Elton John's "The Red Piano" on Wednesday at The Colosseum.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

The Burlesque Hall of Fame's All-Star Burlesque Weekend starts at noon today at the Palms Pool & Bungalows, with performances by 100 of the top practitioners. Events include the Classic Burlesque Bash Tribute at ghostbar at 8 p.m. and Crown the Queen at poolside on Saturday at 8 p.m.

PUNCHLINE

"You've just made a powerful enemy of the Pantsuit Manufacturers of America." -- from David Letterman's Top Ten Messages Left on Barack Obama's Answering Machine

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