Bishop’s will is focus of lawsuit

Joey Bishop's longtime live-in girlfriend is suing the former Rat Pack member's law firm and his agent, claiming they revised his will.

Bishop, who was the group's last surviving member, died in October at age 89.

Nora Garabotti, who was a teenage golf star when she began associating with Bishop in the 1980s, alleges she was to receive Bishop's house on Lido Island in Newport Beach, Calif., as well as books, cash, furniture and other personal property.

In her lawsuit, she contends she was a close personal friend of Bishop's for 24 years. According to the lawsuit, she moved in with Bishop after his wife died in 1999.

Garabotti, now in her 40s, was left $100,000 in Bishop's will. Bishop's two grandchildren each received $1 million.

She is suing Bishop's agent, Ed Hookstratten, whom she alleges Bishop wanted to sever ties with.

NO FISH STORY

Rick Moonen, chef and co-owner of RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay, competes in "Oprah's Sandwich Smackdown" today on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (KLAS-TV, Channel 8, 9 a.m.). Oprah's gal pal Gayle King discovered Moonen's catfish sloppy joe during a visit here in March and she was so smitten she talked Moonen into flying to Chicago to prepare it for Oprah.

Moonen, whose new cookbook, "Fish Without a Doubt," just came out, is competing in Bon Appetit's Vegas Uncork'd Masters vs. Rookies cooking challenge at 3 p.m. Saturday with Excalibur headliner Louie Anderson as his sous chef.

The event, which is at Caesars Palace, pits Moonen and Anderson against executive chef Vincenzo Scarmiglia of Circo at Bellagio and KNPR/KLAS food critic John Curtas, who just launched his dining Web site www.EatingLV.com.

A Grand Tasting is from 7 to 10 tonight at the Roman Plaza at Caesars Palace. Tickets are $175 at the door.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Brenda Moore of Las Vegas is featured on "Live with Regis and Kelly" today for the annual "Mom's Dream Come True" special. Moore's big moment occurs during a performance by country singer Collin Raye at the South Point. The show, which airs at 9 a.m. on KTNV-TV, Channel 13, puts the spotlight on inspirational mothers. ...

Larry King, like you've never seen him before: The craggy 74-year-old CNN talk-show host donned a pink showgirl costume during his annual heart fundraiser in Washington, D.C. Las Vegas headliner Nathan Burton helped get the show off to a hilarious start when he unveiled King in a corset. Burton's VIP opening show is Monday at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

Playboy's newly crowned Playmate of the Year Jayde Nicole makes her first public appearance today at the Palms' Ditch Fridays pool party. The 22-year-old from Ontario, Canada, was Miss January 2007. The party runs from noon to 6 p.m. Cover: $20 (local ladies complimentary).

SIGHTINGS

NHL pro Jeremy Roenick of the San Jose Sharks, relaxing at LAX (Luxor) on Wednesday, three days after the Sharks' four-overtime 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday. ... Bill Medley, his son, Darrin, and Kenny Rogers' band raised the roof last Friday at De Stefano's, 3430 E. Tropicana Ave.

THE PUNCH LINE

"I'm told it will go right up on the mantle next to her mother-daughter Jell-O shot championship trophy." -- Jimmy Kimmel, on Dina Lohan being named one of the "Top 20 Long Island Mothers of Celebrities"

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