Cirque is covered if Criss Angel’s out

Cirque du Soleil has taken out a huge insurance policy to cover its first headliner, illusionist Criss Angel.

Vegas Confidential has also learned that Cirque is working on a Plan B in the event that the "Mindfreak" star was not able to carry out his commitment to do 4,000 performances in the $100 million production at Luxor over the next 10 years. The show is to open in late July.

It will be a big year for Angel, who has a role in a film version of the Depression-era comic strip "Mandrake the Magician." Angel was originally set to play Mandrake before Jonathan Rhys-Meyers was signed for the role. The Irish actor played Elvis in the 2005 CBS miniseries "Elvis."

AND THE FAVORITES ARE ...

"No Country for Old Men," Daniel Day-Lewis and Julie Christie are Oscar favorites, according to a Las Vegas sports and race book.

The odds, released Saturday by Johnny Avello, director of the race and sports book at Wynn Las Vegas, are for entertainment purposes only.

Day-Lewis is the 8-5 choice for best actor for his role in "There Will Be Blood" and Christie is a narrow pick for her role in "Away from Her" over Marion Cotillard of "La Vie en Rose."

In the best supporting acting category, Tom Wilkinson of "Michael Clayton" is a narrow favorite over Javier Bardem, who stars in "No Country for Old Men," the best-picture favorite.

Cate Blanchett is the favorite for best supporting actress for her role in "I'm Not There."

The Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan, are big favorites to win the directorial award for "No Country for Old Men."

Avello also released his odds for NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice," which premieres Thursday (KVBC-TV, Channel 3, 9 p.m.)

Avello has actress-dancer Marilu Henner as the 4-1 favorite; former heavyweight boxing champ Lennox Lewis is 5-1; Vincent Pastore of "The Sopranos," 6-1; Omarosa, 8-1; Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, 10-1; and 2005 Playboy Playmate Tiffany Fallon, 12-1. Tito Ortiz, the former UFC champ from Las Vegas, is well down the list at 22-1.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Mayor Oscar Goodman was in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, over the New Year's weekend to meet with former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar about putting a spinoff of his Cabo Wabo club in Neonopolis.

SIGHTINGS

Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, celebrating his 23rd birthday in a private room at 40/40 Club at the Palazzo early Monday with Jay-Z, Beyonce, Alex Rodriguez, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Charles Barkley, Ne-Yo, Gary Payton, Robin Thicke and Alan Thicke, Antonio Tarver, Jason Giambi, Julius Erving, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Cindy Margolis, and Pauly Shore. ... Ne-Yo, the local R&B sensation, gave a surprise 3 a.m. performance of his song "So Sick" on Tao's stage. ... At Pure nightclub Sunday at Caesars Palace: the Hilton sisters, Jeff Beacher, hip-hop couple Nas and Kelis, David Katzenberg, Kevin Federline, MTV reality stars Brody Jenner, Frankie Delgado and Justin "Bobby" Brescia, New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau, singer De'mario "Raz B" Monte Thornton of the R&B group B2K, "Heroes" actress Dania Ramirez and Olympic sprinter Maurice Green. ... Music star Avril Lavigne and husband Deryck Whibley of alternative group Sum 41, checking out LAX nightclub (Luxor) on Sunday. Also there: the Hilton sisters, "Dancing With the Stars" professionals Cheryl Burke and Karina Smirnoff, rapper Lil' Jon, DJ Homicide, the cast of the reality TV show "Sunset Tan," MTV reality stars Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge and Whitney Port of the hit show "The Hills," who hosted the evening's festivities. ... Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa at N9ne Steak House (Palms).

THE PUNCH LINE

"You wake up the next morning wearing a medallion and there's a note from Al Sharpton that says, 'I'll call you.'" -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Signs You're at a Bad New Year's Party.

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