Comedy fest may get new backers

With HBO reportedly pulling out, the future of The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas appears to be getting a boost from the 20,000-seat sports and entertainment arena being built behind Bally's.

According to published reports, HBO, a 50-50 partner with AEG Live the first three years in Las Vegas, may be selling its rights to TBS.

AEG Live, which is partnering with Harrah's Entertainment on the new arena, views the festival as an important programming piece to the arena's early success.

AEG Live's parent, Anschutz Entertainment Group, will develop, build and manage the $500 million arena for Harrah's.

Scheduled to open in September 2010, the arena could survive on entertainment alone, without landing pro sports franchises, AEG executives have said.

NEWTON UPDATE

Wayne Newton said he'll be joining ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" tour, but he won't be dancing until he gets a clean bill of health.

Newton, who last week confirmed he is recovering from a viral infection in his heart, will join the almost-two-month tour when it opens Dec. 18 in Seattle. A Dec. 30 stop is scheduled at The Orleans.

The condition, known as cardiomyopathy, was diagnosed more than a month ago. He has canceled a six-week holiday show engagement at Harrah's.

Newton, 65, said his first indication of trouble came in October when he was having breathing difficulties. "I had pneumonia, which I've had seven times now, and I wasn't getting over it," he said.

He flew to Texas and during a series of tests with famed heart specialist, Dr. Michael DeBakey, "I went into arrhythmia" (a change in the rhythm of the heart beat)," he said.

"I'm fine. They expect a full recovery," he said.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Two years ago, Jon Stewart was one of the undeniable stars of The Comedy Festival. He packed the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and delivered. But Stewart lost the crowd early and never recovered Friday as the featured performer for Planet Hollywood Resort's grand opening show. Stewart devotees didn't think it had anything to do with it being an older crowd. His material was a darker shade of blue than I recall and he missed the boat by not tapping into the presidential campaign, especially the Thursday Democratic debate in Las Vegas. ...

SIGHTINGS

Barbra Streisand, with her Bichon Frise dog at Friday's 10 p.m. performance of "Love" (Mirage). Also with her was actor/husband James Brolin. She was the featured performer at Saturday's grand opening show at Planet Hollywood Resort. ... Among the big celebrity turnout at Planet Hollywood's Friday festivities: Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, "Sugar" Ray Leonard, Roger Clemens, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, Martin Short, Luke Perry, Milo Ventimiglia, Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Tom Arnold and Joey Fatone, who jumped on stage while Willis, Stephen Stills and DMC were playing "Walk This Way." ... Eva Longoria, dining at Company American Bistro (Luxor) on Friday. ... Singer/actress Shar Jackson, at Blush Boutique Nightclub (Wynn) for the release party of her new song, "Let It Blow." She celebrated with friends, including choreographer Cris Judd. Jackson and Judd both had specific requests for the deejay as well: No songs by Britney Spears or Jennifer Lopez were to be played. Jackson was pregnant with Kevin Federline's child when he left her for Spears, while Judd was once married to Lopez.