Dancing is a hit for Clooney’s ex

Sarah Larson had been flying under the radar, avoiding negative headlines and tending to her modeling career since her May breakup with George Clooney.

That changed this week with some Cloo-less, girl-gone-bad behavior, according to Fox News entertainment columnist Hollie McKay.

She is reporting Larson was spotted "provocatively grinding half a dozen guys on the dance floor - yes, all at once" last Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

At one point, McKay wrote, Larson "even had her legs wrapped around a gentleman's waist."

Several celebrity Web sites identified a member of her group as former boyfriend Ryan Doherty, the Las Vegas-based publisher for 944 magazine.

The former "Fear Factor" winner was last seen heading out with Ashlee Simpson's former boyfriend Ryan Cabrera, McKay reported.

A go-between attempted to get a comment from Larson for Vegas Confidential, but we didn't hear back.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

KVBC-TV Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs has followed through with her "Name the Puppy" contest. She was given the two-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel last Saturday after her date, "American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, paid $10,000 during a live auction at Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black and White Ball. She announced the name on Friday: Starlette Nigella Jacobs. Starlette, or Star for short, because Lythgoe creates stars and Nigella to honor Lythgoe for the gift. A fan of news anchor Jim Snyder offered "Jim-eta." Donnie Osmond, who turned "Puppy Love" into a big hit when he was 14, picked the final name from five choices. ...

Quote of the Week: There's not much on the walls of Phil Ruffin's office. But one thing caught the eye of local writer/blogger/podcaster Steve Friess during an interview after Ruffin purchased Treasure Island recently for $775 million from MGM Mirage: It was a framed check for $171,953,438. "That's my check to the IRS last year," said Ruffin, "so don't let anyone ever tell you the rich don't pay taxes." Ruffin paid $167 million for the New Frontier in 1998. He sold it to El Ad Properties for $1.2 billion in May 2007. ...

Longtime publicity director Candi Cazau was part of sweeping layoffs by Boyd Gaming on Wednesday that claimed 70 jobs. Feb. 15 would have been her 10-year anniversary with Coast Casinos and Boyd. She handled showroom publicity at the Orleans and the Suncoast. She's a pro.

SIGHTINGS

Venetian headliner Wayne Brady, hugging the No. 1 girl in his life, daughter Maile, who turns 6 on Feb. 3, at McCarran International Airport on Friday. ... Victoria Secret model and "Project Runway" host Heidi Klum, taking a gondola ride through The Grand Canal Shoppes. Later, she was seen directing a fashion photo shoot in the Venezia Lobby, while the cameras were filming for her show "Germany's Next Top Model." ... Mario Lopez, who is hosting tonight's finals of the Miss America Pageant, dining at Bartolotta (Wynn) on Thursday night with a group of friends. ... Saxophonist Kenny G., dining at Nobu (Hard Rock Hotel) on Thursday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Today, President Barack Obama signed the order to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. And, in the spirit of ending torture, Obama also ended the New Kids on the Block tour." -- Conan O'Brien

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