DeGeneres shares the love at UNLV

Hey, it's Las Vegas. Even Ellen DeGeneres and her staff can get caught up in Sin City's vibe.

Her Twitter site, @theellenshow, announced Wednesday: "I'm showing my tweets to Las Vegas tomorrow."

That tweet was preceded by, "If you're in Las Vegas, you might want to pay extra special attention to my tweets. (I'm talking to you Wayne Newton!)"

DeGeneres was in town Thursday to tape a talent segment at the UNLV alumni amphitheatre.

Hundreds turned out to see DeGeneres on campus and for a chance to win Wiis, Xboxes and gift cards up to $1,000.

VEGAS CONNECTIONS

Bravo's Season 2 of "Top Chef Masters," which debuted on Wednesday, has five Las Vegas connections.

Among the competing 22 chefs: David Burke of David Burke restaurant (The Venetian); Susan Feniger, Border Grill (Mandalay Bay); Rick Moonen, RM Seafood (Mandalay Bay); Ludo Lefebvre, formerly executive chef at Lavo (Palazzo) and now at Ludo Bites in Los Angeles; and Susur Lee, Madeline's, Toronto.

Lee selected the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education as the charity that would receive the $100,000 prize should he win. A worldwide leader in Asian fusion cuisine, Lee appears in the fourth episode April 28, and there's buzz he'll be a surprise. He has no ties to Las Vegas other than his support of the Agassi Foundation.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

A day after it was announced his 14-year run at the Monte Carlo ends in September, magician Lance Burton learned his mother, Hilma Burton, had died Tuesday in Columbia, Ky. His Tuesday show is being canceled while he attends her services. You can send condolences to: Attn: Lance Burton, c/o Wayne Bernathm, 7748 Maggie Belle Court, Las Vegas, NV 89123. ...

UFC star Chuck Liddell will be the first mixed martial arts athlete immortalized by Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. That will take place May 29, a day after the unveiling of his wax likeness at the UFC Fan Expo at 10:30 a.m. in front of fans at Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

MAY I RECOMMEND

UNLVino, the annual wine benefit for UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, continues tonight and Saturday. From 7-10 p.m. today, it's Sake Fever at the Palms Pool & Bungalows. The event will feature 50 Japanese tojiis, or masters in the art of rice wine. Saturday's Grand Tasting, featuring almost 3,000 wines from 750 wineries, runs from 2-6 p.m. at Bally's Events Center. Tickets for the event are $50 in advance and $75 at the door tonight, and $75 in advance and $100 at the door on Saturday.

SIGHTINGS

Entertainers Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, dining at Wing Lei (Wynn) Thursday. ... Hockey great Wayne Gretzky, buying popcorn for his kids at "Mystere" (Treasure Island) on Wednesday. Gretzky, who took his family backstage, said it was his 20th trip to the show. ... George Eads of "CSI," dining at The Country Club (Wynn) Wednesday. ... Sean "Diddy" Combs' party for son Christian's 12th birthday included Bone Head Paintball next to UNLV.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Buzz Aldrin was kicked off of 'Dancing With the Stars.' For some reason, on the moon, he seemed so much lighter on his feet." -- Jay Leno

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