Dunne returns to hospital for tests

Dominick Dunne's friends and fans are waiting for good news on the 83-year-old writing legend's medical condition.

The cancer-stricken Vanity Fair columnist, who had health issues arise during the O.J. Simpson trial here in September and October, was unable to attend a party in his honor last week.

A screening of the documentary "Dominick Dunne: After the Party" was held at the Plaza in New York, with many of his friends in attendance, including "Casino" author Nick Pileggi and Tina Brown, who hired him at Vanity Fair 25 years ago.

Many of us were alarmed by reports that Dunne had two surgeries last week.

I checked in Sunday with his close friend, veteran Associated Press reporter Linda Deutsch, who said she just heard from Dunne's son, Griffin.

"Bottom line is Dominick is in the hospital for tests, is comfortable and is in the hands of good doctors. I guess they had to get him into the hospital to keep him from flying around," Deutsch said in an e-mail.

"The last e-mail I got he said he had just returned from England, was met by a helicopter and flown to a film festival where they were showing an Australian documentary about him. ... The guy is unstoppable."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

While Whitney Houston nears completion of a comeback album, we hear talk of a Las Vegas headliner deal. She's reportedly been clean and sober for about three years. With Britney Spears and Houston working on returns, 2009 is shaping up as the Year of the Comeback.

SIGHTINGS

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart, among a group celebrating a birthday party at Privé (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Saturday night. Ford took on the role of bartender, frequently pouring drinks for revelers. ... Outfielder Shane Victorino, a spark plug in the Philadelphia Phillies' postseason run, hosting a World Series championship party for his family and friends on Sunday in the VIP bowling suite inside Red Rock Lanes at Red Rock Resort. Among his friends joining him was Reed Johnson of the Chicago Cubs. Victorino lives in Las Vegas in the off-season. ... Lindsay Lohan, in the crowd at the Madonna concert at MGM Grand on Saturday. ... John Travolta, taking in the Ray Romano/Kevin James performance at The Mirage on Saturday. ... At Tao's third-anniversary party on Saturday: Lohan, Mickey Rourke, Amanda Bynes, Denise Richards, Ellen Pompeo, Greg Bello, Hill Harper, Holly Montag, Jenna Fischer, John Enos III, Kate Walsh, Taye Diggs, Shawn Hatosy, Roger Cross and Richard Kind, singer Robin Thicke, Stacey Keibler, Perez Hilton, director Darren Aronofsky and the Alizma triplets. ... Chicago White Sox players Carlos Quentin and Brian Anderson at Moon nightclub (Palms) on Friday with friends. They were celebrating Quentin's bachelor party. ... Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, dining at StripSteak at Mandalay Bay on Saturday. ... Kiefer Sutherland, in the Fantasy tower at the Palms. ... Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes, with friends at Drai's After Hours inside Bill's Gamblin' Hall on Saturday. ... Former UNLV wide receiver Keenan McCardell, who last played with the Washington Redskins in 2007, hanging out with Tank Johnson and Keith Davis of the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday at Body English at the Hard Rock. ... Las Vegas headliners Lance Burton and Frankie Scinta at "Strut Your Mutt" at Dog Fanciers Park on Saturday afternoon.

THE PUNCH LINE

"In Japan, officials in a small town called Obama say they're going to invite Barack Obama to visit. A similar trip happened after Bill Clinton was elected and was invited to Horndog, Thailand." -- 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.

Vegasland columnist Doug Elfman took the day off.