E-mail about duo’s return creates stir

An e-mail announcing the possibility that Siegfried & Roy would be returning to the stage "on a regular basis" is raising eyebrows.

The announcement, received by several local reporters about 7 p.m. Saturday, appeared to have come from public relations for the new "Raw Talent Live" show at the Sahara.

Eighteen hours later, another e-mail from the same e-mail address suggested the announcement was a hoax perpetrated by a hacker.

Sunday's statement from the public relations department for Viashow Inc. read: "Someone obtain the password to the Viashow PR account.

"The previous communication is completely unfounded and not true, please disregard ... problem has been corrected."

Viashow, operated by Nicole "ND" Durr, is producing "Raw Talent Live" and ND's Space, an entertainment venue that is going into The Palazzo.

The initial e-mail I received included an invitation to interview Siegfried & Roy after they attended Sunday's "Raw Talent Live."

"The trio is have begun discussing the possibility of joining forces on a project completely separate from the one you reported on in January earlier this year that they're working on with Bernie Yuman and Ken Sunshine at the Palazzo.

"And yes, this project proposal could involve the icons returning to the stage with ND on a regular basis with their legendary magical act which captivated so many for years at The Mirage."

Siegfried & Roy reportedly have an exclusive deal to perform a one-time show for Larry Ruvo's "Keep Memory Alive" Alzheimer's gala at Bellagio in February. The deal includes a TV commitment.

The illusionists provided financial backing for Durr's "Havana Nights," which had a brief engagement at the Stardust in 2004.

An e-mail sent to Durr on Sunday was not answered by deadline.

COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHEF

Heavenly cheesecake can melt the heart of even the toughest food critics.

During a live auction at Saturday's James Beard Foundation Taste America gala at The Palazzo, globe-trotting gourmet Alan Richman, known for his hard-to-please palate, paused the bidding for a Rao's package to single out Carla Pellegrino, Rao's Las Vegas executive chef.

"Carla's ricotta cheesecake is the best I've had," swooned Richman.

One of Richman's classic lines came during a 2007 review of fabled Il Mulino's, an Italian mecca in New York's Greenwich Village, when he described the primary flavors as "oily, salty, garlicky and buttery."

On a night when it was clear the economy is taking a toll, Santa Barbara winemaker Jim Clendenon paid $7,000 for dinner for four in Rao's New York and Las Vegas restaurants.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

"CSI: Las Vegas" actor Robert David Hall told the morning show at KKLZ-FM 96.3 last week that he wanted to put some rumors to rest about ex-"CSI" actor Gary Dourdan, whose character was killed off in the season premiere. He wasn't fired for erratic behavior that made headlines, Hall told Mike O'Brian, Jim Tofte and Charly Kayle.

"He had wanted to move on and do other things for quite some time and we wish him well," Hall said. Eventually William Petersen plans to leave to do more stage work, Hall said. "Matrix" star Lawrence Fishburne is taking over the lead investigator role. ...

After reading here that New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush was at Luxor nightclub LAX on Friday, several readers noted that the Saints were playing the San Diego Chargers in London on Sunday. Bush, who was here for the 28th birthday of his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, stayed in the States to rehab his knee, which he injured recently.

SIGHTINGS

Actor Charlie Sheen, leaving Privé nightclub (Planet Hollywood Resort) about 1 a.m. Sunday. Sheen cut short his hosting duties to catch a plane and join his wife, Brooke, who is expecting twins. Her pregnancy was complicated by an emergency gall bladder surgery last month. Sheen was joined at Privé by his "Spin City" co-star Michael Boatman, who was celebrating his birthday. ... Efren Ramirez of "Napolean Dynamite" and his twin brother, Carlos, celebrated their 35th birthdays Saturday at Jet (Mirage).

THE PUNCH LINE

"Sarah Palin had a good thought. She suggested that while Barack Obama is over in Hawaii, it might be a good idea for him to keep an eye on Japan." -- Jimmy Kimmel

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