Elvis gave fashion advice to Osmonds

Some brotherly advice from Elvis Presley helped the Osmonds make one of their boldest fashion leaps.

"He sat us down and talked to us like a big brother," said Merrill Osmond, recalling the meeting in the 1970s in Elvis' dressing room at The International, now the Las Vegas Hilton.

"He told us, 'I got a new look for you,' " said Wayne Osmond. "He thought we should wear jumpsuits like his."

The wholesome Osmonds jumped all over the idea, creating one of the most enduring images of the family's long career in entertainment.

Elvis also voiced regret that he hadn't done more to reach out to his fans and urged the Osmonds to embrace that kind of relationship, Merrill said.

The Osmonds took that advice to heart and it served them well, Merrill said.

Another time, the family was thrilled to learn that Elvis watched them perform from a light booth.

Frank Sinatra was a fan of the child stars, too.

Sinatra was in a Las Vegas audience one night when Jimmy Osmond, the youngest of the seven boys, sang Sinatra's hit "That's Life."

After the show was over, Sinatra presented little Jimmy with one of his trademark hats.

The Osmonds were back in Las Vegas this week, reuniting on stage for the first time in 24 years for a 50th anniversary PBS special that was taped at The Orleans. It will air early next year.

The last time the entire family performed together was in a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II in London.

"It's a miracle because so much has happened," said Merrill, who lives in St. George, Utah.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Two Elvis impersonators with "Legends in Concert" history finished 1-2 in the "World's Greatest Elvis" contest staged by the television side of the British Broadcasting Corp. Shawn Klush beat out Grahame Patrick last month in London. The show will air in prime time. Patrick left Las Vegas a few years ago to perform at the Estrel Hotel in Berlin. Elvis died 30 years ago today. ...

Ellen DeGeneres will present "Ellen's Really Big Show" at The Comedy Festival at Caesars Palace. The two-hour variety special will be shot during the festival and will premiere on TBS on Nov. 18. In its third year, The Comedy Festival will take place Nov. 14-17. ...

Hank Williams Jr. will film this season's version of the NFL's Monday Night Football promo on Monday at the House of Blues. ...

Greg Jarmolowich, corporate director of operations for Pure Management Group since 2004, resigned Tuesday, saying, "I felt we needed to go in a different direction."

Lisa Angeline of Albuquerque, N.M., has been crowned Miss Rio 2008. ...

Lotus Broadcasting is preparing to add Desportes, a Hispanic sports talk show, to the lineup this fall. ...

Published reports are hinting that Britney Spears is tentatively set to open the MTV Video Music Awards, if she can get her act together. The show will be Sept. 9 at the The Pearl at the Palms.

SIGHTINGS

Illusionist Hans Klok and his dancers, attending magician Nathan Burton's show at V Theatre (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Wednesday. ... At N9ne Steakhouse (Palms) on Tuesday night: NBA stars Amare Stoudemire at one table; Mike Bibby and his mother, Virginia, at another; and Richard "Rip" Hamilton and friends across the room. ... Jason Kidd, joining LeBron James for dinner Tuesday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab (Forum Shops at Caesars). At another table: Kevin Durant. ... Mixed martial artist Wanderlei Silva, joining some friends in the VIP section at Pure (Caesars Palace) on Tuesday night.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The weight of Hurricane Flossie is bearing down on Hawaii. This storm is so huge that already FEMA is making preparations to ignore it." - Craig Ferguson

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