Farewells bid to a prince of a guy

Robert Goulet's show business pals provided a royal sendoff Friday to a prince of a guy.

Outside the church, after Goulet's casket had been placed in the hearse, singing legend Steve Lawrence, one of the pallbearers, tapped on a hearse window and said, "Five minutes, Mr. Goulet," invoking the traditional show business signal.

Some of the entertainment world's biggest stars from a bygone era attended Goulet's funeral at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Joining Lawrence was Tony Curtis, Debbie Reynolds, Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Sisters, David Brenner, Norm Crosby and Rich Little.

Crosby recalled their first meeting during the Borscht Belt days.

"I was with Robert the first night he worked in the Catskills at the Concord Hotel. I stayed with him for the next three years," said Crosby, the king of the malaprop in his day.

Broadway producer Mike Merrick, Goulet's publicist during his "Camelot" years as Sir Lancelot, had the crowd howling during his eulogy.

ABC talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel and his girlfriend/comedian Sarah Silverman were among the crowd of mourners.

Kimmel opens his show every night with Goulet's voice singing the theme song.

"He was the only person I thought about doing it," said Kimmel, who grew up in Las Vegas.

Goulet died Oct. 30 of pulmonary fibrosis, a rare lung condition.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Oprah Winfrey teased her Monday show by saying she would be talking to Celine Dion, who may be previewing her new English album, "Taking Chances." The album comes out next week.

Dion, who returns to Caesars Palace on Nov. 29, has only 13 dates remaining before ending her run of almost five years on Dec. 15. She kicks off a North American arena tour Aug. 12 in Boston before heading across Canada for 45 dates.

When Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were backstage before their Oct. 26 MGM Grand appearance, spies tell me that whenever a stranger appeared, Lopez's entourage and bodyguards immediately formed a cordon to prevent any unauthorized photography. Lopez announced her pregnancy during a concert in Miami on Wednesday night.

How many future Hall of Famers would show up for a friend's award presentation? Greg Maddux of the San Diego Padres introduced local author Jack Sheehan, winner of the lifetime achievement award, during VegasGolfer's awards dinner Tuesday at the Spanish Trail Country Club. Other winners: Former UNLV star Charlie Hoffman, male pro golfer of the year, and Natalie Gulbis, female pro golfer of the year.

SIGHTINGS

Actor Wilmer Valderrama, having lunch at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab on Friday. ...Valderrama and New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi, checking out LAX nightclub Thursday in the Luxor following the Latin Grammys. Valderrama hosted the evening's festivities. Giambi was later spotted at Tryst nightclub inside Wynn Las Vegas. ... Reynolds, attending comedian Wayne Brady's 9 p.m. show Thursday at The Venetian. ... Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight stopping by Tryst nightclub Thursday inside Wynn Las Vegas.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The real robbery is the mini-bar prices, am I right, people?" -- From David Letterman's Top Ten O.J. Excuses

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