Feathers ruffled by walks, namesakes

Luxor's newest nightspot, CatHouse, couldn't buy this kind of publicity.

It started with the DUI arrest Thursday of actress Mischa Barton, who was to co-host tonight's opening of CatHouse. The odds of that happening seem long, and a CatHouse insider said, "We're expecting the call any time."

The PR storm widened Friday when a porn star complained she was barred from the opening-night red carpet, and the creator-producer of HBO's "Cathouse" suggested legal action may be in the offing over the name.

Sunset Thomas, who appeared in "Cathouse" and returns in "Cathouse -- The Musical," which premieres New Year's Eve, wanted to sashay down the red carpet with fellow porn star Air Force Amy.

The owners of CatHouse shot down that idea.

"The people invited are celebrities who are doing interviews on behalf of CatHouse," said CatHouse spokeswoman Stephanie Wilson.

Henderson resident George Ciccarone, who created and produced "Cathouse" for HBO, has a hunch that CatHouse will be hearing from HBO.

"Networks are very protective of their properties," he said, adding that HBO isn't likely to be the exception.

The CatHouse owners aren't worried. They obtained a federal trademark registration of CatHouse Lounge some time ago, said Seth Yudof, managing partner.

"It's hugely hypocritical," said Thomas, "but I guess they want to be known as a make-believe cathouse instead of the real thing. I'm the real thing."

NOT HITCHED

Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z says the rumor -- "the 84,000th one" -- is not true.

"No, we're not married," he said Friday during an interview at The Venetian.

The wedding rumor flared again last week, with a report by mediatakeout.com claiming Jay-Z and singing star Beyoncé got hitched in Paris.

They're in town for the opening of his 40/40 sports-themed nightclub at the Palazzo and her concert at Mandalay Bay.

He was awaiting word Friday that 40/40, his third nightclub venue in four years, got the green light from Clark County building inspectors.

He's been through this drill before, he said.

"When we opened the first club in New York, I was moving furniture in the day before. You're always up against the shot clock. So it's a normal position for me, but I believe everything's going to work out. We want everything up to code, do the right things. We don't want to cut any corners. We want it to be safe and an enjoyable environment."

He's expecting a big crowd of celebrity friends, including NBA superstar LeBron James and New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez.

The club name comes from the 40/40 club in baseball, a reference to a rare group of players who have hit 40 home runs and stolen 40 bases.

"We started it to have like a clubhouse, a place where me and my friends could hang out. Even though it's a 14-carat gold floor and high fashion, it's really an unpretentious place," he said. "Entertainers love it."

As part-owner of the New Jersey Nets, he's followed Las Vegas' push for an arena, the first step toward getting an NBA franchise. But he's not likely to be joining a Las Vegas ownership group.

That's because his Nets are moving to Brooklyn, his birthplace.

What he's not ruling out is eventually getting involved in the casino business.

"Everyone has aspirations of that," he said. "That's like winning the lottery. Of course. I want hotels, airlines, too."

SIGHTINGS

Melinda Doolittle, an "American Idol" finalist last season, in the audience at Danny Gans' show (Mirage) on Friday. ... Legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, in the crowd at the Penn & Teller show (Rio) on Thursday. Afterwards, he joined Teller for dinner at the Cafe Martorano at the Rio. Sondheim was the composer for the recently released movie "Sweeney Todd," starring Johnny Depp and directed by Tim Burton. ... At Blush (Wynn) on Thursday night: Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees, with Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain. Also there: Richie Sambora, after taking in "Le Reve." ... Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody, dining at Sushi Roku (Forum Shops at Caesars). ... At LAX nightclub (Luxor) on Thursday: Disney star Ashley Leggat.

PUNCH LINE

"My Secret Life as a Las Vegas Show Girl 'Judy Riuliani.'" -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Chapter Titles in Rudy Giuliani's Memoirs

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