Flamingo’s Wallace laughs off death

Flamingo headliner George Wallace is alive and well and cracking jokes about his demise.

"Deadman talking," chirped Wallace, when he answered the telephone Thursday afternoon, shortly after his death was reported on an Internet Web site.

Wallace was in a boardroom meeting with Flamingo executives when his manager's telephone rang and Christopher Pratt excused himself, saying he had an emergency.

When he returned to the boardroom, Pratt informed Wallace that the Flamingo PR department heard he was dead.

The contactmusic.com Web site even ran photos of the comedian.

It was a case of mistaken identity.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

There's been Twitter chatter that Celine Dion is announcing her return to Caesars Palace on "Oprah" next Wednesday. Word is she'll return to the Colosseum on March 15, 2011. ...

Singer Cheaza Figueroa announced on her Twitter site Wednesday that she'll be co-starring opposite Holly Madison in "Peepshow." Figueroa has been a member of Supreme Reflections, a trio of Supremes impersonators, and performed with Wayne Brady at The Venetian and appeared on the WB's "Popstars." ...

Double Down Saloon owner P Moss is rolling out his short story collection titled "Blue Vegas" on March 2 with a carnival show that would make Jeff Beacher envious. Moss and CityLife Books are celebrating the release with an evening of entertainment that includes a reading by the author and book signing. ...

Media update: Tom Hawley, longtime traffic helicopter reporter and fill-in weekend anchor at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, signed a new contract this week. ...

The Miss America pageant drew 4.5 million TV viewers last Saturday, the highest delivery of any Miss America telecast on ad-supported cable. ...

Vegas Seven made its debut Thursday as Las Vegas' latest weekly newspaper. It was conceived by Las Vegas-based Wendoh Media Companies, and published in partnership with The Observer Media Group. ...

Local talent agent Jaki Baskow called Thursday to clarify that she represents the Italian TV network that had Mike Tyson on Italy's version of "Dancing with the Stars." Baskow's 18-year relationship is with the TV network. Only recently did she start representing Tyson.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

Mundo, formerly known as La Madonna before relocating from South Fort Apache Road to downtown, just opened at the World Market Center with the same owners (George Harris and Irma Aguirre) and chef (Robert Solano). Bette Midler found the upscale Mexican fare absolutely divine during La Madonna's two-year run.

SIGHTINGS

Blimey, that was some randy detour taken by British reality TV stars Katie Price and cage fighter Alex Reid on their way to their wedding Tuesday. A source tells me the classy couple was seen, ummm, shopping at Déjá vu Love Boutique shortly before they got hitched at the Wynn Las Vegas chapel, with a reality TV camera crew in tow. ... Syndicated sports talk show host Tony Bruno is back at the Wynn sports book from 7-10 tonight. ... Fran "The Nanny" Drescher, wearing $500,000 in jewels from Van Cleef and Arpels during her appearance Thursday at the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas luncheon at Wynn Las Vegas. She spoke about her battle to beat cancer. Mayor Oscar Goodman appeared in the fashion show in swim trunks and a T-shirt that read: "Alpha Male."

THE PUNCH LINE

"Sorry, I'm late. I went to San Francisco today. Didn't want to go, but I drive a Toyota and the pedal was stuck." -- Wallace, opening his Flamingo show Thursday night.

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