Getting a jump or two on New Year

A national television audience may need split screen TVs on New Year's Eve to watch what could be twin motorcycle jumps over Las Vegas landmarks.

Vegas Confidential has learned that ESPN is negotiating a still-confidential motorcycle jump involving the Arc de Triomphe at Paris Las Vegas.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Fox television is airing a special that would feature daredevil Robbie Knievel attempting to jump over billowing fireballs to draw worldwide attention to the redesigned volcano at The Mirage.

A source said it is likely that both jumps would occur at 9 p.m. Pacific time to ring in the New Year on the East Coast.

LITTLE NIPPER

Weatherman John Fredericks' golden lab LJ is in the doghouse again at KVBC-TV, Channel 3, this time for biting an employee.

LJ, short for "Little Jordan," has been banned for the second time in eight months. In March, he was sent home over a contractual dispute.

He is a replacement for Fredericks' longtime sidekick, Jordan, who died in August 2007 at age 11. Both dogs were popular with viewers for their cameo appearances during Fredericks' 5-7 a.m. weather reports and the noon telecast.

Lisa Howfield, general manager at the NBC affiliate, said LJ bit a female employee the day before Thanksgiving "without being provoked, and for the safety of employees and the public we made an arrangement with John that he will no longer bring LJ into the station."

Howfield said tours often include children, "and I have an obligation" for their safety.

Fredericks seemed a bit lost the next day without his companion. He told viewers he would be taking some turkey to Jordan's grave at the pet cemetery on Craig Road. Fredericks said Thanksgiving was "the one day of the year" he would share his dinner with Jordan.

Sources said LJ was taken off the air in March when Fredericks' sought to have the pup compensated for the use of his image.

Howfield said Fredericks was asked to provide occasional LJ video updates.

An e-mail to Fredericks seeking comment was not received by deadline.

The ban won't apply to Sparkle, a 6-month-old longhaired miniature dachshund owned by KVBC entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs. Howfield said the beret-adorned Sparkle comes in only a couple days a week and is kept in one of his five faux fur dog carriers when he's not on the air with Jacobs.

"I don't want to give LJ a bad rap," said Howfield. "But he is not a small dog anymore. When some dogs grow, they are still puppies inside."

She'll revisit the question of LJ's return after he "matures a little more."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Sean Klush, the BBC's "World's Greatest Elvis" in 2007, will have The King's right-hand man at his side for his Dec. 12-13 appearances at the Nicholas Horn Theater., 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. in North Las Vegas. Joe Esposito, best man at Elvis' 1967 wedding to Priscilla at the Aladdin, will host. Klush's shows start at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

It will be wall-to-wall Santas at the Fremont Street Experience on Saturday for the Las Vegas Great Santa Run. Legendary illusionists Siegfried and Roy will join head Santa and honorary chairman Mayor Oscar Goodman. Zowie Bowie will entertain at the event, which starts at 10 a.m. A total of 7,269 Santas participated last year.

SIGHTINGS

UFC legend Chuck Liddell, at Thursday's opening of the National Finals Rodeo (Thomas & Mack Center). ... During Nathan Burton's magic show at the Flamingo on Thursday, one of his illusions had Donnie Osmond hopping out, asking "This isn't my dressing room?" ... Ozzy Osbourne, celebrating his 60th birthday with family members backstage after Bette Midler's "A Showgirl Must Go On" (Caesars Palace) after dinner at Il Mulino (Forum Shops at Caesars). A mini Ozzy from Beacher's Madhouse tagged along. Kelly and Jack Osbourne and Jeff Beacher went on to LAX (Luxor).

THE PUNCH LINE

" 'Good Morning America' did a nice thing for Britney Spears. They asked various celebrities who stopped by to visit the show to wish her a happy birthday. Then she blew out all the cigarettes on her cake." -- Jimmy Kimmel

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