Goodman rejects ‘fat’ woman’s bid

Mayor Oscar Goodman's auctioneering talents and social skills are being questioned.

A video that appeared Friday on the celebrity Web site, TMZ.com, appears to show Goodman refusing to accept a woman's bid at a gala benefit while referring to her as a "short and fat Bette Midler."

It is not clear from the video, which was shot from a distance, what charity event it was or where it took place.

The mayor is seen on a dais with an auctioneer, who is seeking a bid of $3,000.

When a $2,750 bid is offered, Goodman is heard rejecting the bid, saying "she's fat and she's short."

After a smattering of laughter from the crowd, The mayor added, "a fat and short Bette Midler."

"The other auctioneer quickly tried to steer the auction back on track," said TMZ, "but the damage had been done."

The video was headlined: "Crossing the line."

Efforts to obtain a comment from Goodman's spokesman did not receive a response by deadline.

NEW TWIST TO TIGER TALE

The National Enquirer's report that Tiger Woods is involved with a former Las Vegas VIP hostess took another turn Saturday.

Rachel Uchitel, the former Tao Las Vegas nightclub executive linked to Woods, is claiming that a Las Vegas woman identified as Ashley Samson went to the Enquirer and sold the story for $25,000.

The Enquirer quotes Samson as saying in the story, "Rachel told me, 'I'm having an affair with Tiger Woods. We're in love.'"

Woods crashed an SUV while leaving the driveway of his Orlando-area mansion early Friday and on Saturday postponed an interview with Florida Highway Patrol troopers. But the golf star has agreed to be interviewed today, according to reports.

DEAL OF THE DAY

The Country Club at Wynn Las Vegas has begun offering a $59 Sunday brunch featuring a jazz trio. The menu includes a shellfish station with king crab, shrimp and oysters, a carving station featuring beef tenderloin, house-made Andouille sausage, brown sugar-brined pork chops, chili-rubbed turkey breast, grilled shrimp and chicken-and-herb sausage, along with four varieties of egg dishes and shrimp and grits. Runs from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

SIGHTINGS

Four-time Cy Young winner Greg Maddux, attending the UNLV-Louisville men's basketball game Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center. ...

Chance King, the 10-year-old son of CNN's Larry King and his wife, Shawn, playing with a Los Angeles Little League team in the Cranberry tournament in Henderson. King and his wife also attended the game.

A chip off the old block, Chance will be hosting his own talk show, a Fox Sports Network production called "Kid Pitch" starting in February. Brother Cannon, 9, will be featured on the show as well ...

Jerry Springer, host of "America's Got Talent" and the Las Vegas spinoff at Planet Hollywood Resort, dining with friends Friday at Eiffel Tower Restaurant (Paris Las Vegas).

THE PUNCH LINE

"Is it fair to speculate that John Daly was driving Tiger Woods (Thursday) night?" -- From Kevin Nealon's Twitter site.

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