Gulbis to swing into ‘Apprentice’

Donald Trump let the cat out of the bag this week: golfer Natalie Gulbis of Lake Las Vegas is heading for his NBC show "The Apprentice."

Trump made the comment at the U.S. Open recently.

Gulbis, who had her best season in 2007 with five Top 10 finishes, said in an e-mail Friday that all questions on the subject have to go through NBC.

She is currently ranked 53rd with $266,237 in winnings.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

After a nine-month medical leave of absence, Don Brewer returned to the cast of "Mamma Mia!" at Mandalay Bay this week. Originally cast in January 2008 as Harry Bright, one of the three ex-boyfriends summoned to a Greek isle for a wedding with a twist, Brewer moved to Las Vegas from New York with his family for the role. After a month of performances an unexpected illness forced him to take leave. His return was celebrated this week as fellow cast members welcomed him back. ... The first sentence was somehow dropped in today's item about The Mirage's upcoming announcement of the revamped volcano. The invite-only press conference will be Wednesday at the "Love" theater. ... More on the New York City Friars Club testimonial dinner (not roast, which was misstated here) Tuesday for longtime Las Vegas entertainer Tony Orlando: Music greats Ben E. King sang "Stand By Me," Neil Sedaka performed "Laughter in the Rain" and the "Hungry Years," Jay Black sang his classic "Cara Mia Mine" and Jay Siegel of the Tokens performed "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Music mogul Don Kirshner, who signed Orlando at age 16, read a letter from Jerry Lewis. Lucie Arnaz sang a medley of her father's Latin hits while Toni Wine, who wrote hits such as "Candida" and "Groovy Kind of Love," played keyboards, with Tony's band, the Lefty Brothers. Attendees included Frankie Valli, wife Frannie and his mother Ruth Schroeder of Las Vegas, whose last name was misspelled here. Larry Brown, the songwriter who co-wrote "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" and "Knock Three Times," sang "Yellow Ribbon" with Orlando, who took it to No. 1 in 1973 with his group Dawn.

SIGHTINGS

Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps, getting an ovation when the pool crowd at the Palms' Ditch Friday recognized him. He was presented a key to the Playboy Club, where he posed with Bunnies at the Playboy Club in the Palms' Fantasy Tower late Thursday. Phelps and his friends have been playing hoops in the Palms' Hardwood Suite and staying in one of the two-story sky villas, which feature an outdoor terrace with a cantilevered hot tub with a glass end wall. ... Billy Bob Thornton with longtime girlfriend, Connie Angland, son, Willie, and their daughter, Bella, meeting cast and crew backstage after attending "Love" (Mirage) Thursday. ... At Rao's (Caesars Palace) on Thursday: Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond and Flamingo President Don Marrandino, playing bocce to determine who picked up the check. Marrandino lost and paid the bill.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The people of Alaska are rugged individualists. Gov. Palin has some wild ideas. She wants to change the U.S. currency from dollars to pelts." - David Letterman.

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