Lance Burton renews contract

After 27 consecutive years in Las Vegas, magician Lance Burton said he considered a number of possibilities, including retirement, before deciding to stay at the Monte Carlo for another six years.

"Everything you can think of went through my mind," Burton said Tuesday, during a news conference announcing his contract extension through 2015.

Burton, who signed a 13-year deal with the Monte Carlo in 1996 and will reach the 15,000-show mark in Las Vegas late this year, will scale his schedule down from seven shows a week to five when he returns July 7.

He's been on a two-month hiatus since requiring surgery for a broken foot suffered while climbing the stage steps May 7.

Burton, 49, wore an oversized boot and noticeably limped when he walked out to join Monte Carlo President and Chief Operating Officer Anton Nikodemus at the media gathering in Brand Steakhouse.

After the announcement, when the question of whether he weighed other offers kept coming up, Burton deftly side-stepped the issue.

There's another question out there, however. What direction does the Monte Carlo have in mind for Burton's dark nights, Sunday and Monday?

There have been rumblings that Zowie Bowie is doing its Vintage Vegas show at the Monte Carlo. They leave The Lounge at the Palms in late August. Where does that leave Zowie Bowie with their popular dance show?

The Monte Carlo Web site says the Brew Pub is closing July 13 to "prepare to reopen as The Pub with a new contemporary feel in September."

Nikodemus told reporters the Monte Carlo has a number of strategic changes coming to take advantage of the increased volume of foot traffic when CityCenter opens this fall.

UN-BELIEVE-ABLE

Luxor headliner Criss Angel is courting controversy again, this time for a stunt that's likely to offend U.S. troops and their families.

Angel, the star of Cirque du Soleil's "Criss Angel Believe" at Luxor, plans to open Season 5 of his "Mindfreak" on A&E Aug. 12 by walking over numerous improvised explosive devices.

IEDs, often deployed as roadside bombs, have taken a large and deadly toll among U.S. forces in the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars.

Angel, whose "Mindfreak" show heavily relies on TV editing to heighten the drama, reportedly plans to shoot the scene at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

The stunt has already come under fire from a Las Vegas-based blogger for the Los Angeles Times, who called it "just plain tacky."

"If this is intended as a tribute to the troops, it falls short," wrote Richard Abowitz.

Angel told local celebrity blogger Robin Leach that the stunt "is more dangerous than anything I've ever performed."

Leach, taking a breathless booster tone, wrote: "Criss will use his psychic powers to tread gingerly over not one or two levels of incendiary devices but seven levels of lethal, explosive mines."

Abowitz wasn't impressed. "Hey, if he really can detect IEDs with his psychic powers, he'd be more useful in combat zones. We'd take one for the team and give up 'Believe' at Luxor if it were for the good of the country."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Prominent Las Vegas defense attorney David Chesnoff has been advising Michael Jackson's family since his death, according to KVBC-TV, Channel 3, entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs. Chesnoff's high-profile clients include Martha Stewart, Celine Dion's husband, Rene Angelil, and Britney Spears. ...

"The Hangover" has overtaken the 2001 remake of "Ocean's Eleven" as No. 1 Las Vegas movie in ticket sales, with $185.6 million. "Ocean's Eleven" amassed $183.4 million. Link here: http://bit.ly/C3uww

Anna Kournikova came away with scratches on her neck after a catfight with a woman who tossed a drink on the former tennis pro. The incident occurred Saturday night at Lavo (Palazzo). The woman involved had earlier physically bumped Kournikova and members of her party. The drink tosser was tossed out of Lavo. Kournikova was in town to promote the HardBat Classic table tennis tournament at The Venetian. ...

ESPN360, the sports network's online video-on-demand service, has been in town this week shooting footage for a segment on Bryce Harper, the teen baseball phenom from Las Vegas High School.

SIGHTINGS

Hollywood's hot couple Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green at Red Square (Mandalay Bay) on Sunday with family and friends. Inquiring minds are wondering: engagement party?

THE PUNCH LINE

"The garbage men in New York City will be allowed to wear shorts this summer. All part of Mayor Bloomberg's plan to beautify the city." -- 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.