Larry King split is one for books

The marital blowup between CNN talk-show legend Larry King and his wife, Shawn, has a number of Las Vegas show business connections.

Shawn and Marie Osmond were close friends for years until late last year when Marie terminated longtime manager Karl Engemann, Shawn's father.

Shortly after the termination, Shawn King aired her feelings on her Twitter site:

"Question: if u signed a contract to pay 15% of any business and you've been in business w/ them for 35 years, is it fair to now say you're being overcharged for the standard rate in your business (which is 15%) and you want to pay 2.5 to 5%? I'm puzzled."

The Kings both filed for divorce Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, each citing "irreconcilable differences."

King is 76 and she is 50. They have two sons, Chance, 11, and Cannon, who turns 10 next month.

Shawn King, who normally shares a lot of her personal life on Twitter, has been unusually quiet on the social networking site.

After a tweet-free week, she posted this cryptic tweet on Feb. 8:

"Yes, I've been a bit silent for a while. If I told you why, It could be the 'tweet heard 'round the world.'...so I'll save it for the book :)."

The celebrity Web site TMZ.com reported that Shawn King has been suspicious of a relationship between her sister, Shannon Engemann, and the broadcasting giant.

The Web site said Shannon received a $160,000 car and gifts from Cartier from King.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Bull riders participating in the PBR World Cup at the Thomas & Mack Center are being shot in 3D for a reality TV show called "Rodeo 911." It will air early this summer.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

After a long absence, Gilley's Saloon, Dance Hall & Bar-B-Que returned to the Strip on Thursday in a new home, Treasure Island, cheek to cheek with the "Sirens of T.I." Formerly in the New Frontier, Gilley's now occupies the combined space of Francesco's and Mist Lounge. Hours: kitchen, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saloon and dance hall, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. (Sunday-Thursday), 11 a.m.-4 a.m. (Friday-Saturday).

SIGHTINGS

Rodeo icon Ty Murray, at Gilley's on Thursday with a posse of cowboys competing this weekend in the Professional Bull Riders World Cup. ... Nathan Burton, celebrating his 500th show of "Nathan Burton Comedy Magic" at the Flamingo and second anniversary on Thursday. After his finale, the surprise was on Burton when Donny Osmond materialized during an illusion. ... Actress, fashion designer and singer-songwriter Taryn Manning, with friends at ghostbar (Palms) on Wednesday. ... Elaine Wynn, having tapas at Julian Serrano restaurant (Aria) with about 20 friends on Wednesday. ... Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, firing up a stogie Wednesday night at Havana Cigar on Paradise. ... Recently single Avril Lavigne and Brody Jenner, doing shots of Jägermeister with Olympic gold medal snowboarder Shaun White at The Bank nightclub at Bellagio on Sunday night. Lavigne grabbed the microphone during the night and shouted, "I love you, Brody!"

THE PUNCH LINE

"This Friday is the deadline for mailing in your census form. People all around the country put down how many people live in their houses -- while Tiger Woods and Jesse James put, 'Kind of a tricky situation right now.' " -- Jimmy Fallon

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