Madame Tussauds to unveil Knievel

Evel Knievel will be joining some other famous speed demons when Madame Tussauds unveils his wax figure on Jan. 23.

His longtime partner, pro golfer Krystal Kennedy-Knievel, flew in from Florida to view the likeness, with some other family members.

Rosita Chapman, marketing director of the Las Vegas Tussauds, said the wax museum was approached by Knievel's people about a year ago. "We definitely wanted to memorialize him for his 40th anniversary jump," she said, referring to Knievel's Dec. 31, 1967, motorcycle leap over the fountains at Caesars Palace.

Tussauds talked to Knievel about memorializing him, and "he definitely supported it," Chapman said.

Knievel's figure and a replica of the bike he used on the jump will be in the speed section of the museum, with Richard Petty, the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. and his son, NASCAR star Dale Jr.

Kenny Bates, a longtime associate of Knievel, said he approached Tussauds last summer about putting Knievel in the museum.

He said efforts continue toward having a celebrity star placed on the Strip for Knievel. A site outside Tussauds, in front of The Venetian, is under consideration, he said.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys clearly hasn't forgotten or forgiven Paris Hilton for her claims that he physically abused her. Upon entering Body English, the Hard Rock Hotel hot spot, on New Year's Eve, Carter was overheard telling security that Hilton was not to be allowed entry, according to a spy. ...

Mayor Oscar Goodman is scheduled to present the ceremonial keys to the city to the cast of NBC's "Las Vegas" next Thursday at the Palms' ghostbar. The 7:15 p.m. ceremony is planned to mark the 100th episode of the show Cast members Josh Duhamel, Molly Sims, Vanessa Marcil, James Lesure and Camille Guaty are scheduled to be on hand to accept the keys. Executive producers Gary Scott Thompson, Matt Pyken and Kim Newton also are scheduled to attend and speak at the mayor's presentation. ...

Pamela Anderson's latest experiment at marriage is all but over. Her attorney filed a proof of service of summons on Dec. 28 in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to court documents first obtained by CelebTV.com. Those documents state for the record that Rick Salomon had been served with divorce papers on Dec. 15. They married Oct. 6 at The Mirage. ...

I hear rumblings that the famed Apollo Theater of Harlem is looking to establish a Las Vegas outpost. Many of the greatest African-American entertainers played the Apollo, including Ella Fitzgerald, who made her singing debut there at age 17 on Nov. 21, 1934, two years after the theater was open to black patrons. ...

Palms owner George Maloof called it his "best New Year's Eve ever." He wasn't talking about the big crowds at his venues, including the Kanye West concert at The Pearl, or the celeb horde that included Kobe Bryant at N9NE Steak-house. "My mom (Colleen) made a Lebanese dinner in the kitchen here for our family." Her menu included a family favorite, kibbeh, a meat loaf made with cracked wheat.

Hot spots, cool stuff: John Legend hosts his birthday party tonight at The Bank (Bellagio). ... The Lon Bronson Band returns to Boulder Station's Railhead tonight, from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

The newest nightspots in town: Jay-Z's sports-themed 40/40 Club at Palazzo, CatHouse Loungerie at Luxor, Privé at Planet Hollywood Resort and The Bank at Bellagio. Steve-O of "Jackass" hosts tonight at Privé.

SIGHTINGS

A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys, trying on dresses in the Betsey Johnson store on Miracle Mile (Planet Hollywood Resort) with his girlfriend and some guy friends. While showing off in a dress with a poofy skirt, McLean cracked, "This is going to be on my next album cover."

At LAX Nightclub at Luxor: Rapper Lil' Jon, at a table with former big league slugger Mo Vaughn. At another table: Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro running back Larry Johnson, after dining at Company American Bistro. Others in the house: Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, Arizona Cardinals punter Mitch Berger, poker stars Phil Ivey and David Williams and former NBA guard Nick Van Exel. ... Future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, watching his daughter, Amanda, race Wednesday at Pole Position, an indoor go-kart venue. On New Year's Day, NASCAR star Kyle Busch and his family made a visit.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Hazard pay for breaking up fights on 'The View'" -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Demands of the Striking Writers (presented by writer and director Nora Ephron)

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