Madonna, not Marilyn, in photo
Instead of lost photographic treasure, that photo of Marilyn Monroe hitchhiking in the nude got a thumbs-down Tuesday when the 73-year-old owner discovered it was Madonna in a blond wig.
Lawrence Nicastro, a retiree from New York who had high hopes of hitting the jackpot, had scheduled a news conference today at The Orleans to unveil what he thought was a vintage Monroe photo.
"The poor guy was devastated," said George Ciccarone, a Henderson TV producer who delivered the bad news at Nicastro's home.
Ciccarone got a sneak preview and sent footage of the photo to ABC's "Good Morning America." ABC correspondent Brian Rooney saw the footage and something clicked.
"Brian googled it and he found the Madonna photo," Ciccarone said.
"He (Nicastro) wanted everyone to know he felt so bad," added Ciccarone.
Nicastro found the poster-sized photo late last year and enlisted the help of Chris Harris, a publicist and Monroe expert from California.
Harris did not return calls Tuesday.
LITTLE BLOOD CLOT
Celebrity impersonator Rich Little is "responding well" after a blood clot scare in a leg, according to a family spokesman.
It was serious enough that Little has canceled his remaining dates at the Golden Nugget. He was booked into early April.
Little, 69, sought medical care over the weekend and was in the emergency unit at Summerlin Hospital.
"The doctors believe they have it under control and he is responding well to treatment," said spokesman Norm Johnson, who sent a note Tuesday asking "for everyone to take a second to pray for Rich."
Little has been struggling for several weeks with what was thought to be the flu, said family friend Charlotte Morgante.
Little went ahead with his Thursday and Friday shows before making an urgent care visit on Saturday.
JAHNA STEELE OVERDOSED
Transgender entertainment legend Jahna Steele died from an accidental overdose of drugs, including cocaine and morphine, the Clark County coroner's office confirmed Tuesday.
Steele, 49, died Jan. 24 in Las Vegas.
During the early 1990s, she was voted the sexiest and "most beautiful showgirl" before an expose by "A Current Affair" outed her as a transexual and cost her her job as host of the "Crazy Girls" topless revue at the Riviera hotel-casino.
The cause of death, according to the coroner's office, came from a mix of cocaine, morphine and hydromorphone.
She returned to Las Vegas in 2004 as host of The World's Most Beautiful Transexual Contest at the Riviera.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Singer Pink and motocross star Carey Hart have separated after a two-year marriage, according to Pink's rep, Michele Schweitzer. She proposed to him in June 2005, and they were married in January 2006 in Costa Rica. ...
Comedy magician Nathan Burton is moving from V Theatre to the Flamingo's main showroom. He will have a 4 p.m. show. Burton just missed making the finals of NBC's "America's Got Talent" in 2006, but received more exposure than any other contestant. He was called back to perform with host Regis Philbin in the finale. ...
Paris Las Vegas has been in talks to bring in a comedy show featuring actors from "Ugly Betty" and "Sex and the City" to the main showroom.
SIGHTINGS
Jim Belushi, taking in "X Burlesque" at the Flamingo on Sunday and Monday. He was in town to watch his son, Rob, perform in The Second City (Flamingo). Rob is following the footsteps of his father and famous uncle, the late John Belushi, Second City alums. ... Lance Bass, with friends at The Playboy Club and ghostbar (Palms) on Monday. ... Taking in the 40/40 Club (Palazzo) over the weekend: NBA players Drew Gooden, Darius Miles, Quinton Ross and Devin Harris.
THE PUNCH LINE
"President Bush is in Africa right now. He met the president of Tanzania and gave him a pair of Shaquille O'Neal sneakers. The president of Tanzania was thrilled and said he plans to use Shaq's shoes as a house for hundreds of people." -- Conan O'Brien
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
