Mayor is inspiring for impersonator
After sharing her husband with showgirls-as-escorts for the last 12 years, new Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman could have evened the score by having beefcake at her side. Instead, she chose to blaze her own sequined trail.
So, less than six months in office, she's already one-upped her famous husband, former Mayor Oscar Goodman: She's got her own celebrity impersonator.
Plus-sized Jimmy Emerson, former backup host of the long-running "An Evening at La Cage," said his spoof is "all in good fun. I want her to be flattered, not flabbergasted because I do love her to death."
Both Goodmans have not only been "big supporters of the gay community but huge supporters of the downtown resurgence," said Emerson, the host and star of a revived edition of "La Cage" at the Four Queens.
The show, in previews since June, opened with media night on Thursday.
Emerson impersonates country singer Wynonna Judd and Tammy Spraynette, his signature comedy number over the years.
He has made two appearances as the new mayor. The first was a few weeks ago at the downtown ultra lounge club Artifice for owner Trinity Schlottman's 30th birthday.
"Oscar and Carolyn were there, and they heard I was coming to impersonate her, but it got to be too late."
When Emerson arrived as Mayor Carolyn, "the crowd loved it," especially when he changed the words to the song "When You're Good to Mama" to "When you're good to Carolyn, Carolyn is good to you."
Last Friday, Emerson was a hit as Carolyn in the downtown Gay Pride Parade with fellow cast members Ryan Zink (Reba McEntire) and Brent Allen (Bette Midler).
"If I knew she was coming to the show, I'd put a Carolyn segment in it," Emerson said "I've been waiting for a public figure to do impressions of, but they're all these skinny bitches.
"I'm just waiting for her to have her first drama moment so I can play off it."
MAY I RECOMMEND
Thank the food gods and pass the pastries. The Greek Food Festival returns today through Sunday at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 5300 S. El Camino Road. Tickets: $6. Hours: 3 to 11 p.m. today and Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Luxor headliner Criss Angel will participate in the church's benefit 26.2-mile Torch Run today at 3 p.m., starting at Summerlin Community Park . Information: www.lasvegas
greekfestival.com
SIGHTINGS
Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond, belting out "Moon River" at Jim Caruso's "Cast Party" (Alexis Park Resort) on Wednesday for a crowd that included a deep lineup of local entertainers . Broadway veterans Reva Rice, now with "Vegas the Show" (Planet Hollywood Resort), and Billy Stritch teamed up on "Life is Just Bowl of Cherries." Others performing or joining the show: Frankie Moreno, Jay Joseph, William Blake, the Dangerous Curves, comedian Geechy Guy, Eric Jordan Young, Craig Thomas, Dennis Michaels and others. Caruso asked Osmond: "Is there a spot in the 'Donny and Marie Show' for me?" Osmond shouted back from his table, "Well, I am looking for a new sister." Mike Tyson, posing for a photo Thursday with a cashier at a convenience store outside Barstow, Calif.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Forbes has come out with its list of the richest people in America. One of them is the CEO of Starbucks. His secret is that he doesn't buy coffee at Starbucks." ---- 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. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
