Network cooking up dining show
With the latest influx of star chefs setting up shop at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas comes buzz that Bravo Network has been in town exploring a reality show about the Las Vegas fine-dining scene.
Details are still sketchy, but word has it Bravo casting execs have been quietly trying to sort out about a dozen locals to build the concept around.
It won't, I'm told, involve the usual fare of culinary challenges, à la Bravo's long-running "Top Chef" shows and its spinoffs and Food Channel programming.
Whatever the hook, the project promises to be welcome news as the city's smartest cookies continue to pursue the kind of exposure that energizes the Las Vegas brand and helps spur an economic recovery.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Michael Berk, sports anchor and reporter at KLAS-TV, Channel 8, is leaving Dec. 26 for the main anchor job at KGW-TV, Channel 8, in Portland, Ore. He worked in Portland for four years at KEZI-TV, Channel 9, the flagship station for the Oregon Sports Network. Berk's first assignment is a dream job: He'll be covering the college football's showcase bowl, unbeatens Auburn and Oregon for the national championship Jan. 10 in Glendale, Ariz. ...
Local author and all-around good guy Jack Sheehan will be cheering for his beloved Oregon Ducks, but inwardly, if he wants to maintain a happy household. His wife, Carol, is an Auburn grad; he's an Oregon grad. They have tickets to the game and will be wearing their teams' jerseys. Berk might be well-advised to keep a camera trained on the Sheehans. ...
Paris Hilton adopted a 3-year-old Chihuahua named Skeet from The Animal Foundation while she was in Las Vegas this week. Hilton was shooting a reality show and doing community service for her cocaine possession charge that got her banned from Steve Wynn's properties.
MAY I RECOMMEND ...
Have dinner at La Cave, the new small-plates hot spot at Wynn Las Vegas, take in choreographer Twyla Tharp's Broadway dance musical "Sinatra Dance With Me" (Wynn) and top off the evening by checking out The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, which opened Wednesday.
SIGHTINGS
Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Chumlee of the reality show "Pawn Stars," turning heads at The Cosmopolitan opening. Corey was a sight to behold in his Sunday best. He explained: "My mom said you put on a suit for two things: a hotel opening and when you meet the president." Also spotted: Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman; Gavin Maloof; and Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner, introducing Culinary union boss D. Taylor to star chef Jose Andres. ... Harrison wasn't the only one who stood out at The Cosmopolitan opening. The wildest hairstyle we've witnessed in some time stood out in the opening night crowd and belonged to Henry Weinacker III, a San Diego wealth accumulation public speaker.
THE PUNCH LINE
Status update on the Facebook page of Timothy Jasionowski of Boston: "Knows he's a little overweight, but he's hoping that any coming carnivorous alien horde will classify him as 'beef-fed with exquisite marbling.' "
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
