NORM: CBS plans TV pilot about ex-sheriff

Former Clark County Sheriff Ralph Lamb got the telephone call he's been waiting for.

On the telephone late Thursday was an emotional Arthur Sarkissian, who informed Lamb that CBS has given the greenlight to a TV pilot of Lamb's life story.

Sarkissian, who will be an executive co-producer, produced the three "Rush Hour" films co-starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.

"He said they loved it," said Lamb, who served as sheriff from 1961 to 1979.

"It's a big thing in my life," added Lamb. "I lived in the greatest time, I believe, this town has ever seen, from a little town, the gamblers coming in and the mob. We had some rules to live by and that's the way it was."

CBS had hired "GoodFellas" and "Casino" writer Nicholas Pileggi to develop the potential drama series. The original plan: Pileggi developed Lamb's story for a movie at MGM with Sarkissian who reacquired the rights when MGM went through bankruptcy after debt load issues when the recession hit.

Pileggi co-wrote the script with Greg Walker, who co-wrote "Without a Trace." James Mangold, who directed the Johnny Cash film "Walk the Line," will helm the pilot. Pileggi will also be an executive co-producer.

Lamb, who turns 85 in April, said he will know more details in coming weeks.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

"Desperate Housewives" co-star Eva Longoria will be honored tonight as Woman of the Year at the Nevada Ballet Theater's 28th annual Black and White Ball at Aria in CityCenter. Ticket information: 243-2623, extension 222.

MEDIA UPDATE

Wayne Bernath, longtime publicist for now-retired magician Lance Burton, has joined the Crown Theater at The Rio as director of publicity and marketing. ...

Jack Landreth, program director at KXNT, AM 840, from 2003 to 2010, leaves for Kansas City today where he'll be PD at the news talk giant KMBZ AM and FM. ...

Longtime local publicist Norm Johnson has been hired as a consultant by the new owners of The Mint 400, the desert off-road race that is being held near Primm March 23-25. Johnson created the race in 1968 when he was PR director of The Mint. Hunter S. Thompson helped popularize the race when he depicted it in his book "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" a few years later. ...

Photojournalist Barry Sweet, who moved to Henderson in 2004 to start a new career after 34 years with The Associated Press, has a photo exhibit Feb. 2, starting at 5 p.m. at the Summerlin Library. "Las Vegas and the entertainment scene has always been a love," said Sweet, who will feature landscapes from around the world.

SIGHTINGS

Retired four-star Gen. Colin Powell, having lunch Friday at Envy, the steakhouse at the Renaissance Hotel. Powell was commander of U.S. Army Forces Command in 1989 and U.S. Secretary of State under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. ... Rapper Lil Jon, at Tao (Venetian) on Thursday. .. Kid Rock, with Food Channel personality Guy Fieri and friends in the private dining room at Lavo (Palazzo) on Thursday. Earlier, Fieri, host of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," was back at UNLV, his alma mater, shooting a segment with culinary students and his longtime friend, John Gremo, executive chef for UNLV's hotel college. He pulled up to the Stan Fulton Building in his red 1967 Chevy Camaro convertible and was greeted by UNLV President Neal Smatresk.

THE PUNCH LINE

"President Obama spent last night in Las Vegas. This morning he woke up on his hotel room floor trying to figure out what to do about a tiger, baby and 9 percent unemployment." -- 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.