O.J. unwelcome at several hotels

Cirque du O.J. returns this week, with the usual cast of quirky characters and a big question.

In the city with a gazillion hotel rooms, where is O.J. Simpson going to stay?

The disgraced NFL Hall of Famer and his fellow suspects face pretrial hearings on Thursday and Friday on charges stemming from a September incident at Palace Station.

Simpson has worn out his welcome at several hotels.

Corporate casino giants MGM Mirage and Harrah's have joined the Palms in preferring that O.J. and his media circus go elsewhere.

"We would be unable to accept a hotel reservation from (him) because of the operational challenges that the crush of media would likely present," MGM Mirage's Alan Feldman, an executive vice president, told Newsweek freelancer Steve Friess.

Harrah's Vice President Michael Weaver told Friess that the decision to allow a celebrity to check in "depends on whether or not there is any positive public relations to be obtained by it." In this case, Weaver said, the answer is a pretty firm "no."

Before Simpson was jailed in connection with the sports memorabilia grab at Palace Station, he was staying at the Palms.

It was "highly unlikely he'd stay here again," Palms owner George Maloof said in September. "We don't need the drama. It was a disruption and a hindrance to our other guests."

WYNN'S HOME SOLD

The 18th-fairway home at Shadow Creek formerly occupied by Steve and Elaine Wynn has been sold for a record-matching $17.5 million.

MGM Mirage sold the home last month through Shapiro & Sher Group at Prudential, Florence Shapiro and Ivan Sher confirmed Sunday. The buyer was not identified.

A member of the Wal-Mart family bought a MacDonald Highlands home for $17.5 million earlier this year, with $1.5 million in furniture added over and above the selling price.

The $17.5 million topped the previous record price of $14.5 million paid about a year ago for the 22,000-square-foot mansion at the estate of former strip club king Michael Galardi.

The Wynns lived for years at Shadow Creek, the exclusive course built by Steve Wynn as a perk for high rollers when he owned The Mirage. Only two homes are on the North Las Vegas course.

SIGHTINGS

William Petersen, shooting a "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" episode at the Professional Bull Riders event Saturday at the Thomas & Mack. Petersen and cast mate Paul Guilfoyle showed up at Jack Gallery in Mandalay Bay for Saturday's showing by Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones. Also there was Michael Regalia, who bought, restored and sold Steve McQueen's 1963 Ferrari Berlinetta Lusso for more than $2 million in August. ... Sir Richard Branson, with a large group of friends Saturday at Tryst nightclub, in Wynn Las Vegas. Also at Tryst: Former NFL star running back Marshall Faulk. ... Members of the music group Earth, Wind & Fire, dancing and singing to the music Saturday at Blush Boutique Nightclub, in Wynn Las Vegas. ... Actor and comedian Sinbad, dining with his family Saturday at Social House restaurant, in Treasure Island. Also at Social House: Tara Conner, the controversial Miss USA 2006, with actress Masiela Lusha and MTV reality star Talan Torriero. ... Actor Penn Badgley, celebrating his 21st birthday Saturday at The Venetian. Badgley had dinner at Tao Asian Bistro with actor Chace Crawford, who has been romantically linked to music star Carrie Underwood, actor Gregory Smith, singer JC Chasez and "Desperate Housewives" actor Shawn Pyfrom. Afterward, they headed to Tao nightclub. ... Rapper Too Short and former NBA player Gary Payton, Saturday at Poetry nightclub, in the Forum Shops at Caesars. ... Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., dining with friends Saturday at Cheesecake Factory, in the Forum Shops. ... Rapper Nas, Saturday at Drai's, in Barbary Coast.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The Atlanta International Airport is now considering shorter flushes in its bathrooms to help cope with the drought. Shorter flushes on their toilets. Or as Sen. Larry Craig calls that, speed dating." -- Jay Leno

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