Priscilla Presley exhibits some wit
It figured that Priscilla Presley would have cultivated a keen sense of humor, given all that she's endured over the years.
Glimpses of her wit surfaced Saturday during her return to Las Vegas to receive the Nevada Ballet Theatre's Woman of the Year honors at the Black and White Ball.
As a pre-event reception was wrapping up outside Cartier in CityCenter's Crystals shopping venue, Presley was taking a group photo with daughter Lisa Marie, rocker Vince Neil and his girlfriend, Alicia Jacobs.
"What a motley crew," she cracked, in a nod to Neil, the Mötley Crüe frontman who camped out in her Beverly Hills guesthouse a decade or so ago.
Later, "American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe regaled the crowd of 600 with a classic story about Priscilla's fun-loving side.
Several years ago she and Lythgoe were crossing Las Vegas Boulevard when they spotted a young Elvis impersonator.
Lythgoe said she dashed up to the impressionist, removed her oversized sunglasses and said, "Remember me?"
Lisa Marie, who appeared haggard, did not speak. She's staying in town to celebrate her 43rd birthday on Tuesday.
Neil, who begins a two-week jail sentence on Feb. 15 for a DUI charge, was given one minute to speak about the honoree from a mic in front of the stage, while others spoke from the stage.
He hinted that Priscilla's legendary patience was tested after their shaky introduction.
"In the first five minutes I spilled a glass of water on her lap, and 15 minutes later I spilled a glass of red wine on her," said Neil, who knew her through her longtime companion, Marco Garibaldi.
In an interview prior to the gala, Lythgoe, who has owned a home at Lake Las Vegas for almost a decade, said he's pleased with the first two weeks of "American Idol" after an offseason that saw significant changes.
Ratings are down less than 10 percent, he said, over a period that saw the Fox powerhouse lose popular judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.
The "Idol" ratings, he said, beat the three competing networks by 61 percent.
Lythgoe said new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez have been bringing back a lot of viewers.
"People were asking me if Steven could take over for Simon," Lythgoe said. "Simon couldn't take over for Steven." And J-Lo's work ethic has been remarkable.
"She's coming in at 10 a.m. and sometimes not leaving until 12:30 a.m."
SIGHTINGS
Actor Laurence Fishburne, with family at Cher's show (Caesars Palace) on Saturday. ... At Human Nature (Imperial Palace) on Saturday: Motown legend Berry Gordy with Smokey Robinson and at another table, Mike Tice, offensive line coach for the Chicago Bears. ... Neil and Jacobs, making post-gala stops at Haze and Gold nightclubs at Aria and the Mint Lounge at the Palms. ... Retired Croatian soccer great Davor Suker, with friends at Restaurant Julian Serrano (Aria) on Saturday. A standout with Real Madrid for years, he won the Golden Boot at the 1998 World Cup in France while powering Croatia to a surprise third-place finish. Also at the restaurant: "Peepshow" star Holly Madison, filming scenes for "Holly's World" with co-star Josh Strickland and sharing an order of churros delivered by Serrano. ... Joey Fatone, currently hosting "The Price Is Right" at Bally's, attended Penn & Teller (Rio) on Saturday and joined them backstage.
THE PUNCH LINE
"You are one of the five best solitaire players in the world." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Signs You Have No Friends
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
