Publishers follow Tiger Woods’ trail
Look for more Tiger Woods shockers soon involving his various Las Vegas connections. Much of the focus, I'm told, has gone beyond the sex scandal, which broke 21/2 months ago.
Several major media outlets have been in town attempting to connect the dots with other activities related to Woods' Las Vegas visits.
Meanwhile, the name of a local facilitator, a Woods confidant who kept him in a protective bubble, keeps coming up.
But it's not just investigative reporters who are trying to reach the middle man. Word has it a book publishing company has been scrambling to make contact with the mystery man, whose tell-all would bring a $1 million advance and be an instant bestseller. Rumors continue that the first book from one of Woods' girlfriends is being rushed into print.
Not all of Woods' mistresses are chasing their 15 minutes of fame and a big payday from the scandal. I'm told one of Woods' former girlfriends, whose name has yet to surface among the nearly 20 who've gone public, rejected a $400,000 offer. A source said she met Woods at Tabu Ultra Lounge at the MGM Grand and went to an Ohio golf tournament where he was playing. He was engaged at the time, the source said.
Another big surprise likely to surface soon, with potential links to Woods: the identity of a famous new resident who was prominent in another major sports scandal.
THE RIGHT CALL
I asked Jason Alexander what took him so long to get to Las Vegas. The former "Seinfield" star said he would have been here three years ago if Mel Brooks had had his way.
Alexander, who mingled with media at an after-party Friday at Koi after the VIP opening of his hilarious "Jason Alexander as Donny Clay" show at Planet Hollywood Resort, said Brooks offered a lead role in his Las Vegas version of "The Producers."
Alexander said he declined the role because the Broadway script was to be cut to 90 minutes for the Paris Las Vegas show.
He ended up playing Max Bialystock opposite Martin Short in "The Producers" in Los Angeles. The Las Vegas show lasted one year.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Los Angeles police are following up on a Vegas Confidential report involving Dr. Conrad Murray's girlfriend, Nicole Alvarez. It was first reported here in August that Murray met Alvarez at a Las Vegas strip club. Based on the LAPD's recent line of questioning, citing our story, there's speculation that Alvarez may have offered conflicting information to a grand jury. Murray, charged with involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson's death, posted $75,000 bail and has resumed his practice in Las Vegas. ...
Summerlin resident Andy Gabel is handling NBC's Olympics color commentary for short track speed skating. During his 19 years as a member of the U.S. National team, he won 75 international medals, including a silver in the men's 5,000-meter relay at the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994, one of his four Olympics. ...
Billionaire Phil Ruffin, 74, the owner of Treasure Island, and his wife Oleksandra, 28, a former Miss Ukraine, are expecting a child. They were married Jan. 6, 2008, at Donald Trump's Mar--a--Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. She is eight months pregnant. Among her many titles is Miss American Dream. Steve Friess of www.VegasHappensHere.com reported the development Friday.
SIGHTINGS
Olivia Newton-John's daughter Chloe Lattanzi is in town shooting a pilot for a reality show. She was at Krave on Friday and attended the 3,000th performance of the Chippendales at the Rio on Thursday. Her mother's hit, "Physical," was just named the No. 1 Sexiest Song Ever on Billboard's Top 50 Sexiest songs for Valentine's Day. ... Pro golfer Ernie Els and friends leaving Blush Boutique Nightclub (Wynn) at 4 a.m. Saturday with friends.
THE PUNCH LINE
"The federal government is still shut down, but the good news for Washington, D.C., is: no homicides for eight days. But there have been a number of drive-by snowballings." -- Jimmy Kimmel
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
