Quaid may play Lamb in TV show
Dennis Quaid is in negotiations to star as Las Vegas sheriff Ralph Lamb opposite Michael Chiklis, who would be cast as a Chicago mobster in what CBS hopes will be on next fall's hit list.
That's the latest scenario unfolding in Nicholas Pileggi's TV pilot, according to reports out of Hollywood. It would be Quaid's first TV lead. Chiklis won an Emmy in 2003 as the lead in "The Shield."
Lamb, 84, said he talked to Pileggi on Tuesday.
"He said they're rolling on it," Lamb said. "He's awfully excited. He said this is going to be a great thing."
Pileggi is best-known for his mob films "Goodfellas" and "Casino."
Lamb, a former cowboy known for taking on his share of bad guys with his fists, was Clark County's longest-serving sheriff, holding the office for 18 years during the gangster era of the 1960s and '70s.
Quaid played deputized gunfighter Doc Holliday in "Wyatt Earp," based on the shootout at Tombstone, Ariz.
Directing the project is James Mangold, who helmed "3:10 to Yuma," co-starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale.
FROM 'X' TO 'IT'
Those days of picking up quick cash on odd-job modeling assignments brought back some dreaded memories for Brittney Palmer.
When I met her as a fresh-faced teen about six years ago, I was writing a book that included Las Vegas odd jobs.
She had a doozy: During one corporate job, she was a bird in a cage. I think the photo even made it into the book.
"The worst one," she recalled Wednesday, "was wearing a silver cat suit for seven hours. I did it for one day."
Little did she know she was on a paying-her-dues path that would put her on the cover of the March issue of Playboy.
She's gone from a former member of the topless "X" burlesque show at the Flamingo to international fame as one of the "it" girls of the UFC's octagon.
A former cocktail server at Pure nightclub at Caesars Palace, her career crossroads came in 2008 when she auditioned as a ring-card girl for the World Extreme Cagefighting.
That led to the UFC and a life-changing career.
All the while, she kept her focus on her artwork. She moved to Venice, Calif., seven months ago to attend art school.
There's no time for a boyfriend these days.
"I travel every week. I just got back from Brazil. I'm so busy I have no time for anyone," she said by telephone from California.
"Everything has just progressed, and I've kept my head on straight," said Palmer, who attended Cheyenne High School in Las Vegas.
SIGHTINGS
Shania Twain, having lunch with friends at Spago (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Wednesday. She ordered the Heirloom tomato soup, BLT salad (no bacon) and cookies for dessert. She also attended a performance of KÀ by Cirque du Soleil (MGM) on Tuesday night with husband Frederic Thiebaud. ... Flamingo headliner Marie Osmond, having a green shake and the 305-calorie Margherita pizza at Greens and Proteins restaurant in Henderson on Wednesday. ... Dining at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill in MGM on Sunday: Singer and actor Lenny Kravitz, actor Larenz Tate, actor Terrence Howard, magician David Copperfield and music producer Quincy Jones.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Spring training has started. Baseball is right around the corner. Pitchers and catchers reported yesterday, infielders today, and tomorrow Hollywood girlfriends report." -- David Letterman
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.
