Reid book reveals ‘Casino’ mystery
Sen. Harry Reid's new book offers a glimpse into how Hollywood bad guys sometimes end up looking good.
In his upcoming autobiography, "The Good Fight -- Hard Lessons From Searchlight to Washington," Reid recounts a star-studded dinner at Oscar Goodman's home during the filming of "Casino" in the mid-1990s.
Steve and Elaine Wynn were there at the invitation of Goodman, who was the film's technical adviser and had a cameo as himself.
The conversation turned to the script, and director Marty Scorcese asked Wynn about it. Wynn wasn't happy with the portrayal of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, played by Robert De Niro. Neither was Reid.
"In Wynn's experience, as in mine, the mobsters weren't romantic figures," wrote Reid.
In the movie, Rosenthal came off as a genius, said Wynn, when, in fact, "He was a moron ... so dumb he couldn't spell 'it' if you spotted him the 't.' "
Scorcese asked who put in the line that made Rosenthal look so good. Around the table, the question went, from writer Nicholas Pileggi, to Sharon Stone, before stopping at De Niro.
"OK, so I took a little license," said DeNiro, who had asked that the part be rewritten.
BUTT SERIOUSLY FOLKS
Paris Hilton is not an admirer of Kim Kardashian's famous derriere, but it sounds like Donald Trump is a fan.
Hilton, during a radio interview Monday on a Las Vegas morning show, called Kardashian's booty "gross" and "disgusting" after being asked what she would prefer: Jessica Simpson's bust or Kardashian's backside.
Hilton, who severed her relationship with her fellow socialite about two years ago, said Kardashian's butt "reminds me of cottage cheese inside a big trash bag." She made the comment to Chet Buchanan and The Morning Zoo (KLUC-FM, 98.5).
Meanwhile, Trump made it clear during a Las Vegas news conference on Friday that he's noticed Kardashian's rump.
During a champagne toast at the ribbon-cutting for his 64-story tower, Trump was onstage when Stefanie Schaeffer, winner of the sixth season of NBC's "The Apprentice," bent over to help pass out the champagne.
Trump checked out Schaeffer's posterier, pointed it out to the audience and twice said, "Kim Kardashian." Schaeffer is helping Trump market the Las Vegas Trump International Hotel & Tower.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Al Pacino and his co-stars will be on the red carpet at 6:45 tonight at the world premiere of his new movie "88 Minutes" at Planet Hollywood Resort. Joining Pacino are Leelee Sobieski, Amy Brenneman, William Forsythe, Amy Witt and the villainous Neil McDonough. The public is invited to the red carpet, but the showing is private. ...
The Enormous Norm-athon fundraising concert for Norman Kaye, bassist for the Mary Kaye Trio, begins at noon Sunday in The Orleans showroom. Almost two dozen entertainers are showing up to support Kaye, recovering from a stroke and facing mounting financial challenges. The Mary Kaye Trio, along with Louis Prima, Keely Smith and Sam Butera, are often credited with pioneering the Las Vegas lounge era in the 1950s. Their all-night entertainment turned Vegas into a 24-hour party town. ...
The puppy tug-of-war is over at KVBC-TV, Channel 3. Meteorologist John Fredericks' young lab, L.J., returned to the on-air forecasts Monday after being involved in a negotiation dispute that kept him in his doghouse for more than a month. "Everybody's happy," said KVBC general manager Lisa Howfield. ...
Brad Keating, assistant to Gov. Jim Gibbons and first lady Dawn Gibbons for four years, resigned Monday, effective May 15. He's working toward a master's degree in business administration to "explore other opportunities" and recently told R-J political writer Molly Ball that he hopes to pursue a career in politics.
SIGHTINGS
Country star Carrie Underwood, on Tuesday setting up a music video titled "Last Name" on the Fremont Street Experience. ... The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am, attending the 7 p.m. Monday performance of "Love'' (Mirage) with his girlfriend, Karina Salmeron, and friends, including Ed Kowalczyk, lead singer of the band Live. They later celebrated Salmeron's birthday at the Revolution Lounge. ... Jon Voight's brother, James "Wes" Voight, 68, retying the knot with his former wife, Joan, on Tuesday at The Little Church of the West. He is Angelina Jolie's uncle.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Hillary Clinton was shown in a bar in Indiana drinking a beer and doing a shot of whiskey. It worked. Today, Ted Kennedy switched back to Hillary." -- 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.
