Rumors swirling of Kobe breakup

An Internet report that Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is getting divorced was posted briefly on the Los Angeles CBS affiliate's Web site before being pulled Friday.

After the KCBS-TV's Web site removed the report by mediatakeout.com, KCBS sports producer Gordon Allen told Los Angeles sports news Web site sportsbybrooks.com that the posting only appeared on the station's Web site, "not on any TV newscast." He said the Web site is a separate entity "from the sports/news department at KCBS and should be attributed that way."

Mediatakeout.com quoted an insider as saying Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, have "been trying (to make things better) now for more than a year, but it's just not working out ... Kobe's in the process of moving out (of their home) and both are ready to officially end things."

Bryant, who has been married for six years, has made no mention of the report on his Web site, kb24.com.

Bryant raised eyebrows when he showed up at The Mirage's tops-optional pool, Bare, on July 19, which was first reported here on normclarke.com.

Bryant is making his first appearance on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Wednesday.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Jerry Seinfeld took care of his Rao cravings during his weekend engagement at Caesars Palace. On consecutive nights, Rao's had large to-go orders for Seinfeld's camp: dinner for 45 on Friday and 20 on Saturday. The order included Rao's iconic meatballs, lemon chicken, pennette alla vodka and the scaloppine picatta. ...

People magazine is reporting that the weekend bachelorette party in Las Vegas for Kate Walsh, formerly of "Grey's Anatomy," involved some rented anatomy. People said two male strippers were sent to a room at The Venetian before dinner Saturday. Las Vegas party planner Mike Doty, who arranged Walsh's party, would not comment for People's story. ...

"Beacher's Madhouse" creator and host Jeff Beacher has big plans for his small army of little people performers. Beacher said he is planning to make permanent fixtures out of his recent additions, mini-Britney Spears, mini-Justin Timberlake and mini-Kevin Federline, with Tiny Kiss and his troupe of midget wrestlers. They'll be in the lineup at the next "Madhouse" Sept. 29 at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. ...

NASCAR driver Kurt Busch gave a shout-out to PT's, the local tavern chain, after winning the Pennsylvania 500 Sunday at Pocono Raceway. Busch has nicknamed his car the PT Cruiser in honor of crew chief Pat Tryson and, he said, the tavern where he drinks his Miller beer. He's been known to lift a few at PT's Gold on Sunset, between Eastern and Paradise. ...

In serious need of some help, Spears has hired a new manager. He's Jeff Kwatinetz of The Firm, who was recently let go by Kelly Clarkson.

SIGHTINGS

Terry Stewart, president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and David Gale, producer of such films as "Beavis and Butt-Head" and "Jackass," dining at Bartolotta on Saturday with local attorney Marc Risman. From there they went to see Little Anthony & the Imperials at the Cannery and Bobby Slayton's late show at Hooters Hotel. Risman was recently nominated for the board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ... Actress Joely Fisher and actress and former talk-show host Ricki Lake, at a Tao bachelorette party for actress Tricia Leigh Fisher on Saturday. ... Film director Rob Reiner, a regular at Rao in New York, showed up at the Caesars Palace sister eatery on Saturday with a group of friends. ... When Marvin Gaye's former wife, Anna Gaye, Berry Gordy Jr.'s sister, attended the Chippendales at the Rio, lead singer Bryan Cheatham paid tribute with his version of "Let's Get It On."

THE PUNCH LINE

"Britney Spears is in trouble again. She took her 22-month-old son to the dentist to have his teeth whitened. Britney defended herself by saying, 'It was either have his teeth whitened or stop giving him coffee and cigarettes.'" -- Conan O'Brien

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