Sarah Palin may happen in Vegas

It worked for Ronald Reagan. Maybe Sarah Palin will find the road to the White House runs through Las Vegas.

Invited to do the monologue Tuesday on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee joked that she's "picked up a gig in Las Vegas at the 'Legends' show playing Tiny Fey."

That's okey, dokey with the "Legends in Concert" cast at Harrah's Las Vegas: Cher, Elvis, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and even a Leno impersonator.

Harrah's will save a spot for her "anytime she is ready," said Rick Mazer, president of Harrah's Las Vegas.

Palin used her stand-up comedy debut to poke fun at herself, including a reference to a recent flap when photos revealed she had written notes on the palm of her hand for a speech. She informed Leno she would do her comedy bit without cue cards, adding, "I will know these jokes like the front of my hand."

Palin said she was looking forward to seeing snowboarder Shaun White, the Olympic gold medalist, on the show.

"Last time I was this close to the 'Flying Tomato' was when someone threw one at me at a book signing," she said. No kidding, she added.

Reagan briefly headlined in Las Vegas in 1954 when he tried to get a song-and-dance career started after his acting career faded.

FASHION STATEMENT

U.S. Senate candidate Sue Lowden discovered Sunday that there's such a thing as being underdressed for a NASCAR race.

Lowden wore jeans to Sunday's Shelby American NASCAR race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Her schedule included an invitation to the suite of Bruton Smith, owner of the speedway.

After parking her campaign bus in the infield, she was notified that the dress code for the suite prohibited jeans.

Lowden made a Jimmie Johnson-like recovery to salvage the day. By chance, she had a dressier option in the "Sue Mobile," and she made a quick change that would have made any NASCAR pit crew proud.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Flamingo headliner Marie Osmond is returning to the stage a day after the funeral of her son Michael Blosil. "The Donny & Marie Show" resumes its regular schedule March 9, after a week off because of Blosil's death. The Osmonds have added five show dates, April 13-17. These were previously unscheduled dates. ...

The red carpet for the Reel Awards starts at 5 tonight at the Stratosphere. The event, which costs $25, features top tribute artists and impersonators of stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Dame Edna, George W. Bush, Whitney Houston and others.

SIGHTINGS

Siegfried & Roy, honored Wednesday at the closing ceremony of the World Magic Seminar for their sponsorship since 1978. Lance Burton read a proclamation from Gov. Jim Gibbons declaring March 3, 2010, as Siegfried & Roy Day. Penn & Teller added a proclamation from the city of Las Vegas stating March 2010 as Siegfried & Roy Month, as issued by Mayor Oscar Goodman.

THE PUNCH LINE

"People magazine confirmed that former President (Bill) Clinton called Tiger Woods to offer his support. I wonder what he said? I'm not sure which conversation I'd rather hear -- Bill and Tiger or Elin and Hillary." -- 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.