Scintas looking to re-enter LV scene

The Scintas will return to the Las Vegas Hilton, site of their first headliner residency.

An announcement is expected this week that the popular Buffalo, N.Y., group is opening late next month in the Shimmer Cabaret, where they spent a year, starting in early 2000, before taking a long-term deal at the Rio.

Scintas members were seen touring the venue Monday.

We hear they will perform Fridays through Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., along with a 2 p.m. Monday matinee. They will share the venue with "Menopause The Musical."

LEWIS DROPS PUBLICIST

Film legend Jerry Lewis has fired his publicist after he claimed Lewis required $20,000-an-hour for an interview.

Freelance writer Steve Friess said he was informed by Lewis' camp on Monday that Lewis was appalled by publicist Rick Saphire's actions. Friess said he was told the fee was something Lewis set up several years ago for international media because he was trying to shrink the number of interview requests he receives. The fee never was intended for mainstream U.S. media, Friess was told.

Friess, who had called Saphire to arrange a Q&A with Lewis, a Las Vegas resident, for Newsweek, reported in his blog Sunday at TheStripPodcast.com that Saphire informed him that any interviews outside of the realm of the Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon would need a fee.

"It's a healthy sum, but any story about him receives international attention and raises readership," Friess quoted Saphire as saying.

Lewis has agreed to an interview with Friess this week without a fee.

HOLLYWOOD CALLING?

Criss Angel might be hearing from Oscar-winning producer Brian Grazer.

Grazer was outside the W Hotel in Los Angeles last week when he asked a cameraman from TMZ.com, the celebrity Web site, why the paparazzi had gathered.

When told it was a stakeout for Angel and Spears, Grazer expressed an interest in meeting Angel, the white-hot illusionist who will be headlining at the Luxor in a Cirque du Soleil collaboration.

"He's super-talented, and we're doing a movie about magicians," said Grazer, who won an Oscar for producing "A Beautiful Mind."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The cast of "Stomp Out Loud," which opened at Planet Hollywood Resort in April, performs tonight on the season finale of NBC's "America's Got Talent" (KVBC-TV, Channel 3, 8 p.m.) ...

Wynn Las Vegas general counsel Kim Sinatra was among the last of Merv Griffin's friends to visit him before his death Aug. 12. She worked for Griffin as executive vice president and general counsel for The Griffin Group, the gaming, hotel and entertainment company owned by the entertainer.

SIGHTINGS

Illusionist David Blaine, hanging out in a cabana Monday at the Palms Pool & Bungalows. ... At Sunday's Rehab pool party at the Hard Rock Hotel: NBA stars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Drew Goodman and Deron Williams; actor/comedian Drew Carey; actors Kevin Dillon, Ioan Gruffudd and Matthew Rhys; Kevin Federline; reality TV stars Brody Jenner and Audrina Patridge. Dillon was celebrating his 42nd birthday. ... Lauren Conrad, Frankie Delgado, Lauren Bosworth, Jenner and Patridge, dining Saturday at Social House restaurant (Treasure Island) before heading to Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace). Also at Pure: actress Helen Mirren, former big leaguer Chuck Knoblauch, poker star David Williams, actress/model Devon Aoki and former Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye. ... At Stack (Mirage): Detroit Pistons' coach Flip Saunders, celebrating an anniversary with his wife; at another table: NBA great Lenny Wilkins. ... A first: The weekly TV-radio-internet show "Lunchtime With Ira, Live from the Las Vegas Hilton" was taped Monday on the Monorail. Instead of gathering in a green room, guests boarded at stations along the route.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Karl Rove stepped down this week. He said he wants to spend more time with his loved ones. I think I speak for everyone when I say, Karl Rove has loved ones?" -- Craig Ferguson

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