Stars shine bright on LV fight night

All the planets aligned over the weekend to create a supernova of celebrity star power in Las Vegas.

The stars converged and near-record throngs packed Las Vegas casinos because of some fortuitous timing: A Cinco de Mayo megafight between popular Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was the main catalyst. Add the Kentucky Derby to the mix, and you have betting magic.

The celebrity turnout for the fight may have doubled the wattage of the NBA All-Star Weekend, without the trouble.

About 100 major film, music and Hollywood celebrities were at the fight, including Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren, Sasha Baron Cohen, Eddie Murphy, Eva Longoria and Ron Howard.

What it proved, yet again, is that nothing lights up Las Vegas like a boxing classic.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Pamela Anderson begins rehearsals this week at Planet Hollywood Resort for her role in Hans Klok's "The Beauty of Magic." They shot promo photos Sunday at the Los Angeles studio of her friend, David LaChapelle, who has been dubbed "the Fellini of photography." Meantime, I'm hearing that Carmen Electra, who bailed out as Klok's sidekick, has been asked to pay several expenses for the support personnel she brought in for three weeks of rehearsals.

SIGHTINGS

Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., with MGM Mirage Inc. chief executive Terry Lanni, at the fight. ... Tao, the megaclub at The Venetian, packed 'em in Saturday for the grand opening of Tao Beach, the tops-optional pool venue. Among the attendees: Jay-Z, P. Diddy, Usher, Nelly, 50 Cent, Will Ferrell, Chris Henchy, Freddy Rodriguez, Oscar winner Mirren and husband Taylor Hackford, Ashanti, Cohen, Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning, Bill Maher, Bob Saget, Champ Bailey, Charles Oakley, Constantine Maroulis, Dwyane Wade, Eriq La Salle, Fred Durst, Ice-T, Jermaine Dupri, Jerome Bettis, John Cusack, Kenan Thompson, Lennox Lewis, Luis Guzman, Luke Perry, Macy Gray, Michael Buffer, Robert Shapiro, Salt n Pepa, Tommy Hilfiger, Young Jeezy and Willie McGinest. ... Drew Carey, walking away with $100,000-plus after playing blackjack for $1,000 a hand at Mandalay Bay's VIP lounge. With him was band leader Lon Bronson. ... Mario Lopez, Longoria, U.S. soccer star Cobi Jones and Denver Broncos star Javon Walker, dining Saturday at N9ne Steakhouse at the Palms. ... Jack Osbourne, at Venus Pool Club (Caesars Palace). ... Actor Todd Bridges and Washington Redskins star Chris Samuels, at Social House (Treasure Island) on Saturday. ... Florida basketball star Joakim Noah, partying with friends Saturday at Moon (Palms) and text-messaging at the HBO after-party at the MGM Grand pool area. ... At Pure (Caesars Palace) on Saturday: Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey, Dennis Rodman, Danny Masterson, Kevin Dillon, Ki-Jana Carter, Peerless Price, Orlando Pace, Dre' Bly, Torry Holt and Antonio Tarver. ... Diddy, getting a manicure and a pedicure at Amp Salon (Palms) on Saturday. Also there: His girlfriend, Kim Porter, and Longoria. Diddy was staying in a sky villa in the Fantasy Tower at the Palms, Longoria was in a salon suite, and former NFL star Shannon Sharpe had a suite. ... Stan Lee, creator of Marvel Comics' "Spider-Man," viewing "Spider-Man 3" for the first time Friday at Brenden Theatres with theater owner Johnny Brenden. ... At Body English (Hard Rock Hotel): British pop star Robbie Williams, Ice-T, Shane Mosley and NBA guards Chris Paul and Bobby Jackson. ... Sports photography icon Neil Leifer, at Rao's bar (Caesars Palace) on Friday, regaling friends with stories of his 17 Kentucky Derby assignments with Sports Illustrated, starting in 1961 with Carry Back's win. "It's the greatest, most enjoyable event, on a nice day," Leifer said.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Divorce hearing today for David Hasselhoff. And his ex-wife claimed that he 'emotionally abused' her. It's true: He wouldn't stop singing." -- Craig Ferguson

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