The devil to pay for Angel tantrum

Criss Angel has got to go.

That's the decision, I am convinced, that Cirque du Soleil and MGM Mirage partner will reach this week after the illusionist's latest brand-damaging stunt.

His foul-mouthed shout-out at celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton on Friday in front of a G-rated audience shouldn't be tolerated.

Threatening a journalist, as he did a year ago, in a relatively isolated area is one thing. A mega-million dollar show was in the works, so Cirque decided to ride out the storm.

But this time he crossed the line: He insulted a lot of people, including those who work in his Luxor theater. It couldn't have come at a worse time. Las Vegas doesn't need that kind of publicity during one of the country's worst economic downturns. With all the other concerns heaped on their plate, Cirque and especially MGM Mirage don't need it either.

He's a goner, sooner than later.

'PEEPSHOW'

Give "Peepshow" creator Jerry Mitchell PR points for bringing Lindsay Lohan in to add opening-night star power to his hot burlesque show Saturday.

But because I'm in a free-advice mode today, I would think twice about signing Lohan as Kelly Monaco's replacement when the latter's three-month contract ends.

Whether it's a legit consideration or a publicity grab is unimportant, what matters is that putting Lohan in Las Vegas at this fragile-flower stage of her life could be a disaster for everyone, except her understudy.

Lohan can sing and dance (she has an album coming out), but can she sidestep the temptations of Sin City at a time when she needs to work on stabilizing her life before her acting career is ruined?

Only 22, she already has been in rehab three times.

By the way, I heard solid reviews of "Peepshow." I liked it a lot, but I'd like it better if there was more subtlety and less in-your-face shock value.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Former boxing champion Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini and his partner, Mandy Kuhn, waltzed off with first place in the "Dancing With the Las Vegas Stars" cancer fundraiser Sunday at Rain nightclub at the Palms. Second place went to Chet Buchanan of KLUC-FM, 98.5's "Morning Zoo" and his partner, Jennifer Atlas. ...

A benefit concert will be held May 2 at Johnny Stuart's Legends Ranch for Las Vegas celebrity impersonator Trina Johnson-Finn, who has been jailed in South America for more than six weeks. More details to come. ...

The Killers killed Friday at the opening of the new Joint, and kudos as well to the staff at the Hard Rock Hotel. From all of the reports I got, it was one well-oiled operation. Parking ran as smooth as any opening event I can remember. And the warm cookies served in the VIP boxes went over big. The new look at Dolce Group's Rare 120 steakhouse, formerly A.J.'s Steakhouse, is stunning. Check out the dessert "tree."

SIGHTINGS

Steve and Elaine Wynn, at the Paul McCartney concert Sunday night at the Hard Rock Hotel's Joint, reportedly with their dates. Steve Wynn was believed to be with his girlfriend, British divorcée Andrea Hissom. ...

Lohan and Mel B, sharing a VIP table at Privé, in Planet Hollywood Resort, until 3 a.m. Sunday. Lohan ordered vodka with soda water and a splash of cranberry. ...

Holly Madison and KVBC-TV, Channel 3, entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs, making peace on the green carpet at the Miss USA pageant on Sunday. Madison was a late addition. ... On the "Peepshow" red carpet Saturday at Planet Hollywood Resort: Mitchell, Mel B, Monaco; Planet Hollywood Resort boss Robert Earl, Donald Trump, Charlie Sheen and his wife, Brooke, tennis great Boris Becker, "Sex and the City" star Chris Noth, Hilton (offering an unsolicited double-bird salute to Angel, who was not there, for the photographers' benefit), reality show star Bob Guiney, entertainer Susan Anton, Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy and the "Peepshow" cast.

THE PUNCH LINE

"'Girl Scout' delivering your thin mints is 6-4, 270 pounds." -- From David Letterman's "Top Ten Signs The Government Is Spying On You."

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