The queen’s tiara was most unruly

KVVU-TV, Channel 5, anchor Monica Jackson is convinced I'm a royal pain.

Which explains why she donned a tiara, proclaimed herself queen and gave me a lecture on Journalism 101 during Fox 5's Monday morning show "More."

Her beef had to do with my Sunday column in which I pointed out that KLAS-TV, Channel 8, and KXNT-radio, AM 840, were critical of her coverage of the Monte Carlo fire, including her dramatic reports that four workers were trapped and Bellagio and City Center were being evacuated.

She began her rant Monday with the claim that I "attacked" her when she first arrived here 31/2 years ago.

That "attack" was a rehash of a 2002 off-camera catfight involving Jackson at a Detroit TV station. Quoting the Detroit News, a "festering personality conflict" came to a head between Jackson, then a traffic reporter at the ABC affiliate, and morning anchor Carolyn Clifford.

The News reported that the feud had to do with Jackson's unhappiness that she lost out on the morning anchor spot given to Clifford. One morning, they exchanged some off-camera taunts and finger-pointing that escalated to chest-bumping and a hair-pulling battle that was broken up by a male co-anchor.

Jackson was placed on administrative leave, according to the Detroit newspaper.

During her two-minute rant Monday, Jackson admonished me for not trying harder to get a Fox 5 comment on the coverage (a phone message to news director Adam Bradshaw was not returned) and for not using my "platform" in a more "positive manner.

"So let me teach you how you're supposed to do this, sir. You are supposed to thank your firemen, who were on the scene at the Monte Carlo, the emergency workers, also the police, because they did a fantastic job. You don't use your platform to lambaste me personally. I'm married by the way, so I can't help you.

"And when you are the queen," she said as she placed a tiara on her head, "you will always be a royal subject, so bow down. The next time you want to talk to me, give me a call. The number is 435-5555 and get it right."

With that, the tiara toppled off her head.

SIGHTINGS

Eddie Murphy, making the rounds Saturday, two weeks after his marriage fell apart after two weeks. He was in the audience at pal Johnny Gill's concert Saturday night at the Railhead at Boulder Station and later at the grand opening of The Bank (Bellagio). ... Magician Lance Burton, greeting and performing tricks in the Monte Carlo's lobby over the weekend, as guests came through to reclaim their belongings. He was a big hit with the guests and the hotel's management team ... Boxer Zab Judah, buying 50 bottles of Dom Perignon champagne Saturday at Privé nightclub (Planet Hollywood Resort) while boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr., purchased three magnums of Perrier Jouet Rose champagne and tossed $5,000 into the air onto the dance floor. ... At Koi (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Saturday: Adam Levine, with several members of Maroon 5, Stacey Keibler, Kevin Connolly, Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge, Anthony Michael Hall and Elliot Mintz, Paris Hilton's publicist. ... Ashanti, at Sushi Roku restaurant (Forum Shops at Caesars). ... At Pure nightclub (Caesars Palace) on Saturday: Mike Tyson, Washington Redskins star Marcus Washington and members of the National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks. ... Also at The Bank nightclub (Bellagio): Adrien Brody and model/girlfriend Elsa Pataky, Kyle MacLachlan, Connolly, Conrad, Patridge, Gary Dourdan, Shar Jackson, Jenna Jameson and boyfriend/UFC fighter Tito Ortiz, and Miss America pageant judges Sarah Ivens, Trace Ayala and Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee. ... At the grand opening of the Hawaiian Tropic Zone (Miracle Mile Shops) on Saturday: Steven Van Zandt, Mario Lopez, Carmen Electra, Keibler, Patridge and Conrad. ... Former U.S. soccer star Cobi Jones and UFC fighter Mike Swick, checking out Moon nightclub (Palms) on Saturday in separate parties.