True ‘Vegas Icon’ Caan back in town
Veteran actor James Caan says that once NBC went along with the NFL's edict to move the "Las Vegas" series from Mondays to Friday, it was "like a death sentence."
Caan, who is in town this weekend to pick up the inaugural Vegas Icon award at the CineVegas film festival, told Steve Friess and Miles Smith of TheStripPodcast.Com that the league made it clear to NBC in early 2006 that "we're not allowed to even mention Las Vegas."
He added, "Like God forbid somebody should gamble. So they put a show ("The Apprentice") there they could promote, Sunday night for Monday, and moved us to Friday, which is like a death sentence."
Some lame plots also contributed to the failure, Caan said.
"I mean, what, there's not enough stories about Vegas, you've got to make up things about vampires floating in the air and ninjas in full battle regalia?"
THE SCENE AND HEARD
I'd wager plenty on this: The longer Javon Walker goes without revealing what really happened early Monday, the more likely it's an embarrassing mess for the Oakland Raiders wide receiver. It wouldn't be the first time a high-profile athlete or celebrity preferred not to press charges to keep a sordid story from coming out. Meanwhile, it's the latest black eye for the high-minded league that doesn't want to be associated with Las Vegas. After the Pacman Jones incident that left a bouncer paralyzed for life, and now this, shouldn't it be the other way around? ...
Elton John marks the 200th performance of "The Red Piano" on Saturday at Caesars Palace. ...
Correction: Jackie Gaughan, who is throwing out the first pitch for the Las Vegas 51s game tonight, is the former owner of the El Cortez. The transfer to the Epstein family, Mike Nolan, Joe Woody and Lonny Zarowitz became final last month. Gaughan, Mel Exber and others purchased the El Cortez in 1963 from J.K. Houssels, Frank Scott, Howard Cannon and others. Bugsy Siegel was a part owner of the property at one time.
MAY I RECOMMEND...
A screening of "All Together Now," a documentary about the creation of the Beatles and Cirque du Soleil's show "Love," is open to the public today at Brenden Theatres at the Palms. The screening, part of the CineVegas film festival, is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.cinevegas.com, by calling 888-8VEGAS8 or at the CineVegas Box Office at the Brenden Theatres.
SIGHTINGS
Grammy-winning hip hop artist Nelly filming all day Thursday with Ashanti throughout Red Rock Resort for a music video for a new song that will appear on his upcoming CD, "Brass Knuckles," scheduled to be released in early August. ... San Diego Chargers coach Norv Turner, with Chargers owner Dean Spanos, dining at Nove Italiano (Palms) before heading for the Playboy Club. ... Efren Ramirez, best known for his role as Pedro in the 2004 hit film "Napoleon Dynamite," at CatHouse (Luxor) on Wednesday. ... At LAX Nightclub (Luxor) on Wednesday: former NFL wide receiver Freddie Mitchell and former NHL star Dino Ciccarelli.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Congratulations to the NBA champions, the Boston Celtics. Last night they beat the L.A. Lakers by 39 points. Or as Hillary Clinton would say, too close to call." -- Craig Ferguson
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
