TV stations swept up by complaints

There's rumor-mill buzz that KVBC-TV, Channel 3 plans to roll out its marketing campaign this week, and word has it the theme will be something along the line of "News you can trust."

That's another swipe at the competition, following KVBC's call for a Federal Communications Commission investigation into the station's claim that other stations in the Southern Nevada market are selling news content to an advertiser without disclosing it to viewers.

The complaint was filed on Wednesday, which suggests the marketing campaign has been in the works for some time and may have been timed for the November sweeps. They determine the audience size and composition, important to advertisers.

That smacks of orchestration.

Meanwhile, another wave of layoffs reportedly is coming at the Las Vegas Sun. About one-third of the work forces at the Sun and Greenspun Media Group have been trimmed because of the recession.

There are rumblings that John Temple, former editor, publisher and president of the Rocky Mountain News, which closed in February, is being courted.

WOBBLY FINALE

Some observations after seeing "America's Got Talent Live," which on Wednesday opened a 10-week run at Planet Hollywood Resort:

Thursday's finale on media night, I thought, ended on a flat note -- or two -- when country singer Kevin Skinner, the Kentucky chicken farmer who won the $1 million prize last month, struggled vocally with "Sweet Home Alabama."

He was out of his comfort zone. And it's going to need a bigger finish.

The night before, I'm told, Skinner received some boos.

On a happier note, I saw something during Thursday's show that I've rarely witnessed in a decade on the entertainment beat: numerous standing ovations. The crowd gets into it, most likely because they followed their favorites on the NBC series.

Opera singer Barbara Padilla, a cancer survivor, created the biggest stir.

Exit surveys were very high, in the 90s, I'm told. With some shoring up, it could be a Strip surprise.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The last guitar Elvis Presley played in Las Vegas brought $106,200 at a California auction Friday. Elvis played the Martin D-28 model during a performance at the Las Vegas Hilton in December 1976 and gave it to his bodyguard, Sam Thompson, in January 1977. Presley died eight months later. An illuminating glove worn by Michael Jackson during his 1984 Victory Tour, fetched $70,800.

SIGHTINGS

"Peepshow" co-star Holly Madison didn't need a menu when she sat down for dinner Friday at the Hofbrauhaus after handling keg-tapping honors. No stranger to the Munich Hofbrauhaus, she ordered potato, pretzels, pickles and plum strudel. ... Jamie Foxx, at Lavo at The Palazzo after his concert. He took over the mic and entertained the packed nightclub. Also spotted in the club: Vanessa Minnillo. ... Supermodel Cindy Crawford and husband Rande Gerber, at the 7 p.m. performance of "Love" (Mirage) on Friday, with son Presley and daughter Kaia. ... Chef of the century Joel Robuchon, introducing himself to dozens of in-awe upcoming chefs at Friday's Epicurean event at M Resort. Robuchon is in town for a quarterly visit to his top-rated restaurant, Joel Robuchon, at the MGM Grand and sister eatery, L'atelier de Joel Robuchon, next door. ... Boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr., dining Friday in N9NE Steakhouse, at the Champagne Bar.

THE PUNCH LINE

"President (Barack) Obama hosted a basketball game at the White House for several members of Congress. He didn't even want to play, he just wanted to see Congress pass something." -- Jimmy Fallon

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