Paris attacks could alter security at U.S. venues

Music industry veteran Larry Rudolph, the talent manager behind Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus, sees a future of heightened security measures at entertainment venues after the deadly attacks in Paris.

Just as the 9/11 attacks led to increased security at U.S. airports, beefed-up security in entertainment "is likely the new reality," he said.

The games and shows should go on, said Rudolph.

"You can't let the terrorists shut everything down," Rudolph said. "They want to keep people from going about their normal lives.

"It has to be business as usual after a reasonable period of time. Entertainment is also healing and cathartic."

A concert venue and soccer stadium were among the prime targets of Friday's coordinated attacks that killed more than 100 people and left about 100 others critically injured. ISIS took credit Saturday for the massacre in the French capital.

Rudolph's associate, show producer Jeff Beacher, was in Paris during the attacks. Rudolph said he spoke to Beacher, who was attempting to get a plane to London through the U.S. embassy.

Beacher, who was in Paris to attend U2's HBO-televised concert, posted a photo of the U.S. embassy on his Facebook page, saying it was "on complete lockdown today (Saturday)." Beacher, who produces "Beacher's Madhouse" at the MGM Grand and in Los Angeles, added, "Last night was so horrifying and sad."

U2 cancelled its Saturday concert. The U.S. band Eagles of Death Metal, based out of Palms Springs, was performing in front of 1,500 when terrorists burst into the Bataclan music venue and killed about 100.

Rudolph said metal detectors have been in place at the MGM Grand Garden, where his clients have performed, and Axis Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort, where Spears is a resident headliner.

"I can't speak for the other hotels, but l think you'll see other events beefed up," he said. "This is not a French problem. This is a worldwide problem."

The scene and heard

Steve Schirripa, a mob character in "The Sopranos," plays a new investigator in the District Attorney's office in the CBS police drama "Blue Bloods," starring Tom Selleck. Schirripa is appearing in Friday's episode. "Finally I'm a good guy," Schirripa told me by phone. He's also in a new hockey comedy series, "Benders," which airs Thursday on IFC. ...

World Series of Poker vet Allan Cunningham won the Jennifer Harman celebrity tournament benefit Friday at Planet Hollywood Resort. Also among the 180-plus players: WSOP vet and animal lover Daniel Negreanu, who donated $10,000 to the Nevada SPCA, the event's beneficiary, and Norman Chad, ESPN's WSOP color commentor for the past 13 years. With the win, Cunningham earned a seat in the 2016 WSOP Main Event.

On this day

November 15, 1950: Sen. Estes Kefauver of Tennessee convenes a Senate committee hearing at the federal courthouse to investigate organized crime's influence in Las Vegas. The nationally televised hearings do more to publicize the city than damage the mob, and the senators soon adjourn for a sightseeing trip to Hoover Dam. The federal courthouse is now the Mob Museum.

Sightings

Whoopi Goldberg, in town celebrating her 60th birthday. Her party included Emmy-winning comedy and songwriter Bruce Vilanch, who was spotted at Aussie Hunks (V Theater at Miracle Mile inside Planet Hollywood Resort) and Zombie Burlesque. ... Donny Osmond, joining Bob Anderson on stage Friday during Anderson's Frank Sinatra tribute show, "Frank: The Man, The Music" (Palazzo). They reminisced about Andy Williams and the time Osmond sang for President Ronald Reagan at his 1981 inauguration gala, changing the words of "Johnny B Good" to "Ronnie B Good." ... Rapper Drake, partying with friends and posing for photos with guest DJ Jermaine Dupri and Bow Wow at Surrender (Wynn) on Friday. ... Former Guns N' Roses guitarist DJ Ashba and Brett Raymer of Animal Planet's "Tanked," with friends at Crush (MGM Grand) on Friday. ... Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss, dining with friends at La Cave (Wynn) on Thursday. ... At Crazy Horse III earlier in the week: singer Kenny Loggins, with his wife and friends, and, at another table, international soccer star Didier Drogba, sharing Dom Perignon with friends.

The punch line

"The CEO of Disney is now getting involved in bringing an NFL team to Los Angeles. So football fans, get ready for the crushing defense of the Los Angeles Little Mermaids." — Conan O'Brien

— Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow him: @Norm_Clarke