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Luxe Life Blog • Archive for November 2009
Tiger Woods, two Las Vegas sources and The National Enquirer
As golf superstar Tiger Woods canceled all of his golfing appearances through year’s end today, more revelations began to surface of his rumored affair with a former Tao VIP hostess. Rachel Uchitel, who owns an $850,000 condo in Turnberry Place here, is now in Los Angeles under the watchful eye of legal pit-bull Gloria Allred. Rachel is a former employee of Tao at The Venetian. Slowly but surely, Rachel’s adamant denials of the story — about knowing the world’s top ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: High rollers request private Zowie Bowie show
It ranks as one of the most unique requests in Las Vegas high-roller history. Seven gaming enthusiasts had wanted to see Zowie Bowie’s Vintage Vegas show last night at the Monte Carlo but discovered that the entire Monte Carlo theater had been reserved for a private show. So they did the next best thing: They booked their own theater and hired Zowie Bowie’s Chris Phillips and Marley Taylor to perform just for them. First, though, they had to wait for ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Playboy model Latasha Marzolla wins Tuff-N-Uff fight
When you normally think of vital statistics for a stunning knockout Playboy model, you think 36-26-34. Well those sure are the measurements for glamour girl Latasha Marzolla, but since she’s a rising star of MMA, it’s more important to know she’s also 125 pounds of rock hard condition and tough as nails. After her home was robbed, Latasha took up self-defense and enrolled in Muay Thai with Master Toddy. That led to Latasha simultaneously modeling for Playboy and fighting in ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Gene Simmons is VIP at Art of Music opening
Fire-breathing, tongue-twirling KISS legend Gene Simmons showed no signs yesterday of his 59 years the day after the group’s triumphant concert in The Pearl at the Palms. The former math teacher from Queens turned KISS into a conglomerate of Wall Street proportions — in fact, Gene and I share the same New York broker, and whenever we meet, our first subject of conversation is always the market and our portfolios! Who would have guessed a rocker’s interest ran so financial? ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: KISS is alive at 35 at The Pearl in the Palms
Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik, who shot KISS in concert at The Pearl in the Palms last night, told VegasDeLuxe.com: “I first saw KISS in 1977 at The Capital Center in Landover, Md., when I was 6 years old. They were the first band that I became a true fan. … I joined the KISS Army, I had the lunchbox, the KISS dolls, posters, all that stuff, and got my parents to take me to see them in 1977 and ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Two Real Housewives of Orange County party in town
These ladies were officially invited — they didn’t have to gatecrash or upset security. They are way past the auditioning stage of the reality TV show business and making headlines in their own right without having to wreck White House and Secret Service protocol! Alexis Bellino and Gretchen Rossi of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County walked the red carpet last night at Lavo in the Palazzo, and the blonde bombshells were still partying there this morning. Alexis and ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Ryan Kwanten celebrates his 33rd birthday at Lavo
By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor True Blood star Ryan Kwanten couldn’t have been farther from the small Louisiana town setting of his hit HBO vampire series to celebrate his 33rd birthday. On Friday night, friends joined the Aussie hunk for dinner at Tao in The Venetian, where Ryan raved about the lobster wontons and celebrated his birthday eve with a dessert platter and candles. Ryan and his entourage made their way to the nightclub upstairs and continued their festivities ... Read more...
Andre Agassi continues Thanksgiving tradition in Las Vegas
Hometown hero, tennis champion and now bestselling author Andre Agassi continued a Thanksgiving tradition here in Las Vegas by visiting Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest with his wife tennis legend Steffi Graf and their family. The Magical Forest, with its 1 million lights, will remain open until Jan. 2. It serves as the largest fundraiser of the year for our beloved local charity. Opportunity Village executives hope to raise $1 million from the winter wonderland here in Las Vegas for the ... Read more...
Exclusive Interview: Artist Peter Max plans weekend visit
World-renowned artist Peter Max returns to Las Vegas this Thanksgiving weekend to host an in-gallery art exhibit at the Art of Peter Max Gallery. Peter will unveil his newest collection of 16-inch-by-14-inch acrylics on canvas that pay homage to the masters of Expressionism, including Rembrandt, da Vinci, Van Gogh and Picasso. Peter also will inscribe a dedication at his free event tomorrow in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Recognized as an American icon and internationally acclaimed Pop artist, Peter ... Read more...
Carrot Top celebrates his 4th anniversary at the Luxor
Congratulations this Thanksgiving weekend to zany comic Carrot Top on his fourth anniversary headlining on the Strip under the pyramid. Luxor President Felix Rappaport presented the redheaded funnyman with a bouquet of carrots and a giant carrot cake to celebrate his four years starring at the casino resort. The gorgeous Fantasy revue dancers joined the onstage celebration and helped pass out special Carrot Top cookies to the audience to share in the celebration. Robin Leach has been a journalist for ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Donny Osmond’s triumphant return to Flamingo
Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik told Vegas DeLuxe: “Donny Osmond made his triumphant return to the Flamingo following his big victory on Dancing With the Stars. He was met at McCarran Airport by a decorated limo, and then arrived at the casino resort to a huge crowd of fans and Flamingo staff who welcomed him back to Las Vegas, the Flamingo and his show. “Before his performance with sister Marie Osmond, he stepped onstage in the showroom to a standing ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Steve Wynn’s Le Reve celebrates 2,000th show
Congratulations to hotel mogul Steve Wynn and his Le Reve cast and crew on celebrating its 2,000th performance this Friday. Le Reve opened on the same day he premiered the new Wynn resort on April 28, 2005. More than 250 cast and crew work on Le Reve each day. Incredibly, 32 performers and 58 production staff have been with the show since the beginning. During the water spectacular’s 2,000 performances, 1.2 million towels have been used, more than 12,800 pairs ... Read more...
The Mirage celebrates 20 years of excitement and fun
The 20th anniversary cake the chefs cooked up at The Mirage was as spectacular as the resort’s two-decade history! It was a replica of the resort property itself and stood 3 feet tall with three distinct sides paying tribute to original entertainers Siegfried & Roy and current headliners Terry Fator and the Cirque du Soleil Beatles musical Love. Dozens of the employees who’d started with The Mirage on Day One 20 years ago joined with President Scott Sibella to celebrate ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Grand opening of Golden Nugget’s Rush Tower
Our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman and Golden Nugget President and CEO Tilman Fertitta cut the ribbon at the Golden Nugget’s new Rush Tower grand opening on Monday. Miss Nevada USA 2010 Julianna Erdesz and Miss Nevada USA 2009 Georgina Vaughan were on hand for the festivities, along with City Councilman Gary Reese, Tony Tarantino (Quentin Tarantino’s father), Golden Nugget headliner impressionist Gordie Brown, Fantasy star Angelica Bridges and the Fantasy Girls, Palms mogul George Maloof, Playboy Playmate Laura ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Holly Madison, mayor serve Thanksgiving lunch
Some 100 at-risk students from After-School All-Stars and disadvantaged senior citizens enjoyed a Thanksgiving lunch yesterday served by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Strip performers Holly Madison and Josh Strickland of Peepshow, Rick Faugno of Jersey Boys, Andrew Ragone, Anthony Crivello and Kristi Holden of Phantom — Las Vegas Spectacular and Playboy Playmate Laura Croft. The traditional Thanksgiving was served at Le Cordon Bleu’s student-run Cafe Bleu. More than one dozen chefs and students from the culinary school were involved ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Donny Osmond brings DWTS trophy to Las Vegas
It’s been a whirlwind 72 hours for Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond, who won last night’s Dancing With the Stars mirrored disco ball trophy at the conclusion of Season 9 of the hit ABC show. “I’ve never worked harder for any accolade than I have for this one. When you record an album, and it goes platinum … yeah, you’re in the studio, and you work hard for months, but it’s not like your whole body hurts. Maybe you get a ... Read more...
And the Season 9 winner of Dancing With the Stars is …
SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read any further if you want to get the full surprise and drama of watching the West Coast tape-delayed broadcast of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars. But come back after the show to compare notes with us! As predicted in the final weeks, Donny Osmond with partner Kym Johnson won Season 9 of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars and the coveted mirrored disco ball trophy. It all came down to the viewers’ votes being ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Is Vince Vaughn planning downtown venture?
A few weeks ago, I revealed that Binion’s owner Terry Caudill and his partner Big Daddy Carlos were planning major renovations and upgrades to their downtown area hotels with help from Hollywood celebrity friends including Jack Nicholson and Dan Aykroyd. Now it looks as if movie star Vince Vaughn will be the first to participate in this new roll of the dice. I have learned exclusively that the comedy actor spent hours walking up and down Fremont Street and the ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Eva talks Beso, CityCenter, Kim Kardashian and Tony
In just nine days — one week from Thanksgiving — Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria Parker opens her Beso restaurant and Eve nightclub at the retail and entertainment promenade Crystals in the new CityCenter. Eva told me in an exclusive interview: “I am so excited. I never imagined when I opened Beso in Hollywood that this would turn into the franchise it’s becoming. For me, I think Vegas is one of the foodiest places. Every time Tony and I go ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Mandarin Oriental’s ‘Day of Delight’ fashion show
It was a “Day of Delight” when executives at the new Mandarin Oriental in CityCenter welcomed 400 newly hired employees with a series of special events. The hotel will open a week from Friday — Dec. 4 — with a black-tie gala. Programming included a special performance by local entertainers, a parade to showcase distinct fans from all Mandarin Oriental hotels within the hotel group and a remarkable one-of-a-kind fashion show unveiling 75 colleague uniforms. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Donny Osmond within reach of DWTS victory
Two points and one last dance — that’s all that separates Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond from waltzing away with the prized mirrored disco ball trophy on Season 9 of Dancing With the Stars that ends tonight. Click HERE for our coverage of last night’s telecast. The fate of Donny and partner Kym Johnson rests entirely in the hands of viewers, and based on previous voting, he could cruise past singer Mya, with her partner Dmitry Chaplin, who leads him 87 ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Out w/Adrienne Bailon, Robin Thicke, Marie Osmond
While brother Donny Osmond was busy with his Dancing With the Stars finale rehearsals with Kym Johnson, sister Marie Osmond was working overtime with the launch of her Marie Lifestyle Collection of home decor and accessories. Marie turned up at the Hallmark Gold Crown in Henderson, and her visit brought out a premium pack of photographers. Leading lens lady Denise Truscello was there with our contributing photographers Scott Harrison and Erik Kabik as Marie celebrated her Marie Lifestyle Collection. Robin ... Read more...
DWTS Finale: Top three couples perform three dances
After nine weeks of intense competition on Dancing With the Stars, it’s time for the final showdown: Two girls against one guy! For fans, the good news is that there will be a Season 10 in the spring. Insiders say preliminary casting feelers are already in the works. Could our Luxor headliner Carrot Top be picked up to follow in Donny Osmond’s footsteps? SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read any further if you want to get the full surprise and ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: New York-New York’s new ambassador is Vinny Blue
New York-New York announced today the winner of the Vinny vs. Vinny spokesman competition. After weeks of spirited challenges, New York-New York’s guests, voting at the property and online, have declared Vinny Blue (actor Tom Cassell) victorious, crowning him the ultimate go-to guy for all things New York-New York. As the official spokesman, Vinny will embody New York-New York and will be a hands-on ambassador and host, available to tell guests where to go, what to do, what’s hot and ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa wrap filming in Las Vegas
Today is the second and final day of taping of Live With Regis and Kelly at Encore Theater in the Wynn. Yesterday and today’s four shows will air today, tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday, with a previous program repeating on Thanksgiving Day. Said Regis Philbin: “We just love being here in Vegas. It’s a nice shot in the arm for all of us.” Kelly Ripa will be seen at two Strip spectaculars: Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles Love at The Mirage and ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: SuperNats @The Rio; Jimmie Johnson’s historic win
Thousands of fans turned up for the souped up 13th Annual Superkarts USA SuperNationals in the parking lot of The Rio that had been turned into a near 1-mile course. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was given extraordinary access to seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher racing the karts for the first time ever, which also was his premiere appearance in Las Vegas. Rumors were running rampant at The Rio that the $100 million racer from Germany would make a comeback ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: On the town w/Tito Ortiz, Holly Madison, Andre Agassi
Once again, the stars made Las Vegas their party and event destination for the weekend and kept our photographers busy hopping all over town. Andre Agassi Fans started forming lines five hours in advance of hometown hero Andre Agassi’s first Las Vegas public book signing. The tennis legend held court at Costco in Summerlin, and contributing photographer Erik Kabik captured these shots for our photo gallery. Click HERE for Andre’s launch at the Wynn of his candidly shocking and revealing ... Read more...
People’s sexiest men shoot photos in Las Vegas
When People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive 2009 issue hit newsstands last week, readers discovered a delicious eyeful of some of the hottest men on Earth all stretched out in sexy settings in Las Vegas, including Caesars Palace and outside the Flamingo. Sex and the City star Gilles Marini posed in Caesars Palace’s opulent 8,000-square-foot Centurion Tower penthouse, which has been home for many famous faces, including The Colosseum headliner Bette Midler. During the photo shoot, Gilles, who was the runner-up ... Read more...
Magical Forest’s lights are flipped on with Zowie Bowie
You know the holiday season has arrived in full force when our beloved local charity Opportunity Village turns on the lights to open its Magical Forest. This year, Monte Carlo headliner Chris Phillips, one half of Zowie Bowie with fiancee Marley Taylor, did the honors at the 18th annual festivities on Saturday night. Joined by the Champagne Creative Group Showgirls, they kicked off the holiday season with the tree lighting ceremony and judged a gingerbread house contest. More than 1 ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Donny’s correct prediction of Osmond vs. Osbourne
Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond laughingly predicted when Dancing With the Stars’ Season 9 got underway in August that a final of Osmond vs. Osbourne would be “funny, exciting television.” Well his unlikely prediction comes true tonight when he and Kelly Osbourne do battle against singer Mya in the last two episodes of the ABC hit this season. It’s come down to just the three of them and their professional dance partners Kym Johnson (Donny), Dmitry Chaplin (Mya) and Louis Van ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Allison Janney celebrates her 50th birthday
It was a Las Vegas vacation and a 50th birthday bash for Emmy Award-winning actress Allison Janney of The West Wing fame. The all-girls dinner at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms began with espresso shots. Allison ordered a 40-ounce rib eye to share and was then surprised with a delicious chocolate birthday cake. Later the group went to The Playboy Club, where Playboy Bunnies Jessa and Lagracella presented Allison with a Playboy key. Allison also celebrated with her co-star Megan ... Read more...
Latest odds on who’ll be in the Top Chef Las Vegas finals
It’s down to the Final Four on Top Chef Las Vegas, and judging by the newest odds posted last night, it looks as if the one surviving female cheftestant will be ousted, and the final showdown will be between two brothers and another male who just won himself a spot in the Bocuse d’Or, the world cooking Olympics. Our friend Johnny Avello, Wynn Race & Sports Book director, produced his odds for Week 13 of Season 6 — next Wednesday’s ... Read more...
MGM CityCenter Part 5: Meet the architects, and what’s still to come
Today is Part 5 of our five-part series on MGM’s CityCenter, opening next month on the Strip. The links to Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 are at the end of this story. It’s already been dubbed the newest wonder of the world. Now it’s time for the architects, who took MGM’s dream and vision and turned it into the reality of CityCenter, to take credit. Architect Cesar Pelli, who brought Aria with its retail, dining and entertainment extravaganza Crystals ... Read more...
Gossip Gems: Hangover sequel, Barry Manilow and chefs news
Rumors have quietly started that a sequel to The Hangover is in the works. Will that mean return cameos by Mike Tyson, Carrot Top and Wayne Newton? The Hangover, directed by Todd Phillips and starring Bradley Cooper, Heather Graham, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms, was shot here at Caesars Palace and became the sleeper hit of the year. Since its release, the blockbuster comedy has earned $277 million in the U.S. and North America and $182.1 million internationally, for a ... Read more...
Tito Ortiz makes return against Forrest Griffin in UFC 106
The stars will be shining brightly in Las Vegas yet again this weekend, and I’m not talking about what a KO’d fighter might be seeing! Celebrity fight fans are all set to flock ringside for Tito Ortiz’s return to UFC 106 at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Tito’s ladylove, former porn princess Jenna Jameson, also will be front row tomorrow night to root for her bad boy beau from Huntington Beach, Calif. Tito is fighting Forrest Griffin, who lost to Anderson ... Read more...
Opportunity Village opens its 18th annual Magical Forest
It’s the most beautiful holiday tradition in Las Vegas as the Opportunity Village Magical Forest opens its doors for the 18th annual holiday season celebration tomorrow night. This year’s newest attraction will be the Santa Speedway. The winter wonderland attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year and was ranked one of HGTV’s annual Top Holiday Destinations. Organizers hope to generate more than $1 million from the holiday fundraiser. Linda Smith, the incredible force behind our beloved local charity, said: “We ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: King of Formula One racing Michael Schumacher
Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, the king of Formula 1 racing, is competing at the 13th Superkarts USA SuperNationals at The Rio through Sunday, culminating in six hours of races on the final day. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue is in the pits and on the track covering “The Race of the Year” SuperNationals for Vegas DeLuxe. “I am not sure if you realize how special these photographs are. Hardly any photographers ever are granted the access I had today,” ... Read more...
MGM CityCenter Part 4: The luxurious Aria, Mandarin Oriental and Vdara
Today is Part 4 of our five-part series on MGM’s CityCenter, opening next month on the Strip. The links to Parts 1, 2 and 3 are at the end of this story. The new show Viva Elvis at CityCenter has announced that tickets will go on sale Dec. 15, which is when I get a sneak peek at the new Cirque du Soleil spectacular. Previews will start Dec. 18 and run through Jan. 28, with 25 percent off tickets before ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Lance Burton headlines magic awards special on TV
Our beloved Monte Carlo headliner Lance Burton is the star guest on tonight’s two-hour World Magic Awards hosted by Robert Wagner and Jill St. John on MyNetworkTV. It will feature 14 magic acts from around the world and includes Las Vegas magicians Joseph Gabriel and Franz Harary, plus our Ed Alonzo, who toured with Britney Spears and created the illusions in her Circus Tour this year. All next week, thanks to Las Vegas magic headliner Rick Thomas, late-night talk show ... Read more...
Lawsuits fly as Hackett’s show brings back The Rat Pack’s legacy
A tale of treachery and the horrific history of a lengthy legal battle lay behind tonight’s opening of Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show in the legendary Congo Room at the Sahara, known as the last of The Rat Pack hotels. It’s a fresh, exciting take on the comedic and musical legacy of the veteran Las Vegas institution. Sandy, who stars as the comic catalyst Joey Bishop to the famed Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin, ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Jimmie Johnson heads to town after big NASCAR race
NASCAR fans are right on the edge of sports history. This weekend marks the final week of the year’s racing schedule, and Jimmie Johnson is poised to win a record fourth consecutive championship in Miami at Homestead Speedway. All Jimmie has to do is finish 25th or better, and the triumph is his. Then he heads to Las Vegas for Champions Week and a slew of award presentations. Jimmie also will appear on our Stewie Awards Sirius Radio live broadcast ... Read more...
Lily Tomlin adds to star power at G2E Global Gaming Expo
Legendary actress and comedian Lily Tomlin, who has been enjoying her first run of Las Vegas shows at MGM Grand, added to the G2E Global Gaming Expo star power yesterday. Lily arrived at the Las Vegas Convention Center to play the new Ernestine’s Ringy Dingy Reels Starring Lily Tomlin slot machine in the Multimedia booth during the pre-eminent international event for the gaming entertainment industry. Longtime veteran Las Vegas gaming executive and legendary hotel owner Michael Gaughan received the American ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Holly Madison celebrates Beaujolais Nouveau
Celebrating the classic French tradition at Paris Las Vegas, Peepshow blonde bombshell Holly Madison and a Lucille Ball impersonator kicked off the resort’s third annual Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau celebration with a traditional grape stomp, reminiscent of the iconic I Love Lucy scene from the classic TV series. We posted my first photos right after yesterday afternoon’s ceremony, but here now is the professional photo gallery with contributions by leading lens lady Denise Truscello and contributing photographers Erik Kabik and ... Read more...
The Mirage celebrates its 20th anniversary with Siegfried & Roy
It was Nov. 22, 1989, when the massive Mirage resort casino opened its doors, and the Las Vegas landscape was forever changed with the arrival of the mega hotels. When locals and tourists saw The Mirage that opening night, they were stunned. MGM Mirage, whose new CityCenter project will open soon, eventually purchased The Mirage, conceived and built by Steve Wynn for $630 million financed by junk bonds created by financier Michael Milken. The Mirage set the new standard for ... Read more...
Alex Stratta hosts Top Chef viewing at Wynn; cheftestants down to four
By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor It was no surprise, at least for avid Wynn Race & Sports Book Director Johnny Avello devotees and Top Chef Las Vegas fans, that cheftestant Eli Kirshtein was told to pack up his knives last night by the Bravo series’ host, Padma Lakshmi. Johnny has had Kevin Gillespie as a front-runner for most of Season 6, and arrogant Eli was at the bottom heading into last night’s Culinary Olympics challenge at star chef Alex ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Oprah’s karaoke king celebrates Sushi Samba anniversary
It was a colorful evening of samba dancers and sake ladies for the first anniversary celebrations of Sushi Samba in the Palazzo last night. The festivities, which included Zowie Bowie’s Chris Phillips, coincided with Sushi Samba’s 10th anniversary of its East Coast restaurants and the launch of the new weekly Saki-oake nights. Oprah Winfrey’s $250,000 karaoke winner, the 6-foot-5, 350-pound Abraham McDonald, was the first opening guest. He told me that when he entered a karaoke contest in Southern California, ... Read more...
First Photos: Holly Madison crushes grapes, sips Beaujolais Nouveau
Right at the stroke of midnight Paris, France, time, Peepshow blonde beauty Holly Madison jumped into a tub of grapes outside the Paris resort casino this afternoon (3 p.m. local time) for a ceremony to celebrate the release of Beaujolais Nouveau. Holly was joined by a Lucille Ball look-alike to re-create the iconic scene of foot-stomping the grapes from the classic TV series I Love Lucy. Holly said she loved her first sip of the new 2009 harvest. “It’s the ... Read more...
MGM CityCenter Part 3: Crystals, the restaurants and the artwork
Today is Part 3 of our five-part series on MGM’s CityCenter, opening next month on the Strip. The links to Parts 1 and 2 are at the end of this story. It’s the first time in my long career of sitting at a typewriter or computer keyboard that I will fail to do justice to the subject at hand. It’s the first time that no words I type will be sufficient to accurately describe the dynamic and vibrant retail and ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Three Las Vegas chefs guest star on Top Chef
The remaining chef-testants on Bravo’s Top Chef Las Vegas face the Culinary Olympics tonight. The challenge is based on the Bocuse d’Or, the prestigious global cooking competition founded by French chef Paul Bocuse. His son Jerome Bocuse, who is a regular Las Vegas visitor, will serve as a guest judge with Bocuse D’Or USA Chairman Daniel Boulud of the Wynn and chef Thomas Keller of The Venetian. The Bocuse d’Or, founded in 1987, is regarded as the world’s pre-eminent competition ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Surprises propel Las Vegas favorites into DWTS finals
Fans of Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond rallied in overwhelming numbers to save him from the bottom in the semifinals and propel him into next week’s finals of Dancing With the Stars. Rock wild child and Las Vegas regular Kelly Osbourne also was saved from elimination, and as a result, model Joanna Krupa, who had been safely in second place, was eliminated from the contest. This means Las Vegas now has two of its favorites in the finals. Despite receiving high ... Read more...
Nominees announced for first NASCAR Stewie Awards in Las Vegas
The top NASCAR drivers will head to Las Vegas right after Thanksgiving for the first-time festivities of Champions Week that have previously always been held on the East Coast. They will even drive in a parade along the Las Vegas Strip, which will be closed for the occasion. It all kicks off Dec. 2 with a charity fan fest at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The official NASCAR/NMPA Awards with the Top 12 drivers takes place at The Venetian Showroom on ... Read more...
Top racers set for Superkarts USA SuperNationals at The Rio
In the world of motorsports, there are a few races that can be hailed as “The Race of the Year.” One such event is about to happen in of all places the sprawling parking lot at The Rio. It’s been converted into a full racetrack this week, with practice sessions starting today. Race events are scheduled for the next four days, with three of the world’s top Formula 1 drivers headlining the Superkarts USA SuperNationals that wrap up the 13th ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: G2E Global Gaming is in full swing with the stars
Much of the conversation at the G2E Global Gaming convention is gloomy. It centers on the recession and falling economy, the drop-off in revenues and players and casino debt borrowings from the banks. Depressing, bleak and filled with pessimism. So it took the stars to brighten the day and bring some glamour, pizzazz and dazzle to chase away the blues. Our Las Vegas News Bureau photographers Darrin Bush and Brian Jones were at the Las Vegas Convention Center when comedienne ... Read more...
Holly Madison to stomp grapes in Beaujolais Nouveau welcome
At one minute past midnight this evening, huge celebrations break out in France — and around the world — for the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau now ready for consumption just six weeks after the harvest. Fortunately for us, that will be 3:01 p.m. this afternoon with the time difference in Europe. Our highly anticipated tasting of bottles shipped here from France and arriving early afternoon comes with the most glamorous and unique party. Blonde bombshell, Peepshow headliner and reality ... Read more...
Two of three Las Vegas favorites in Dancing With the Stars finals
Viewer voting brought incredible surprises tonight on the semifinals of Dancing With the Stars. SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read any further if you want to get the full surprise and drama of watching the West Coast tape-delayed broadcast of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars. But come back after the show to compare notes with us! Fans were worried that Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond’s low score last night would eliminate him from the hit ABC show. Surprisingly, it was ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Sushi Samba anniversary to include Oprah’s karaoke king
Talk show titan Oprah Winfrey’s $250,000 karaoke winner was 6-foot-5, 350-pound Abraham McDonald, and now he’s headed to Las Vegas. Abraham will join me and Strip entertainers Zowie Bowie tomorrow when we try to perform the traditional Japanese ceremony of breaking open a giant barrel of sake. It’s to celebrate the first anniversary of Sushi Samba in the Palazzo, while locations in New York, Chicago and Miami celebrate their 10th anniversaries. There will be gorgeous samba dancers to brighten the ... Read more...
MGM CityCenter Part 2: CEO talks project, economy and tourism
Today is Part 2 of our five-part series on MGM’s CityCenter, opening next month on the Strip. The link to Part 1 is at the end of this story. With a price tag inching toward a whopping $10 billion, it’s the biggest bet ever placed in Las Vegas for the biggest private building complex ever created in the United States. Its shopping promenade might well be, in fact, the largest in the world at 500,000 square feet. As I’ve reported ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Melissa Rycroft and Tye Strickland’s last hurrahs
She may have lost The Bachelor, but she certainly won a real-life hunk, and now gorgeous Melissa Rycroft is all set to marry Tye Strickland on Dec. 12. Melissa and Tye are so much in love, they decided to celebrate their bachelor and bachelorette bashes simultaneously here at The Venetian and the Palazzo. Their 72-hour, honeymoon-styled celebration ended when Melissa jetted off to Los Angeles to appear on tonight’s Dancing With the Stars — click HERE for our Donny Osmond ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Emeril raises $1.9 million, lauds Mario, launches cafe
Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse set himself a dream target to raise $1 million at his extraordinary fundraiser Carnival du Vin over the weekend at the Palazzo and The Venetian. Instead, he smashed through that figure and amazingly wound up just a few dollars short of a double! Emeril’s fifth anniversary Emeril Lagasse Foundation event produced another stunner. He donated $50,000 from the proceeds, used for needy children’s causes in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast still ravaged from Hurricane ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Donny Osmond in fight for survival against Kelly Osbourne
It was not supposed to end like this! Our Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond had hoped and planned to appear in next week’s finals of Dancing With the Stars and go on to win the prized mirror disco ball trophy in Season 9. But after last night’s semifinals — click HERE for our full dance-by-dance, vote-by vote coverage — the Strip entertainer this morning is fighting for his life. His plans to dance in the finals with partner Kym Johnson appear ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: 90210’s Jessica Lowndes celebrates 21st birthday
90210 beauty Jessica Lowndes celebrated her 21st birthday with a Las Vegas getaway and a big party at Lavo in the Palazzo. Taking advantage of a rare day off from filming her The CW show, she flew in a day early to get a jumpstart on Christmas shopping at The Shoppes in the Palazzo. After glamming up, she used Twitter to send a photo of herself en route to see Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular next door at The ... Read more...
Is it between our Las Vegas favorites for last spot in DWTS finals?
After the nail-biting eliminations, tensions and injuries, it’s come down to four celebrities facing the judges in the semifinals: Tonight, it’s the saddest moment of all as one couple gets sent home after coming all this way and then failing to make the final cut. The Final Four: our Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond and his partner Kym Johnson, our Las Vegas regular Kelly Osbourne with Louis Van Amstel, former Las Vegas resident Derek Hough, the professional dancer teamed with model ... Read more...
MGM CityCenter Part 1: Opening festivities begin in two weeks
Today is Part 1 of our five-part series on MGM’s CityCenter, opening next month on the Strip. It’s already being called “The Capital of the New World,” a mind-blowing collection of spectacular hotels and residences, sensational spas, astonishing dining and extraordinary shopping all brought to life by eight world-renowned architects. This is the world’s best. This is CityCenter, and as the largest private complex ever built in America, it opens on the Strip exactly two weeks from tomorrow. That’s just ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Palms celebrates anniversary, birthday and wedding
Congratulations and Happy 8th Anniversary to Palms owner George Maloof. It’s difficult to believe that eight years have raced by since Paris Hilton was the guest of honor to cut the red ribbon back in November 2001. She wore a dress made from $100 chips that made global headlines. This also means congrats and Happy 8th to my pal Michael Boychuck for his celebrity-filled Amp salon at the Palms. TV sportscaster and regular Palms guest Jim Gray celebrated his 50th ... Read more...
Weekend Wrap Photo Galleries: Diddy, 50 Cent, Sammy, Chelsea
Everywhere you turned this past weekend, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs was in the spotlight. And everywhere the music mogul, rapper, producer, actor and fashion designer went, he was busy promoting his Ciroc vodka. In fact, he’s so in love with Las Vegas at the moment that he’ll be back for New Year’s Eve hosting a TV special and helping open the Hard Rock Hotel’s new nightclub Vanity. Vegas DeLuxe first reported Sean’s New Year’s Eve TV special here two weeks ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Hef’s No. 1 girlfriend Crystal Harris bares all her secrets
Blonde bombshell Crystal Harris says, as Hugh Hefner’s No. 1 girlfriend, that if he asked her to marry him, she would say yes! “My relationship with Hef is a lot stronger than the previous relationships he’s had. Our interests are the same, and we like doing the same things. He doesn’t seem any older to me because he’s like a kid that never grew up.” Crystal, 23, has been dating the 82-year-old Playboy tycoon since Halloween of last year. She ... Read more...
Is Donny Osmond’s wife jealous? Is Julianne Hough returning?
For the first time, Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond has revealed that it is difficult for his wife Debbie to watch him in the arms of “another woman” on Dancing With the Stars, the other woman being his pro partner Kym Johnson. “It’s tough on her,” he told fans. “It’s difficult for Debbie to watch. There is no concern on her part nor need there be, but to see me dancing romantically in the arms of another woman is just difficult ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Karina Smirnoff wows top chefs at Carnival du Vin
There’s no better place than Las Vegas to dance off to for a mini-vacation of some R&R down time, and ousted Dancing With the Stars beauty Karina Smirnoff did just that. By the looks of her male companion here, she also found herself a new beau, although I have been unable so far to get his name! Last Tuesday, Karina and her heartthrob partner Aaron Carter were eliminated from the hit ABC show, so Karina decided on the last-minute trip ... Read more...
G2E opens today at convention center with star-studded guest list
More than 520 exhibitors, including 93 international manufacturers, from 26 countries are set to kick off today’s G2E Global Gaming Expo at the sprawling Las Vegas Convention Center. G2E showcases cutting-edge technology with the latest casino games and industry leaders tackling forecasts for the industry. Strip headliner comedienne Rita Rudner is just one of the celebrities attending G2E. For the second time, she will be the opening keynote speaker and plans to share her insights about men, women, marriage and ... Read more...
Exclusive Photo Gallery: Manny Pacquiao celebrates at Mandalay Bay
It’s difficult to believe that just three hours after a brutal beating and bruising in the ring of a 12-round championship bout that Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao could be onstage belting out pop music — and directly after a hospital visit and a bandaged right ear after a blood-draining surgery. Said our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue, who had exclusive access for the after-fight concert at Mandalay Bay Events Center: “It was an unbelievable show. It also was a heartwarming event and ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Brutal battle goes 12 rounds before TKO
It was a brutal battle between Manny “The Pac-Man” Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto for 12 incredible rounds. They both took a beating from each other for the first six rounds at MGM Grand Garden Arena last night, with Miguel going down twice in the early going — and yet still continuing to fight to the end. But Pac-Man proved the ultimate warrior in the end. Miguel took the hardest beating but somehow managed to last still standing — albeit wobbly ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Wahlberg, Ferrell film The Other Guys on the Strip
Crowds on the Strip sidewalk brought traffic to a near stop this morning as they tried for a glimpse of movie stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg filming scenes of their new movie The Other Guys, the story of a dysfunctional New York City detective duo, at the Flamingo. Las Vegas regular and socialite Paris Hilton also is in the film and shot scenes in New York a week ago. Contributing photographer Erik Kabik was invited onto the set for ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Frank Caliendo’s grand opening features Strip rivals
It was a first for Las Vegas, at least maybe since the days of The Rat Pack when the friendly rivals strolled onstage to interrupt one another’s shows. It also was a first when the headliner took his applause from the audience at the end of the show and simply strolled down the stage steps and into the audience to walk out of the theater with them shaking hands and chatting! I’ve seen neither of those until last night, when ... Read more...
Pacquiao-Cotto Photo Gallery: Pac-Man reveals secret to Piven
The two fighters not only refused to look at each other, but they also wouldn’t pose for the traditional glaring picture nose to nose! Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao, however, did reveal a startling secret of his success in the ring: No sex before a major fight! At first, Pac-Man was embarrassed when Entourage star Jeremy Piven, who emceed the weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena, asked him if he abstained from sex before fights. Manny laughed: “This is like the Jimmy ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Julianne Hough, Chuck Wicks to announce break-up
No sooner had the gossip gurus gone gaga over the busted romance between country singer Chuck Wicks and our gorgeous Las Vegas Academy graduate Julianne Hough than they were seen holding hands at the CMA Awards in Nashville on Wednesday night. Julianne was a presenter and Chuck was on red carpet duty for Entertainment Tonight (Julianne didn’t walk the red carpet.) I’ve learned Chuck and Julianne will make a public statement in the next 48 hours, but the truth is ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: NVCI’s Rock for the Cure a star-studded gala
Stars from Hollywood and the Strip turned the 8th Annual Nevada Cancer Institute Rock for the Cure gala into a glittering success last night. CNN anchor Larry King, who has been master of ceremonies every year of the nonprofit’s biggest annual fundraising effort, welcomed prominent business executives in Nevada to The Mirage event, with proceeds going to support the NVCI’s cancer research program. Larry found a welcoming face upon his arrival to the pink carpet when he was greeted by ... Read more...
Tattoo art on display at Carey Hart’s Hart & Huntington
It had to be one of the most unusual art exhibitions ever! Normally, an art show attracts stuffy people in suits inside the hushed, respectful atmosphere of a museum. Not so when action sports star and stuntman Carey Hart puts on a show. Crowds lined the hallways of the Hard Rock Hotel and packed into Carey’s Hart & Huntington tattoo parlor for the unveiling of limited edition, original tattoo art prints. Carey was on hand to welcome guest artist Big ... Read more...
Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto weigh-in at MGM Grand today
Today, it’s face to face. Tomorrow, it’s fist to fist! At 3 p.m. this afternoon, the weigh-in between king of the ring Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao and welterweight champion Miguel Cotto takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Admission to the weigh-in is free and open to the public. Hollywood stars are trekking to fight central for the battle, mainly because if the Pac-Man wins as predicted, it sets in motion the ultimate mega-fight against Las Vegas’ own Floyd Mayweather ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: ‘Wounded Warriors’ receive a hero’s welcome
It was a highly charged, emotional moment as 70 soldiers marched down the colonnade of The Venetian with more than 1,000 of the casino resort’s team members lined up to welcome the uniformed troops. Hotel tycoon Sheldon Adelson of The Venetian and Palazzo and his wife Dr. Miriam Adelson had flown “The Wounded Warriors” from Washington, D.C., for an all-expense-paid, four-day Las Vegas vacation. It’s the fourth consecutive year the charitable couple have saluted the troops in honor of Veterans ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Bartender wins $10,000 at 2009 U.S. Flair Open
Five judges spent three days watching bartenders from all over the world show off their skills in the 2009 U.S. Flair Open here at Harrah’s Carnival Court. It was an extraordinary demonstration of juggling bottles of Rums of Puerto Rico. The contestants flipped, spun, threw, balanced and caught them. On top of those feats of flair, they also had to prove their knowledge of mixed rum cocktails. The judges scored them on levels of difficulty, smoothness, variety, originality, showmanship and ... Read more...
Uncovering the truth behind the swirling Peepshow rumors
Time to put a few rumors to rest. Time to clear up the confusion. Time to unravel fact from fiction. Let’s start by making it plain and simple: Peepshow starring Holly Madison at Planet Hollywood is not closing! Rumors have been ramping up all week to the point where they simply can’t be ignored anymore. I’d turned my back at the beginning of the week, knowing they were ridiculous, but since then, they’ve been escalating, so they must be addressed. ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Carlos Santana rolls up his sleeves to fight hunger
Guitar genius Carlos Santana has partnered with our local Three Square and World Hunger Year to help end hunger, and yesterday our contributing photographer Erik Kabik captured the master musician on his first visit to the food bank. Carlos, along with Noreen Springstead, director of marketing and fundraising for WHY, and Julie Murray, CEO and president of Three Square, spoke to VIP guests and members of the media to bring awareness to the important cause. Carlos took a tour of ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Atlanta housewife Nene Leakes takes Tao by storm
She’s just a real housewife from Atlanta, but Nene Leakes has taken reality TV by storm since first showing up on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta, a series CNN’s Anderson Cooper confesses to being a guilty pleasure. So much so that industry buzz is Nene has her own reality TV series lined up — and Hollywood stardom is already knocking at her door. If the turnout of fans and the curious at Tao in The Venetian for its weekly ... Read more...
Wayne Newton honors troops at his Tropicana show and ranch
More than 100 veterans from across the country, including Andy Baldwin of ABC’s The Bachelor, attended Wayne Newton’s new show Once Before I Go at the Tropicana last night. Wayne, who is chairman of the USO Celebrity Circle and has entertained our troops in every conflict since Vietnam, recognized them and asked them to stand if they were able. A spywitness said: “Those who could did, and an indescribable warmth spread through the theater as Wayne thanked them sincerely for ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: New Top Chef Las Vegas odds after Robin’s exit
Finally after weeks of winding up in the lowly bottom positions, budding chef Robin Leventhal was ousted in last night’s Top Chef Las Vegas on Bravo. That was exactly how Wynn Race & Sports Book Director Johnny Avello had predicted with his odds. Now he’s reset the odds, and next to go will be Eli Kirshtein, he says. Here are the new odds for next week’s Episode 12 in Season 6: Kevin Gillespie, who opened at 8/1, is currently an ... Read more...
Exclusive Photo Gallery: Fantasy’s sexy new routines
Former Baywatch star and redheaded beauty Angelica Bridges was forced to quit her headliner role in Fantasy at the Luxor on the very night of its re-choreographed 10th anniversary celebration last month. That meant all the planned new routines and songs were scrapped due to her sudden and unexpected resignation. Click HERE for our first story of how she left Las Vegas to return to Hollywood to fight an international child custody battle when her ex-husband threatened to keep her ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Big Kenny supports Three Square with concert
Country singer Big Kenny is another musical star supporting the work of our Three Square Food Bank, and at his concert at the Strip’s new Hard Rock Cafe, fans brought 2,500 pounds of nonperishable foods, enough to provide 2,000 meals for the needy in our Las Vegas community. It was Big Kenny’s Las Vegas debut of music from his first solo CD Quiet Times of a Rock ’n’ Roll Farm Boy. Country station KWNR sponsored the promotion and handed out ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Santana’s triumphant return to The Joint
To many people, Carlos Santana is America’s greatest living guitar player. He returned in triumph last night to The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel for a run of concerts through Nov. 22. It’s part of his two-year residency at the off-Strip property. Carlos’ contract doesn’t allow him to perform anywhere else west of the Mississippi other than here at the Hard Rock. Our contributing photographers Erik Kabik and Scott Harrison were front row center last night for the first ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Celine Dion confirms failed pregnancy attempt
Sadly, international pop star Celine Dion confirmed last night that her current pregnancy bid with fertility treatments has ended, but she intends to try again this weekend at a New York clinic. I’d heard the news two days ago but waited until Celine herself had confirmed the sensitive matter. In August, the 41-year-old former Caesars Palace headliner and Lake Las Vegas resident quietly revealed that she had achieved her goal to become pregnant again with the implantation of a frozen ... Read more...
Leno, Fator, King and Miss USA to attend NVCI gala tonight
More than 900 guests including reigning Miss USA Kristen Dalton will attend tonight’s 8th Annual Nevada Cancer Institute’s fundraising gala “Rock for the Cure.” NBC primetime host Jay Leno will join with Strip headliner Terry Fator at the glittering event to be hosted by CNN talk show royal Larry King as emcee at The Mirage. Many of Nevada’s most prominent business and community leaders will be attending what is regarded as one of the biggest functions on the social calendar. ... Read more...
It’s celebration time for WSOP champion Joe Cada at Caesars Palace
New World Series of Poker champion Joe Cada wasted no time becoming a high roller after his amazing $8.5 million win early Tuesday morning at The Rio. The 21-year-old Detroit college dropout shelled out nearly $1 million for a blowout to beat them all for his 70-strong cheering squad who came to Las Vegas from Michigan to support him. Click HERE for our Tuesday story and photo gallery we posted here at Vegas DeLuxe. I’m reliably told that Joe put ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Las Vegas stars pay tribute to troops on Veterans Day
Mr. Las Vegas Wayne Newton, who serves as the chairman of the USO Celebrity Circle, will welcome more than 100 men and women in uniform to his show Once Before I Go at the Tropicana tonight as his guests. He’ll meet and greet each one of them and then treat them to lunch tomorrow at his ranch home Casa Shenandoah. Tomorrow, Blue Man Group at The Venetian will donate proceeds from their show to the ThanksUSA organization benefiting the families ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Lily Tomlin’s show ‘clever, thought-provoking humor’
Not Playing With a Full Deck, comedienne Lily Tomlin’s debut Las Vegas show after 40 years in showbiz, starts and ends in very unique ways. She is shot from a cannon for her white-top-hat entrance from the rear of MGM’s Hollywood Theater and uses her Twitter to say she’s landed safely in Sin City. The 70-year-old legendary performer ends the night walking the stage and, totally unscripted, answers questions from the audience. I have never seen that in Las Vegas ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: It’s Fantasy vs. Thunder From Down Under
At first, it looked as if the handsome hunks of Australia’s Thunder From Down Under would simply overpower the gorgeous girls from the adult revue Fantasy. But you know the ladies always have a few tricks up their sleeves, however short and brief they might be. And sure enough, when they went into combat for a live human rooster fight, it was the girls who grabbed the gold! The contest between the sexy Strip entertainers took place at the mischievous ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Bartenders compete in 2009 U.S. Flair Open at Harrah’s
Bartenders from Las Vegas and around the world are in competition at the 2009 U.S. Flair Open, which began yesterday with qualifying rounds at Harrah’s Carnival Court on the Strip. There’s $30,000 at stake, with $10,000 of the prize money going to the winning bartender. A panel of five judges scores the contestants as they flip, spin, throw and catch not only bottles but also the drinks themselves. They are judged on degree of difficulty, smoothness, variety, originality, showmanship and ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto arrive at MGM Grand
No sooner do the cowboys and the bulls roll out of town than in rolls another set of firepower. This time it’s the firepower from the Philippines going up against the pride of Puerto Rico. Dozens of Hollywood stars and VIPs have already said that they’re flying into Las Vegas to watch the boxing match. Yesterday, the King of the Ring and Fighter of the Year Manny Pacquiao arrived at the MGM Grand ahead of Saturday’s big fight, and our ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Aaron exits, Donny’s safe, Julianne and Chuck break up
After weeks of scraping the bottom of the board, singer Aaron Carter and his pro partner Karina Smirnoff were eliminated on last night’s Dancing With the Stars on ABC. Our Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond was declared safe to go on to next week’s semifinals. It came down to the wire between our Las Vegas regular Kelly Osbourne and Aaron. Kelly won out and continues to next Monday’s show, but experts believe that it will be the end of the line ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: It’s a holly, jolly Holly Madison for the holidays
Peepshow beauty Holly Madison was photographed at Rao’s in Caesars Palace for a luxury magazine holiday pictorial, and unlike her Playboy photo sessions, this time she kept on all of her clothes! The layout that shows Holly as she’s never been seen before with a Vintage Vegas look and hairstyle to showcase new winter fashions and jewelry was shot by photographer Jim Decker for the December issue of Luxury Las Vegas. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik and I were invited ... Read more...
Who are the Final Four on Dancing With the Stars?
I am at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand for a quick 50-minute morsels of magnificence meal before Lily Tomlin’s debut, her first-ever Las Vegas premiere, so tonight’s report will be abbreviated. SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read any further if you want to get the full surprise and drama of watching the West Coast tape-delayed broadcast of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars. But come back after the show to compare notes with us! From Twitter: The first ... Read more...
Resorts, restaurants sparkle with Five Diamond Awards
Congratulations to a slew of Las Vegas resorts and restaurants for winning the renowned AAA Five Diamond Awards for 2010. Both The Venetian and the Palazzo owned by Sheldon Adelson were recognized for excellence. “It is very gratifying that in its first year of eligibility, the Palazzo has been recognized with AAA Five Diamonds, and we are equally proud that, for the third consecutive year, The Venetian has also achieved this distinction,” said Rob Goldstein, president of both properties. “To ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Sesame Street turns 40 with visit from first lady
Today our Las Vegas PBS affiliate broadcasts the premiere episode of Sesame Street’s 40th season, and it features a visit by first lady Michelle Obama. To mark the occasion, Elmo pays a visit to our Sunrise Children’s Hospital with fun activities for patients. Sunrise patients will decorate Sesame Street Thanksgiving turkeys and participate in a story time with Elmo and Las Vegas PBS representatives. A birthday card for Sesame Street also will be on hand for children to sign and ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Agassi opens up about drugs, ‘dark places’ and underwear
Hometown tennis legend Andre Agassi admitted last night that he will spend “every day of my life atoning” for his explosive and shocking revelations of drug use and thrown championship tennis matches. The now clean-cut athlete and philanthropist said: “Success, money and fame only magnified the lack of understanding to my life. I made a lot of wrong turns. I got into some very dark places. Now I fight for peace every day, and fortunately I win most days.” Andre ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Dan Marino opens pizza restaurant at Town Square
Although he’s known for being one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Dan Marino confesses to a big weakness: He loves pizza! So much so that the Miami Dolphins Hall of Famer has opened 19 pizza parlors in Florida. Now with his pizza partner Anthony Bruno, Dan’s opened his first outpost outside the Sunshine State right here in Las Vegas. Both men are proud that Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza is one of the first coal-fired pizza palaces in the ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Joe Cada becomes WSOP’s youngest winner at 21
It took just about three hours for 21-year-old Joe Cada to produce the winning cards and walk away with $8,547,042 in winnings and the prized bracelet proclaiming him World Series of Poker champion. Joe became the youngest player to win in WSOP’s 40-year history. Now all he wants to do is return next year and become the first back-to-back winner! His journey to fame and fortune had begun in July when 6,494 players from all over the world first sat ... Read more...
Lily Tomlin makes her Las Vegas debut after 40 years in showbiz
Actress and comedienne Lily Tomlin has racked up awards and success during her extraordinary 40-year entertainment career, but until now, the 70-year-old, six-time Emmy Award winner has never played Las Vegas live. That all changes tonight with her debut and the premiere of her comedy show Not Playing With a Full Deck. Widely known for her caustic character of telephone operator Ernestine on Laugh-In, Lily promises that the saucy, sexually frustrated Cruella will be back for the nine-day run at ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Donny Osmond’s DWTS dream is in danger
Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond looked comfortably among the top three dance couples with a score of 26 for the Viennese waltz with his partner Kym Johnson. Moments later, their decision to perform a futuristic glam-rock interpretation of the paso doble to “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” was slammed by the judges, who described his costume as a Halloween cast-off! They gave them only 24 points for a total of 50 for the night’s two dances. Aaron Carter and ... Read more...
Final Five have two routines each on Dancing With the Stars
Tonight’s recap will be abbreviated, as I’ll be at the Encore Theater in the Wynn at 7 p.m. watching tennis ace and Las Vegas resident Andre Agassi being interviewed by ESPN’s Rick Reilly. So much news on a Monday night! SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read any further if you want to get the full surprise and drama of watching the West Coast tape-delayed broadcast of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars. But come back after the show to compare ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Joey Chestnut wins inaugural meatball-eating contest
Could you devour six pounds of spicy Italian meatballs in just 10 minutes? That’s 48 two-ounce taste treats balanced on knife and fork. At the first-ever Martorano’s Masters Meatball Championship in The Rio yesterday, 11 contestants sat down to see if it was possible. Ten failed. Only one man was up to the task, as top-ranked Major League Eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut pulled off the coup thanks to two weeks of practice of eating nothing but meatballs morning, noon and ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Wayne Brady hopes to return to The Venetian next year
Doctors ordered comedian and TV host Wayne Brady to rest his vocal chords and give up his October shows at The Venetian. Now the physicians have said the vocal chords haven’t healed sufficiently, so Wayne’s return won’t happen until early next year, but the delay will keep him there through the end of next year. Wayne will continue his afternoon Let’s Make a Deal hosting duties at the Tropicana, but the double duty had doctors advising him to cut back. ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Newly crowned Miss Nevada USA is a familiar face
Congratulations to Julianna Erdesz, who has won the 2010 Miss Nevada USA Pageant. She was crowned over the weekend here in Las Vegas and will represent the Silver State in Donald Trump’s Miss USA Pageant to be broadcast live on NBC from Planet Hollywood next spring. Julianna competed as Miss Nevada in last year’s Miss America Pageant at Planet Hollywood, which was won by Miss Indiana Katie Stam. Coincidentally, another competitor in this year’s Miss Nevada USA Pageant was former ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Vince Neil’s poker event makes everyone feel good
The timing was perfect! Poker players and fans waited yesterday and today for resumption of play at 10 tonight between Darvin Moon and Joe Cada to see who wins the $8.6 million top prize in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event. What to do in the meantime with all that down time while these two guys are sleeping off their battle over the other seven players in the November Nine that ended at 6 a.m.? Motley Crue frontman ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Lostroh wins PBR world title, Mauney World Finals event
In the “toughest sport on Earth,” the final results — as it all came down to the final seconds — couldn’t have been closer if a Hollywood screenwriter had crafted the scenario. Colorado cowboy Kody Lostroh won the 2009 Professional Bull Riders world champion title at our Thomas & Mack Center in what was the tightest race in the 16 -year history of the PBR. Kody picked up the gold belt buckle, more than $500,000 in winnings and the $1 ... Read more...
DWTS: Donny’s thirst for victory; Susan Boyle to make U.S. debut
The plan was to keep it a top secret until tonight’s announcement on Dancing With the Stars. But it’s now confirmed that British TV sensation Susan Boyle, who was the runner-up in Britain’s Got Talent, will be singing on tomorrow night’s results show. Against the backdrop of ratings intrigue, our Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond has now revealed that dance partner Kym Johnson and he are fully determined to win the prized and prestigious disco ball trophy. “We’re not giving up ... Read more...
PBR world champ Kody Lostroh gets $1.5 million, gold belt buckle, kiss
Colorado cowboy Kody Lostroh drives home tomorrow from Las Vegas with an additional $1.5 million in his wallet, plus the awesome Professional Bull Riders trophy now that he’s the new 2009 world champion. Kody picked up the bonus $1 million Ford Truck Series check to add to his $500,000 in winnings for his 10 days in town. Kody beat all the bulls in the first seven rounds but lost his rope on the final Round 8 today. However, he had ... Read more...
Logger, youngest Top 2 finisher ever battle for WSOP’s $8.2 million
It’s all come down to a Maryland logger who doesn’t own a cell phone and who is yet to ever use e-mail and the youngest-ever player in the World Series of Poker final. After 14 hours of punishing play, the two men, Darvin Moon and 21-year-old Joe Cada, were the remaining poker players at The Rio at 6 a.m. today. Now they are sleeping and will face each other at 10 p.m. tomorrow in the Penn & Teller Theater at ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Tony Hawk and friends, Shayne Lamas and Everclear
The weekend of stars on parade in Las Vegas continued yesterday and last night, and we wanted to post them today in a special series of photo galleries rather than wait until tomorrow. There was an all-star turnout for Tony Hawk’s debut of his video game Tony Hawk: Ride, which he unveiled with a skate carnival at the Wynn yesterday. Peepshow stars Holly Madison and Aubrey O’Day turned up to add glamour to the beefcake provided by tennis superstar and ... Read more...
PBR Photo Gallery: Five riders tie for first in Round 6
For the first time in the 16-year history of the Professional Bull Riders World Finals, not one, not two, but five riders tied for top honors in the sixth round last night. Whether that means they all win an individual gold buckle or get to rotate it for two months each in the next year will be decided this morning! However, all of them won a $14,000 payday, each scoring 89.25 points. Today is the final day of the two-weekend ... Read more...
Angelica Bridges gets down and dirty at 2009 PBR World Finals
When gorgeous redheaded singer and former Baywatch beauty Angelica Bridges heard that the cowboys were coming to town, she wanted to “get down in the dirt with them,” and last night she realized that goal at the 2009 Professional Bull Riders World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center. Angelica swapped the sexy, barely there costumes of her headline show Fantasy at the Luxor for a Stetson hat, jeans, boots and a plaid shirt and posed for photos with cowboys ... Read more...
PBR Photo Galleries: Kody Lostroh wins again, retains overall lead
For the second consecutive night, championship leader Kody Lostroh won the Professional Bull Riders World Finals round that puts him closer to tomorrow’s $1 million prize and the world championship title. The Longmont, Colo., superstar cowboy notched a 91.25 point ride at our Thomas & Mack Center on angry bucking bull Troubadour to win another $25,000 and extend his lead over rival J.B. Mauney of Mooresville, N.C. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue once again faced danger for this close-up, all-action ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Kelly Clarkson, Holly Madison, R. Kelly, Joanna Krupa
It was a night of work, followed by a morning of partying, for the stars who invaded Las Vegas this weekend. Our contributing photographers Erik Kabik and Scott Harrison managed to miraculously keep up with them all as they performed and played around town. Kelly Clarkson @The Joint Mega pop star Kelly Clarkson had a sold-out, enthusiastic crowd of fans for her concert at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel, and it even brought out a New York Yankees ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: MGM’s CityCenter will be a wonder of the world
It is the most extraordinary architecture ever seen in Las Vegas — and even in America. It is so different and unique, quite honestly, it’s un-Vegas! In fact, it’s so new and different, it’s unlike anything else on Earth. It will join the design attractions of the world’s best: the Pompidou Center in Paris, the Sony Center in Berlin and the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain. Truth is that CityCenter sets an entire new hallmark of design in America and when ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: B.B. King opens his blues club at The Mirage
The secret ingredients on the menu at legendary blues guitarist B.B. King’s club opening tonight at The Mirage are live entertainment, soul food and the music of the world’s best blues guitarist! General Manager Cheryl Vereen, executive chef Oscar Pena and sous chef Charles McCann will oversee the “smooth operation.” Cheryl, a Las Vegas resident, accepted the position after three years as the general manager at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, Oscar has honed his culinary skills at the ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: A glittering green carpet at the Latin Grammy Awards
It was a glittering night of glamour at the Latin Grammy Awards at Mandalay Bay last night, and Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria Parker and recording sensation Alicia Keys simply dazzled. Our contributing photographers Erik Kabik, Scott Harrison and the lens men from the Las Vegas News Bureau were all on the green carpet duty for the arrivals and our great photo gallery. Eva is opening a branch of her Hollywood restaurant Beso here at MGM’s new CityCenter and its ... Read more...
PBR Photo Gallery: It’s neck-and-neck for top World Finals riders
The battle for world champion has really come down to a neck-and-neck finish between this year’s leader, Kody Lostroh, and his nipping-at-his-spurs challenger J.B. Mauney. As if to demonstrate the season-long rivalry, the two respectful rivals placed first and second last night at the Thomas & Mack Center here. Kody, 24, of Longmont, Colo., was the only rider with a 90-point ride of the night. North Carolina native J.B. was second with 89 points and an $18,000 check. Only three ... Read more...
Vince Neil hosts 5th annual poker event ahead of solo tour
Rock stars will join poker princes and princesses at Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil’s fifth annual celebrity charity poker tournament at The Rio on Sunday evening. The No Limit Texas Hold ’Em event benefits the Skylar Neil Foundation, named after his young daughter who died after a long battle with cancer in 1995. The event begins with a 6 p.m. cocktail party for celebrities and players and is followed by a live charity auction before play starts at 7. We’ll ... Read more...
November Nine in the hunt for $27 million in World Series of Poker
At high noon tomorrow, nine card players will battle for the top prize of $8.5 million and split what’s left from the overall $27 million at the finals of the 40th Annual World Series of Poker. Either way, it’s not a bad payday! The showdown takes place at the Penn & Teller Theater in The Rio. Seven of those men will be eliminated, and two will remain for Monday’s 10 p.m. head-to-head face-off to find the 2009 WSOP bracelet winner ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Bette Midler to end Caesars Palace run on Jan. 31
Superstar entertainer Bette Midler announced today that the final performance of her Caesars Palace spectacular The Showgirl Must Go On will be Jan. 31. It marks the end of her two-year residency at The Colosseum, which began on Feb. 20, 2008. “What a fabulous two years this has been, and I thank AEG and Caesars Palace for the best partnership a showgirl could imagine. Who knows? These legs have had such a great run in the desert — it may ... Read more...
Professional bull riders resume chase for $1 million title
It will take a miracle for professional bull rider and reigning world champion Guilherme Marchi of Brazil to win the first-ever back-to-back championship title at the Professional Bull Riders World Finals, which resume tonight at Thomas & Mack Center and continue through Sunday. Guilherme was the odds-on favorite when it all began as the tightest race in the 16-year history of PBR, but he was bucked off bulls all three times during last weekend’s opening rounds. He was strongly tipped ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Louis Prima Jr. continues ‘King of Swing’s’ legacy
From the 1950s through the 1970s, Louis Prima Sr. was a legendary Las Vegas headliner. Celebrities, high rollers and The Rat Pack were regulars at what was known as the “wildest show” in Las Vegas. For 40 years, he commanded top billing! Now Louis Prima Jr. has begun to carry on his father’s legacy as “The King of Swing,” and he’s moved to Las Vegas preparing for his own assault on the Strip. Our leading lady of the lens Denise ... Read more...
Comedy, music and nightlife venue Dead Man’s Hand opens tomorrow
The new rock, comedy and nightlife venue Dead Man’s Hand opens tomorrow night at the Playground with a performance by System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan and his celebrity friends. Additionally, there’s a comedy show and music set from the stars who make up the group The Starf******. The group performs again Saturday for Bluff magazine’s World Series of Poker Final table celebration. It’s made up of musicians from Guns ’n’ Roses, Rob Zombie, Stray Cats and Alice Cooper’s ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Latin Grammy Awards week honors legends
It’s the biggest night in Latin music, and Las Vegas will play host to the Latin Grammy Awards this evening at Mandalay Bay. The live global telecast starts here at 5 p.m. for the 8 p.m. East Coast primetime airing on Univision. All week long, stars, producers, publishers and songwriters have been celebrating here. It began with a kickoff party downtown at the Fremont Street Experience, continued with the Walk of Fame celebrations and ended with the Lifetime Achievement Awards. ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: CityCenter progresses; Viva Elvis at Aria
Vegas DeLuxe has just obtained the newest set of extraordinary photos of MGM’s amazing CityCenter complex opening now in less than 25 days. I’ll get one of the first official tours tomorrow, and I’ve been told in advance, “Be prepared to be stunned!” These new photos here clearly show the Cirque du Soleil theater for the new Elvis Presley musical, along with the slanted Veer Towers, the Harmon and Mandarin Oriental hotels, plus an overall view of CityCenter and a ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Danica Patrick to become first female NASCAR driver?
Insiders expect the racecar world to be shaken up today with the surprise announcement that Danica Patrick will become NASCAR’s first female driver. The Indy 500 racer is expected to sign a two-year-deal with JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Nationwide series operation owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. I am reliably told that Danica will take to the track in 12 or 13 Nationwide races next year, including the big race here at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the last weekend in February. ... Read more...
Holly Madison tweets an ex-boyfriend is possibly stalking her
Peepshow star Holly Madison is asking fans, friends and her Planet Hollywood cast mates how to deal with an ex-boyfriend she thinks is stalking her. Late last night, Holly sent two short messages via Twitter asking: “How would one interpret an ex constantly showing up at the sushi restaurant next to my theater an hour before my show starts … especially when he doesn’t like sushi.” Holly then bluntly asked: “Is this stalker status or overly confrontational?” The restaurant she ... Read more...
Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez visits Planet Hollywood today
Gorgeous Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez will be at Planet Hollywood this morning for the briefest of visits. Stefania, 19, will be at the casino resort’s Extra Lounge to sign autographs and pose for photographs with fans for just one hour — from 10 to 11 a.m. The public is encouraged to stop by and say hello to the Venezuelan beauty, who is the country’s second consecutive Miss Universe — a first for the Miss Universe Pageant — following in ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence: Meatballs, truffles, Dan Marino, Josette’s Bistro
Hot off the grill! It’s Steve Martorano’s first-ever Master’s Meatball Eating Championships, and top-ranked, major league eaters will meet at the star-studded Italian restaurant in The Rio on Sunday for a high-noon showdown. The contestants include No. 1-ranked Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who wants the distinguished title of world meatball-eating champion and the lion’s share of a $3,000 cash purse. Joey has won the past three Fourth of July Nathan’s Famous hot dog-eating contests and dozens of other big eating contests, ... Read more...
Paris Hilton to host private, $10 million Caesars Palace party
An Asian automotive tycoon is shelling out million$ today for one of the biggest, private high-roller parties ever held in Las Vegas, and he’s sent a private jet to pick up TV star and socialite Paris Hilton to play hostess for him. I’m reliably told that “money is absolutely, totally no object,” as the monied mogul here for the SEMA convention has recruited a major Las Vegas nightclub management team to organize it all for him. Preliminary numbers being talked ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Mario Lopez to return as host of Miss America Pageant
Have you dreamed of becoming an actor on TV or in the movies? Have you wondered what it takes to be a top-rated television host? Well ponder no more because Mario Lopez is headed to Las Vegas to give people inside industry secrets and tips at an upcoming Actors Expo. The host of Extra and MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew will be the keynote speaker at the Nov. 15 session at Rave Motion Pictures in Town Square. It’s an opportunity ... Read more...
Marie Osmond and longtime manager split over failed TV show
Showbiz insiders are in shock over the surprise split between Flamingo star Marie Osmond and Karl Engemann, her veteran manager of 35 years, even more so over the stunning claims and counter claims now flying in a series of lawsuits that have surfaced over the past few days. We’ve learned that the behind-the-scenes strife festered and exploded over the last-minute cancellation of Marie’s syndicated TV talk show that was to be filmed at the Flamingo in August and September. The ... Read more...
Guess who’s coming to Top Chef: Las Vegas dinner?
Even though odds have been posted for the six remaining contestants on Bravo’s Top Chef: Las Vegas, they clear out of the kitchen tonight for a special episode of “All-Stars Dinner.” Season 5 fan favorite Fabio Viviani will host a get-together with a challenge of past cheftestants as they rehash their favorite moments from the series. The all-star lineup, including winners and favorite competitors, will include Las Vegas’ own Marcel Vigneron and Season 3 winner Hung Huynh, plus Season 2 ... Read more...
2008 Miss America runner-up competing for Miss Nevada USA
The rules in the beauty pageant circuit permit this, but some people are scratching their heads wondering how a former Miss America runner-up can now compete for the crown in the rival Miss USA Pageant. 2007 Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto, who lives here in Las Vegas full time now, is one of the 15 gorgeous girls competing Saturday in the 2010 Miss Nevada USA Pageant. In February last year, Elyse was second runner-up in the 2008 Miss America Pageant held ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Three Las Vegas favorites in Final Five on DWTS
With last night’s eliminations on Dancing With the Stars, our three Las Vegas favorites remain safe going into the Final Five. Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond with partner Kym Johnson, Las Vegas regular Kelly Osbourne and partner Louis Van Amstel and Las Vegas Academy graduate Derek Hough with model and poker princess Joanna Krupa will go up against singer Mya with Dmitry Chaplin and one-time teen heartthrob Aaron Carter partnered with Karina Smirnoff next Monday. Aaron narrowly avoided elimination by beating ... Read more...
Final Five are in place on Dancing With the Stars
Our spoiler-alert results story is abbreviated tonight as I am attending psychic comic Kevin Burke’s 13-month anniversary celebration at the Fitz downtown just as the live East Coast broadcast of Dancing With the Stars ends. SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read any further if you want to get the full surprise and drama of watching the West Coast tape-delayed broadcast of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With the Stars. But come back after the show to compare notes with us! Early on, ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Paris Hilton turns to Michael Boychuck for TV appearance
Top celebrity hair king Michael Boychuck had his hands filled with the hair of the Hilton honeys the past few days. His Hilton-packed week as the go-to colorist of the stars began when Paris flew him to her Los Angeles home to tame the tresses for her Halloween appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC. The owner of our Color salon at Caesars Palace and Amp and Primp salons in the Palms, Michael first worked his platinum blonde magic on ... Read more...
The Mob returns to the Strip — in new business venture
Two groups are in a turf war over who will be first to open a Mafia memorabilia display showing the early history of the Las Vegas world headquarters for gaming. One museum is to be located downtown as a tourist attraction, and our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman is heavily promoting that group. Another group led by Jay Bloom says within three weeks, they’ll have the jump-start and will announce their Las Vegas Mob exhibition right on the Strip ... Read more...
Is Michael Jackson ‘live’ show coming to Las Vegas?
New state-of-the-art, cutting-edge holographic technology could be used to bring a “live” Michael Jackson show to the Strip. That’s the incredible plan being proposed and developed by a concert promoter who worked with the King of Pop. The proposed Las Vegas residency, which would have a live-action, full-body, three-dimensional image of Michael onstage solo or alongside singers and dancers, comes on the heels of this past weekend’s $100-million-plus global haul for This Is It. (The docu-movie grossed $23 million alone ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: CityCenter takes final shape ahead of opening next month
Cranes are coming down, buildings are near completion, and CityCenter is preparing for its opening to the world in the middle of next month. The newest set of MGM corporate photos shows breathtaking aerial views of its city taking final shape. The Aria Resort & Casino, the Vdara Condo Hotel and the luxurious Mandarin Oriental hotel are now all standing at their final height, along with the uniquely shaped rooftop of the Crystals retail arcade nearing completion. Other features also ... Read more...
DWTS Photo Gallery: Two couples go home tonight — is Kelly one of them?
Nobody expected last night’s shakeup on Dancing With the Stars, and nobody knows how the unpredictable viewers voted last night for tonight’s results show. The judges changed the dynamics of the show, and the viewers could overrule or agree with them in tonight’s double elimination. At the top of the leaderboard for the couples dance was singer Aaron Carter and Karina Smirnoff with their highest score of the season at 29 — including two perfect 10s from judges Len Goodman ... Read more...
Ozzy Osbourne’s shocking confession: the night he tried to kill Sharon
Rocker Ozzy Osbourne has never hidden the fact that he was addicted to drugs and alcohol at the height of his career with Black Sabbath. It probably explains why he bit the head off a bat — and two doves. But until now, the father of Dancing With the Stars contestant Kelly Osbourne has never disclosed that he once tried to kill his wife Sharon! The Osbournes are Las Vegas regulars, and Sharon, Ozzy, Kelly and son Jack all admit ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: Texas Tenors perform on third day of PBR World Finals
It was time to step out of the shadows and shine in the spotlight. Every night at Jerry Springer’s America’s Got Talent Live at Planet Hollywood, The Texas Tenors appear with several other winning acts from the NBC series. They were invited by the Professional Bull Riders World Finals to perform the nation anthem on Day 3 at Thomas & Mack Center, and the cowboys and cowgirls gave them one incredible, rousing standing ovation! Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was ... Read more...
Professional bull riders keep eyes on the PBR Trophy prize
It’s all about the coveted trophy and $1 million prize. Eight months of battling the bulls around the country in the preliminary competitions, and then suddenly all roads lead to Las Vegas for the Professional Bull Riders World Finals. It’s the big time, and the prize is one staggering trophy. To some, the honor and glory of winning the trophy are more important than the money. To others, the $1 million prize can change their lives, relieving them of poverty ... Read more...
Beyonce to return to the Wynn alternating with Garth Brooks?
Hotel tycoon Steve Wynn has been discussing Beyonce’s return to his Encore Theater at the Wynn to alternate with country singer Garth Brooks’ appearances there over the next five years! Steve and Beyonce’s father, Matthew Knowles, who serves as her manager, have talked about a regular series of short-run appearances modeled after Garth’s contract. Meantime, before that deal is signed, sealed and delivered, Beyonce’s last concert here at the Wynn will be seen and heard on CD and DVD just ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: SEMA draws attendees from more than 100 countries
It’s one of the biggest conventions of the year on our Las Vegas calendar. SEMA, the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, is not open to the public. But it draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to the Las Vegas Convention Center and attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries in the automotive, truck, SUV and RV markets. Las year, SEMA drew more than 50,000 domestic and international buyers alone wandering ... Read more...
Double shocker on DWTS: Is Las Vegas favorite in trouble?
Just as the experts smugly lay back with their predictions in place, chaos erupted on tonight’s Dancing With the Stars and completely shook up the standings. Three duos danced as Team Tango, and the remaining four danced as Team Paso Doble, changing routines right down to the deadline dress rehearsals. SPOILER ALERT: Please do not read any further if you want to get the full surprise and drama of watching the West Coast tape-delayed broadcast of ABC’s top-rated Dancing With ... Read more...
Vegas DeLuxe reaches one-year milestone on Nov. 1
One year ago, Peepshow star Holly Madison and Mindfreak magician and Believe star Criss Angel confirmed their relationship. We at Vegas DeLuxe remember because we reported the relationship and the opening of Cirque du Soleil’s Believe at the Luxor at that time. While Holly and Criss are no longer together, Believe is still playing, and hundreds of bylines later, we are still posting stories and photos about Las Vegas’ celebrity and entertainment world (many of them about Holly!) seven days ... Read more...
Strip Scribbles: Fantasy continues to change after a decade
Now that former Baywatch beauty Angelica Bridges is back as the star of Fantasy at the Luxor, changes are underway to mark its actual 10th anniversary yesterday. Click HERE for our most recent story about Angelica’s turmoil after her opening night. Producer Anita Mann says she’s hoping to present again the new songs and dance routines with a smaller premiere in the next two weeks so that everybody can properly see the changes. “Three new routines are being added this ... Read more...
PBR Photo Gallery: No pain, no gain in race for $1 million world title
The 45 professional bull riders competing in the Professional Bull Riders World Finals here this week know they face life-threatening injuries — if not paralysis and death — each time they buck the meanest animals on Earth for the 8-second ride. There are stories of broken bones, strained groin muscles, concussions — and that’s if you’re lucky. Others have been paralyzed after a bull stomps on their heads, and still others have died. Ryan McConnell knows this all too well. ... Read more...
Counter Intelligence: Major shakeups in our restaurant scene
Wicked whispers and racy rumors hot off the grill! It’s been a week of massive, unexpected turmoil in our Las Vegas fine-dining industry — some shocking surprises, to say the least. I’ve had to keep the identities secret to protect the innocent and to not expose the guilty, but the food and beverage executives are in disbelief at the major changes. The most stunning change was the supposed resignation, firing and instant rehiring of one F&B head honcho for the ... Read more...
Photo Gallery: A year with the New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are one game away today from defeating the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies and winning the World Series. Game 5 is in the City of Brotherly Love at 4:57 p.m. and airs on Fox. Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue, who in his illustrious career has worked for the Detroit Tigers and the Dallas Cowboys, compiled this gallery of Yankees photos he snapped this year. Tom this week continues to shoot the Professional Bull Riders World Finals at ... Read more...
Photo Galleries: Stars, and more stars, celebrate Halloween on the Strip
Hollywood celebrities galore shuttled between Tao and Lavo’s nightclubs and restaurants in The Venetian and Palazzo all weekend long. Halloween began a day earlier at Tao with a “Halloweighties” party hosted by singer Deborah Gibson, who arrived dressed as a sexy devil (or sinner). Her boyfriend Dr. Rutledge Taylor, who dressed as a saint, accompanied her. Revelers showed up in 1980s outfits, and Deborah treated them to two of her hits, “Shake Your Love” and “Out of the Blue,” when ... Read more...
It’s down to the final seven on Dancing With the Stars
Only seven celebrity couples remain on Dancing With the Stars, and all three of our Las Vegas favorites will dance off in Team Tango on the ABC hit series tonight. Now that the show has passed its halfway mark, another two stars will be kicked off tomorrow night, and we’ll have the Final Five. Our former Las Vegas Academy graduate Derek Hough will dance the rumba with his partner model Joanna Krupa, who has just confirmed that she has posed ... Read more...
PBR Photo Gallery: Aussie rookie conquers toughest bull in Round 2
His name is Bones! His reputation as the meanest, toughest bull on the circuit is so awesome, he’s been ridden only once in 30 career outings. Nobody wants to ride him, and only Friday night’s first-round winner, J.B. Mauney, tackled him once on a bounty ride for show many months ago. Yet 20-year-old rookie Peter Farley of Australia picked him early yesterday. In a sense, the bull picked him because Peter had little choice. On Friday night, he’d done so ... Read more...
Halloween Photo Galleries: Nicky, Holly, X, Twilight, True Blood
It was an all-star turnout for Halloween 2009, and the Hollywood celebrities who came to party in Las Vegas made it a long night of fantastic fun. Here’s our morning wrap-up of the through-the-night happenings of horror. Everywhere you went in Sin City, there was the weird, the wild and the wacky — and that’s before we even got to the ghouls, goblins, spooks and skeletons! Gorgeous Peepshow star Holly Madison made for the prettiest picture of the night at ... Read more...
Labor Day Weekend: Myriad options in Las Vegas packed into four days
Inflated prices for entry and cabanas at nightclubs. Lines stretching around corners. The final big pool weekend before autumn arrives. LMFAO hosting at ...
Photos: Bridget Marquardt talks bikinis, TV, watches and Las Vegas
The Girls Next Door and Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches star was the snow princess hosting the Stereo Loves Snow Day Moet Ice Imperial champagne party ...
If you are Paris Hilton and Cy Waits, what happens here doesn't stay here
When Las Vegas markets itself as an adult playground, we can't expect that unfortunate incidents involving celebrity ...
With all-star release, Hard Rock Hotel's Joint is guitar heaven
Carlos Santana's VIP guests ranged from India.Arie to Gavin Rossdale to Chris Daughtry as he gave attendees a healthy sampling ...
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