Strip Scribbles: From ‘America’s Got Talent’ to the Palazzo for local acts?

By Robin Leach

Wed, Sep 5, 2012 (5:36 p.m.)

“America’s Got Talent” judges have been tough on Las Vegas acts, as the top-rated NBC series edges closer to next week’s finals. But there’s a silver lining breaking through the dark clouds! Judges Howard Stern, Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne, in her last outings with the show, first nixed master illusionist and piano genius duo Jarrett & Raja last week even though viewers voted them back for a second shot.

Then last night, the King of All Media groaned over Clint Carvahlo and his Extreme Parrots.

The results show airs Thursday, and critics say despite his parrot Kitty dancing, flying through hoops, mailing letters and retrieving soda cans from Sharon, Clint will be rejected.

However, there’s buzz that both acts could perform in the live version of “AGT,” which opens for a run at the Palazzo starting Sept. 26 and starring this season’s winner. Incidentally, the magical duo will be hosting a meet-and-greet at PBR Rock Bar at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile on Friday after they broadcast on Hook Jaw Net Radio’s “Robert & C.C.” They have moved here after a two-year run in Singapore with praise from Siegfried & Roy and Rio headliners Penn & Teller.

Meantime, former “AGT” contestant, magician and newlywed Murray Sawchuck celebrated his 100th show at Tropicana on Monday.

McGRAW MEETS MOTLEY: Venetian headliner Tim McGraw received a Las Vegas welcome from hometown rocker Vince Neil when he stopped by Motley Crue’s concert in Nashville on Tuesday. The heavy metal band joined forces with tour mates KISS to donate $50,000 to Tim’s Operation Home Front that provides mortgage-free housing to military families.

The bands’ concert set for Detroit tonight had to be canceled because their pyrotechnics truck was in a turnpike accident in Ohio today, spilling the exploding smoke canisters on the highway. Tim, who starts his run Dec. 7. with wife Faith Hill, said it will be the two of them onstage doing duets; Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty and George Jones and Tammy Wynette favorites will be included.

“There’s a list of those kind of songs that we want to figure out what’s the coolest thing for us to do and the most fun,” Tim said. “There’s so many great duets out there that are fun to do.” Tickets for their Soul2Soul concerts are on sale now.

It will be quite a country weekend a week later wrapping the rodeo with country king Garth Brooks at the Wynn, Tim and Faith continuing at the Venetian and Trace Adkins at the Riviera.

COUNTDOWN BEGINS: The countdown to the Miss America Pageant began today when tickets went on sale for the 2013 pageant. Fifty-three Miss America contestants arrive at Planet Hollywood in January for the competition. The ABC show crowning Wisconsin’s Laura Kaeppeler airs Jan. 12.

L.V. HISTORY BOOK: Gambling authority John Romero has written an extraordinary book “Las Vegas: the Untold Stories,” and one chapter is dedicated to my psychic pal the Amazing Kreskin, who has been banned in many casinos around the world. Kreskin can cut to any card in a deck in an instant, and he made headlines winning 22 blackjack hands in a row. The book is available at AbbotPress.com, Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

MANDALAY’S M.J. SHOW: Although the new Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson show going into Mandalay Bay in March still doesn’t have a title, rehearsals begin in Montreal on schedule next month under director and choreographer Jamie King. I’m told that construction is on target, too, with stage and high-speed lifts, scaffolding and rigging in place.

NEW ULTIMATE FIGHTERS: Three Las Vegas-based fighters -- Bristol Marunde, 30, Cameron Diffley, 27, and Lev Magen, 25 -- will be among the 32 unsigned mixed martial artists to star in this season’s “The Ultimate Fighter” on Fridays premiering Sept. 14 on FX with a two-hour special showcasing 16 elimination fights. At stake: a six-figure contract with UFC.

The Las Vegas finale Dec. 15 will feature a battle between bitter rival coaches Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson before the crowning of the new “TUF” champion. The series chronicles the fighters’ training at the “TUF” gym and living together in a Las Vegas mansion.

TWICE THE HOOPS: NBA fans must be in ecstasy that the L.A. Lakers and the L.A. Clippers are headed here for pre-season games. The Clippers play the Denver Nuggets on Oct. 6 at Mandalay Bay, and the Lakers take on the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 19 at the Thomas & Mack.

QUICK NOTES

Is hotel mogul Sam Nazarian set on hiring singer Lenny Kravitz as the designer of his super-suites and poolside villas of the new-look Sahara when construction begins? Is he also recruiting Cosmopolitan star chef Jose Andres for a new restaurant there, too?

Porn princess Sunset Thomas is joining the Rocking Comedy Show at Piranha as of tonight. The Las Vegas vixen is teaming with drag queen Jimmy Emerson and jazz sax legend Richie Cole for the new act.

When the Light Group launches its Delano hotel in place of The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, will its main restaurant be all-white-design bistro Bianca?

Rio comedian headliner Eddie Griffin has been cast in Blake Freeman’s new action comedy “Mucho Dinero” that begins filming this month in Colombia. It’s a story of three friends in search of a wanted criminal in hopes of nailing the big bounty.

NFL legends Marcus Allen and Warren Moon unveil a Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit at the Luxor on Thursday.

Jobs galore at the new nightlife venue The Act opening soon atop the Palazzo. Naturally, the creators of the New York- and London Box nighteries are looking for sexy waitresses, bartenders, ushers and VIP table hosts, but with something extra-special. If you have a unique talent or gift, they want to see you. If you can bounce bottles, spin sodas, wait tables upside down, jump hoops, explode balloons or breathe fire, head to the Palazzo Theater next Tuesday and Wednesday.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Hometown heroes Imagine Dragons perform with Avalon Landing and American Cream at Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip to celebrate the release of their debut album “Night Visions” that dropped Tuesday.

In conjunction with the first day of the NFL season, the Hard Rock Hotel opens its upscale sports lounge The Ainsworth.

Go-go dancers compete for a residency slot and $5,000 at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens in the Paris.

And DJ Gusto spins atLAX in the Luxor.

TOMORROW’S TEASE

Las Vegas VIPs are worried that reality TV scenes shot here show our city in the wrong light, plus, a rundown of Fashion’s Night Out as we join the fashion industry’s glittering global fundraiser.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

— From LasVegasWeekly.com