Columnist Kate Maddox: Sahara hopes to keep Pack men

Kate Maddox

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2000 | 9:30 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Even if he's on the outs with the cast of "The Rat Pack is Back," David Cassidy still has some business decisions to make regarding the future of the tribute show.

Cassidy, who last week tangled with Sammy Davis Jr. character Tony Tillman, must decide if and when he's going to pull the plug on the production. Cassidy produces the show with partner Don Reo.

Reps at the Sahara are hoping "The Rat Pack" doesn't leave town, and they've ponied up a new contract for the guys hoping that they'll stick around past the scheduled Feb. 18 closing date. The hotel is so certain about the Pack's bankability that they've offered an extended one-year contract.

"It's on the table," one source says. "We're just waiting to hear what they're going to do."

A rep for Cassidy, who departs "At the Copa" at the Rio next month, said that Cassidy probably wouldn't consider the offer until he returns from a two-week vacation, but adds that he has been happy with the Sahara and would like to stay.

As for Tillman, who was hurt by an offensive remark critical of his singing that Cassidy made from the audience during a recent performance, he's outta there.

The longest-running member of the "Rat Pack" team was said to have been furious with Cassidy and reportedly submitted his resignation, effective Dec. 31.

But if you want to get to the pesky back-and-forth on this thing: Cassidy insists Tillman can't resign because of contractual restrictions, and according to the rep, Cassidy fired him effective immediately. Whether Tillman's compatriots decide to join their Packmate has yet to be determined.

OK, but, um, wasn't it Cassidy who threw the first punch in this thing? "Sorry" seems to be the hardest word for that guy.

"The Rat Pack is Back" is on hiatus until Dec. 26.

I'm sorry, I hate to do this, but Madonna was not at V Bar's post-Billboards bash last week, as reported elsewhere. That handy piece of rumor rubbish was apparently the work of notorious club (and self) promoter John D. Guzman, master of doing anything to get his name in the paper. (Look. He just did it again.)

The Material Girl didn't party into the night at the Venetian's hip new night spot. She didn't have security clear her a path to get in. She didn't dine with a party of eight, and she certainly didn't sneak in through the back hiding under a hat and dark sunglasses. (Demure? Madonna? Didn't think so.)

The manager of V Bar, Akashia (who uses just one name, as does Madonna), confirmed it never happened.

As for V Bar, the club will mark the transition from soft- to grand-opening on Jan. 13th with a (real) celeb-packed bash. Lenny Kravitz, Pamela Anderson and Halle Berry are just a few of the stars scheduled to attend. And that clothing emporium for the way too rich and way too famous, Gucci, is the "Official Outfitter" of the club. Staff will all receive complimentary duds.

Look for the new skit comedy show, brought to you by the Second City troupe, to open at the Flamingo Las Vegas the first week of March. I know, everyone was upset when I reported a while back that these guys would move in and longtime-standard "Forever Plaid" would move out. Well, the deal is now done and the quartet is bowing out on Feb. 25, with SCTV close on their heels.

But don't feel too bad for "Plaid." I hear the Flamingo has offered them a deal at its property in Laughlin. Gee, thanks.

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