Columnist Kate Maddox: Is Second City the first choice?

Kate Maddox

Sunday, July 23, 2000 | 10:16 a.m.

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

Things are shaping up in the entertainment department at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Although it's still not in "signed on the dotted line" territory, it looks like the world-famous Second City comedy troupe has found a home in Vegas.

The Second City, which at one point or another was a training ground for Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Robert Klein, John Candy, Chris Farley, Elaine May and literally dozens of other famous names in comedy, will hopefully be moving into the Flamingo come September.

Lots of potential names and shows have been tossed around the rumor mill in recent weeks as the "next big thing" for the hotel, but the concept in the lead to nab a contract is Second City, which will most likely be a "best of" improv comedy show, with lots of late-night laughs. (If it happens, this will be the Flamingo's second "best of" show -- Breck Wall's infamous "Bottoms Up" returns Aug. 14.)

However, Second City will not be the replacement for "The Great Radio City Spectacular," which closes its doors for good on July 31. Instead, the Second City show will most likely find its home in Bugsy's Celebrity Theater -- which is currently the room of the long-running "Forever Plaid." That doesn't mean that the "Plaid" boys will be taking off -- they'll just have to share (the theater, that is).

Hotel sources will only confirm that their next entertainment venture will be "a departure from what's been done in the past," and if they get to host a Second City improv show, that will definitely be the case.

The newly retitled Showroom at the Venetian might play host to one of the biggest names in late night. Although the taping is far off in distant-future land, it looks like "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" is seriously considering doing a week's worth of shows right here on the Strip.

Jay Leno and company are interested in what the Showroom at the Venetian has to offer, and that's just the type of event that the venue is looking for. In addition to housing three separate headlining shows -- Melinda, First Lady of Magic, "Nebulae: The LifeForce" and Andre-Phillipe Gagnon -- the Showroom hopes to sell itself to incoming talk shows, cooking shows and conventions. Look for Leno and a live local studio audience at the Showroom early next year.

Jerry Lewis will soon have some news for local entertainment buffs, big enough news that it apparently requires a press conference. The comedian, who lives in Las Vegas, will "speak publicly" Aug. 15 about upcoming plans at the Orleans hotel-casino, where he will be appearing Sept. 7-10. We can only assume this means Lewis has signed some sort of long-term deal with the hotel. A spokeswoman will only say that it'll be a "biggie for the Orleans and for Mr. Lewis" and a "huge surprise."

Finally, it's official. Diana Ross is out at the MGM. Ross and her stand-in Supremes have been axed. Last week there was lingering talk that the reunion tour might still stand a chance in Las Vegas, but it's not gonna happen.

If I were Ross, I'd think again about my stormy relationship with former bandmate Mary Wilson. A real reunion might be the only way that Diana the Diva can restore her reputation (not to mention her wallet).

"Rat Race," the remake of the classic "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World," will soon start shooting in Las Vegas and in Northern Nevada. The movie, which will star an ensemble cast including Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Alexander and Cuba Gooding Jr., among others, is being helmed by Hollywood heavyweight Jerry Zucker. Locals interested in extra/background work should be at the ready -- there will be casting calls in town. Shooting is scheduled to begin in October.

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