Columnist Kate Maddox: Easton to bat for LV Hilton

Kate Maddox

Friday, April 6, 2001 | 4:53 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column also appears in the Las Vegas Sun on Tuesdays or Fridays. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Playing catch-up with some of the entertainment rumors floating around town these days has been tricky business. Here's the rundown:

In a shocker of a move, it appears as though Sheena Easton is giving Vegas one more chance, or Vegas is giving one to her -- whichever. Easton is reportedly on the verge of making a deal to play the NightClub at the Las Vegas Hilton beginning this summer. A hotel insider says her stay will be "on a trial basis," but one well-placed talker insists Easton's seeking headliner status and "she's looking to be the next 'Scintas'."

Whatever the case may be, Easton probably wants a fair (read: solo) shake this time around, after playing a nasty round of who's-really-the-star-here? with David Cassidy in "At the Copa" at the Rio. A spokesperson for Easton could not be reached for comment. The Hilton stayed mum.

Another loose-lipped entertainment source is saying "Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance" will close on May 1. A New York-New York spokesperson would only say that the Irish step-fest is scheduled to leave by the end of the year. A spokesman for "Lord of the Dance" called the rumor of a spring departure "totally untrue."

I might buy that if not for the pending arrival "Stomp." The noisy New York production is rumored to hit the Strip by midsummer, and in the past has parked itself at the MGM Grand. However, if "Lord of the Dance" closes shop by May, there's room for "Stomp" across the street.

In an out-of-hand tirade against the Chinese government, a local DJ took things way too far and is now facing suspension. Ken McCartney, the 7 p.m.-to-midnight host on KOOL Oldies 93.1-FM, is facing a severe reprimand following the use of an ethnic slur during his show late last week. Listeners were shocked when they heard the usually family friendly jock describe the Chinese as "slopeheads," during an angry outburst.

KOOL Program Director Marty Thompson said Friday that after reviewing the tape of the offensive statement he would decide on the appropriate punishment, but that McCartney would "without a doubt" be suspended for anywhere from one day to one week. Thompson called the comments "horribly inappropriate" and added that the station "does not endorse in any way the name-calling of any ethnic group." Expect a formal apology from McCartney, who works days as an electrician for a downtown casino, later this week.

A handful of local journalists are steamed with Clark County District Court right about now. More than 20 Vegas press types (in a field of nearly 60 applicants) had applied for the cushy position of media liaison for the county court system, but the post has gone to an outsider. Michael Sommermeyer, late of the Texas Tech University PR department, nabbed the job early last week. I hear court officials have yet to notify some of the journalists about the decision. So consider yourself notified. Sorry. They had narrowed it down to five -- four locals and one out-of-towner.

The "Ocean's 11" fight scene shot Thursday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena was the perfect opportunity for Angie Dickinson and Julia Roberts to finally meet.

In the film Roberts is portraying the character Dickinson played in the 1960 original. During the fight scene, both actresses -- separately and unaware the other was doing the same -- approached "Ocean's 11" producer Jerry Weintraub and asked if he would arrange a meeting and photo. Amused, Weintraub set things up and the actresses finally got the chance to slobber kind words of admiration all over one another. So Hollywood, it's silly.

The fight scene went off without a hitch; most of the "talent" were outta there in less than an hour. Director Steven Soderbergh shot the entire scene himself.