Columnist Kate Maddox: Mayor rushes to justice over snub

Kate Maddox

Friday, Aug. 3, 2001 | 4:50 a.m.

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

Back in February our illustrious mayor Oscar Goodman once again got the opportunity to flex his acting chops. After originally being informed that hizzoner would merely be an extra in "Rush Hour II," which opened Friday, Goodman was ecstatic when his role was upgraded to a speaking part -- as was that of his (former) sidekick William Cassidy.

But months go by, filming ends, editing begins and now it turns out that cinema's brutal hand has axed our mayor. So this week, upon learning that his scene was parked in kaputsville, Goodman angrily unleashed a rant worthy of any jilted Hollywood diva.

"I took Jackie Chan's picture off my wall (after I found out)!" the mayor said. He went on to add he was "mad as hell" and that he was (gasp!) losing sleep as a result of the slight.

And should Chan, co-star Chris Tucker and director Brett Ratner want to return to Las Vegas for another batch of sequels? Would they be welcomed with the same affable Goodman Goodvibe as earlier this year?

"I can't wait until they come to the city for another permit," Goodman steamed. "There won't be a 'Rush Hour III.' I'm not even going to tell you what the movie is called anymore, that's how hot I am about it."

A spokesman for the mayor called to say Goodman's tirade was completely tongue-in-cheek and that, despite his furor, he was only acting. Bravo. And the award for Best Actor in a Melodrama goes to ...

The mayor should take comfort in the news that another Vegas celeb isn't going to see himself on the big screen in "Rush Hour II" either.

A scene promised to Danny Gans never materialized, after writers determined the impressionist's part didn't quite fit the storyline, even though Ratner was astounded by Gans' talent.

It was sad to learn late last week that Ben Affleck had entered a Malibu, Calif., rehab facility to undergo treatment for alcohol addiction.

After months of Affleck sightings around Vegas (most from eyewitnesses who included words such as "bleary," "drunk" and "out of control" in their descriptions of the actor) it seemed clear to many people that the good time party-boy was indeed treading in dangerous territory.

Affleck reportedly made more than a dozen trips here in the past few months -- most were brief and involved hours at the blackjack tables and little else. In March he allegedly lost more than $50,000 in a matter of minutes at Bellagio, and in May he was again spotted making (and losing) $10,000 bets. Just a couple of weeks ago a tired-looking Affleck hunkered down in the Hard Rock Hotel's VIP area, with pal Matt Damon and a stack of thousand-dollar chips, and gambled through the night.

"EFX Alive" will be noticeably shorter now that star Rick Springfield is on leave mending a broken arm and wrist.

The part of the production where Springfield sings his hit "Human Touch" has been taken out while substitute Sal Salangsang continues his understudy duties.

One can also assume the scene with Springfield strumming and singing his greatest hits medley is also out of the question for Salangsang. Because, really, "Jessie's Girl" just doesn't sound the same coming from anyone else.

The latest show rumored to be struggling on the Strip is "The Second City." The skit-comedy production is reportedly on life support following weeks of low attendance. The show is the third to recently have troubles at Flamingo Las Vegas -- "Bill Acosta: Lasting Impressions" is allegedly on its last legs, and "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" closes for good tonight.