Columnist Kate Maddox: A little Wein calms Goodman

Kate Maddox

Friday, Dec. 14, 2001 | 4:24 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.

It was de ja vu all over again for our mayor last week. When he learned he was cut from "Rush Hour II" back in August it was, "I'm mad as hell ... There won't even be a 'Rush Hour III!' "

And this time, as his precious "Ocean's Eleven" appearance lay discarded on the cutting-room floor, Mayor Oscar Goodman vented about the injustice of it all.

"They blew it," cried our jilted mayor. "If there's an 'Ocean's Eleven' sequel, a two or a three, they ain't getting a permit!" (Hear that, Hollywood? Forget Brad and George -- they mean nothing without Oscar!)

Goodman, obviously disappointed his mug didn't make the Steven Soderbergh blockbuster, added that he wouldn't even see the film. Wouldn't even allow the cast back to town. Wouldn't even ... wait a minute, I think that's pretty much all the power he's got.

But lucky for us, the mayor is a fickle, fair-weather kind of friend. A call from the man in charge appears to have calmed Goodman's pouty puss. Jerry Weintraub, the movie's producer and a constant presence on "Ocean's" Vegas set, telephoned the mayor and told him to lighten up. "I think you're being a little harsh," Weintraub said. "I didn't mean to cut you out of the movie."

That seemed to make the mayor feel better.

So Goodman called off the boycott and planned to see the flick this weekend, saying, "We'll welcome (Weintraub) back to Las Vegas. We love him -- and we love 'Ocean's Eleven.' "

(And for the record, Goodman did make "Rush Hour II's" DVD version -- he even gets a line.)

Las Vegas native and burgeoning "it" girl Cerina Vincent should probably start learning the "I have a project or two in the works" spiel instead of opening her mouth and ruining plot lines.

For example, Vincent, a graduate of Durango High School who appears in "Not Another Teen Movie," is currently shooting scenes for the Fox hit "Ally McBaby," I mean, "Ally McBeal."

The 22-year-old actress told the Sun that she's playing "like a baby sitter ... who kind of flirts with every man Ally has there at her apartment, so she fires me."

McBeal apparently has a child (or adopts one, as Calista Flockhart did in real life) later this season. Vincent added that her episodes won't be airing for quite some time. For all the "Ally" addicts out there: Sorry. It was her. Not me.

Those rumors about Barbary Coast wanting to get rid of one of its tenants sound as though they're true. Seems hotel brass hasn't been all that thrilled with the stories coming out about Drai's After Hours and they're hoping the nightclub will shut down ASAP. One insider goes so far as to say that Drai's has already been asked to leave the property.

A spokeswoman for the hotel issued a "no comment" when asked whether Barbary Coast has requested Drai's After Hours to take its business elsewhere. "It's a sensitive situation," said the flack.

Christian Slater, Sammy Hagar, model and MTV host Molly Sims, Chloe Sevigny, Dean Cain and, of course, Cindy Crawford (hubby is Whiskey Sky owner Rande Gerber) are all scheduled to attend Tuesday's VIP opening festivities at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino. The private party starts at 6 p.m., fireworks are at 9 and doors open to the public at 9:30.

Security concerns have gotten so intense in Las Vegas as of late that even celebrities are being asked to change their habits. Sources say all major properties are insisting that visiting stars are only allowed to check in if they do so under an assumed name.

I guess that since Sept. 11, no one wants to take chances on flashy celebrity clients.