Columnist Kate Maddox: ‘Real World’ comes of age in Vegas

Kate Maddox

Friday, Dec. 21, 2001 | 4:11 a.m.

Look for the Las Vegas batch of MTV "Real World"-ers to be more mature than in casts past. Well, at least age-wise.

The seven strangers will be selected from a pool of more than 40,000 wannabes, according to one MTV insider. However, since Season 12 of the reality program will be filmed, for the most part, in and around the Palms, MTV will reportedly have to pick only those who have already celebrated their 21st birthdays.

"It was a tricky thing to get around," said the casting source about Vegas' adults-only casino rule. "(MTV) wants to do it there so badly that they were willing to tweak the process a little bit." Normally Bunim-Murray Productions screens thousands of applicants between the ages of 18-24.

The cast members, who will live in a deluxe, 4,000-square-foot high-roller-style suite, will be employed at Palms' outdoor pool/bar/nightclub area called Skin. Filming is scheduled to begin in February or March -- as soon as the lucky seven are given the nod.

Danny Gans is getting in on the whole "Ocean's Eleven" craze. Gans went into the recording studio this week and came out as the Rat Pack. Listen for the impressionist's holiday tunes (a la Dean, Frank and Sammy) on local radio stations this week.

Oscar Goodman didn't want to be the bad guy. Even though the mayor showed up for his "Survivor" challenge at KMXB 94.1-FM's studios on Wednesday, he just couldn't stomach eating crickets. Chomping the critters was the required task for the four local personalities wishing to remain on the "island." Instead, Goodman packed up his new cricket friend, took him to City Hall, dubbed him "Lucky" and plans to keep him as a pet.

For the record, T.V. news guys Kendall Tenney and Jon Summers each ate 10 crickets. Joey Scinta, of The Scintas, got down three.

Michael Jordan and his wife can't seem to decide on where to buy a place in Las Vegas. A few months ago, Juanita Jordan appeared to have her heart set on a custom home at Lake Las Vegas (just up the road from Celine Dion and her brood). Sources in the real-estate game at the pricey suburban outpost said the deal was practically done.

But now it seems Jordan wants to be closer to the action. Last week at the Stirling Club opening, talk turned to the NBA (Jack Nicholson was there, after all) and residents at Turnberry Place were willing to bet money that Jordan had already purchased a place at the high-rise. No one in Turnberry's front office would comment officially, but it's not a well-kept secret that Shaquille O'Neal recently bought two pads and has been spreading the word about what a good deal he got.

Courtney Love is trying to revive her rock 'n' roll career with a new band she's named Bastard. And where else would she want to launch this tasty musical treat than Las Vegas? Love, who usually gets what she wants and does what she says, is shopping Bastard on the Strip.

Love wants a nightclub, though, not a showroom. And she wants cool. And cheap. And rocking. And loud. And February. (This all from an insider hoping to broker the deal and get out alive.) I said I'd help. So, Bastard, anyone?

Have a safe and happy holiday season and a fabulous New Year. See you in 2002.