Columnist Kate Maddox: ‘Bottoms Up’ lifting Flamingo

Kate Maddox

Saturday, Feb. 24, 2001 | 10:40 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach her at 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com.

Congratulations are in order for Breck Wall, Patrick Maes and Dick Feeney. The producing threesome have had such success with bawdy "Bottoms Up" at the Flamingo Las Vegas, that hotel entertainment brass has torn up the old six month contract and replaced it with an open-ended, year-to-year deal.

"Bottoms Up" appears to be the only real hit the Flamingo has going for it right now. The topless afternoon comedy production has been pulling in around 1,000 customers in two shows a day -- great numbers for a small revue.

Insiders insist "Bottoms Up," which first opened in Vegas more than 30 years ago, will be around for at least another three years thanks to the new contract.

Julia Roberts may be up for a Best Actress Oscar, but she certainly didn't fake her feelings for Las Vegas in a recent interview. A fussy and defensive Roberts had no love for rumors and tab stories suggesting she tied the knot with actor beau Benjamin Bratt in our romantic little desert oasis.

"Apparently, we got married three weeks ago in Las Vegas," a sarcastic Roberts recounted to syndicated columnist Ivor Davis. "Erin Brockovich was my maid of honor. Someone told me a good time was had by all."

And Roberts doesn't just hate the rumors, she hates the town. Her sniping continued: "Can you imagine me getting married there?"

Where? Vegas? That dump? Now who on Earth would ever think to do that?! The horror!

"I hate it," she concludes.

Well, Roberts certainly has spent a good deal of time in town this year, what with "The Mexican," "America's Sweethearts," and the upcoming "Ocean's 11" being filmed here. Maybe it'll grow on her.

If it makes us feel any better, I hear the best performance in "The Mexican," which opens Friday, isn't from Roberts. Sopranos star James Gandolfini reportedly shines in a supporting role playing a homosexual hit man.

The producers of Carmen Electra's upcoming Vegas Production "Lumiere" are apparently fed up with the Aladdin. Weeks and weeks of nagging contract negotiations with the hotel are forcing Electra's team to shop elsewhere. I hear they have a good chance of striking a deal with Paris Las Vegas.

Another note on Hugh Hefner's Friday VIP birthday bash at Studio 54. Organizers are hoping to land a giant Twister board for the festivities. Hmmm, twisted Playmates. The visual alone is worth the price of admission, doncha think?

A sleek Manhattan glossy also comes to town Friday. Manhattan File, the Big Apple culture bible, will throw a party at V Bar in honor of the Vegas File, an upcoming twice-yearly spinoff of the New York version.

New York socialite Alex Von Furstenberg (not to be confused with his wife, New York socialite Alex Von Furstenberg), Lisa Ling of "The View," and TV news up-and-comer and political progeny Chris Cuomo will host the bash. It promises lots of Manhattan who's-who's and bold-facers galore. In fact, one name on the guest list is Daniella Rich, daughter of headline-grabbers Denise Rich and the recently pardoned Mark Rich.

It was really Rick Springfield's fans that "made" his "EFX Alive" show and party at the MGM Grand on Thursday night. The show itself was, well, loud. (I hate to say it, but I smell a lip-syncher.)

Springfield obligingly signed autographs and granted hugs and kisses to oodles of female admirers at the Studio 54 after-party. When he tried to escape, they followed him through the casino.