Columnist Kate Maddox: Las Vegas is in ‘Jeopardy’

Kate Maddox

Friday, Jan. 19, 2001 | 9:05 a.m.

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

Alex Trebek has gathered an impressive celebrity posse and will tape a couple of weeks' worth of shows in Vegas this week.

The "Jeopardy!" quiz master, in town for the NATPE (National Association of Television Programming Executives) convention, will set up shop at the Las Vegas Hilton. Kevin Sorbo, Charles Barkley, "Survivor" host Jeff Probst, "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh and the domestic goddess herself, Martha Stewart, will play for charity.

My money's on Stewart. Puh-leeze, she knows everything.

Over at the Rio, Regis Philbin managed to snag comedian Jerry Seinfeld for one of the episodes of "Live! With Regis" being taped Wednesday at the Samba Theatre. The Vegas show will be one of a handful of public appearances the new papa has made since ending his popular sitcom in 1998.

On Wednesday the rotating role of Kathie Lee will be played by Mary Hart of "Entertainment Tonight." And speaking of "ET," on Monday the show celebrates 20 years in the TV biz with a private House of Blues bash starring George Thorogood and the Destroyers.

Steve Wynn has apparently been having some trouble breaking into the blue-blooded Manhattan real estate club. Seems Wynn has been apartment hunting on swank Fifth Avenue for more than a year, but still hasn't been approved by some hard-to-please co-op boards.

According to the New York Observer newspaper, Wynn recently made a $17.5 (yes, 17.5) million offer for a much-sought-after pad on Fifth, but was turned down by the board. One insider told the paper it wasn't because the co-opers didn't think Wynn had money, rather that his money was considered "Las Vegas money."

One broker summed up Wynn's apartment troubles this way: "People like him -- there's never been any controversy about him -- but it's gambling money." Oh, that's right, I almost forgot. Outside of Vegas that "Monopoly" cash we've all been using is considered bogus.

Not big on rejection, Wynn bought the temporary digs the Mirage purchased for him back in 1995. The 3,450-square-foot condo set him back a reported $7 million, but there wasn't a peep from the ladies-who-lunch crowd. That price also bought Wynn some chic New York neighbors. Richard Gere and his live-in love, Carey Lowell, are two floors up.

And if you're thinking of taking your Vegas play money to the Big Apple for a penthouse, you're in luck. The top-floor apartment in the Wynn/Gere building just went on the market for $15 million.

The second annual Epicurean Awards will take place at the Four Seasons on Wednesday night, hosted again by the charming and talented Clint Holmes. Some of Vegas' popular "celebrity chefs," including Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina of Aqua and Piero Selvaggio of Valentino are scheduled to appear. The Tiffany & Co. awards platters will be accompanied by winners' gift baskets containing over $500 worth of goodies.

Even though commercials and other newspapers are reporting it's Wednesday, producers for "The Late Show with David Letterman" insist Las Vegas tryouts for Stupid Pet and Stupid Human Tricks are Tuesday at a site to be announced. If you or your pet can do something that national TV audiences just have to see, call the info line at (888) PET-TRIK.