Columnist Kate Maddox: Riviera X-tatic over ‘Girls’

Kate Maddox

Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001 | 10:56 a.m.

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

In an attempt to one-up the sexy competition spreading across the Strip, the Riviera's "Crazy Girls" are planning an X-rated makeover. The "Triple X Fantasy Revue" is scheduled to open the first week of April, and insiders say it'll be as steamy as any topless show in town.

The "Triple X" upgrade is most likely an answer to such shows as "Skintight" at Harrah's and "Midnight Fantasy" at the Luxor. And these days, even such impressionists as Bill Acosta are using skin to lure crowds. So it's no surprise, really, that one of the Strip's older topless shows is working on an overhaul.

Some behind-the-scenes sources say rehearsals have already begun (heavy on loud, drum-driven tunes) and that a new ad campaign is expected shortly. Also, there are rumored to be a couple of cast changes in upcoming weeks.

But the more they play, the more you pay. Along with spicier numbers, the $21.95 ticket price is expected to shoot up to somewhere in the $40 ballpark, a huge jump by Strip standards.

For those of you worried about the future of "Forever Plaid," it looks as if it has finally found a new home, at the Lady Luck.

Shortly after the Flamingo announced the arrival of "The Second City," the "Plaid" team started looking for a new place to set up shop. Even though the group was reportedly offered deals in Laughlin and Reno, it wanted to hold out for another Vegas showroom, and the 400-seater at the Lady Luck appears to be the new spot. Good news for the much-loved "Forever Plaid," but bad news for current Lady Luck performer/magician, Fielding West, who I hear is now out of his showroom gig.

A "Forever Plaid" spokeswoman refused to comment on the deal, saying only that she "hadn't heard" anything about the deal and that "nothing was signed." However, Sharon Farrell, Lady Luck's senior director of marketing, said the deal was on the table and about to be finalized as of late Friday afternoon.

Look for a big announcement from both the hotel and the cast/producers of "Forever Plaid" in about a week.

Former Las Vegas resident and "Survivor" celeb Kelly Wiglesworth, isn't hosting anything with her old island nemesis, Susan Hawk, as was reported elsewhere. Wiglesworth says she will share her co-hosting duties on E!'s new show, "Celebrity Adventures" with E! personality Art Mann. Wiglesworth and Mann will take willing celebs on action-packed tours and encourage them to get down and dirty.

Hawk, meanwhile, has apparently shot a pilot for a new TNN talk-show series. The host of the program drives around America interviewing people from a flatbed truck. Hawk will drive the rig.

The Flamingo and O'Sheas comedian/hypnotist Justin Tranz scored a spot on America's favorite couples' program, "Blind Date." Tranz gets set up with a stranger (and a camera crew) and hopefully doesn't screw it up too badly -- the show can be brutal to losers. See if he scores when the show airs locally on Feb. 5 at 10:30 p.m. on KVVU Channel 5.

This is your week to celebrity watch, people. My best picks for checking out the 400 or so big-name stars headed here for NATPE would be the House of Blues (lots of private, celeb-heavy parties with entertainment from Destiny's Child, George Thorogood, Smokey Robinson, you get the point), any fine-dining establishment (this is the week you could get lucky at such places as Picasso, Nobu, Aqua, or Delmonico, or any other hangout of the rich and famous), or a high-end Strip show (stars are always drawn to "O," but I hear Steve Martin and Tracey Ullman and a few others are feeling good about Danny Gans around the middle of next week, and Siegfried & Roy are also beloved by anyone with star power).

Just a tip or two. Remember, the high-wattage convention and related parties are a closed-to-the-public deal, so prowl at your discretion.