Columnist Kate Maddox: ‘Survivor’ prompts odds behavior

Kate Maddox

Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 | 7:59 a.m.

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

It's that time of year again: Time to get acquainted with yet another "Survivor" cast. And, as in seasons past, the Sahara sportsbook has already posted odds for obsessive fans.

As soon as CBS released the profiles this week of this season's 16 contestants, Sahara sportsbook Manager Andy DeLuca went to work. This time around DeLuca said he considered everything, including occupations, backgrounds and education. According to the seasoned oddsmaker, it's all about "who has the wit and personality to come out a winner."

So who's got that million-dollar vibe thus far? DeLuca says 27-year-old Ethan Zoran, a professional soccer player, is the frontrunner with odds opening at 6-to-1. Forty-six-year-old cattle rancher Tom Buchanan is next at 7-to-1. Bringing up the rear is Orlando, Fla., Deputy Sheriff Jessie Camacho at 100-to-1.

It almost seems unfair to size up the competitors before we get to see them in action, but DeLuca (whose odds are simply for fun and not for betting) is guessing he's already got the goods. See if he's right when "Survivor Africa" airs on CBS beginning Thursday.

Changes at the Las Vegas Art Museum have some people speculating about the future of the burgeoning arts center on West Sahara Avenue.

James Mann, curator of the LVAM, was let go last week because of "artistic differences" with LVAM President David Carver and Executive Director Marianne Lorenz. Mann, who was instrumental in the development of the LVAM, will remain on the job in a limited capacity until the end of the year.

Sources close to the museum are also saying that in addition to Mann's departure, the staff has had to contend with demotions and firings, which one insider claims were caused by a diminishing budget and a lack of financial direction. Apparently funds are being devoted to new museum logos and pricey invitations to fund-raisers -- fund-raisers that reportedly have yet to cover the cost of the invites.

However, Lorenz and Carver maintain that the LVAM is merely trying to move toward more education- and community-related projects.

Wannabe Coyotes will attempt to bar dance their way to victory Saturday night at New York-New York. One hundred and 50 finalists from an applicant pool of 1,500 will be judged on the hotel's Brooklyn Bridge, and the winners will likely be the drink crew at the hotel's sexy new venture, Coyote Ugly.

The rowdy-girl bar, which is slated to open late this month, will feature fire-breathing, dancing, roughhousing young ladies of considerable attitude who like nothing better than to pour shots and hose down ungentlemanly patrons.

To see which of the contestants best suit these job qualifications, watch the contest from 5-7 p.m.

In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Janet Jackson has canceled the entire European leg of her "All For You" tour. Jackson announced her plans in a statement Thursday saying, "If anything happened to anyone on this tour, I could never forgive myself." The European dates were slated to begin Oct. 31 and run through Dec. 31.

As of Thursday afternoon Jackson's two concert dates this weekend at MGM Grand Garden Arena were unchanged. In fact, the Saturday show is sold out. There were a few tickets left for tonight in the $45 (nosebleed) section, but the seats closer to the action are practically gone. Bad news for those hoping to catch a last-minute break, but good news for the Vegas economy.

archive