Columnist Kate Maddox: MGM ready for Jackson action

Kate Maddox

Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 | 9:03 a.m.

Kate Maddox's column appears Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays in the Las Vegas Sun. Reach her at (702) 259-2309 or kmaddox@lasvegassun.com

"The MGM Is Mine"? In a battle reminiscent of their ridiculous 1982 duet, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney are both rumored to be up for the role of Mike Tyson substitute. Yikes.

MGM Grand is eager ("frantic," "scrambling" and "anxious" work well here, too) to fill the April 6 date left void by the defunct Tyson-Lennox Lewis bout -- which would have generated big bucks for the property. One source at MGM Grand insisted Jackson is definitely in the running for the planned mega-concert event, though McCartney's name surfaced as the champ this week.

"(MGM) has been trying to broker a Jackson concert on-and-off for over a year now," the insider said. "I don't think anyone would be surprised if his name was right up there with McCartney." Well, he's a lover not a fighter. (All right, enough "Thriller" flashbacks.)

Either way, a decision regarding McCartney or Jackson is expected next week, regardless of MGM Grand's on-the-record denial -- on Thursday a hotel spokesman said he was unaware of a possible McCartney show at MGM Grand.

Personally, I'm pulling for the Gloved One. I mean, aren't we all sick of the recent McCartney overexposure? If I read about him getting another award for being somebody's Good Guy of the Year, I'm pulling out "Say, Say, Say" and reminding everyone of the, um, less-talented years. Plus, wasn't Jackson's last concert in New York City worth a little more than a giggle? Hello, MGM, pay attention. Weird sells.

As we prepare for the Howard Stern invasion at the Hard Rock Hotel next week, the shock jock's cronies will have already begun to saturate Las Vegas. They'll be at strip joints, nightclubs, car dealerships -- basically any place that will pay an appearance fee.

I'd say the pick of the Stern litter (pre-Hard Rock festivities) will be Saturday night's comedy show led by Stuttering John Melendez at Sunset Station. If you're a Stern fan, you'll know who I'm talking about. If not, it won't really matter because Melendez has recruited comics Jim Florentine, Valentino and "Melrose" Larry Green to join him for the gig.

Melendez, who used to moonlight as a rock musician, says comedy is what he's always wanted to do. "I was afraid to get up onstage at first," radio's most famous stutterer said. "But now I enjoy it more than singing ... I like being able to talk with the crowd."

Melendez produces the show and spends about a half an hour telling jokes before bringing on the other acts.

And, oh yeah, he also challenges audience members to a beer-drinking contest for a finale.

"I pick about five people and whoever can beat me gets a prize," said Stern's sidekick, who is constantly ribbed for his protruding beer gut. "It's the best part of the act -- I take my shirt off and everything ... I really show them what I've got." Tickets start at $19.95.

Today marks the official "topping off" of the Caesars Palace Colosseum. At noon Caesars President John Groom will oversee the placement of an Italian cypress tree atop the new, 100-foot steel structure. (We're in Rome, people. Come on, get the visuals going.) The Colosseum, in its entirety, is slated to open in March 2003.

Still looking for something to do tonight? I hate to say it, because I've so enjoyed mocking actors-cum-singers, but I hear Bruce Willis puts on a decent show. Willis and The Accelerators sold out Wednesday night in New York. Willis takes the stage tonight at Studio 54.