VegasBeat — Timothy McDarrah: Voicing support of Anderson

Friday, Oct. 25, 2002 | 4:32 a.m.

The old show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" used to refer to the "fickle finger of fate."

There is hardly any other explanation for why Bob Anderson isn't a superstar.

VegasBeat caught the singing impressionist's early show at the Stardust the other night and was shocked.

Anderson's music isn't the type usually found in my CD player, and his impressions are of entertainers from a generation that is pretty much dead, both literally and figuratively.

But I might have enjoyed Anderson more than any other act I have seen since I got to Las Vegas.

Talent-wise, there is no question that he is gifted. His impressions of Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Tony Bennett are remarkable. And his pipes are smoother than smooth.

His band -- keyboard legend Vinny Falcone, along with Brace Phillips (bass), Santo Savino (drums), Tom Lyons (keyboard) and Hap Smith (guitar) is tighter than the seams on a baseball.

So why isn't Anderson in the entertainment stratosphere like the folks he used to share the bill with at the old Sahara, like Frank Sinatra?

The fickle finger of fate.

"Trading Spaces" is coming to Las Vegas.

The highly rated Learning Channel show features two neighbors who swap keys and transform a room in each other's home.

They each have $1,000, two days, and orders to stay out of their own homes until the change is complete.

For the first time, the moment of truth -- when the neighbors return home to see what has been done -- will be broadcast live on Jan. 18.

If you, and a neighbor, want to be considered, go to tlc.discovery.com.

After his show at the Hilton the other night, Righteous Brother Bill Medley met his pal, infamous lounge legend Cook E. Jarr. Then they went to see the Ricci Martin show at Riviera.

Medley is close to Martin's bandleader Billy Hinsche; Medley recently played with Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne and Brian Wilson at the fifth annual Carl Wilson Benefit Concert in Los Angeles, which was produced by Hinsche.

Hinsche also sits on the board of directors of the Wilson Foundation.

Saturday night, Hinsche and friends returned the favor and went to see the Cookster perform his popular outdoor set at Harrah's.

The Osbournes were set to enjoy some real Las Vegas-style entertainment after Ozzy Osbourne's show at Rain at the Palms on Friday night.

At a birthday party at The Venetian for Kelly Lee Osbourne -- who turns 18 today -- the scheduled entertainment was a trio of female impersonators from "La Cage:" Frank (Joan Rivers) Marino, Larry (Tina Turner) Edwards and Stephen (Cher) Wayne.

Except for the "We Are The World" recording back in the mid- 1980s -- or any room where Frank Sinatra was standing -- Saturday night in Las Vegas saw perhaps the greatest conglomeration of entertainers ever gathered in one place.

Beyond the stunning array of regulars, from Charo, Sheena Easton and Wayne Newton to Gladys Knight, Siegfried & Roy and "La Femme," Las Vegas hosted:

Paul McCartney bringing Beatlemania to the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Luciano Pavarotti hitting all the right notes at Mandalay Bay.

David Crosby and Judy Collins reliving the 1960s at Paris Las Vegas.

Don Henley soaring like an Eagle at the Aladdin.

Los Lobos leaping at the Stratosphere and Tower of Power heating up the Suncoast.

Locals don't go to the Strip? With talent like this, one would be crazy not to.

There's a new afternoon drive-time host on KNPR 89.5-FM: Ky Plaskon.

He has worked in nonprofit print and broadcast media from Alaska to Chile.

Most recently, he was at the public radio affiliate in San Diego.

"Ky's reporting brings an energy and depth to KNPR that will help us to really start covering the important issues that face our region," said the station's program director, Florence Rogers.

"The CBS Early Show" needs a ratings boost, so it came to Las Vegas.

Last week it taped Rita Rudner, Clint Holmes, Robin Leach, Penn & Teller and Carrot Top for a series of promotional bumpers.