VegasBeat — Timothy McDarrah: ‘Sopranos’ serving Italian to go

Friday, Jan. 3, 2003 | 4:36 a.m.

This comes from the horse's mouth, so to speak: Next season will definitely be the last for "The Sopranos" -- on television, that is.

After that, HBO Films will start to churn out theatrical releases based on their smash hit television show.

"That is what they are telling us on the set, at least," Leslie Bega said. "Next season is the last, then they're going to make 'Sopranos' movies" and try to create a franchise similar with the "Godfather" films.

VegasBeat spoke to the half-Italian, half-Cuban, beauty at the Simon Kitchen and Bar New Year's Eve party.

Bega, a former star on the 1980s sitcom "Head of the Class," joined the "Sopranos" cast last season in a recurring role as Tony Soprano's (James Gandolfini) new girlfriend, the sex kitten Valentina La Paz.

"Sopranos" creator David Chase did not immediately return phone messages left at HBO's New York office.

So what is the real reason Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman might return to the practice of law?

The mayor has said that whether or not he is re-elected to a second term this year (and you can bet the house he'll win), he may take on a few law cases -- mainly to practice with his lawyer sons Eric and Ross Goodman.

But according to two prominent Las Vegas lawyers and another individual in the Clark County law enforcement community, the real reason is because embattled Crazy Horse Too club owner Rick Rizzolo asked Hizzoner to defend him in case Rizzolo gets hit with a federal indictment.

Rizzolo goes on trial this month in a case where a patron claims he had his neck broken by members of Rizzolo's staff over an $80 bar tab dispute. Attorney Daniel Carvalho is defending Rizzolo in that case.

But that suit is not the first brush with the law for Rizzolo and his club. Police records indicate scores of robbery and assault charges filed against club employees.

Broadcast reports by Glen Meek on KVBC Channel 3 (and featured nationally on Jerry Nachman's MSNBC news talk show on Dec. 26) say the FBI has been investigating strong-arm tactics the club uses on customers who dispute what they claim are inflated tabs.

On national television, Meek discussed an ongoing federal grand jury probe, from which a multicount indictment would come.

Through a spokesman, Rizzolo said that he has not contacted the mayor regarding representation.

"It never happened. Maybe people have investigated (my business), but there is no case against me," Rizzolo said.

When we reached the mayor by phone on Friday, Goodman strongly denied that he had been approached about representing Rizzolo.

"That is outrageous!" Goodman exclaimed. "There is zero truth to that."

Goodman continued that he had clearly said that if and when he returned to the law, it would not be for a high-profile or controversial case.

Talk about getting up close and personal: Pat DiNizio, lead singer of the Smithereens, has embarked on what he calls "The Living Room Tour."

He has been going to the homes of fans who contact him through his website (patdinizio.com) and performs private, three-hour, all-request shows.

Dinizio was at a house in Whitney Ranch in Henderson a few weeks ago and has another Las Vegas home invasion scheduled for Wednesday.

The band had several 1980s hits, including "Blood and Roses" and "A Girl Like You."

Neither Jack Nicholson nor Spike Lee (courtside regulars for the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, respectively) were there, but Thursday night's UNLV vs. Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne contest at Thomas & Mack Center did bring out some local notables.

Former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan was sitting across from the Rebel bench. Assemblyman John Oceguera (D-North Las Vegas) was in the house -- but he did not order anything from Domino's and have it delivered to his seat, as he did during a legislative session in Carson City last year.

And Regent Mark Alden was meeting and greeting fans, although he should have been asking for fashion advice. His green shirt and even greener pants were attracting more attention than the on court action.