Columnist Timothy McDarrah: Mac is compatible with record

Timothy McDarrah

Sunday, Nov. 9, 2003 | 3:19 a.m.

VegasBeat appears Sunday through Friday in the Las Vegas Sun. Timothy McDarrah can be reached at tim@lasvegassun.com or at (702) 259-4096.

It is amazing how many checkpoints are in place to ensure the integrity of a Guinness World Record, even if it is for a silly record like the World's Longest Game of Telephone.

"We have a six-page list of things we need to do," said Harrah's afternoon headliner Mac King, who is spearheading the Wednesday morning stunt at Carnaval Court.

"The Nevada Bureau of Weights and Measures has to count everyone. We have to videotape everything. The list goes on and on."

For those who skipped elementary school, the game consists of a phrase being whispered from person to person. What the last person hears usually is drastically different from what the first person says. The longer the line, the greater chance for the phrase to be mangled.

King is hoping 800 people show up -- the public is invited and participation is free -- to break the existing record of 564 phone operators.

"I have studied the actuarial tables for this, and out of every 800 people, 17 are hard of hearing, and 17.6 are complete numskulls, so that is something we'll have to deal with," King said. "Plus, even though the event is at 10 a.m., the bar will be open."

King knows what he'll whisper into the start of the chain, and will write down and seal his prediction for the end result.

Registration for interested players starts at 8 a.m. and everyone gets a goodie bag that includes free tickets to King's show, a commemorative T-shirt and a chance to be in the famous record book.

Felix and Oscar? Nah. Frank Stallone and Don Rickles are the real odd couple.

The former is the opening act for the latter at the Stardust from Nov. 20 to Nov. 23.

Sylvester Stallone's brother actually is an accomplished songwriter and vocalist. He wrote the recent "It Had To Be Blue" promo song for "NYPD Blue" and has a new album, "In Love in Vain," now out. Billboard said his saloon style is "reminiscent of that other Frank" -- meaning Sinatra.

Rickles, of course, is the caustic comedian known for making fun of everyone, including his opening acts.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is taking this Atkins diet thing seriously.

He says he is now working with the local Mama Jo's restaurant chain to develop a doughless pizza.

"I might be the Paul Newman of pizzas," Hizzoner told the Las Vegas Sun's City Hall bureau chief, Sito Negron.

The schedule is set for the Palms' second anniversary weekend, which gets under way Thursday with a public party at Rain.

Friday night there is a surprise performance at Rain, also open to the public. At last year's anniversary fete, Macy Gray was the unannounced performer. Rain's most recent surprise performer, last month, was Britney Spears.

On Saturday afternoon George Maloof will be serving cake and champagne to visitors in the Palms Ballroom.

Early that night, there is a private event at Rain, followed by a public party at the club late that evening.

At 2 a.m. Sunday there is another private event at Little Buddha. Sunday night Seal performs at Rain. Some tickets remain.

As usual for the Palms, a staggering number of celebrities are expected to attend one or more of the events. Last year's weekend attracted a large and varied group of celebs, including Wesley Snipes, Judd Nelson, Leo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Cris Judd, Keenan Ivory Wayans, A.J. McLean, Frankie Avalon, Lance Bass and Tara Reid.

Few individuals personify all things Las Vegas as well as socialite/heiress/table dancer Paris Hilton.

As a result she will be the cover girl of the December issue of VEGAS Magazine. A photo of her in a stunning Roberto Cavalli original was shot last week.

Also, the mag, which holds extravagant parties to celebrate each edition, is talking to the organizers of the "Billboard Music Awards" about combining its afterparty with the party for the Hilton issue of the magazine.

The Billboard Awards take place Dec. 10 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The party for the current issue, with Denise Richards on the cover, takes place this week at Ra, the Luxor flesh spot.