Las Vegas Sun

April 24, 2024

VegasBeat — Timothy McDarrah: Planet Hollywood plans are in orbit

Talk about your power lunch.

Planet Hollywood honcho Robert Earl had a private midday meal Monday in his Aladdin suite with one of the company's minority partners, Bruce Willis. The 48-year-old actor's new gal pal, Brooke Burns, 25, was also there. Burns was a co-host of Monday night's "Radio Music Awards," which were broadcast live from the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts.

The bankrupt Aladdin, of course, is set to be reborn early next year as a Planet Hollywood property.

One thing that Earl, Willis and Burns discussed, sources say, was the possibility of the previous visitor to Earl's suite becoming a more permanent part of the new property.

The visitor was Michael Jackson.

There has been much public speculation about the possibility of Jackson, who has had recent financial difficulties, becoming a Vegas headliner.

Messages left for Earl at his suite were not returned.

Meanwhile, Jewel played a private acoustic set Sunday night in the Aladdin's Living Room, a new addition to the Curve ultralounge. Among the lucky listeners were Willis, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Mark McGrath, Stevie Nicks and Mira Sorvino, all in town for the awards telecast.

This way

"American Idol" Kelly Clarkson, Lance Bass and Jackson were in the audience at the Aerosmith show at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night.

The evening's highlight came after "Cryin'," the penultimate song of their show. According to witnesses, and as transcribed by the Rock This Way website, frontman Steven Tyler said: "Hey Vegas, I need a favor. My daughter wants to get married tonight. Can I get a witness?"

Then model Mia Tyler and Papa Roach drummer Dave Buckner came onstage and tied the knot. The ceremony was apparently legal. Records show Buckner and Tyler -- legal name Mia Abagale Tallarico -- had just filed for a Clark County marriage license.

Night crawler

Las Vegas resident and 2000 Olympic gymnast Tasha Schwikert was featured in the New York Times Sunday magazine this week.

She talks about her sister, her new room, her favorite bands and that she has "never really been grounded."

Not that she is an absolute angel, she relates, but "My parents work the night shift (as croupiers at Caesars Palace) so they can't really say, 'Don't go out.' They don't even try that."

Reality review

The "Reality Revue" burlesque show at Chez Moi was missing one of its stars at its Saturday night debut.

According to producer Jimmy Quill, "Survivor" contestant Jerri Manthey got a call at 6 a.m. to go to Los Angeles to discuss a "top secret CBS project."

But the rest of the performers, including "Joe Millionaire's" Sarah Kozer and Paige Jones ("For Love or Money") made their Vegas debuts to a big crowd, including new Sahara performer Ralphie May from "Last Comic Standing."

Tasty outfit

Miss Black USA, Las Vegas resident Elizabeth Muto, is scheduled to dress in a lettuce bikini today for a photo shoot.

The photo, which will be taken by Vegas shooter Dan Price, will be used to promote a 100-city tour featuring Muto and sponsored by PETA, the activist animal rights group.

No joke

Melissa Rivers will host the Plastic Hanger Awards and Fashion Show for Comedians on Saturday at noon at the Stardust as part of this week's Las Vegas Comedy Festival.

Vintage Vegas drag performer Kenny Kerr hosts the Women in Comedy competition on Friday night, and singing impressionist Stephen Sorrentino hosts the big comedy banquet Saturday night.

Dame good

Las Vegas resident Rudy Ruettinger -- immortalized in the 1993 movie "Rudy" about his achieving a goal of playing football for Notre Dame -- will be the featured speaker at an upcoming Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce event.

Tickets are available through the chamber for the Nov. 12 address at the Golden Nugget. Ruettinger is now a motivational speaker and owns his own business.

VegasBits

Meat: David Spade and three pals had dinner Friday night at Charlie Palmer Steak (Four Seasons) ...

Bulk: Actor Lou Ferrigno ("The Hulk") had dinner Saturday night at Aureole (Mandalay Bay). He was in town for an appearance at the weekend's Mr. Olympia competition at the Mandalay Bay Events Center ...

Scale: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman weighed in Friday at 207.5 pounds -- a loss of 26 pounds for the year he has been on his health and fitness program ...

Cover boy: Robin Leach was the subject of a positive Page One feature story in the Calendar section of Sunday's Los Angeles Times ...

Back: The Showtime cable net has renewed Penn & Teller's show, the title of which is also a popular barnyard term, for a second season ...

Wanna bet: "CSI" creator Anthony Zuiker was spotted checking out the football lines Friday at the race and sports book at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino ...

Close: Ricardo's, the popular MGM Grand eatery, is closing Friday. Owner Bob Ansara decided to close up shop rather than lose much of its space to accommodate the new monorail project. "Our departure is in the name of progress," Ansara said in a statement, adding, "there will be an emptiness in the hearts of many people" -- especially the 110 people losing jobs ...

TV troubles: Daniel Kellison, one of the producers and creators of Las Vegas native Jimmy Kimmel's late-night ABC talk show, and one of his closest friends, is out. The move is said to be a part of a push to expand the viewership beyond its young adult male base.

From Sun wires

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on Monday received top honors at the 2003 Radio Music Awards.

Nicks presented the Legend Award to the popular group in front of thousands of cheering people at the Aladdin.

Diva Beyonce opened the show with her sultry single, "Baby Boy," which she belted out surrounded by a ring of fire.

Nelly, P. Diddy and Murphy Lee hit the stage and sung "Shake Ya Tailfeather."

The two-hour show broadcast live on NBC also honored Jackson, who took home the Humanitarian Award. Casey Kasem received the Radio Icon Award.

Justin Timberlake bagged the Artist of the Year/Top 40 Radio Award, while Tim McGraw won the Artist of the Year Award in the country category.

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