VegasBeat — Timothy McDarrah: Oddity: ‘CSI’ not favored for Emmy win

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003 | 10:42 a.m.

It wins in the ratings every week, but the drama set in Las Vegas, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,"is not the favorite to win an Emmy Award on Sunday night in the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood, Calif.

According to Bally's/Paris Las Vegas oddsmaker Johnny Avello, the smash hit show penned by one-time Mirage tram operator Anthony Zuiker is an 8-1 longshot in the Best Drama category, behind favorites "Six Feet Under" (at 9-5), "The Sopranos" (2-1) and "The West Wing" (4-1).

Same for the only "CSI" performer to get an Emmy nod, Lead Actress nominee Marg Helgenberger. She is also an 8-1 longshot, behind Edie Falco (7-5) from "Sopranos," Allison Janney (5-2) from "West Wing," and "Alias" star Jennifer Garner (7-2).

Avello said that while the show may be a hometown favorite, he creates odds -- which he stresses are for entertainment purposes only -- based on various media reports, public reaction and his gut instinct, not on popularity.

If awards were based on popularity, films such as "Harry Potter" or "Superman" would win Oscars every year, he said. Critics and those who vote for awards do not always have the most conventional or commercial tastes.

But there will be a sweet Vegas presence regardless of how the voting goes.

Ethel M Chocolates is the official confection for the event, and will have elaborate displays at Thursday's Performer Nominee Reception at Spago in Beverly Hills, Calif., and at the Governor's Ball after the telecast.

Radio stars

VegasBeat has learned that NBC will broadcast the "2003 Radio Music Awards" from the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts at 6 p.m. on Oct. 27.

Nominees in various categories -- many of whom are expected to perform live -- include Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, Jennifer Lopez, Eminem, Tim McGraw, U2, Elton John, Celine Dion, Toby Keith, John Mayer and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Winners are based on the amount of radio airplay as determined by Mediabase, the medium's leading source for tracking airplay.

Irony City

In anticipation of its 50th anniversary celebration at the Palms this weekend, Playboy has invited female Wal-Mart employees to audition for a planned "Women of Wal-Mart" Internet pictorial.

The retailer doesn't stock the mag -- and several other far less racy titles -- on its store shelves.

"Wal-Mart employees have a reputation for being cheerful and now Playboy.com is giving them a chance to smile for the camera," the company said in a statement.

Happy Day

Rita Rudner -- New York-New York headliner, author, mother and star of the syndicated advice show, "Ask Rita" -- celebrates her 39th birthday today, for the eighth consecutive year.

"I feel lucky to be over 40 and living in Las Vegas. They usually implode things here that are over 40," Rudner told VegasBeat.

Buzz

As the official opening of "Zumanity" nears, word from folks who have seen the most recent version of the adults-only Cirque du Soleil production has been quite positive.

"It is really, really different than it was back in August," said a producer of a major Strip show at a competing casino. "Several acts I saw the first time are gone, there is a lot more fluidity between and among the segments. I liked it a lot more the second time."

Added a second producer, who has two off-Strip productions: "(Emcee) Joey Arias is a lot more comfortable up there. And he is really what drives the show."

Among the celebs expected for Saturday night's gala red-carpet opening are Sandra Bullock, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Cris Judd, Naomi Campbell, the show's costume designer Thierry Mugler, the cast of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and Hugh Hefner, who will be taking a break from his Playboy 50th anniversary festivities at the Palms.

Looking good

She was born July 30, 1964, making her somewhat older than the legal drinking age. But actress Vivica A. Fox doesn't look it.

So it was not that out of the ordinary when the co-star of the highly anticipated Quentin Tarantino film "Kill Bill" was asked for her ID at a restaurant inside The Mirage on Saturday night.

And since she didn't have her ID, she was initially refused service. Finally, after a bit of a fuss, she did get her wine.

No delay

The California recall election may or may not be postponed, but the chips will go on.

The Riviera has rushed out its special Election Day Chip, which had been scheduled to be circulated beginning in November. Instead, it will be available starting at 9 a.m. on Oct. 7, whether or not the vote to recall Gov. Gray Davis is held that day, the hotel said.

The $5 chip depicts a donkey on one side and an elephant on the other, with both animals wearing boxing garb.

VegasBits

Meaty: Broadcaster Bryant Gumbel and three friends dined Monday night at Charlie Palmer Steak (Four Seasons) ...

Screening: Longtime Vegas musician Mickey Jones, who co-stars with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyonce in "The Fighting Temptations," is hosting a screening of the film at Sam's Town on Thursday night. It is open to the public; admission is a toy for an underprivileged child. The movie opens nationwide Friday ...

Counting: "An Evening at La Cage" celebrates its 18th-year anniversary Thursday night. Producers plan to wheel out a cake for star Frank Marino and the rest of the cast at its 7:30 performance ...

Vegas law: Cameras from NBC's "Dateline" news magazine are following 311 Boyz case lawyer James "Bucky" Buchanan around town this week for an upcoming segment on the case, which is generating national interest ...

Yum: The Stage Deli at the MGM Grand sports book, which has been closed for months to accommodate renovations to the former EFX Theatre next door (where a new Cirque show is going to be next year) is finally set to reopen today. Pastrami, here we come.

From Sun wires

The Bolshoi Theater has fired one of Russia's best-known ballerinas for being ... well, too Bolshoi.

The theater's management alleged that it couldn't find partners for Anastasia Volochkova after male dancers complained she was too tall and fat to lift. The Bolshoi -- which literally means "big" -- comprises both an opera and a ballet company.

Volochkova, 27, who danced in "Swan Lake" and several other famed ballets, was fired Tuesday after a highly publicized, two-week rift over terms of her contract.

Royal wedding: Princess Stephanie of Monaco has married her boyfriend, a Portuguese circus acrobat, the royal palace said Tuesday.

The 38-year-old Stephanie and Adans Lopez Peres were married Friday in a private ceremony.