VegasBeat — Timothy McDarrah: Buchanan courted for new reality show

Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004 | 10:46 a.m.

Prominent Las Vegas criminal lawyer James "Bucky" Buchanan has been tapped to star in a proposed reality show.

Buchanan described the show as "what happens after 'Cops' (the Fox network reality show)."

"Cops" segments end with an arrest. The new entity, which is still without a name, picks it up when the suspect meets with his lawyer -- Buchanan -- and follows the case to conclusion.

Howard Schultz of Lighthearted Entertainment, which produces the ABC show "Extreme Makeover," will have cameras following Buchanan around town starting later this month to film a promotional reel that will be shopped around to the networks.

By day, Buchanan is known for his courtroom prowess and his work in the Ted Binion and 311 Boyz cases, and for such high-profile clients as reputed mobster "Springfield Sam" Manarite.

But it is Buchanan's less-famous clients who will probably be featured on the program, those who are less likely to have an aversion to appearing on a television show.

By night, the dapper barrister is a flashy fixture on the Vegas social scene, usually seen at all the right openings and parties with his socialite wife, Gianna Orlandi Buchanan, who is also an attorney.

Part of the show's appeal is expected to be the physical contrast and witty repartee between husband and wife. Bucky chomps on cigars and is built like a fireplug. Gianna is a tall, slim, sleek beauty who dresses in the latest fashions and is about 30 years his junior.

Building votes

With both presidential contenders campaigning in Las Vegas this week, the area's largest home builder is giving new residents the opportunity to make their voices heard in the upcoming election.

Now through the end of September, KB Home is offering voter registration at its 37 community sales offices throughout the valley.

"We have found that the less time a person has lived in Clark County, the less likely they are to be registered voters," Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said. "KB Home is doing a great community service by offering residents a convenient way to register to vote. One of our great challenges is getting the forms in their hands, and this makes it easy for them."

Admiring glance

As presidential candidate John Kerry was being whisked across the casino floor at Bellagio on Tuesday afternoon before his Thomas & Mack Center rally, he came to a dead stop in front of FIX, the hot new restaurant there. "He stopped and just stared at the restaurant, and seemed to really be fascinated with the ceiling," said FIX manager Oliver J.C. Wharton.

The eatery has a unique look to its ceiling, which is made up of curved wood planks, giving the interior sort of an updated "Jetsons" space-age look.

"Then he looked at me and smiled and waved and kept on going," Wharton said.

Story hour

The Cannery is having some adult story time Friday and Saturday.

No, not those kinds of stories.

Several actresses and others who worked with Elvis Presley will be at the casino for a storytelling and question-and-answer session.

The group is scheduled to include Patti Parry, the only female member of the "Memphis Mafia"; Cynthia Pepper, the lead actress in "Kissin' Cousins"; Presley's "Blue Hawaii" co-star Darlene Tompkins; Ed Bonja, Presley's official photographer and tour manager; and a pair of bodyguards, Sam Thompson and Dick Grob.

Also part of the entertainment will be performances by The Sweet Inspirations and The Stamps Quartet, Presley's backup singers from 1969 to 1977.

Other activities throughout the weekend include memorabilia dealers and fan club displays, and the Cannery Row Buffet will be hosting a special "Food That Fed the King" section highlighting Presley's favorite dishes, including the famous fried peanut butter and mashed banana sandwich.

Support

Tickets are on sale for a special Sept. 30 performance by Uncle Kracker at the Skin Pool Lounge (Palms).

It is part of a benefit called "Nina's Night Out," put together by the personable and popular KVBC Channel 3 anchor Nina Radetich.

Tickets are $50 for the concert and $75 for the show and a VIP reception at ghostbar with Kracker and many of your favorite Vegas TV personalities and Strip entertainers.

Proceeds from the evening go to the Rape Crisis Center on Veterans Memorial Drive.

"It is a sad fact that practically everyone knows someone who has been the victim of a sexual assault, male or female, young or old," Radetich told us.

"And the Rape Crisis Center is the only organization in Southern Nevada that is there to help these victims. They are who the police call to help victims along after an attack, and they are worthy of everyone's support."

KMXB 94.1 FM ("The Mix") program director Charese Fruge is working with Radetich to organize the event, and it is being supported by Palms owner George Maloof.

Star studded

Brian Howie, the creator, producer and director of the "Pieces (of A ...)" show that plays at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel this weekend, is calling in all his A-list chits to paper the house with stars.

He tells us that Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Lance Bass, Jack Osbourne, "Survivor" stars Amber Brkich, Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca, Tim Allen and "We Will Rock You" star Tony Vincent have confirmed that they will come to the Vegas debut of his off-Broadway hit.

The show features a dozen attractive women offering self-written monologues on how the world reacts to their physical beauty. One of the performers in Sunday's debut is supermodel Rachel Hunter.

VegasBits

Party: Star Chefs Luciano Pellegrini of Valentino, Philipe Rispoli of Aureole and Charlie Palmer and Steve Blandino of Charlie Palmer Steak were feted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada exec Mike Severino at a private gathering at Southern Wine on South Jones Boulevard on Tuesday night ...

Tan man: Actor and Turnberry Place resident George Hamilton turns 65 today.

From Sun wires

Musician Clinton pleads no contest: Funk musician George Clinton has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charges in Tallahassee, Fla.

Clinton, 63, was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and two years of probation. He was also fined $372 in court costs.

Sizemore arrested: Actor Tom Sizemore was arrested Wednesday on a probation violation and released after posting $10,000 bail, authorities in West Hollywood, Calif., said.

Sizemore, 42, was arrested for a narcotics violation when probation officers conducting random visits discovered drugs at his residence, a Los Angeles County sheriff spokesman said.

Burned Peas: A fire broke out early Wednesday in a Burbank, Calif., studio where the Black Eyed Peas were recording an album, destroying about $500,000 in gear and instruments, authorities and band members said.

Band members lit candles during the recording session and forgot to blow them out, causing the 3 a.m. fire at Glenwood Place Studios, Capt. Ron Bellsaid.