Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004 | 10:23 a.m.
For two guys who no longer are performing together onstage, Siegfried & Roy are very busy fellows these days.
Tonight, "Father of the Pride," the animated series focusing on a family of tigers that performs in Siegfried & Roy's Mirage show, debuts on NBC (locally it airs at 9 p.m. on KVBC Channel 3).
The illusionist duo plan to watch it together with manager Bernie Yuman and a select group of friends at their Jungle Palace compound, Yuman told us.
The pair also are co-producers of the "Havana Nights" show that is now playing at the Stardust.
Also, they spent chunks of the summer working with Maria Shriver and an NBC film crew making a TV special called "Siegfried & Roy: The Miracle."
Filmed over a period of several months, it will trace Roy Horn's journey, "beginning with the accident that caused his injuries and subsequent stroke through his ongoing recuperation," according to a statement from NBC.
"The documentary will include never-before-seen footage and new details about his against-all-odds recovery and will provide viewers an intimate look into his harrowing experience through his own words," according to the statement.
In addition to exclusive interviews with both Siegfried Fischbacher and Horn, the program will include interviews with Horn's doctors, witnesses to the accident and others close to the entertainers, many of whom are speaking publicly for the first time.
The special airs at 9 p.m. Sept. 15, also on KVBC Channel 3.
And Fischbacher and Horn's ongoing effort to support and recognize the vital role of police K-9 units continues with their sponsorship of the 14th Annual K-9 Trials on Oct. 16-17 at The Orleans Arena.
The free two-day event, which draws more than 40 K-9 teams from around the country, is the largest fund-raiser of the year for the Friends of Las Vegas Police K-9s. The teams compete in a series of maneuvers that demonstrate the fierce bond between the officers and their dogs.
"They are always looking for new projects," Yuman said of his longtime clients. "They are proactive on all fronts and always looking for new talent."
While their Mirage show is history, Yuman said, Fischbacher and Horn plan to continue to play "a significant role" in the Las Vegas and national entertainment scenes.
Spied
On the same American Airlines flight arriving in Vegas Monday afternoon, coming from Miami (where many of its occupants had attended the MTV Awards): Ja Rule, Ashlee Simpson and boyfriend Ryan Cabrera and vintage rapper Biz Markie.
All were coming for various MAGIC (Men's Apparel Guild in California) fashion convention events.
Simpson was coming to attend tonight's (formerly) supersecret-surprise concert by her sister Jessica Simpson by the pool at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Markie ("Just a Friend") performs on the outdoor deck at Tangerine (Treasure Island) on Wednesday night.
Ja Rule was spotted along with hip-hop moguls Russell Simmons and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs on Monday night at Nicky Hilton's Palms party, where she debuted her Chick clothing line.
Combs had a busy night, actually. He was spotted having a bottle of water with friends at FIX (Bellagio), had dinner at N9NE (Palms) and then we ran into him at Simon Kitchen and Bar (Hard Rock).
Finger lickin'
Harrah's headliner Mac King had lunch Monday at the KFC on Tropicana and Polaris avenues.
But it wasn't just because he was hungry.
King and the chicken company founded by the Colonel were introducing the "Official KFC Mac King Kids Laptop Pack."
Of course there is the grub -- chicken, a side and some apple sauce. And the box it comes in is covered, inside and out, with instructions for several kid-friendly magic tricks.
The promotion is nationwide, and therefore sure to deliver some killer publicity for King and Harrah's.
Can't escape
So there we are, sitting in a farmhouse in the hills of the Italian province of Umbria, watching a German-language broadcast of Brazil vs. Italy in women's Olympic volleyball.
During a break, a newscaster comes on.
All I understand him saying is "Nicky Hilton" and "Las Vegas." Then I see footage of the Las Vegas Wedding Chapel. God help me.
The details were in the next day's International Herald Tribune, on the cover of which was a big ad for "Mamma Mia!" -- with all the cities it plays in, including Las Vegas.
A few days later, on a hike up Mount Vesuvius, my kid sees someone from his summer camp.
Flying back from Rome, a flight attendant has a copy of the New York Daily News. Big photo in the entertainment section of Clint Holmes. Seems the "veritable Las Vegas icon," as the News called him, had a weekend gig at Harrah's Atlantic City.
No matter where you go on vacation, Las Vegas is there.
VegasBits
Rockers: The hot band Maroon 5 gave a private poolside concert at the Hard Rock on Monday night for MAGIC convention attendees. In the crowd: Macy Gray and Jenna Jameson ...
Fine: Oscar-winning director Sofia Coppola was at V Bar (Venetian) Monday night to introduce a new beverage -- canned champagne. Her dad, Francis Ford Coppola, has a well-regarded California vineyard ...
Eats: At N9NE (Palms) Monday night, at separate tables, Subway spokesman Jared Fogle, Tara Reid, rapper 50 Cent and Combs.
Rock: Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen and "We Will Rock You" attended the 10:30 p.m. performance of "Zumanity" (New York-New York) on Saturday. Angela Bassett and husband Courtney B. Vance caught the show earlier in the week ...
Wild girl: Courtney Love was shopping in the Hard Rock Hotel's lingerie shop Love Jones on Sunday -- but was besieged by fans. She had items sent to her room so she could try them on in privacy. Love was also spotted dining on steak and eggs at 4 a.m. Monday at Mr. Lucky's, the hotel coffee shop ...
From Sun wires
Kennedy cousin quits job: William Kennedy Smith said Monday he has resigned from the humanitarian group he founded while he fights sexual assault allegations by a former employee.
Audra Soulias filed a lawsuit last week alleging Kennedy sexually assaulted her five years ago. Smith denied he assaulted Soulias. He said friends worried that he would appear guilty by resigning from the Center for International Rehabilitation, which helps victims of land mines.
Baker has surgery: Howard Baker, the former Senate majority leader now serving as U.S. ambassador to Japan, underwent open heart surgery in Knoxville, Tenn., on Monday.
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