Friday, Jan. 16, 2004 | 10:49 a.m.
Some great rumors cross over the VegasBeat transom.
The first one is seemingly outrageous -- but is also just plausible enough to warrant speculation: The owners of the Hard Rock Hotel have considered making an offer to buy its prime competitor, the Palms.
A previously reliable Las Vegas gaming executive with intimate knowledge of the Hard Rock and its ruling family tells VegasBeat that Peter Morton, his son Harry Morton and hotel President Kevin Kelly recently discussed making a $600 million offer to George Maloof for his relentlessly hip Flamingo Road hot spot.
Maloof spent about $270 million to build the place in 2001, so he'd be more than doubling his money in less than three years.
However, Maloof is a daily presence at the Palms and seems to enjoy being in the presence of his celebrity guests. It is unlikely he'd sell, but if there is one place on Earth where everything has its price, it is Las Vegas.
And here's one making the rounds at the Palace Station poker room (and elsewhere): Once Wynn Las Vegas is completed next year, Jack Binion will make Steve Wynn an offer he can't refuse and buy the resort.
Wynn is a creator, the story goes. So, in the same manner he built Bellagio, raising the bar for Vegas resorts, and then sold it (along with The Mirage and Treasure Island), he'll do the same thing with his new property.
Binion is said to itch for a Strip presence enjoyed by his contemporaries from fellow old-time gaming families, such as Boyd Gaming boss Bill Boyd (Stardust).
The son of Vegas gaming pioneer Benny Binion, Jack Binion is head of the Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp., one of the country's largest privately held gaming companies. With extensive holdings in Mississippi, Louisiana and Indiana, it is reasonable to assume he could raise the kind of money needed for such a purchase.
Then Wynn, with a fresh billion in his pocket, could move on to create his next dream casino.
Recovery
According to some Siegfried & Roy fan sites and a German magazine, Roy Horn is making substantial progress in his recovery.
The respected German newsweekly BILD reports that German folk singer Heino (real name Heinz Georg Kramm) and his wife, Hannelore, were the first outside visitors to see Horn after he returned to his Las Vegas home on Dec. 22. They reportedly visited the week between Christmas and New Year's.
Heino tells the mag: "Roy is in a separate part of the house, where his mother used to live until her death. Roy believes that her soul is protecting him there."
Hannelore tells the glossy that Horn wrote a short note to her, saying: "It is so nice to have you here."
The visiting couple, who have known the illusionist duo for more than 30 years, also said that Siegfried Fischbacher hinted he was planning something special for Easter, but not necessarily with Horn.
"Yes, Heino and Hannelore are very good friends of Siegfried & Roy," S&R's manager, Bernie Yuman, told VegasBeat on Thursday.
"I wasn't there for their visit, but I can tell you that Roy is doing sensationally well. He is deep into his rehabilitation program, and our outlook remains extremely positive."
Also, a note to a fan from S&R's German publicist, Claudia Dressler, has been posted on a Siegfried & Roy fan website.
Dressler says that Horn is improving every day: "I think Siegfried has been right in saying that 'this is a miracle' and we are all very grateful that Roy is now over the bad and difficult times."
Gossip for $100, Alex
Answer: "This popular quiz show is coming to Las Vegas next month to look for contestants."
Question: What is "Jeopardy!"?
The show's "Clue Crew" and contestant coordinators will be in town Feb. 18 to conduct auditions.
You can go to the show's website -- Jeopardy.com -- to register for a chance to display your knowledge.
Stage show
The Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein musical "Showboat" will be the next production at the Starbright Theatre in Summerlin. Las Vegas resident Michael La Fleur, a theater vet and the artistic director of Celine Dion's "A New Day ...," is set to direct.
The theater's production of "Scrooge," starring Davis Gaines, was a Christmastime smash, the theater says.
The production is aiming for a spring opening.
Hey, Tracy!
Memo to a reader named Tracy who didn't leave her phone number when she called with a pertinent question.
The answer is no, that was not a misprint. Tickets for the Sting concert next month at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel are indeed $505, plus tax and service charge.
VegasBits
Aussie: Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is expected to arrive in Las Vegas on Saturday. We hear he'll be attending Monday's Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Awards ceremony, part of the National Association of Television Programming Executives gathering. One of the recipients is Gail Berman, president of entertainment for Murdoch's Fox Broadcasting Co. ...
Guest star: Paris Hilton is set to make another appearance on a small screen near you, albeit a fully dressed one. On the Feb. 2 episode of the NBC show "Las Vegas," the hotel heiress will play the gold-digging fiancee of a casino high-roller ...
Show: "Wonder Woman" star Linda Carter, director Robert Altman ("Gosford Park," "The Player," "Nashville") and Robert and Blaine Trump (The Donald's brother and sister-in-law) were guests of show emcee Joey Arias at "Zumanity" (New York-New York) on Wednesday night. Afterward, the entire group went to see the late performance of "O" (Bellagio) ...
Proud papa: Las Vegas publicity man and talent agent Bruce Merrin reports that a song by The 88s, the fledgling Los Angeles-based band fronted by his son Adam Merrin, will have a song, "Coming Home," in the upcoming DreamWorks film "Surviving Christmas." The film stars Ben Affleck and Christina Applegate ...
Opener: Kelis -- who sings that infectious "Milkshake" song -- has been announced as the opening act for Britney Spears' March 6 show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
From Sun wires
La toe broken: La Toya Jackson broke a toe while rehearsing for a music video for her upcoming single "Just Wanna Dance," her business partner said Thursday.
The sister of entertainer Michael Jackson was rehearsing in Las Vegas on Jan. 10 when she broke the big toe on her left foot, Jeffre Phillips said.
"The base to a microphone stand fell off a speaker and landed right on her toe," he said.
Foxx pleads: Comedian Jamie Foxx and his sister pleaded not guilty today to charges stemming from a fracas with police officers and security guards last year at Harrah's New Orleans Casino.
Foxx and his sister were arrested April 26. Police said the two and their friends refused to show identification at the door, then went into the casino and refused requests to leave.
Foxx and his sister were charged with two counts each of battery on a police officer causing injury, a felony, and one count of disturbing the peace, a misdemeanor.
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