VegasBeat — Timothy McDarrah: Sir Elton shows appreciation

Saturday, March 6, 2004 | 2:04 a.m.

Elton John is said to be thrilled at how his Caesars Palace engagement is progressing.

The pop superstar just added another show -- a 10:30 p.m. performance on April 3 -- simply because he felt like it, and is apparently not getting any extra bucks for it.

"He is enjoying the Vegas lifestyle -- shopping and playing tennis, and then taking the elevator down to go to work," a source close to Sir Elton told us.

What's not to like? During his Vegas stay, Elton is enjoying a renovated Caesars penthouse suite that was redecorated to his specifications at a cost of nearly $1 million.

The term "blue chip" has multiple meanings when you're talking about Las Vegas.

Not only are some gaming chips blue in color, but according to a new book, vice-based investments -- in such industries as gaming, sex and tobacco -- are a sure thing.

"Stocking up on Sin -- How to Crush the Market with Vice-Based Investing" (John Wiley & Sons, $27.95) shows that "sin-dustry" stocks have dramatically outperformed the Standard & Poor's 500 over the past five years.

"While some people may be embarrassed at making these types of investments, they are blushing all the way to the bank," author Caroline Waxler told us.

Waxler, a former Forbes columnist, uses a down-to-earth tone and witty style to make her convincing case.

Plus, the book has a funny jacket blurb from Waxler's aunt -- Joan Rivers.

"Finally, in my old age, sex is paying off for me ... I never thought that I and my entire family would benefit from Viagra and colored condoms," Rivers said.

Waxler plans to be in Vegas for a book signing during the Money Show from May 10 to May 13 at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas.

The episode of the NBC reality hit "Fear Factor" airing Monday night features two Las Vegas residents.

Playboy model and veterinarian Colleen Marie and her sister, Katie, are having a public viewing party, "in order to properly watch us get covered in worm and bug guts," Colleen told us.

The party is free (but you must be 21 to attend), and takes place at the Palapa Lounge (Palms) starting at 7 p.m.

The Stanley Cup will be in Las Vegas and on public display at the Fremont Street Experience on Monday.

From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m, Lord Stanley's trophy will be on display downtown before it goes on to the Ronald McDonald House on Potosi Street and then to local hospitals to show to sick children.

Las Vegas author and journalist Chuck N. Baker has successfully launched "America's Veteran" on the local UPN affiliate KTUD-TV Channel 25 (Cox cable channel 14) Saturdays at 5 a.m.

This week he's traveling to Washington, D.C., to cover joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs hearings and to interview the Nevada congressional delegation. Baker is a decorated Vietnam War veteran.

Stylist to the stars William Whatley, who has his own West Sahara Avenue salon, debuts Monday on the WB's "Ambush Makeover."

The show pulls people off the street and out of their offices to give their hair, clothing and fashion accessories a once-over.

This summer, Whatley said, the show will come to the streets of Vegas to seek its prey.

It airs locally at 10 a.m. on KVWB Channel 21 (Cox cable channel 12).

A story in the Boston Herald last week dissects the brouhaha that erupted at the "Last Comic Standing" taping at Paris Las Vegas two weeks ago.

The Beantown daily reported that celebrity judge Brett Butler, who judged the finals with Drew Carey and Anthony Clark, blew her stack after the producers only took two or three of their picks to fill the 10 final slots.

Butler reportedly stormed off the set, "spewing expletives," and accused producers of rigging the contest.

Producers Bob Reade and Ross Mark weren't reachable Friday.

And, while NBC didn't return calls for comment, the Herald reported that it was stipulated during last year's show that the producers and the network have the final say on which comics appear on the reality show.

As Carey might say, sort of, whose reality is it, anyway?