Thursday, March 18, 2004 | 10:29 a.m.
Right back at you.
The Palms has announced its own monthly comedy show, clearly an answer to the success of "Jeff Beacher's Comedy Madhouse" at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Palms owner George Maloof, however, insists that he simply saw a new show in Los Angeles, loved it and brought it to his hotel.
The first performance of the "Hollywood Comedy Tour" stars Jeff Richards -- a cast member of "Saturday Night Live" who is perhaps best known for being married to the show's "Weekend Update" anchor and head writer, Tina Fey.
Similar to "Comedy Madhouse," the Palms show will run monthly. "Hollywood" debuts April 3 at The Lounge, and returns May 1, June 5 and July 3.
Also similar to Beacher's show, "Hollywood" will have a rotating cast of little-known comedians. First up, with Richards, are Jon Reep, Ike Barinholtz and Josh Meyers.
A primary difference is that the Palms show will not feature dwarfs or 7-foot-tall homosexual Russian acrobats with Mohawk-style haircuts, nor will it encourage female audience members to flash the crowd.
"The reason we are bringing the tour to Vegas is that (N9NE Group President) Michael Morton and George were in Los Angeles and saw the show at The Comedy Store," Palms spokeswoman Vanessa Thill told us. "George said it is the funniest show he has ever seen in his life, so Michael and George decided to bring the show to the Palms."
First rumor
People who know such things tell us that "Vegas Live! With Clint Holmes and Sheena Easton" has struck a deal to compensate its hosts, and is in negotiations to broadcast out of the Stardust's Wayne Newton Theater.
The hosts had been getting paid next to nothing -- with a promise that when the show hits the syndication jackpot, they'd get a healthy cut.
Although syndication isn't on the immediate horizon, the hosts still have tremendous faith in the show, so they will be getting a little boost in their bank books to keep on board.
The show has been off the air for a month as it searched for a production facility that can accommodate a live studio audience.
Second rumor
Amazing Johnathan went on a tirade against Golden Nugget exec Daniel Shumny last week during an appearance with occasional KNUU 970-AM (K-News) radio host Frank Lieberman.
Now we hear that Shumny and the Golden Nugget folks have talked to lawyers about muzzling any future AJ rantings in their direction.
However, AJ continues to attract interest from other properties despite his two nasty hotel partings in the last two months (Flamingo Las Vegas and the Nugget).
Sources tell us that he has had a preliminary conversation or two with Hard Rock Hotel President Kevin Kelley about bringing his offbeat humor to the Paradise Road property.
"They would be a perfect fit," AJ's spokeswoman, Gina Yager, told us.
Phasers on
Even for people who aren't die-hard Star Trek fans, the new Borg Invasion 4D attraction, which opens today at the Las Vegas Hilton, is immensely appealing.
"But since I am a tremendous fan, it is even better," "Seinfeld" star and "Star Trek" aficionado Jason Alexander told us after he and Robert Picardo -- who played Doctor on the "Star Trek: Voyager" series -- officially opened the attraction.
The two men performed a Borg- and Vegas-pun-filled dialogue that was nearly as entertaining as the attraction itself (see Kirk Baird's story on page 1E of today's Sun).
Some groaning examples: "I am a Borg-certified doctor," (Picardo) "I am Chairman of the Borg," (Alexander) and "Let's go eat at the Smorgas-Borg" (Alexander).
Alexander also tossed in a political barb -- he said that the invasion of the Borgs was "just like the invasion of the FCC."
Stupid tricks
Las Vegas auditions to appear on "The Late Show With David Letterman" and perform a Stupid Pet Trick, or a Stupid Human Trick, will be this weekend.
The auditions will take place Saturday at the Saturn dealership in the Valley Auto Mall in Henderson. It is recommended that those interested in auditioning should call the show's toll-free hotline number, 1-888-PET-TRIK (1-888-738-8745), to set up an appointment.
If you or your pet (or both!) have a special trick to share with the rest of America, call to leave your info and a description of the trick.
If you make the cut, a "Late Show" talent coordinator will call you back to set up a time to strut your stuff.
VegasBits
Divas: Soul-singing British teen sensation Joss Stone, Blondie's Debbie Harry and '80s icon Cyndi Lauper will join previously announced divas Patti LaBelle and Jessica Simpson for the next "VH1 Divas" concert, which airs live from the MGM Grand on April 18 ...
Online: That live chat with Orleans headliner Neil Sedaka and "American Idol's" Clay Aiken we reported the other day occurs at 3 p.m. Saturday at www.redhottopic.com.
Host: TV producer Rick Garson escorted pal Prince Albert of Monaco to Light (Bellagio) and ghostbar (Palms) on Saturday night. The two struck up a friendship during the years Garson produced the "World Music Awards," which until this year had been held in Monte Carlo. The awards this year will be held in Las Vegas at a venue to be determined.
From Sun wires
Love arrested: Rocker Courtney Love was arrested for allegedly throwing a microphone stand, which struck a man in the head, police said.
The 24-year-old man was taken to a hospital in stable condition, police said early today. Police said they were charging Love with reckless endangerment and third-degree assault after the 2:30 a.m. incident at a posh Manhattan nightclub.
On Wednesday, Love, who is facing felony drug charges in California, made an appearance on "The Late Show With David Letterman," repeatedly lifting her shirt to expose her breasts.
Allred works against Jackson: Attorney Gloria Allred said Wednesday that Los Angeles County officials have turned down her request that Michael Jackson's three children be removed from his custody, but said she would bring the matter to a juvenile court judge.
Allred said Jackson should lose custody of the children because of his past behavior and the child molestation charges against him. She does not represent the children, but said she was acting because she believes they are in danger of physical or sexual abuse.
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