Thursday, June 8, 2006 | 7:33 a.m.
Jerry Lewis is a rare member of the "80-80" club - he's 80 years old and has lost 80 pounds.
Lewis held court - there is no other way to describe his session with media types - Tuesday at a ballroom at the Orleans. At once mentally acute and physically fit (having shed all that weight after halting his use of the steroid prednisone to fight pulmonary fibrosis), Lewis careened from topic to topic and took off when he was finished.
"Are you done with me?" Lewis boomed happily when he was finally out of ammo. " because I'm done with you." Lewis spent all of the hourlong session seated at a round dining table instead of the dais that had been put in place so he could conduct a formal news conference. Seated at a table nearby, removed from the action, was Orleans Chairman Michael Gaughan.
Lewis showed remarkable pluck (and humor) given that his longtime friend Bob Ross, chief executive of the Muscular Dystrophy Association for 44 years, died Monday night in Tucson at age 86. Lewis forged ahead, taking time to bemoan the evolution of Las Vegas entertainment from "star policy" to the latest trend of production shows and predicting that the pendulum would swing back to a more Old Vegas formula in about five years.
He also said younger entertainers today don't know how to hold an audience, and that too many resort execs are "about 24 years old they don't even know who Al Jolson was." He said young people are drawn to darkened, thumping ultra lounges because "young people are stupid."
Not without opinions is Mr. Lewis.
The big news out of his appearance was that Lewis is planning a stage version of "The Nutty Professor," which he hopes to bring to Broadway in October 2008. He also confirmed that he is seeking "all of the good people on the Strip" to appear in the "Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon," returning this year to Las Vegas (Sept. 3-4 at the South Coast) after a 10-year absence, and said he was looking forward to a return to the stage when he performs four shows at the Orleans Showroom from July 13 to July 16. Three years ago he reportedly performed for two hours and 20 minutes per show - and he's in better shape today than he was then.
"I feel great," he said. " I'll look spiffy. I promise you that."
NoteMart
More from the Lewis: As Lewis held forth at the Orleans, a tuxedoed guy bearing a striking (and unnerving, given the forum) resemblance to Dean Martin hung out in the ballroom doorway. He was indeed a Martin impersonator who attempted to crash the news conference by claiming he was from a Baltimore newspaper. It would have been interesting (to say the least) to see how Lewis would have responded to a question from this guy
Production number: The CineVegas Film Festival opens at the Palms' Brendan Theatres on Friday night with a screening of "Strangers With Candy." Appearing in the movie is Matthew Broderick, which leads us to this hot one (by "one" we mean "rumor"), which is that Broderick and Nathan Lane are being courted for production of "The Producers," which lands at Paris Las Vegas this fall. There has been no confirmation, up or down, on that hot one. ..
Ali! Ali! Rasheda Ali, a UNLV film student and daughter of Muhammad Ali, is working with actor/professor Nate Bynum for her big-screen debut in the upcoming "Red Tide Rising." Rasheda Ali has been cast as a TV newswoman.
Bynum, whose big-screen credits include "Rainmaker" and "Benji: Off the Leash," teaches in the Acting for the Camera program at UNLV, which is the only program in the country that offers a four-year degree in acting specifically for film
Taking wing? For a guy who doesn't have a presence in Las Vegas, theatrical illusionist Chriss Angel is making his presence felt around here. The star of A&E's "Mindfreak" is said to be looking for a Las Vegas showroom. Where might he find one Oh! The Luxor, about to sweep out "Hairspray," has a nice showroom
It's no illusion: Golden Rainbow's 20th annual "Ribbon of Life" fundraiser will honor Siegfried and Roy for their "lifetime commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness," Ribbon of Life spokesman Paul Spiers said Wednesday. "They were the first to say something about HIV and AIDS when it was still being stigmatized," Spiers said.
The "Ribbon of Life" production, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Jubilee Theatre, benefits Golden Rainbow, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and financial assistance to those affected by HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada.
This weekend's production, the largest in the event's history, will include appearances by 28 Las Vegas shows and artists. Call 384-2899 or go to www.Golden Rainbow.org for information
He likes it hot: Happy belated birthday to film legend Tony Curtis, who turned 81 on Saturday. To mark the occasion we pass along this Curtis-ized item: About three years ago Rick Kelly and Larry Martino of KSTJ 102.7-FM (Star 102.7) played the song "Some Like It Hot" by Power Station.
Within moments a receptionist walked into the studio and said, "Tony Curtis called and is trying to get in to you guys." It was indeed Curtis on the phone, saying, "I was wondering, what was that tune I just heard? I was in a movie called 'Some Like It Hot,' and I love the song. I've been driving around with the top down, listening to it."
Preston remembered: A couple of weeks ago I ran into Sweet Louie of the Checkmates at a little spot called Beano's up on West Lake Mead Boulevard. He spoke sadly of his friend Billy Preston, and told me it was not likely Preston would make it to the summer.
Preston died Tuesday in Scottsdale, Ariz., at age 59. He had the distinction of appearing with the Beatles in their final performance and on the series debut of "Saturday Night Live"
Level-headed: This week a reader spotted a black H3 with the plate NEXTLVL.
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