John Katsilometes notes that the giant marquee outside the Mirage is absent the mention of a giant show set to open soon

Sunday, May 7, 2006 | 9:09 a.m.

Where's the "Love?"

Fans of the Beatles and of Cirque du Soleil - and even many motorists edging along the Strip - might wonder that after a look at the Mirage marquee, which shows the familiar pose of headliner Danny Gans.

Not present, at least on the basketball court-sized top portion of the marquee facing traffic on the Strip, or even on the smaller sign at the bottom (which trumpets the nightclub Jet), is the much-anticipated Beatles/Cirque production show that opens for previews in less than a month. Gans is also alone on a second marquee at the hotel entrance.

The reason is that even outside the Mirage, Gans holds the cards. His original contract with the hotel gives him control over the marquee - which he assumed after Siegfried & Roy's images were taken down six months after Roy Horn was seriously injured onstage by the white tiger Montecore on Oct. 3, 2003.

Thus, two world-renowned entertainment forces are sharing a message board beneath Gans, in rotation with a Visa commercial, footage of a waving American flag, ads for restaurants, and a promotion for Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden. But there is a spot for the "Love" logo on a marquee on the west side of the Mirage, facing Interstate 15.

Also, the Gans marquee will have competition in August when fellow impressionist Gordie Brown - whose positive reviews remind me of Gans' when he was a rising star at the Stratosphere and Rio - takes residence across the Strip at the Venetian.

Bucky of the jungle: The reality series "Las Vegas Law," starring high-profile attorney James "Bucky" Buchanan appears to be finished on Court TV - the cable network's Web site has no updated listing information about the show, and on Thursday night Buchanan said he is in talks with the Outdoor Life Network for a different sort of reality series.

This spectacle would examine Buchanan's Las Vegas law practice and record his escapades as a big game hunter. Already being brainstormed is a strategy of how to use Buchanan's statuesque wife, Gianna, in the new show, which would follow him as he tracks big game through remote and rugged terrain in Africa.

"They want you to complain a lot about the climate and the surroundings," Bucky told Gianna during Thursday's "Gossamer and Glam" Epicurean Foundation benefit fashion show at the Stirling Club at Turnberry Place. Gianna swiftly responded, "Oh, that'll be a stretch" ...

Deal of the art: Picasso's "Dora Maar au Chat," a portrait of one of Picasso's most famous lovers, artist Dora Maar, sold for $95.2 million at Sotheby's in New York on Wednesday - the second-highest auction price ever paid for an artwork (Picasso's "Boy With a Pipe" sold for $104 million in 2004). Remarkable in the case of "Dora Maar" is that the painting was flown by Sotheby's to the homes of prospective bidders - including that of Steve Wynn in Las Vegas. But the work went to an unidentified buyer seated in the back of the salesroom who outbid several phone bidders, according to The New York Times ...

Galaxy of stars: The Cannery in North Las Vegas is carving out a distinctive niche as a popular locals' hot spot. The casino unveiled its impressive fully digital, 14-screen Galaxy Theatre complex to the public on Friday. Equally impressive was a backstage tour I took with photographer Steve Spatafore on Wednesday night at the Club. The venue's wall of fame already includes the Guess Who, Georgia Satellites, Al Jardine, Brett Butler, Ronnie Milsap, Dwight Yoakam, Glenn Frey, Mavis Staples, Peabo Bryson and Kenny Wayne Shepherd ...

Afternoon of stars: Riviera headliner Frank Marino, Kelby Brown of "A New Day ...", singer and recording artist Joyce Huston, Raven O of "Zumanity" and Ben Schatz of "Dragapella" are scheduled to take part in the first "Coffee Talk" forum sponsored by the Las Vegas chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. The event, the first of three such discussions planned by the NLGJA, is from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Rejavanate Coffee Lounge at 3300 E. Flamingo Road. It is free and open to the public; Schatz in particular might be worth the trip, as "Dragapella" closed at the LV Hilton on Saturday ...

Hint: Think vintage Steve Martin: A reader reports the vanity plate XQQQQME on a Lexus at Town Center Drive and Charleston Boulevard.

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