Monday, Nov. 20, 2006 | 7:32 a.m.
In the spirit of raising money to rebuild New Orleans, the image of Las Vegas native Jimmy Kimmel dancing in tighty whitey briefs with the boys of "Thunder from Down Under" made perfect sense.
Saturday's live broadcast of "Comic Relief" from the Colosseum at Caesars Palace (with frequent cut-aways to the French Quarter in New Orleans) was to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. But the four-hour production (which aired on HBO and, despite a hurricane of F-bombs, on TBS) was heavy with Las Vegas references - performers repeatedly reminded that they came to Vegas because, "That's where the money is." Kimmel appeared with "Thunder" dancers to promote the "Comic Relief" Web site, where T-shirts and a highlight DVD were available.
"We don't wear shirts. Our bodies reject them," said Kimmel, whose comparably flabby physique worked to great comedic effect (or, was funny). He also said, "We really wanted to help children in Africa, but they've all been adopted by celebrities."
The assorted comics (and there were many, as 30 appeared live or via videotape on the Colosseum's stage) had done their homework about Vegas. Some of the more laughable moments:
NoteMart
Not all "Comic Relief" material was Vegas-centric. Roseanne Barr took a swipe at her ex with: "Saddam Hussein? Hanging is too good for that (individual). They should make him marry Tom Arnold. But with a pre-nup - he's only human." Earlier in the show Arnold had his chance, during a remote bit from New Orleans, as he displayed the "Comic Relief" T-shirt logo showing his name positioned between Barr and Louie Anderson. "And here I am, between Roseanne and Louie Anderson. Wow, that brings back some memories."
Effective endorsement: Adult film thespian Ron Jeremy showed up at Sarah Silverman's performance (which was both brilliant and ruthless) at the Augustus Ballroom late Saturday night wearing a black Bunny Ranch T-shirt. He was also spotted texting someone at around 1 a.m. (We said "texting.")
Announced during Saturday's "Comic Relief" broadcast was that Paula Abdul (of "American Idol" and the Silverton, where she is entertainment director) would be chairwoman for next year's "Comic Relief Wild" benefit, which will raise money and awareness for animal rights.
Speaking of (or writing about) entertainers in Vegas, Gordie Brown regularly performs in an 800-seat theater at the Venetian, but he reached millions more potential fans Wednesday during his appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman." The booking helped boost Brown's name recognition (it's no coincidence that Brown is managed by the tireless Bernie Yuman), and that level of recognition hasn't come easily for other Strip headliners - though Letterman slipped once and referred to Brown as "Gordon Brown."
Stinging from another tough defeat, a white Nisson Frontier pickup truck with the plate RDRNATN, with an Oakland Raider plate frame and emblem on the tailgate and (I see more Raider and Steeler plates than those for any team).
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