STRIP SCRIBBLES
*For a moment it looked as if Britain’s Cher look-alike, Joanna Berns would be playing opposite the real Cher when she starts her Caesars Palace run in May. But Joanna was KO’d at the last minute by Dusty Springfield look-alike, Katy Setterfield in a BBC-TV contest in London.
First prize was a three-month run at the Strip’s Imperial palace showroom. So now Katy, who also beat out Lionel Richie and Frank Sinatra look-alikes, will perform the Legends in Concert tribute show as Dusty. Trouble with the judge’s vote is that there can’t be that many Vegas visitors who know the British pop singer…
*Congratulations to gorgeous sexy songbird Toni Braxton, our Flamingo headliner, on yet another extension of her contract through now until at least the end of August this summer. That’s now 25-months and counting, if my memory serves right!
*Now that Lance Burton has resumed his Master Magician show at the re-opened Monte Carlo (another 1,200 renovated rooms open today), he’s set his next TV special for broadcast in Germany on May 12. Lance sent free tickets for his re-opening to all the firefighters, police officers and medics who fought the hotel’s rooftop blaze back in January.
*The tallying of the fundraising by the Miss America beauty queens for their adopted Children’s Miracle Network has been completed—Miss Massachusetts, Valerie Amaral has won a $5,000 scholarship as Miss Miracle Maker 2008 for raising the highest amount in donations.
Miss South Carolina and Miss Louisiana were also scholarship winners in the $1-million fundraising program announced during the pageant held here at Planet Hollywood last month. It’s the first time in the 86-year history of the Miss America Organization that they have adopted such a program. The Children’s Miracle Network treats 17-million ill children every year at the 170 member hospitals.
*There are two very important events I want to strongly recommend you mark on your weekend diary as “must see-must do.”
First: My pal Tony Curtis will regale you with personal stories about Marilyn Monroe and the making of their movie, Some Like It Hot when he screens it tonight and tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the Theater of the Family Music Center on West Sahara. Tony promises he’ll host a Q&A session, talk about the film set and the costumes and sell autographed reproductions of his original Marilyn Monroe painting, with part of the proceeds going to benefit he and his wife’s Shiloh Charitable Trust.
Secondly: 80th Annual Academy Awards take place Sunday in Hollywood, but you can experience the magic and excitement of Oscar Night right here at the Planet Hollywood Resort casino when the officially sanctioned Arthritis Foundation throws its gala dinner and live direct telecast. The glam-gowned cocktail reception starts at 4 p.m. with a silent auction followed by dinner. Call 702-367-1626 to reserve your place.
Siegfried and Roy will serve as Honorary Chairs while my friend, long-time KTNV-TV 13 Anchor Cathy Ray, will be honored with the Community Health Award. John Daly and Nina Radetich will serve as Masters of Ceremonies.
Each guest will receive the same official program distributed to guests seated at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, California, as well as the 80th Academy Awards commemorative posters designed by the Academy’s official artists. It’s the 13th consecutive year that the Vegas party has been officially sanctioned by the Academy to benefit the Arthritis Foundation.
Now for all the other Luxe Life award-winning weekend highlights in what we refer to affectionately around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:
FRIDAY:
*You don’t often get to see the shapely curvy topless sexy dancers of the Crazy Horse anywhere else other than their own club stage inside the MGM. Tonight they step out in the high-heeled boots and outrageous outfits to host at the new LAX nightclub in the Luxor.
*Grammy-nominated Canadian-born singing sensation Gino Vannelli has a TWO-night special engagement at the Flamingo, reprising such soul-tugging sexy-pop hits as “I Just Wanna Stop” and “Venus Envy” in his three-octave vocal range.
*It’s a perfect rock ‘n’ roll number, so go ahead and dial up 311 at The Joint in the Hard Rock.
*Our favorite singing ventriloquist Terry Fator throws in comedy with his crazy characters for good measure. He doesn’t move his lips at the Hilton for three nights, but his audiences move theirs to laugh out loud!
*Long-time singing veterans The Osmond Brothers, who first found fame back in 1970 on the Andy Williams show, travel over from their Branson theater to perform for three nights up at the Suncoast. They’re still Utah’s first family of music.
SATURDAY:
*Sarcastic, savage, razor-edged comedienne Sarah Silverman will slice and dice with two standup comedy shows in The Joint at the Hard Rock. Beware the acid tongue lashing while others roar out loud!
*Pop sensation Ashlee Simpson celebrates the release of her new “Outta My Head” single at LAX in the Luxor where she’ll perform live without those wretched Saturday Night Live track malfunctions. Lets see if inseparable boyfriend Pete Wentz is locked onto her arms!
*They’ll knock you dead—Slaughter plays the Sunset Station, producing their expected whole-scale ear-splitting sounds.
*The American Volleyball Players will be stretching and sweating at the net with their Hot Winter Nights at the Orleans Arena, but afterwards they will be cooling down while hosting their official after-party at the new Blush boutique nightclub in the Wynn. It’s the conclusion of their first-ever indoor arena tour, which began in Oklahoma in mid-January. Over 200 tons of sand will turn the Orleans into a winter beach. Top AVP players Elaine Youngs, Nicole Branagh, Jenny Johnson-Jordan and April Ross will compete on the women’s side, while Las Vegas native Casey Jennings, Todd Rogers, Mike Lambert and Sean Rosenthal will vie for the men’s title.
*Gorgeous stunner Maggie Rizer, a Victoria’s Secret angel, hosts Supermodel Saturday at the new Prive nightclub in Planet Hollywood.
SUNDAY:
*It’s “double your pleasure” at the Palms when King Britt entertains at the Playboy Club and Felix Da Housecat spins upstairs at Moon. One ticket covers you for both venues!