Las Vegas Weekly

December 17, 2008 · 12:26 PM

Strip Scribbles: Are Paris and Benji about to kiss and make up?

By Robin Leach

Benji Madden and Paris Hilton.

Photo: TVT

They arrived separately and left apart -- but that didn’t mean that in the in-between time, Paris Hilton and ex-boyfriend Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden didn’t get along. In fact, they even got into a smiling, happy, friendly and animated -- but whispered -- conversation. Star spotters at the night-ago opening of the new Dolce & Gabbana boutique in Hollywood hosted by Rachel Bilson wondered if a reunion might be in the works. Paris and Benji remained mum on that one! Paris also chatted with Benji’s sister-in-law and her former reality co-star BFF Nicole Ritchie -- so everything is intact between the foursome despite the split. Paris and Benji’s near yearlong romance began right here in Las Vegas, and they went public with me about it here at The Mirage after Valentine’s Day weekend this past February. They were together here at Planet Hollywood last month for the premiere of her new film Repo! The Genetic Opera but broke up upon returning to Los Angeles.

*Wicked whispers and racy rumors: Did billionaire Phil Ruffin add an intriguing kicker to his $775 million purchase of Treasure Island that we first exclusively reported on Sunday night? We’re learning he’s won all sorts of shared arrangements that are continuing with MGM in connection with the next-door Mirage property. Ruffin gets part of The Mirage parking lot for his guests and employees -- and the passenger train that shuttles between the two resorts! He says he has no plans to change the hotel’s attractions such as Cirque du Soleil’s Mystere or Pure Management Group’s Social House restaurant and Christian Audigier nightclub. Now I’m being reliably told that he may just well have added a “first option” proviso that says he can buy the neighboring Mirage if it goes up for sale after he closes on T.I. and if somebody bids for it. That way he has the right to make an offer, match one or beat one! Let me repeat that it’s rumor, but it comes from the same reliable sources I turned to on Sunday night! Tomorrow’s news always starts as today’s gossip!

*The numbers are just in, and our beloved local charity Opportunity Village officially recorded 6,119 Santas for the Guinness Book of World Records challenge from the 4th Annual Great Santa Run. Click HERE for our Dec. 6 coverage from the Fremont Street Experience. Magicians of the Century Siegfried & Roy served as Honorary Team Captains for the third year and actually completed more than the 1-mile walk! Opportunity Village’s Chief Development Officer Linda Smith said: “This event has become an international competition, one that we hope will spread worldwide in the coming years with newcomers New Zealand and Milan joining Liverpool and Dublin in the annual event. The first world record for the largest Santa gathering was set in 2005 with 3,291 participants in the Liverpool Santa Dash in England. In 2007, our Great Santa Run had 7,269 participants, making Las Vegas the Guinness Book of World Records 2007 winner. It’s all to raise funds to benefit the nonprofit charity in its daily service to 900 physically and mentally challenged teens and adults here in Vegas.

*Congratulations to Venetian headliner Wayne Brady on receiving a Grammy Award nomination. Wayne, who stars in his own theater in the Making It Up show, released his debut album A Long Time Coming in September and is now up for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for his soulful rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke. The Grammy Award is the recording industry’s most prestigious award. The annual awards presentation, which honors artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, will be presented at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 8. Since he started Making It Up in April of last year, Wayne has lived up to its title, creating a different show each night with improv partner Jonathan Mangum. In addition to the impromptu-unrehearsed comedy skits, Wayne performs songs made famous by such artists as Sam Cooke, Sammy Davis Jr. and James Brown.

*It’s must-see television tonight when our Rio Italian star chef Steve Martorano turns up on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night ABC talk show. Cafe Martorano has become a celebrity hangout since he opened a branch of his Florida hot spot at The Rio. Jimmy, who hails from Vegas, will obviously swap Sin City stories in addition to Steve featuring some of his South Philly hometown Italian-American taste treats.

*Country music fan Dennis Haskins, who played Mr. Belding on the TV series Saved by the Bell, enjoyed the performances of model-singer Amanda Henkel and Confederate Railroad’s Cody McCarver. They were all at the Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile, and Dennis accepted Cody’s invitation to go on stage and sing some country duets together to the delight of the crowd.

*Congratulations to Fantasy dancer Tara from the Luxor adult topless revue on her win in the Holiday Dance Classic ballroom dancing contest. She placed first in the Pro/Am Silver American Rhythm class. Her partner was Las Vegas dance studio owner Tony Delgado.

*I’m keeping my eyes open for super-special bargains during these economically challenging times. If you’re a local and want a night at New York-New York, you can get a special discount down to $58 a night through next November (yes, November 2009), and you’ll be welcomed with two cocktails, an Il Fornaio breakfast, a free roller coaster ride, a free spa admission, a free pass to the Rok lounge, plus $10 in slot play and $25 in retail shopping credits! That’s a deal and better than staying at home! As if that’s not enough, they’ll throw in a Strip view upgrade and special golf offers at the Royal Links! Opposite at MGM Grand, make a dining reservation at the signature restaurants of Joel Robuchon, Fiamma, Craftsteak, Seablue and Nobhill, and they’ll send you a limo to and from dinner compliments of the chef. You gotta live here, though! Even Cirque du Soleil is making it easy for locals to see their hit shows Mystere, Ka and Zumanity at just $49 a ticket between now and Feb. 28! Better strike while the iron is hot and the economy is cold!

*Star surveillance: Carmen Electra and 55th anniversary Playboy model Dasha Astafieva’s appearances at the Playboy Club in the Palms sure drew out the guys over the weekend! Ultimate Fighting Championship ring announcer Bruce Buffer went straight from the fight for champagne at the club and then relaxed playing blackjack until 2 a.m. Former Chicago Bears defensive end Richard Dent snagged a seat for 90 minutes at Carmen’s blackjack table, and he stayed there playing waiting for her return from the mandatory “break.” Others at Playboy included professional poker prince Phil Ivey and actor, producer and director Joel Reitman separately. … One floor up at Moon nightclub was Mexican American mixed martial artist Diego Sanchez and comedy actor Kevin James of The King of Queens at separate dance floor tables. … Kyle Kingsbury lost his Pearl Concert Theater fight to Tom Lawlor in the finale of The Ultimate Fighter, but that didn’t stop the UFC fighters from palling up later for their party at Blush in the Wynn.

*They will be “fighting mad” against each other at Saturday’s 2008 Pioneer Las Vegas Bowl -- and not because David Hasselhoff will be singing the national anthem. This evening, however, contenders from the Brigham Young University and University of Arizona football teams will unite merrily for a night on the town. They will all attend a performance of Stomp Out Loud at Planet Hollywood. Stomp Out Loud is the official bowl and teams sponsor.

*It’s time for “a sleigh ride together with you!” Our Nevada Ballet Theater starts a run of Nutcracker holiday shows tonight through Dec. 28, and a host of celebrities get to ride the sleigh in the opening number. They’ve even got me to go along for the ride on Sunday afternoon at UNLV’s Judy Bayley Theater. Singer Clint Holmes kicks off the VIP rides tonight for the premiere, and he’ll be followed tomorrow by Mary Wilson of The Supremes and then by Rita Rudner on Friday. It all winds up with my fellow gossip guru Norm Clarke on Dec. 28 at 1 p.m. Other Strip stars, including local TV anchors and Elvis tribute artist Trent Carlini, are set for the other holiday shows -- and it is a perfect seasonal treat for the kids! Mention the words “Mouse King” at the box office, and you’ll get a discount off the already low, reasonable ticket prices that start at just $22.50. Log on to www.nevadaballet.com.

Tonight’s tip

Please support the special South Point concert tonight that benefits our Three Square meals-on-wheels food charity. Incredible impressionist Rich Little is teamed with singers Susan Anton and Kelly Clinton, the Swing City Dolls, The Vince Falcone Quartet and Le Voci: Vegas for the all-star lineup. You get a free ticket if you bring a non-perishable food item as a donation! … The sexiest party of the holi-daze is the Platinum Modeling Agency’s 2nd Annual “Toys for Tots” celebration at Rok Vegas in NewYork-NewYork. Two U.S. Marines will be on duty to collect donated new, unwrapped toys we suggest you bring before ogling the agency’s 150 gorgeous models and go-go dancers.

Tomorrow’s tease

New Strip headliner Terry Fator moves into a new penthouse home that overlooks The Mirage, where he’ll start his five-year, $100 million contract on Valentine’s Day. In an exclusive interview, he previews some of the new characters he’s creating and how he plans to settle in as the newest Vegas resident. We’ve also got the up-close, front-row photos from the Snow Patrol and Coolio performances. Does anybody remember Internet sensation Chris Crocker? He went overnight from total unknown to YouTube sensation with his “Leave Britney Alone!” scream-sob video, and we caught up with him out clubbing on the Strip.

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