Las Vegas Weekly

December 22, 2008 · 11:28 AM

Strip Scribbles: Today and Nightly News to broadcast from Vegas during CES

By Robin Leach

Today's Ann Curry, Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira and Al Roker.

Photo: NBC

The moment Christmas and New Year’s Eve end, the giant Consumer Electronics Show pulls into town. Among the celebrities already confirmed to attend are singer Stevie Wonder and game-show king Alex Trebek. Additionally, NBC anchor Brian Williams will broadcast NBC Nightly News from here Jan. 8-11, as well as the hosts of the morning Today show, including Matt Lauer, who worked for me for a while before he went off to the Peacock Network!

Photo: NBC

NBC anchor Brian Williams.

Photo: Courtesy

Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek.

*Las Vegas’ favorite showgirl Bette Midler, who headlines at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace, has good reason to celebrate this weekend: Her Oscar-winning tearjerker Beaches was released exactly 20 years ago yesterday! Incidentally, put Jan. 17 on your diary for the annual Nevada Ballet Theater black and white ball where Bette will be honored at Caesars Palace as guest of honor. Meantime, her choreographer Toni Basil has been putting the dancing moves and sequences together for the new Tina Turner tour!

*New Mercury Nashville recording artist and two-time Dancing With the Stars champion pro dancer Julianne Hough has been tapped for the two-day Sprint Sound & Speed spectacular. Our former Las Vegas Academy of Music student will join headliners and award-winning country music duo Montgomery Gentry and Curb recording artist Rodney Atkins to kick off the 4th annual celebration of music and motor sports. The Jan. 9-10 extravaganza in downtown Nashville brings together the stars of NASCAR and country music for autographs, storytelling and question-and-answer sessions. The second day and night features drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip and singers Josh Turner, Jason Michael Carroll and Richie McDonald. Julianne’s show takes place at Nashville’s Sommet Center.

*Future Hall of Fame pitchers Greg Maddux and John Smoltz raced with a small group of friends in the high-speed mini racecars at Pole Position Raceway opposite the Palms Place condo-tel.

*Basketball fanatics should diary Valentine’s Day weekend so they can fall in love with this year’s All Star NBA Weekend. It’s being held in nearby Phoenix, so with just an hour’s flight to travel, you’ll find all your favorite hardcourt stars there.

Photo: Mandalay Bay

Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium.

Photo: Mandalay Bay

Tonight’s tip

Santa Claus can’t discriminate when he makes his rounds, which is why you’ll find him surrounded by the sharks, piranhas and Komodo dragon at the Shark Reef Aquarium today in Mandalay Bay. You’ll find the swimming, snorkeling Santa in the shipwreck exhibit, and you can get a unique underwater holiday photo. … Actor and hip-hop star Redman makes it rain greenbacks while he performs his hits at the party in Prive at Planet Hollywood. Meantime, hip-hop stars Busta Rhymes and Kid Cudi recently energized the crowd with the Kid’s hit “Day & Night,” followed by Busta performing until 3 a.m. fueled by multiple shots of Patron tequila! … Five party people at Jet nightclub in The Mirage will win Queen Baby shopping sprees, while around the corner at Revolution Living Legends, performers Grouch & Eligh will play for their supper!

Photo: Prive

Kid Cudi in Prive at Planet Hollywood.

Photo: Prive

Busta Rhymes in Prive at Planet Hollywood.

Tomorrow’s tease

Two of The Girls Next Door blonde beauties have already moved out of Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner’s bunny hutch -- and the third is packing up ready to leave. In an extraordinarily candid interview and exclusive photos, Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson reveal secrets of their wild pasts and their quieter post-Playboy Mansion futures as real-life romances heat up and nudity makes a left turn! Plus, a sneak peek at what to expect for their last cover in February!

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