Las Vegas Weekly

09.30.08 · 7:40 PM

Spoiler Alert: ‘Dancing With the Stars’ development

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian was “kicked off” the second round of  “Dancing with the Stars” tonight. Viewers on the West Coast — including here in Vegas — will be kept in suspense to the very last seconds of the broadcast  when it comes down to a choice between 82-year-old Cloris Leachman and Kim. But my spies on the East Coast couldn’t wait to tell me the news. Vegas hometown girl Toni Braxton is safe along with Vegas visitor Lance Bass. ... Read more...

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09.30.08 · 5:21 PM

Father-son feud simmers for Bradley, Bryan Ogden

Vegas food writer and acclaimed gourmet critic John Curtas has shone the spotlight on a major kitchen feud between father and son chefs Bradley Ogden and Bryan Ogden. The two worked alongside each other at the self-named Caesars Palace fine-dining establishment before a fiery blow-up caused Bryan to walk out. He wound up opening the new Company America bistro in the Luxor, but then moved on to open his very own restaurant, the new overnight hip hot star-studded spot in ... Read more...

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09.30.08 · 4:46 PM

Cher overcomes illness to return to Caesars

Singing star Cher will headline her song and dance spectacular tonight at Caesars Palace and continue tomorrow and the weekend. She was KO’d by a mystery ailment last week for four shows but has been advised by her doctors that she can resume performances this evening. The details of Cher’s  illness have still not been revealed, although it is believed she was suffering an upper respiratory problem. Read more...

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09.30.08 · 4:29 PM

Moguls battle at auction over $340,000 world’s best chefs private dinner

It was an all — out bidding war between two prominent Vegas high rollers as they fought to win a one and once-only dinner with seven of the worlds best chefs! I was at the mic handling the auction chores after introducing the lineup of kitchen kings who volunteered to cook an eight-course dinner with paired wines for the winner and 29 other guests! The culinary stars were Vegas heroes Wolfgang Puck (Spago Las Vegas), Joel Robuchon (L’Atelier — MGM), ... Read more...

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09.30.08 · 3:55 PM

Braxton, Kardashian, Bass face the music on Dancing With the Stars

Contestants on ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars were given just four days to learn and practice their paso doble and rumba routines last night (Monday). Former Vegas headliner Toni Braxton scored 23 out of a possible 30 with her partner, Alec Mazo, who proved he’s no singer when he joined Toni for a surprise duet before the rumba. Lance Bass had trouble with his paso doble with partner Lacy Schwimmer and only scored 20 out of 30. It ... Read more...

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09.30.08 · 3:45 PM

Strip Scribbles: Sightings and tonight’s tips

* A new modern burlesque show is coming to the Strip thanks to the producers of Phantom of the Opera. Scott Zeiger, head honcho of Base Entertainment, confirms the hiring of Broadway choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Scott says the burlesque-oriented attraction has an eight-figure budget and will be unveiled early in the New Year! I know exactly where it’s headed but have been sworn to secrecy so will have to stay mum a little longer! * Vegas resident Jay Cutler narrowly ... Read more...

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09.30.08 · 2:38 PM

Lion King to debut at Mandalay Bay on May 2

Exactly as Luxe Life predicted early yesterday (Click here for that exclusive story) MGM and Disney executives confirmed officially moments ago that the award-winning Broadway phenomenon “The Lion King” will premiere at the Mandalay Bay Theatre on May 2 with preview performances beginning April 20. The Disney musical replaces the Mamma Mia! musical, which will end its near six-year run on Jan. 4. The new Vegas production will join six other highly successful companies of “The Lion King” around the ... Read more...

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09.30.08 · 1:40 PM

Million$ in super cars and model trains up for auction

We are just 15 days away from the opening of the largest collectors car and model train auction ever held in Vegas – and as our photos show it’s going to be the ultimate doozy! Collectors are expected from across the globe to bid on everything from iconic vintage racecars to fully functional scale model trains. “We’ve begun the countdown to our first Vegas automotive lifestyle event,” said Craig Jackson, CEO and chairman of the world famous Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. ... Read more...

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09.30.08 · 1:11 PM

Best-selling author Dominick Dunne spills his secrets

My writer friend, Steve Freiss, who is also featured here at lasvegasweekly.com, scored big with his exclusive podcast interview with famed author Dominick Dunne — and we wanted to share some of those choice excerpts from TheStripPodcast.Com. On his health, before falling ill at the O.J. trial: “O.J. has been a part of my life for 13 years and I wanted to be here. Once I got back into the courtroom, I got back to my old self. My life ... Read more...

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09.30.08 · 9:35 AM

Lo and behold: Bosworth upstaged by reality rival Patridge

Blond beauty Lauren “Lo” Bosworth hit Vegas for a nonstop two-day, two-night, 22nd-birthday bash -– and Hills co-star Lauren Conrad dropped by to join the celebration. But their MTV reality co-star Audrina Patridge stole the show in a sexy swimsuit as she hosted a rival soiree! Luxe Life’s photographers were with her every step of the way on her wild weekend. Lauren began her festivities in a stunning blue dress from co-star Whitney Port’s new Eve & A fashion collection. ... Read more...

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09.29.08 · 7:59 PM

Barker en route home

Drummer Travis Barker is now on a specially equipped medical bus with his former wife, Shanna, returning to his Los Angeles home for continued treatment. Luxe Life has learned that he was released from the Doctors Hospital burn unit in Georgia following a fiery LearJet crash in South Carolina that killed two pilots and two passengers. The 24-hour-plus journey should be completed late tomorrow. Travis refused to board an air-ambulance to fly back to California and insisted on traveling home ... Read more...

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09.29.08 · 2:18 PM

Angel fans, Luxor execs on Cloud 9, too

After the debut preview performance of Criss Angel’s new Believe show I wrote a report on the first-night crush of fans. CLICK HERE for our early Saturday morning coverage. In the midst of all the extraordinary excitement and action at the Luxor, I couldn’t find its president, Felix Rappaport for his comments, but we caught up over the weekend. He told me: “On behalf of MGM Mirage and Luxor, we were thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive audience reaction last night ... Read more...

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09.29.08 · 2:10 PM

Strip Scribbles: Lindsay Lohan checks into the Palms, Vegas Prom party tonight

Quick hits today because of my three-day working weekend for charity in Los Angeles: *Which star-restaurateur on the Strip possibly has reunited with his ex-wife? It follows a freak motorcycle accident in which he broke both of his ankles when the “hog” wound up falling on top of him and pinning him until medics arrived. *Say it’s not so! Is a major hotel construction project in serious trouble because the tower hasn’t been correctly constructed? Heavy rumors from construction companies ... Read more...

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09.29.08 · 2 PM

The roar house: Lion King confirmed for Mandalay Bay

Rumors have floated the past 10 days that the Disney Broadway musical Lion King will take over the Mamma Mia! musical space at the Mandalay Bay Theater next spring. Now Luxe Life can confirm from three separate sources that “the deal is done” — and Lion King will roar early next year there. Mandalay Bay executives had looked at touring versions of an American Idol concert show and a Saturday Night Live variety show — but nixed them both. Cast ... Read more...

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09.29.08 · 1:28 PM

Miss America heads to Vegas after introducing next contestants

Gorgeous Miss America Kirsten Haglund arrives in Vegas this week to check out the advance plans for January’s 2009 pageant — and I’m going to take her on a secret shopping spree in one of her rare free moments on her crowded reigning year calendar. Kirsten will turn over her crown at the end of January when the new competition is held once again at the Planet Hollywood resort casino. She introduced the new 52 challengers at FOX in Los ... Read more...

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09.29.08 · 11:15 AM

All-star celebrity lineup parties hearty on the Strip

Even though recording star Pharrell Williams has labeled his new clothing line as Billionaire Boys Club you don’t have to be a mega-millionaire to look stylish in them. The hip-hop producer launched Billionaire with a dazzling display at the tri-story Barneys New York department store at the Palazzo. He posed for photos and mingled with a crowd of excited fans — including record star and actor Common and hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash. Pharrell returned to the Palazzo after his Mandalay ... Read more...

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09.29.08 · 10:51 AM

Lance Armstrong plans another bike win after four-year break

Former world bike champion Lance Armstrong has confirmed he’s returning to cycling after a four-year hiatus! After finishing 22 among 94 competitors in the Vegas cyclo-cross race for the Interbike convention he checked into a Presidential Suite at the Palazzo and dined immediately in Wolfgang Puck’s new CUT restaurant. Next morning he hosted fellow cyclist friends Tyler Phinney, who finished in seventh position during the summer Olympics in Beijing; his father Davis Phinney who won a 1984 bronze Olympic medal ... Read more...

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09.29.08 · 8:01 AM

Donny & Marie already looking at two years on the Strip

It looks as if Donny and Marie Osmond will be Strip headliners for at least two years! Luxe Life has learned that negotiations had already gotten underway — even before Thursday’s official opening at the Flamingo — to extend their original six-month contract to 18 months. It is the first time in 29-years they have been reunited for a special variety run! There was an exhausting drama played out backstage at the same time as the successful show opened for ... Read more...

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09.27.08 · 9:01 AM

Angel on “Cloud 9” as Believe opens to staggering sales

Tickets for Mindfreak magician Criss Angel’s new live show are “disappearing” even faster than some of the incredible illusions he performs. Cirque du Soleil officials told me at the Luxor last night (Friday) as the curtain went up on the very first preview of Believe that they’ve sold a mind-boggling $5-million worth of tickets right out of the gate! “I’m on Cloud 9,” said an ecstatic Criss moments after the premiere preview ended and his 15-year-dream had come true. A ... Read more...

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09.27.08 · 8:32 AM

Cher update: Missed performances add up to nearly $2 million in losses; back Tuesday

Luxe Life can now confirm that Cher has had to miss four performances this week due to illness. Industry experts believe that it adds up to a near $2-million loss. Doctors told her not to work the Tuesday and Wednesday shows. She was “dark” Thursday night and again last night — but hopes for her to return this evening (Saturday) were dashed when she was again advised not to perform. Although no explanation of the illness has yet been released, ... Read more...

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09.26.08 · 9:21 PM

Illness forces Cher to cancel weekend shows

Superstar singer Cher is ill and as of 9 p.m. tonight her Caesars Palace shows for the remainder of the weekend have been canceled. Luxe Life is following this developing story. Read more...

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09.26.08 · 3:44 PM

Strip Scribbles: Celeb sightings, this weekend’s entertainment tips

* Vegas plays host to a five-day royal visit as the king of Swaziland and his 26-strong entourage arrive by private jet at McCarran later today. Their schedule here is classified as top secret, but our Secret Service will be on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly and there is no international incident. The royal retinue has taken over two entire floors of Caesars Palace for their visit with the king, staying in the same suite that was used for ... Read more...

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09.26.08 · 3:36 PM

Chefs step to the plate at Wolfgang Puck chef’s dinner

A cavalcade of chefs and other Vegas VIPs are making the journey to Los Angeles in support of starchef Wolfgang Puck’s annual weekend-long American Wine and Food Festival. I’ll be there, too ,handling the MC and auction duties at Sunday’s ninth annual chef’s dinner, with culinary superstars Nobu Matsuhiusa (Hard Rock) and Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand), who both have restaurants here in Vegas. They join kitchen kings, Eric Ripert, Sam Mason, Daniel Humm and Jose Andres in the kitchens at ... Read more...

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09.26.08 · 3:16 PM

Nice (Platinum) Tees: Swinging Penthouse pet promotes fore play

Gorgeous Erica Ellyson moved from Mississippi to Vegas to pursue a modeling and showbiz career — and wound up winning this year’s 2008 Penthouse Pet of the Year award! Who would have believed that the self-proclaimed natural athlete is also an avid and experienced golfer! Now she’s joined the 30-strong Platinum Tees, a group of professional female caddies from the Platinum Modeling Agency who provide a fun unique way to spend a day on the course. Easy to see from ... Read more...

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09.26.08 · 2:41 PM

Photos of Foo Fighters as they rock the Joint for the first of two sell-out shows

Photographer Erik Kabik was front-row center last night at the first of two consecutive-night sellout Foo Fighters shows at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. Erik reports that frontman Dave Grohl led the band through new and classic Foo Fighters material, and the packed house was on its feet enthusiastically singing along for the entire show. He shared this great collection of photos with Luxe Life and now we share them with you. Read more...

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09.26.08 · 1:55 PM

First photo of the 52 new Miss America contestants

Talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres today unveils for the first time  the 52 new Miss America contestants — and then ‘recruits’ them to “trap” superstar George Clooney. “Surely there’s one beauty queen who can get him to give up his bachelor status,” laughs Ellen. Luxe Life has the first photo of Ellen with the state winners who will all arrive on the Strip  at the Planet Hollywood resort casino in January for the Miss America 2009 pageant.  Click here to see ... Read more...

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09.26.08 · 1:54 PM

DJ AM released from hospital; Barker expected out in two weeks

In a very surprising move, Adam Goldstein — DJ AM, a partner in the LAX nightclub at the Luxor — is expected to be released from the Doctors Hospital burn unit in Georgia later this afternoon (Friday). He is to be flown to Los Angeles tonight for continuing medical treatment. Its exactly one week to the day that a Learjet bringing him home after a South Carolina concert crashed and burst into flames. Initial reportInjuries specifiedRecovery expectedDJ AM photo moments ... Read more...

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09.26.08 · 10:39 AM

Lohan, Ronson ceremony planned as couple head to the Strip

Its no secret any longer that the longtime “friendship” between actress Lindsay Lohan and disc jockey Samantha Ronson has turned to love -– and the two now self-confessed lovers openly claim they’re even planning to marry under California law. Tabloids and Internet sites have gone into an overdrive frenzy with the couple’s startling revelations this week. Lindsay has really shocked fans with the news particularly since she was romantically involved and seriously dating former Hard Rock Hotel owner Harry Morton ... Read more...

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09.26.08 · 9:51 AM

Believe it: Angel-Madison pairing might have left Hef out

Criss Angel’s back-to-back weekend Vegas nightclub dates this month with Hugh Hefner’s No. 1 Girl Next Door may have triggered a “broken romance” for the Playboy King – and accelerated “crashed dreams” of a wedding for blonde bombshell Holly Madison. Whatever has happened has certainly created dramatic changes in the lives of them all. She admitted this week: “Hef and I are not getting married! We are Partners in Crime.” Then she added mysteriously: “Criss and I are just friends ... Read more...

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09.25.08 · 4:30 PM

Strip Scribbles: Jenna Jameson on bedrest, celeb sightings

*Now that she’s expecting twins, don’t expect to see former porn princess Jenna Jameson out on the town too much. She’s been ordered to bed rest! Before the confirmation of the dual stork arrival, which we first reported this week, she and dad-to-be boyfriend UFC champion Tito Ortiz had one last night of hi-jinx out on the Strip earlier this week. They snuggled up close in one of Zumanity’s front-row signature love sofas at the sexy adult-themed Cirque du Soleil ... Read more...

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09.25.08 · 2:54 PM

Mamma Mia musical sets final performance date

Tickets will go on sale tomorrow for the final performance of the ABBA song-based Mamma Mia musical at Mandalay Bay. The curtain comes down on Sunday, Jan. 4, after nearly six years on the Strip. The record-breaking run celebrated more than 2,100 performances watched by 2 million guests. “I am so grateful to the audiences who have supported Mamma Mia! in Las Vegas over six record-breaking years,” said global producer Judy Craymer. “I am proud that the popularity of the ... Read more...

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09.25.08 · 2:23 PM

Who got kicked off and who goes forward on Dancing With the Stars

It was a superstar pop-music night on Dancing with the Stars for the third premiere night and teen idols Jesse McCartney and the Jonas Brothers had the ABC-TV studio facing mob-mayhem. But Luxe Life was concentrated on our hometown singing star, Toni Braxton, and regular Vegas visitor, Lance Bass. It was right down to the wire in the final moments of the hour-long telecast last night that both were declared “safe.” It was also touch-and-go scary for reality TV actress ... Read more...

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09.25.08 · 1:33 PM

Tonight’s tips on the Strip: Minus 5, Foo Fighters

It’s the cool opening day for the Minus 5 “winter wonderland” lounge at M