Las Vegas Weekly

February 9, 2009 · 11:18 AM

Strip Scribbles: Erin Brockovich and Mel B are moving to Las Vegas

By Robin Leach

Mel B, aka Scary Spice, of Peep Show.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

She is the ultimate modern-day heroine, and Julia Roberts’s Oscar-winning onscreen portrayal of her paralegal investigation into the poisoned water of Hinkley, Calif., residents is one of those movies to remain memorable forever. Now Erin Brockovich is planning a move to Las Vegas!

Erin first said she would make monthly visits to Vegas, but now she’s decided to move here full time. Not only did she tell her hairstylist the secret, but she even agreed to let hair king Michael Boychuck show TV viewers her new softer blonde color he’s styled for her. For the record, Pacific Gas & Electric paid two $300 million settlements to those residents totaling $633 million in the two Brockovich cases.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Jerry Mitchell with Kelly Monaco and Mel B.

*Scary Spice Mel B is another star moving here full time. She’s set to start rehearsals in two weeks for her new Peep Show production at Planet Hollywood for its March premiere, and Mel is bringing her family to town for the run. That includes daughter Angel Iris from her romance with Eddie Murphy, which resulted in a $10 million child support settlement case. The singer-actress-lingerie model has just launched a keep-fit DVD exercise program, which she swears she sticks to easily every day getting in shape for the new show. It’s a 3-DVD set titled Totally Fit, and Mel is using it as the warm-up to the rehearsals.

Photo: Prive and StarTracks Photo

Lance Bass and Denise Richards played hosts at Prive on New Year's Eve.

*Vegas has some real connections to the new cast of Dancing With the Stars announced this morning. Rehearsals are underway for the Season 8 premiere March 9 with Vegas nightclub regulars Denise Richards and the wildly bizarre Jackass star Steve-O. Access Hollywood co-anchor Nancy O’Dell, who is often on the Strip interviewing our headliners, also is in the rundown, but our bet is already going to country singer Chuck Wicks. He’s dating former Las Vegas Academy student turned DWTS pro dancer turned country singer Julianne Hough! How can she not be teaching him the tricks of the tango?

*It’s head-to-head competition tonight for our local magicians and their assistants. Women in Boxes has its premiere on The Documentary Channel. The 90-minute film focuses on women who have spent their lives working with magic’s famous performers and includes Pam Thompson, Gay Blackstone, Irene Larsen and others all well known in Vegas magic circles. If you can’t find DOC on your cable lineup, go to www.womeninboxes.com. It also will get a screening at the Sedona Film Festival in Arizona on Feb. 26 and at the Las Vegas International Film Festival starting April 9. Meanwhile, also at 9 p.m. on MyNetworkTV, is another episode of Masters of Illusion with Vegas favorites Jason Byrne and Kevin James leading the lineup.

*Tickets go on sale today for the one-night performance by Jimmy Buffet and his Coral Reefer Band set for May 16 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Jimmy, who is finishing work on a new live acoustic CD of the encore songs he performs, has just released a new DVD: Scenes You Know By Heart. He selected the best live performances of the songs from his 6-million selling CD from concerts across the world from Paris to Hawaii to Anguilla -- and yes, even Vegas! There are 13 videos in all, plus two-bonus cuts and a 12-page booklet in which Jimmy explains how the footage was chosen.

Photo: Scott Doctor/www.greatscottstudios.com

Kevin Federline.

Star surveillance

Mad Men actor Vincent Kartheiser dined at Lavo inside the Palazzo, maintaining a low profile with shaggy hair and a scruffy beard. But his show wardrobe of a gray suit and skinny tie gave him away! After enjoying the restaurant’s signature dishes, he hung out at the bar upstairs. … Kevin Federline turned up for a second time at Tao in The Venetian with new girlfriend Victoria Prince, who wore hot shorts and a blue top, despite the rainy Vegas weather. They were in a group of 10, and after dinner they danced at a corner table on the nightclub’s dance floor … Also at Tao was bride-to-be Danica McKellar (How I Met Your Mother). The Wonder Years actress donned a veil in celebration of her bachelorette weekend and the upcoming nuptials while partying with a group of girlfriends only!

Photo: Ash Hopkins

Jermaine Dupri at Prive.

Tonight’s tip

As noted this morning, Usher will not be hosting the party at Prive this evening. Last Monday, he was there as a guest when his record producer Jermaine Dupri hosted with Keyshia Cole and Monica in the entourage. Even Usher danced on the banquettes, and at 4 a.m., the group headed to the casino floor for a little gaming action. Tonight, Jermaine might be back to substitute for his friend with other surprise guests! … The gorgeous topless cabaret dancers from Fantasy at the Luxor will serve as hostesses for the Madame Monday party at Kerry Simon’s Cathouse. … At Jet in The Mirage, there’s a $10,000 prize for the lovely lady voted “sexiest server” in the Vegas hospitality industry.

Photo: TVT

Zowie Bowie is Marley Taylor and Chris Phillips.

Tomorrow’s tease

We’re busy assembling the very best Valentine’s Day coverage possible, but before Cupid fires his arrow, we’re off to explore Kat Von D’s amazing body art and the grand opening celebration of the new Juicy Couture store. Plus, I cry foul as Zowie Bowie ace me out of the pizza contest win just because Marley Taylor, the beautiful, busty, leggy blonde bombshell, in that duo really caught the judges’ eyes!

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