Las Vegas Weekly

July 28, 2009 · 12:06 PM

Strip Scribbles: Bette Midler’s $1,000 backstage meet and greet

By Robin Leach

Bette Midler in The Showgirl Must Go On in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Superstar Bette Midler’s new luxury VIP package is quite the deal, even with its $1,000 price tag -- believed to be the most expensive of its kind in Las Vegas history! The Divine Miss M has affectionately dubbed the package Smug Mutha, and fans who sign on will sit front row center at her Caesars Palace Colosseum spectacular The Showgirl Must Go On.

After Bette sizzling spectacular, they’ll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet her backstage. Additionally, they’ll have a photo taken with the superstar who also will autograph the show program. The Smug Mutha package also includes a VIP escort into the theater and two drinks and will be available Aug. 11 through Sept. 6.

Photo: Sushi Samba

Sushi Samba's edible bikini.

Photo: Sushi Samba

Sushi Samba's edible bikini.

*This morning on NBC’s Today, an edible bikini made from the menu attractions of our Sushi Samba in the Palazzo was featured -- and then promptly devoured by cast and crew! The tasty two-pieces were debuted a week ago at the Miami Sushi Samba in collaboration with Ed Hardy at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Watch it HERE in case you missed it!

Photo: Harrah's

Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond flank 2009 Miss America Katie Stam.

*Today crews are moving into town for vacation week segments starting Thursday. Hosts Natalie Morales and Amy Robach will feature interviews with Bette Midler, Donny and Marie Osmond and our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman. The TV personalities also will wrap up their Stiletto Spy School reports, which we told you about when they partied at Azure Pool in the Palazzo. Natalie and Amy will anchor from Pure’s balcony at Caesars Palace.

*Planet Hollywood was the site yesterday of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation filming of the “Family Affair” episode, which will open Season 10 of the top-rated CBS series this fall. … Tonight, we’ll be filming a number of Patron recipes with Planet Hollywood bartenders for a new video feature here at Vegas Deluxe beginning next week!

Photo: Pure Management Group

Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler at Pure.

David Christophere, left, during a Rabbit in the Moon show.

Star surveillance

Actress-model Shanna Moakler dined in a party of four at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms. Shanna, dressed in jeans and a V-neck blouse, ordered crispy fried calamari, the tender short rib entree and a side of macaroni and cheese. At a nearby table, actress Mena Suvari in a party of 10 sipped on Ketel One drinks and feasted on petit filet mignon with sides of grilled asparagus and a baked potato. Across the dining room, rock icon Slash continued to celebrate his 44th birthday. His entourage of 10 others started with the crispy wonton appetizer, and Slash ate a petit filet with sides of green beans and skinny fries. Executive chef Barry Dakake sent out a platter of signature desserts, and Slash wound up in the kitchen to sign Barry’s famous door and pose for photos with line cooks and waiters. He continued up to Ghostbar for champagne and cocktails. At Moon, U.K. duo Steve Proctor and Lindy Layton, who make up Hard Knox, hung out at a VIP table near the DJ booth enjoying Patron shots and Fiji water. Greg Oden of the Portland Trailblazers arrived at 2 a.m. with friends. DJ AM and Travis Barker relaxed after their mind-blowing wheels-of-steel set in Rain that kicked off Kandyland. Earlier, electronica group Rabbit in the Moon dined at Nove Italiano in a party of 15 that feasted on sausage pizzas, calamari, Crudo cold cuts, steaks, spaghetti and Alaskan halibut. Afterwards, they went to Rain and spun their beats on the turntables. … Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 had lunch at Pink Taco in the Hard Rock Hotel in between the two concerts at The Joint that kicked off their reunion tour. Jason “Wee-Man” Acuna stayed at the Hard Rock and was spotted all over the resort. … Cobi Jones, USA National Soccer Team ex-midfielder, chilled out cabana side at M Resort’s Daydream pool.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 performs at The Joint in The Hard Rock Hotel.

Photo: Denise Truscello

Slash and Perla Hudson celebrate Slash's birthday at Jet.

Tonight’s tips

At Harrah’s Improv, Greg Travis takes the stage through Sunday with Don Barnhart and Clara Bijl. Greg has appeared on TV and in more than 30 feature films, including Las Vegas-set Showgirls and Starship Troopers, and he’ll be seen in the upcoming films Mortuary, Jack Satin, The Last Stand, Night of the Living Dead 3-D and Sin-Jin Smyth. Greg has opened for Cher, Tom Jones and Dolly Parton.

Tomorrow’s teases

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly meets students at Fremont Street Experience to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the moon landing. … It’s another party at Lavo in the Palazzo with Chester French, Kelly Rowland and Mena Suvari, plus The Battle of the Brushes as our makeup masters duke it out with the wildest new looks!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

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