Las Vegas Weekly

June 9, 2009 · 11:22 AM

VDLX @Twitter: Garth Brooks, Paula Abdul, Peepshow and Talent

By Robin Leach

Garth Brooks.

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

Here’s what you missed if you weren’t following all our breaking news yesterday on Twitter:

Retired country singer Garth Brooks was the surprise headline star for Steve Wynn’s private concert for 800 family, friends and VIP patrons at the Encore theater last night -- exactly as we predicted! It was only when guests arrived at the late Danny Gans’ theater that they got the confirmation when each one was handed a black 10-gallon Stetson to wear during the show and keep as a souvenir. Garth’s appearance was wrapped in secrecy, with staff at the Wynn and Encore kept in the dark until the last moment. Garth’s folks say he isn’t coming out of retirement to become the new resident star at the Encore, but you know Steve is the best operator in the business, and if anybody could persuade Garth otherwise, it would be Steve!

Singer, choreographer and American Idol judge Paula Abdul has arrived at The Venetian for meetings with New York-based producers to develop a talent variety show she would host at either The Venetian or Palazzo. Paula tipped her trip in her own Twitter message saying, “It’s a possible opportunity that’s grabbed my interest.” She also was hoping our weather here would be much warmer and sunnier than cold Los Angeles! Last time Paula planned a show was for the outdoor theater complex at the Silverton, which was delayed due to the current economic downturn. While Paula is here, expect her to watch Criss Angel’s Believe.

Photo: N9NE Group

David Hasselhoff and friends at the Palms.

Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff and Piers Morgan, the judges on America’s Got Talent, have all checked into the Wynn for a brief stay this week to film segments of the hit NBC summer show. However, they are being shuttled via limo each day to George Maloof’s Fantasy Tower at Palms for the filming in cloak and dagger style, with mystery surrounding why they are not in a theater or nightclub there. It’s the fourth season ofTalent, and Terry Fator, who won Season 2, is now headlining in nightly sold-out shows at The Mirage.

Holly Madison will get solo star billing on the theater marquee and all the promotional advertising and PR for her role in Peepshow starting June 22. Her official first night party is now locked in for June 25. All sorts of rumblings about Mel B’s husband, Stephen Belafonte, being the real reason that Scary Spice also is leaving with Kelly Monaco on June 21 at the end of the original three-month contracts. “It’s his sole responsibility,” I was told.

I failed to learn the name of the Broadway actress-singer-dancer set to take her place, but despite her long and respectable credentials, she’s not a household name and thus it will be Holly’s star power that will be used solely. Still hoping for the name of the star from the Big Apple’s Great White Way!

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.

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