Las Vegas Weekly

May 19, 2009 · 1:28 PM

Strip Scribbles: Santana among performers on American Idol finale

By Robin Leach

Kris Allen, left, and Adam Lambert compete in the finals of Season 8 of American Idol. With them is Allison Iraheta, who finished fourth in the Fox singing competition behind Danny Gokey.

Photo: Fox TV

When American Idol finalists Kris Allen and Adam Lambert battle it out to claim glory tonight and tomorrow on the Fox mega-hit, there will be an all-star cast of music legends performing, among them our new resident Joint headliner Carlos Santana.

Adam, a 27-year-old theater actor from San Diego, will go up against 23-year-old Arkansas college student Kris in the bid to win the title and a record contract (although in recent years, the runners-up also have received recording contracts). Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood will close tonight's show with her remake of Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home," which has been used as the swan song for the eliminated contestant each week.

Tomorrow night, joining Carlos are another Las Vegas regular Will.I.Am and the Black Eyed Peas, Lionel Ritchie, Keith Urban, Queen Latifah, KISS, Fergie, Season 7 winner David Cook and Cyndi Lauper, among others. Carlos kicks off his residency at the Hard Rock Hotel music venue next week.

*Our condolences to family and friends of veteran Hollywood PR prince Lee Solters, who died at his L.A. home yesterday. I worked with Lee for more than 40 years of storytelling with his movie and recording industry clients. Lee, who represented Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand and the Madame Tussauds at The Venetian, was a true pro and always looked out for me, skillfully saying “yes” when he deemed it OK and “no” when he wanted me to wait on something. But he always came through with the story the way he wanted! Lee will be missed by all.

*Congratulations are in order for our Las Vegas-based comedy king Jerry Lewis. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed from the Cannes Film Festival that Jerry will star in director Daniel Noah’s Max Rose. It’s Jerry’s first big screen role since 1995’s Funny Bones. In the new film, Jerry will play a widower who gets to revisit key moments in his life. THR says Jerry will start production this fall in L.A.

*World-respected yoga guru Bikram Choudhury made a surprise visit over the weekend to Bikram Yoga Southwest, where he autographed copies of his books for fans and students. He posed for a photo with 13-year-old Devin, the current Nevada Youth Yoga champion. Before he left, the Hollywood-based guru invited the group to a free class at the Palm Desert, Calif., resort where he teaches!

*Thousands of members of the International Council of Shopping Centers have arrived here for their annual convention. The global trade association has 75,000 members in more than 80 countries representing developers, owners, retailers and investors.

Star surveillance

Football great and Dancing With the Stars Season 3 champion Emmitt Smith was spotted at Fix in the Bellagio dining on Kobe chili cheese fries, lobster tacos and a rib eye steak. … Veteran funnyman Shecky Greene, regarded as the ultimate nightclub performer and original Las Vegas comedian, recounted tales of Sin City past at his weekend shows at the Suncoast showroom for an all-star turnout that included fellow comics David Brenner and Marty Allen, magician Penn Jillette, impressionist Rich Little, singers Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, former Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and her broadcaster husband Denis Bono. … Adult film star Sunset Thomas brought her fellow XXX-rated friend Rebecca Love and gal pal Danielle on a girls’ night out to The Men of X at Hooters casino resort, taping a webisode of her reality show Sin City Moms. … LMFAO, who are Redfoo and Sky Blue, performed for the bikini-clad crowd at Wet Republic.

Tonight’s tips

*Poker princes Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari and David Williams host at Lavo in the Palazzo, and two lucky ladies will win a double date with the star card players. … I’ve raved previously about our hometown SuperCr3w dancers, and they will perform an amazing show at Moon in the Palms. … Comedy impressionist James Stephens, who gave up practicing law for humor and starred on Fox’s The Edge, headlines at Harrah’s through Monday with supporting acts Scott Kennedy and Debbie Praver.

Tomorrow’s teases

Our exclusive conversation with Hilton headliner Barry Manilow as he plans this weekend’s Worldwide Fan Convention with a rare performance, and he has decision day approaching when his contract ends this year. … We’ve got an advance look at the fighters for the 100 man and woman Tuff-N-Uff mixed martial arts showdown upcoming at The Orleans Arena and a photo gallery of the incredible summer garden displays at the Bellagio Conservatory. … Still to come later in the week, our exclusive interviews with Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil and the ever beautiful and ageless Suzanne Somers.

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.

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