Las Vegas Weekly

November 5, 2009 · 2:32 PM

Strip Scribbles: Bette Midler to end Caesars Palace run on Jan. 31

By Robin Leach

Bette Midler celebrates the 100th performance of The Showgirl Must Go On at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace.

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

Superstar entertainer Bette Midler announced today that the final performance of her Caesars Palace spectacular The Showgirl Must Go On will be Jan. 31. It marks the end of her two-year residency at The Colosseum, which began on Feb. 20, 2008.

“What a fabulous two years this has been, and I thank AEG and Caesars Palace for the best partnership a showgirl could imagine. Who knows? These legs have had such a great run in the desert -- it may be time to haul them to places with more humidity and fewer slot machines. But first I need to finish recording my album of the sexiest new love songs that only a showgirl could sing,” Bette said in a release.

John Meglen, president of AEG, commented: “Bette is one of the most talented, hard-working professionals in the business, and we would have loved for her to stay longer. All of us at AEG Live thank Bette and the entire cast, crew and staff for a great two-year run at The Colosseum.”

Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner summed up: “Like every one of her performances, the approaching finale of Bette’s two-year engagement leaves us applauding for more. Bette always will have a home at Caesars Palace.”

Bette will perform The Showgirl Must Go On this Saturday through Nov. 15 and again Dec. 30 through Jan. 31.

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

Angelica Bridges at the 10th anniversary of Fantasy at the Luxor.

*Whoever would have guessed that sleek, sexy, body beautiful Playboy cover model and new Fantasy headliner Angelica Bridges could eat up a storm? She will compete this Sunday at noon in Steve Martorano’s first-ever Masters Meatball Eating Championship! Click HERE for our story yesterday. More Major League Eaters have decided to compete against legends Joey Chestnut and Rich LeFevre, who is coming out of retirement, since our post yesterday.

Joining Angelica will be 105-pound Sonya “Black Widow” Thomas and No. 3-ranked Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, who between them hold a combined 45 world records in Major League Eating. Before you dismiss Angelica’s chances, bear in mind that the Eaters normally use their hands to stuff as much as they can in their mouths. This challenge demands respect for the famous Martorano meatballs, and they have to use fork and knife. Angelica may have an advantage!

Photo: Courtesy

A Michael Godard slot machine.

*The contract between pop artist supreme Michael Godard, who has a gallery here in Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile, and slot machine manufacturer Aristocrat was signed two years ago. It’s taken since then for Michael to create what is being described as “the greatest slot machine ever.” His artwork “Godard’s Rocking Olives” inside the machine is captured in a preview photo exclusive to Vegas DeLuxe. Michael will give a sneak preview of the machine to global buyers at the G2E gaming show here starting Nov. 17. He’s keeping the details secret until the first spin.

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

Lacey Schwimmer.

*Dancing With the Stars professional Lacey Schwimmer has a one degree of separation connection to the Society of Seven opening at the Gold Coast tomorrow. Her dad, award-winning choreographer Buddy Schwimmer, has created new routines for the production. Buddy also is the father of Benji Schwimmer, who was the Season 2 winner of Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance. Appearing with SOS is Jasmine Trias, the third-place finisher on Season 3 of American Idol.

*Ex-Society of Seven singer Lani Misalucha hosted Randy Jackson when he came to see her show Voices at the Las Vegas Hilton. Randy, the youngest of Michael Jackson’s brothers, also met with producer Angelo Giordano.

*On a personal note, I’m very sorry and saddened to see the final blog of my friend Richard Abowitz’s Vegas tales on the Los Angeles Times Moving Buffet. Richard’s writing skills and keen personalized views of all things Las Vegas were a true highlight of the Times’ sites. Fortunately, he’ll still freelance for the LAT and appear in its weekend edition, plus we can still read Richard’s wit and sharp pen in our sister Las Vegas Weekly. But hopefully he’ll find a new national outlet soon. He’s just too smart to keep in Las Vegas alone!

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

Holly Madison at the grand opening of the Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip.

Star surveillance

Peepshow star Holly Madison enjoyed a day’s break from the hit burlesque show with dinner at Dos Caminos in the Palazzo last night. All the stage stunts worked up a hearty appetite for the Playboy beauty, and she devoured guacamole, short rib and carnitas tacos and a shrimp quesadilla accompanied with a prickly pear margarita.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

LeAnn Rimes performs the national anthem during the first round of the 2009 Professional Bull Riders World Finals at Thomas & Mack Center on Oct. 30, 2009.

Tonight’s tips

Singer LeAnn Rimes returns tonight for the third and final of her consecutive weekend appearances in concert at Treasure Island. Click HERE for our Editor Don Chareunsy’s story from her concert last week. LeAnn’s final show under this current contract is tomorrow. … It’s double the laughter and double the fun when The Smothers Brothers start a four-night run at The Orleans Showroom. Their first public appearance was at the Purple Onion in San Francisco in 1959, which means they’ve been working their seamless blend of comedy and music for 50 years!

Photo: Courtesy

Phil Ivey.

Tomorrow’s teases

It’s nothing but poker this weekend in Las Vegas. The World Series of Poker Final Nine starts play Saturday, with Phil Ivey favored to scoop most of the $10 million pot. Motley Crue rocker Vince Neil holds his annual celebrity charity poker tournament also at The Rio. Plus, our pals from Air Supply are stunned to find they have fans in Vietnam; Kelly Clarkson holds court at the Hard Rock; and we have our interview with ABBA-alikes Abbacadabra, who headline at the Hilton.

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.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

— From Vegas Deluxe

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