Las Vegas Weekly

April 28, 2010 · 2:51 PM

Strip Scribbles: Thunder From Down Under offers Aussie Abs

By Robin Leach

The men of Thunder From Down Under at the Brenden Celebrity Suite at the Palms.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

The handsome hunks of Thunder From Down Under at Excalibur have their own physical workout to stay fit, but now the secret to those awesome Aussie Abs is about to be shared with the world. My former longtime Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous Senior Field Director Andrea Ambandos was hired to turn the Australian male revue’s workouts into a video, and the boys will appear on HSN on May 22 to kick off their fitness regime.

Thunder hard body and longhaired brunette Donovan is the lead stud of the quick 5-minute workout. The entertainers perform nightly at Excalibur.

*For the first time in its 51-year history, the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is getting a facelift, and the Strip will shut down at 8 a.m. tomorrow for the celebration. An aerial stunt involving 12 bikini-clad skydivers and a celebrity guest will land close to where Mr. Las Vegas Wayne Newton and showgirl Judy Jubilee will be standing. Then our Mayor Oscar Goodman will be joined by Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins to make summer official as the sign is changed. We’ll have photos right after history is made.

*It was the half-court shot that nobody thought would happen. The Mirage sponsors the playoff home games for the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center in L.A. In Game 2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder matchup, Craig Calloway produced a miracle basket, winning the 29-year-old electrician and youth basketball coach $235,000 and a roaring standing ovation from the sellout crowd. It’s the second time The Mirage jackpot has been paid since our hotel became the exclusive home of the Lakers in Las Vegas. Last season, USC senior Robert Ward made the shot and won $165,000.

*Actor and comedian David Spade has re-inked his Venetian contract for a new run of eight return appearances this year. He’ll bring his wit back in June, twice in August, twice in September, in November, plus a weekend in December. “It’s becoming my second home,” laughed David, “Only the payments are higher!”

*An expert panel of NFL enthusiasts, players and agents kicked off a viewing party for the 2010 NFL Draft at star chef Emeril Lagasse’s Stadium in the Palazzo. The group who discussed selections, player insight and contract negotiations included Seth Joyner, Jerry Porter, A.J. Feeley, Kenny Onatolu, Charles Fisher, Jack Bechta and Jason Conn. Fans and guests at Stadium had an opportunity to meet the panel and ask questions as the 109 flat screen TVs showed the draft highlights.

*Pawn Stars star Chumlee sat alongside me as we judged the International Bikini Team Aloha State Finals at Silverton Casino Lodge. Twenty-five gorgeous girls in tropical Hawaiian attire paraded around the casino’s new swimming pool to open it for the season and then shed down to their bikinis as we put pen to paper and scored the competition. Petite blonde Amanda Corey, a Las Vegas model and spokeswoman for Xyience energy drink, was the winner, and she’ll go to the world finals in the Bahamas later this summer. The Nevada State Finals also will be held at Silverton next month for a second local winner to compete in the Bahamas.

Chumlee told me that as a result of the A&E show’s success, he’s purchased an apartment opposite the Pawn Store, and his first task upon waking up each morning is to check how many people are waiting in line. “Sometimes there’s a hundred people there by 8 a.m. willing to wait an hour before we let them in. We’ve had to put up ropes like it’s a nightclub,” he laughed. “And everyone of them buys something as a souvenir!”

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Transformers heartthrob Shia LaBeouf watched The Beatles’ Love at The Mirage. … PGA headliner Ricky Barnes kicked off a friend’s bachelor party at Haze in Aria. Partying nearby were The Hills star Kristin Cavallari and TV host and supermodel Tyra Banks. Kristin and Ricky also took their separate groups for a second night of partying at The Bank Nightclub in the Bellagio. … Actor Anthony Rapp enjoyed margaritas and guacamole at Dos Caminos in the Palazzo. … Lavo in the Palazzo turned back the clock to the 1990s with Rob Base and L.A. Gear leading the way on the catwalk with a lesson in old-school hip-hop. Rob sang his hits “It Takes Two” and “Joy & Pain.” VH1’s Tough Love Couples Dustin and Courtney, Dennis and Simone and Pawel and Danielle were among the revelers, and contributing photographer Al Powers captured the party scene for Vegas DeLuxe.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Actor Chazz Palminteri’s A Bronx Tale returns to The Venetian, followed by a party at First Food & Bar in the Palazzo. … Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss is the special guest with Astor & Black at the Looks Can Kill label-junkie party at Lavo. … Rocky Gordon plays tenor sax with his jazz quartet at a free Centennial Plaza concert downtown as part of Jazz Appreciation Month. … I have no idea what Devil Car, Deer Tick and Dylan Control Party are at the downtown Beauty Bar, but it’s too intriguing a collection of nonsensical names not to check it out!

TOMORROW’S TEASES

Rock group Daughtry pulls into The Orleans, and Miami Sound Machine goddess Gloria Estefan comes to town for the Walk of Fame star presentation for hubby Emilio Estefan and her. Plus the incredible photo feature and amazing story of two guys rolling a multimillion-dollar bet on the future of Las Vegas, converting lost and near abandoned properties into the slickest and sleekest of boutique hotels.

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 at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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