Las Vegas Weekly

April 30, 2010 · 5:10 PM

Strip Scribbles: Wayne Brady returning from hiatus to The Venetian

By Robin Leach

Wayne Brady performs with backup dancers at The Venetian on July 22, 2009.

Photo: Leila Navidi

For three years, comedy headliner Wayne Brady has called The Venetian home, and now after a break, he’s returning as of Memorial Day weekend. Wayne’s hiatus came about when throat problems forced him to cancel shows and while he was recording episodes of Let’s Make a Deal that made it difficult to do TV shows by day and live comedy shows by night. It was the ultimate demand of showbiz: Unscripted and without rehearsals, he created an original show every night with his improv partner Jonathan Magnum.

Now Making It Up, which began April 2007, returns with less of a grueling schedule. Said Wayne: “I love giving audiences a show unlike any other on The Strip. No two shows are ever the same. My partner Jonathan and I stage a new form of old-school showbiz and make each show a one-of-a kind experience.” Fellow comic David Spade and legendary actor Chazz Palminteri are two stars who will rotate with Wayne’s new schedule.

*Vegas DeLuxe was the first to break the news of the major new spectacular being planned for the Las Vegas Hilton this fall, and while other media press for details, I can now reveal that Triumph is possibly only a cover-up name to throw off everybody. However, as the first TV and online commercials begin this week, I can reveal that “time travel and science technology” are being linked in this ambitious production that discovers the elusive secret of “the penetration of time.” Think King Arthur, H.G. Wells and the distant future. I’m expecting an official announcement about ticket sales in mid-May.

*AFAN’s 20th Annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas last weekend downtown raised a total of $500,000. The Rio headliners Penn & Teller served as grand marshals and hosted their own team with 1,000 of the 8,500 walkers. They raised a magical $176,000, including Penn & Teller’s donated matched funds. Next up is AFAN’s Annual Black & White Party at the Hard Rock Hotel on Aug. 21.

*This morning, I was the opening warm-up act for Playboy king Hugh Hefner on the Playboy Morning Show, where we all talked about the Playmate of the Year crowning to be held for the first time at Rain in the Palms, with fans invited to attend May 15. That’s the day before the 2010 Miss USA Pageant, so expect a rivalry for media attention!

Playboy cover girl favorite Pamela Anderson will take a break from her Dancing With the Stars routines to fly in for a special honor, and Grammy winner Robin Thicke is set to perform. The Playboy radio hosts told me that they’re sworn to secrecy about the identity of the winner, but surprisingly told me that I already know her -- and that nobody is going to be disappointed with the pick. Now I’m really curious! Hef told the Sirius audience that in saving the Hollywood sign with his $1 million donation this week, it is being renamed Hefwood in tribute for one month.

*Song-and-dance man Rick Faugno, one of the Strip’s popular Broadway imports and the original Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys, reprises his critically acclaimed, 80-minute one-man show Songs My Idols Sang (And Danced!) yet again May 30 at South Point. Rick, with his dancing, singing and acting talents, premiered the solo show and seven-piece backup band last August, and this marks his sixth show due to audience demand.

*Tickets go on sale today and tomorrow for myriad summer entertainment attractions. You can buy tickets today for singer Michael Buble’s Crazy Love Tour pulling into MGM on Aug. 28. Tickets are available tomorrow for rap royal 50 Cent at The Pearl in the Palms on June 6 and Devo on June 19, Jerry Lee Lewis on June 30 and Queensryche on July 24 all at the new Crown Theater in The Rio. Also available tomorrow, country singer Lyle Lovett at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel on July 24, Rush at MGM on Aug. 14 and Matchbox 20 frontman Rob Thomas at Red Rock Resort on Aug. 14. Plus, the Fetish & Fantasy Halloween Ball is all set again at the Hard Rock on -- when else? -- Oct. 31.

*Out-of-town Las Vegas also is doing well: Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show has done such great business in San Francisco that it’s been extended through the end of June at the same time continuing here at the Sahara. … An Evening at La Cage, which left the Riviera after a 24-year run, returns May 19 at the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs, Calif. Producer Norbert Aleman, who owns the La Cage name, gave comedian Jimmy Emerson permission to use it when he hosts our entertainers Brent Allen as Bette Midler and Judy Garland; Ryan Zink as Reba McEntire and Marilyn Monroe; Wendal Jackson as Dionne Warwick and Tina Turner; and Lane Lassiter as Michael Jackson.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

UFC President Dana White dined at his favorite N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms. He doesn’t have to order anymore because the servers know he’ll always have his usual. Also at N9NE, TV personality Chris Hansen, while retired NBA athlete Scot Pollard hung out poolside at the Palms Bungalows. … Jaron Wilson, co-founder of Project Sole, presented The Joint headliner resident Carlos Santana with a special Project Sole shirt as a thank you for his support and involvement in the shoe drives held at performances of Supernatural: a Trip Through the Hits. … Sex siren Sunset Thomas was at Cathouse in the Luxor and hit the airwaves after her induction into the XRCO Hall of Fame. Sunset appears on Sex & Money with host Len Connell tomorrow night. … Minutes after I left the Hard Rock Hotel’s new Johnny Smalls last night, former light-middleweight champion and current middleweight contender Ronald Lamont “Winky” Wright arrived for a late dinner. … Latin music legends Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan stayed for two hours talking with media and taking photographs with fans after yesterday’s Walk of Stars presentation at Crown Theater, the nightspot’s first event. The Crown’s grand opening is in June. Their star was installed on the sidewalk in front of the Flamingo this afternoon, and our thanks to Darrin Bush of Las Vegas News Bureau for this photograph and Christopher Rauschnot @24kMedia on Twitter for his video posted on YouTube.

Our loyal Vegas DeLuxe readers are our stars, and that’s why we work so hard to offer these weekly entertainment highlights that we refer to affectionately around here as the ROYAL ROBIN RUNDOWN:

FRIDAY, APRIL 30

*Comedy is king this weekend with Jerry Seinfeld taking over Cher’s throne at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace with shows tonight and tomorrow, while Talk Soup and Community funnyman Joel McHale is at Mandalay Bay. Cedric the Entertainer headlines at Planet Hollywood, and Lily Tomlin continues her one-woman standup through Wednesday at MGM’s Hollywood Theater.

*It’s not just Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley this weekend because Floyd’s Golden Boy Promotions features Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Roberto Arrieta battling at Tropicana.

*Carlos Santana continues his run of shows through Sunday at The Joint, and Little Anthony and the Imperials perform those silky smooth yesteryear hits for one night at the Las Vegas Hilton.

*Tattooed temptress Daisy De La Hoya of Daisy of Love -- yes, she’s Oscar De La Hoya’s niece -- welcomes fans with an autograph and photo session at Love Boutique in Deja vu Showgirls.

*Gunfights, costume contests, living history encampments and gold panning from The Old West are all set at the Grand National Competition 25 minutes south of the Strip at Gold Strike in Jean. It’s open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. all weekend long, and admission is free.

PARTY PATROL

Sizzling supermodel and sexy Victoria’s Secret angel Selita Ebanks will wear just a little more over lingerie when she hosts at Lavo in the Palazzo. … Dana White taps the ceremonial first keg of Maibock at Hofbrauhaus when Munich’s oldest beer arrives for the fifth consecutive year.

SATURDAY, MAY 1

*The Mayweather-Mosley match is the night’s main attraction, but there are other events in town for non-boxing fans.

*Comedy continues with two nights of former The Late Show funnyman Conan O’Brien with his Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on TV Tour at The Pearl. Conan is now signed to TBS for his late-night show in the fall.

*Superstar song-dance-piano man Barry Manilow starts another monthlong run at the Paris, and he and audiences are reveling in every moment.

*Legendary British singer Petula Clark leaves “Downtown” to perform that hit and a whole lot more in Elvis Presley’s old showroom at the Hilton.

*The People Are Crazy Music Fest has its one-night-only concert at Sunset Station with Billy Currington, David Nail, Mark Willis and others, while Little River Band rolls gently downstream into Green Valley Ranch, Candlebox lights up Silverton Casino Lodge, and Lupe Fiasco celebrates an early Cinco de Mayo at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

*Please support the 15th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure walk and run starting at Fremont Street Experience and traveling through downtown to raise funds to end breast cancer.

PARTY PATROL

After the big fight, Floyd Mayweather Jr. hosts at Studio 54 in MGM Grand, while Sean “P. Diddy” Combs hosts his exclusive bash at Eva Longoria Parker’s Eve The Nightclub at Crystals in MGM’s CityCenter. … Entourage star Kevin Dillon hosts his after-fight party at Vanity in the Hard Rock Hotel. … DJ Vice is the special guest for the grand opening summer celebration at Tao Beach in The Venetian. … Singer Mya performs at Pure in Caesars Palace. … Actors Bryan Greenberg and Victor Rasuk of HBO’s How to Make It in America, party at MGM Grand’s Wet Republic. Atlanta rapper B.o.B., known for his hit “Nothin’ on You,” also will be at Wet Republic as he celebrates the release of his new album.

SUNDAY, MAY 2

*Congratulations to comedy magician Mac King as he celebrates his 10th anniversary of shows at Harrah’s, and he’s pulling a Kentucky barbecue from out of his hat for his celebrity friends to party at his home.

*Sex kitten Carmen Electra will strip down to a sassy bikini to celebrate her birthday at Wet Republic with DJs Gusto and Tony Arzadon.

*Kristi Holden, Christine Daae in Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian, performs the benefit concert Singing Outside the Lines at 2 p.m. at the Flamingo Library. Event proceeds to go Family Promise, and Kristi’s guests include Kristen Hertzenberg, Joan Sobel, Nicole Pryor, Andrew Ragone, Tony Coppola, Rick Faugno, Danielle White, Bruce Ewing, Luke Lazzaro, Don Bellamy, Courtney Combs, Ben Hale and Dan Redfeld.

MONDAY’S TEASE

We’ll post ringside Mayweather-Mosley fight photos from Tom Donoghue on Sunday, but for all the other fight celebrations and pool party playtime, join us Monday for the full wrap-up with P. Diddy himself, along with our Editor Don Chareunsy’s report from Conan O’Brien’s standup show at The Pearl.

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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