Las Vegas Weekly

August 4, 2010 · 1:07 PM

Strip Scribbles: Home Shopping Network to air live from The Strip

By Robin Leach

Molly Sims at Pure in Caesars Palace.

Photo: Sean Smith/WireImage

The Home Shopping Network is bringing in its sales stars, program hosts and TV crews for two days of live telecasts on The Strip. The shop, party and play promotion is set for broadcast Aug. 14 and 15 from Planet Hollywood. Expect to see Sylvester Stallone’s wife Jennifer Flavin-Stallone with her skin care products, beautiful actress and model Molly Sims selling her jewelry, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck with his kitchen products and decorating expert Joy Mangano during the two-day event.

*I hope everybody knows that today is National Champagne Day -- it’s been more than 300 years since the monk Dom Perignon first discovered those bubbles he described as “drinking stars” in Epernay champagne territory outside Paris. For years, I’ve lived by the motto “champagne wishes and caviar dreams,” so go celebrate today in style!

Photo: Melissa Goodin

Robin Leach and Angelica Bridges at the grand opening of Nu Sanctuary Lounge in Town Square on May 27, 2010.

On another personal note, I’d like to thank all the guest columnists who wrote for Vegas DeLuxe while I was away under the Tuscan sun in Italy on my annual vacation. I read each of you every day with your stories and anecdotes, and you all did a really great job. Thank you sincerely as we wrap up those contributions with a few more as I slowly resume normal service. I’ll have some of my own tales from Tuscany with some amazing restaurant discoveries next week.

*Speaking of champagne and Europe, it’s the final five days of the MGM Grand Crazy Horse Paris Passport to France contest where one winner flies to Paris for three nights with hotel, fine dining and cruising on the River Seine, topped off with front-row seats at the original Crazy Horse sexy cabaret show. Pick up the official passport at the Crazy Horse box office and get six stamps from the French-inspired venues of MGM, including Joel Robuchon’s Atelier, Christophe Salon and Rouge. Drop off the completed passport at Crazy Horse, and you could be on your way to the City of Lights and Love! Bon voyages, chers amis!

*Congratulations to beautiful Patricia Richards, the lead mixologist at Wynn and Encore, for placing first in the National Tales of the Cocktail five-day festival in New Orleans. She won against 14 top bar-tenders in the final round with her Fiesta Fatale original margarita made from Milagro Anejo, Creole Shrubb Liquer, basil, passion fruit and citrus topped with foamy passion fruit, sriracha and basil espume. Patricia was lead bartender at Wynn in 2005 before becoming head mixologist in 2007.

Photo: Al Powers/Retna Ltd.

Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka and Christina Hendricks at Lavo in the Palazzo on Feb. 22, 2010.

*Las Vegas regular Neil Patrick Harris has taken on the director reins to stage Rent in a two-week limited run at The Hollywood Bowl. He’s attracted an all-star cast including our Venetian headliner Wayne Brady and singer Nicole Scherzinger.

WICKED WHISPERS & RACY RUMORS

Is this the day we learn if a major investment group will reveal the NBA team they’ve got a deal with to relocate to Las Vegas if Clark County Commissioners approve a new arena proposal? … Expect at least 150 people to play roles in Flash Mob’s three-hour take-over at Aria in MGM’s CityCenter on Friday. You never quite know what they have planned, but previous ones have caused sensations, such as the Grand Central Station freeze as seen on YouTube. … The official trailer of Burlesque starring our Caesars Palace headliner Cher, our Dancing With the Stars heroine Julianne Hough and singer Christina Aguilera is expected to be released tonight, but Entertainment Tonight scored with its advance sneak last night. … Did lawyers for Tiger Woods reach out to former Tao hostess and Las Vegas condo owner Rachel Uchitel to ensure that she would stick to the reported $10 million payoff terms for her silence while “confessing” on Celebrity Rehab. … Action stars expected for the premiere of The Expendables at Planet Hollywood on Aug. 11 include Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Randy Savage, Jet Li and Mickey Rourke.

*Comic Louie Anderson, who opens his own club at Palace Station next month, also will use it as headquarters for his Stand-Up Boot Camp for aspiring comedians. Today, he’s hosting a five-day interactive seminar with comedy star Kyle Cease at the Comedy Store in L.A. During the intensive 60-hour boot camp, industry experts stop by to work one on one as teachers with the students to learn stand-up mastery.

Photo: Shane O'Neal/N9ne Group

A friend, J-Roc and Maino at Moon in the Palms on Aug. 3, 2010.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

Hip-hop artist Jermaine Coleman, better known as Maino, was at Moon in the Palms for the weekly Bang Party last night with an entourage of 13. After treating partygoers to a performance, he enjoyed champagne at his VIP table. … Boxing legend Lennox Lewis partied with friends in a private cabana at Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel. Nearby at Vanity, NFL free agent Melvin Fowler was in the DJ booth with DJ Five while San Diego Chargers cheerleader Melissa Puleo danced with friends in a VIP booth near pro boxers Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins Jr., who went there after dining together at Ago.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Funnyman Andrew Dice Clay kicks off another run of foul-mouthed comedy at the Las Vegas Hilton, and he’ll be in the Shimmer Showroom on four-day weekends through the end of the month. … Entertainer Tony Sacca moves his Vegas the Show from afternoons to evenings as of today at 7:30 p.m. at his Las Vegas Rocks Cafe downtown. … Gorgeous The Real Housewives of New York star Kelly Bensimon celebrates her new jewelry with a party at Lavo in the Palazzo. … The Gold Lounge at MGM CityCenter’s Aria starts industry nights with Model Material party.

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

Valerie Vasquez and Andrew Dice Clay on the blue carpet for the Viva Elvis world premiere at Aria in CityCenter on Feb. 19, 2010.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

It’s time for fans to get up close with some diverse meet-and-greets. Over at the Palms, there’s an opportunity to visit with hip-hop superstar Ludacris, while Star Trek stars William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Patrick Stewart oversee an attempt for a new Guinness World Record with the most Trekkies in costume for the 40th annual convention at the Hilton through Sunday, with celebrity guests and 15,000 galaxy fans.

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.

Share This