Las Vegas Weekly

August 5, 2010 · 5:06 PM

Strip Scribbles: O celebrates 10 millionth visitor

By Robin Leach

The 10 millionth guest of Cirque du Soleil's O with cast members from the show at the Bellagio.

Photo: Von Loyrangsy/Cashman Photography

Congratulations to Kathy Smogowicz from Connecticut, who found herself in the spotlight last night at Cirque du Soleil’s O at the Bellagio. Before the curtain went up, two clowns from the aquatic production brought her onstage to her astonishment, telling her that she was the 10 millionth audience member.

Kathy won a return trip to Las Vegas, along with a two-night stay at the Bellagio and two tickets for another Cirque du Soleil show of her choice. O is one of seven Cirque spectaculars on The Strip.

*Pop king Michael Jackson moved from Las Vegas into a $100,000-a-month chateau rental in Holmby Hills, Calif., last year before his scheduled This Is It concert run in London. He died in the 17,171-square-foot, seven-bedroom, 13-bathroom mansion last June, and it went on the market yesterday for $28,995,000, a $10 million increase from its 2004 purchase price but a $10 million drop from two years ago before Michael leased it. For the massive sum, the home also includes a wine cellar, a gym, a spa and a movie theater on 1.25 acres.

*Following his wildly successful first five months of shows at the Paris, superstar entertainer Barry Manilow has announced 27 new performance dates Sept. 24 through Jan. 16, and tickets go on sale Saturday. Barry donates the proceeds of the weekly Platinum photo meet-and-greet front-row seats to Las Vegas middle school and high school music programs. His contract calls for 78 shows a year over two years, and he says he’s having the best time of his life here.

*The Miss America Organization and ABC announced this morning that The Bachelor and The Bachelorette host Chris Harrison will host the 2011 Miss America Pageant when it broadcasts live from Planet Hollywood on Jan. 15. The pageant marks the 90th anniversary, and it’s expected that all previous Miss America winners will line up for an onstage parade. Chris hosted the pageant in 2004 in Atlantic City before its move to Las Vegas.

*Planet Hollywood executives confirmed last night our story yesterday about the star-studded premiere and screening of The Expendables on Aug. 11 before the film’s national release. Robert Earl, founder of Planet Hollywood International, and his fellow film producers Avi Lerner and Kevin King Templeton will welcome stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, David Zayas, Giselle Itie, Charisma Carpenter and Terry Crews to the red carpet event. The film is a powerhouse lineup of action stars that also includes Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li and our own hometown hero UFC star Randy -- never before seen together in one film.

*How can I resist telling you that today is National Underwear Day, so whether small, large, sexy, slinky or silky, it’s time to celebrate the intimate apparel. Over at the Hard Rock Hotel, the naughty but nice lacy lingerie, naughty knickers, fishnet tights, leather and fur bedroom accessories and hot hose designer store Love Jones is offering a buy one pair, get one free celebration today. The offer includes Elle Macpherson and Carol Maloney’s intimate items. … As we reported this week, Rehab’s airport kiosk at McCarran Airport has opened, so you can dress in advance for the world’s most outrageous pool party or take home a souvenir. … Aug. 13 is the deadline to enter for a chance to win an engagement proposal package set for 10.10.2010 at 10.10 a.m. in Caesars Palace’s Forum Shops. Ten couples who submit a 110-word essay will be selected to be flown to Las Vegas for the once-in-a-lifetime event. Go to www.101010at1010am.com for more details.

*Former Lavo chef Ludo Lefebvre and his Playboy cover girl wife Krissy have become overnight food sensations in L.A. with a restaurant that changes locations weekly -- or when they feel like it! Ludo was recently axed from Top Chef Masters, but his unique Ludo Bites won ultimate praise from respected The New York Times food writer Sam Sifton, who flew out twice from the East Coast to snag secret reservations to discover what the excitement was all about with Ludo.

*Starting Sunday at Emily’s in Club Fortune Casino, guests can compete in the Colossus Burger Challenge. It’s the equivalent of 12 burger patties, and if you polish it off in 20 minutes, the $19.99 charge is voided, and you win a T-shirt and photo on the wall of champions! … Paula and George Roberts have such a love for their meals at Smashburger, they even got married in their local San Antonio franchise. Then they flew to Las Vegas for a weeklong honeymoon spent with daily lunches at Smashburger outlets here and a multi-night stay at The Mirage, which included a backstage visit with headliner Terry Fator after watching his ventriloquism concert this week.

*Vegas DeLuxe can confirm that the giant Consumer Electronics Show from Jan. 6-9 will feature Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg for the first time as the keynote speaker. Some 130,000 consumer technology professionals and 2,500 companies are all set to invade our city. The convention will focus on home appliances going high tech, as kitchens, laundry rooms and other living space all get digital and remote control boosts.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

The new magazine Real Eyes was launched with an Ambhar Tequila party at Blue Martini in Town Square last night. Guests on the red carpet included Omar Gooding, Amy Heart, 2008 Miss United States Brittany Cherie Williams, Barry Black and Sin City Ellen.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

Hip-hop phenomenon Ludacris performs live poolside at the Palms with highlights from his seventh studio album Battle of the Sexes. … Legendary singer Tom Jones, now knighted by the Queen as Sir Thomas, returns to the MGM Grand through Aug. 18 with hits from his new album Praise & Blame. … Ratt performs at the Pub in the Monte Carlo. … Arden Myrin of MadTV plays host at The Playboy Comedy Club in the Palms and welcomes Reno 911 star Kyle Dunnigan and Last Comic Standing’s Shane Mauss. … E! News anchor Jason Kennedy hosts the Generosity Water Party With a Purpose at Tao in The Venetian. … Losing Scarlet plays Carey Hart’s Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel. … Sixty-four bands are competing over 31 weeks in the biggest battle of the bands at Diablo’s at the Monte Carlo.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

It’s a bonanza weekend of star-studded attractions, with everybody from Blondie and The B-52’s to busting a move at the Ultimate B-Boy Championship at MGM Grand. There’ll be an abundance of viewing parties in town for UFC 117 featuring Anderson Silva’s battle with Chael Sonnen from Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. Plus, the Third Annual Carnival of Cuisine at The Venetian with five James Beard-winning chefs among the 22 restaurants chefs presenting demos and tastings during the three-hour food extravaganza. We’ll also wrap up our guest columnists while I was away in Italy with a perfect weekend recipe from Strip House chef John Schenk at Planet Hollywood.

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