Las Vegas Weekly

August 30, 2010 · 4:59 PM

Strip Scribbles: Jerry Springer’s ‘baggage dating show’ on GSN

By Robin Leach

Jerry Springer at America's Got Talent Live! at Planet Hollywood.

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

From our Wicked Whispers & Racy Rumors files:

Despite all the hopelessly inaccurate rumors printed elsewhere, the magic time-travel spectacular Triumph is set to open Nov. 15 at the Las Vegas Hilton. Tickets go on sale Sept. 10, so ignore the still-circulating rumors traced to a disgruntled employee. I’m reliably told that everybody has now been hired for the show, so the cast is in place tackling rehearsals. … Several gorgeous showgirls and pole dancers have been recruited from Las Vegas for The Game Show Network’s new “baggage dating show” to be hosted by Jerry Springer.

Reliable spies tell me that three residents of the luxurious Turnberry Towers condos have joined together to buy The Stirling Club there, and they’ve already reportedly stopped taking reservations from outside parties and plan to find another restaurant, as celebrity chef Charlie Palmer is said to not be renewing his lease there. … It’s now definite that in mid-November, the newly renovated Tropicana will open the first phase of Nikki Beach with Cafe Nikki. The restaurant will feature breakfast, lunch and dinner and include signature dishes from Nikki Beach locations around the globe and special twists on traditional favorites. The creative cuisine, after-dinner entertainment, world-class DJs and Nikki Beach lifestyle events begin Nov. 15.

Starting in mid-October, expect to see a live stage version of Hollywood Squares starting five times a week at Crown Theater & Nightclub in The Rio. Stars from The Strip will appear along with Las Vegas resident celebrities, and even celebrity impersonators as ushers. Still a mystery is to who goes in the center square, and who will host!

*Comedian and Hilton headliner Andrew Dice Clay hosted Tao’s debut Bump ’n’ Grind lap dance competition at The Venetian hotspot with his new wife Valerie and his opening act, comedienne Eleanor Kerrigan. The trio dined in the restaurant before starting the competition with 31 ladies upstairs in the nightclub. Amanda L’Hommedieu took home the $5,000 grand prize, which she said she’ll use to furnish her new condo.

Photo: Stiletto Entertainment

Barry Manilow and Clive Davis at Paris Las Vegas on Aug. 27, 2010.

STAR SURVEILLANCE

*Grammy Award winner and legendary music producer Clive Davis joined his discovery Barry Manilow backstage for photographs after watching Barry’s show at the Paris on Friday night. Barry’s new run of shows is drawing packed houses, including singer actress Lorna Luft, attendees of the 2010 Human Rights Campaign Gala on Saturday night and many of the pageant princesses competing here last week in the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant. Every time Barry has gone to his new favorite nightclub Tryst in the Wynn with his star guests, DJ Fabian has played a special welcome track. “I love the vibe, the energy and the beautiful hospitality,” Barry said.

Photo: Courtesy

Olympic Swimmers Ryan Lochte, Cullen Jones and Ed Moses with the cast of Peepshow at Planet Hollywood.

Olympic swimmers Ryan Lochte, Cullen Jones Jr. and Ed Moses joined Holly Madison and the sexy cast of Peepshow at Planet Hollywood after the burlesque cabaret ended for onstage photographs. …. Olympic swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps hit Encore Beach Club at Encore for a second time and took over a luxury cabana with seven friends. The next day, he booked a cabana at the Palms Pool & Bungalows. … Roger Taylor of Queen attended Carrot Top show at the Luxor.

Photo: Courtesy

Olympic gold medal-winning swimmers Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps.

Among the star presenters and performers at Steve Harvey’s Eighth Annual Hoodie Awards at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Saturday night: The O’Jays, Fantasia (who performed at Rain in the Palms late Friday night), Holly Robinson Peete, Michael Clarke Duncan, Omarosa, Sherri Shepherd and Flamingo headliner George Wallace.

We managed to track down the one photo of hostess Jenny McCarthy and Entourage star Kevin Dillon, who celebrated his birthday simultaneously, at A Midsummer Night’s Dream this month at the Palms. Left to right: model Lindsay Gayle, Kevin’s booking agent Ken Dillon, Jenny and Kevin.

Photo: Courtesy

Lindsey Gayle, Ken Dillon, Jenny McCarthy and Kevin Dillon.

TONIGHT’S TIPS

The Fourth Annual Restaurant Week is underway today with more than 80 restaurants citywide taking part. Prix-fixe meals cost $20.10, $30.10 and $50.10, with a portion going to Three Square food bank. Wet Republic at MGM Grand with star chef Hubert Keller as DJ hosts the Restaurant Week launch party Wet Your Appetite with treats from Joel Robuchon and Tom Colicchio, of Best Reality TV Competition Emmy winner Top Chef, and MGM hotspots including Circo, Sage and Craftsteak. Restaurant Week continues through Sunday. … The weeklong Burning Man Festival begins in Black Rock Desert at the northern top of our state. … Tables are turned when the girls who rule the world of nightlife contests have to compete in the Ultimate Contest of Queens, with Stacey Alexander, Shannon Kelly and Grace Atencio battling for the $10,000 and crown at Jet in The Mirage. … Eva Longoria Parker’s Eve at MGM CityCenter’s Crystals hosts the Most Inspired Bartender Contest.

Photo: Robyn Andrzejczak/IS PHotography/www.imagesofvegas.com

Nick Carpenter and Bridget Marquardt at Azure at The Palazzo on Aug. 28, 2010.

TOMORROW’S TEASES

One of the most extraordinary sets of aerial photography as contributing photographer Tom Donoghue shares Part 1 of his Maverick Helicopter flight over the new Hoover Dam road, Lake Mead and Lake Las Vegas in advance of Part 2 on Wednesday, the first time permitted aerials over the American Indians’ hallowed ground at Eagle Point by the Skywalk of the Grand Canyon. Awesome and magnificent, breathtaking and never before seen. Plus, the Season 11 cast of Dancing With the Stars and a one-on-one chat with Playboy princess Bridget Marquardt, who says she loves Las Vegas.

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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