Las Vegas Weekly

January 13, 2010 · 3:53 PM

Strip Scribbles: Are The Killers and Tom Jones teaming up here?

By Robin Leach

Brandon Flowers of The Killers.

Photo: Torey Mundowsky

This is really unusual! It’s set to be one of the most unique pairings in recording history. Veteran singer Tom Jones is set to record with Las Vegas hometown heroes The Killers on his next Las Vegas trip. Solid rumors reaching me indicate that Tom will record with The Killers at the Palms during his next series of shows at MGM’s Hollywood Theater from Jan. 21-27.

Incidentally, Tom recorded “It’s Not Unusual” as his debut back in 1965, two years after I left England, and his most recent album is Tom Jones in Las Vegas. His son record producer Mark Woodward is coming here with Tom for the reported session. The Killers depart Jan. 24 for an Asian tour that includes Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, the Philippines and then Australia through Feb. 21.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

Zac Efron.

*Heartthrob Zac Efron is attending the premiere of Reach for Me at the Las Vegas Hilton on Jan. 22 with its stars Adrienne Barbeau, Charlene Blaine, LeVar Burton (who also directed), Seymour Cassel, Lacey Chabert and Alfre Woodard on the red carpet. Confirmed guests also include Steve Buscemi, Kelly Clinton, Queen Emily, Corey Haim, Masiela Lusha of The George Lopez Show, Frank Molina of American Sunset, Hilton headliners Lani Misalucha and her cast, Lorena Peril of Sin City Bad Girls, Lalesha and Steve Railsback, Rudy Ruettiger, Estella Warren and Billy Zane.

*With the help of some ghoulish zombies, Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood unveiled an official Resident Evil chopper by Savage Cycles. Based on the science-fiction horror video games developed by Capcom, the bike is the only one of its kind and features iconic images from the popular series.

*ABC execs confirmed our story yesterday that Season 10 of Dancing With the Stars premieres March 22 with a two-hour show. The suits said last season’s kickoff with 17 contestants won’t happen again, as they believe it prompted a ratings drop. They’re returning to the original format with 10 or 11 contestants.

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

Donny Osmond returns to the Flamingo with his champion's mirrored disco ball trophy on Nov. 25, 2009, after his win on ABC's Dancing With the Stars with Kym Johnson on Tuesday night.

*The new SkyJump Las Vegas being added to the rooftop of the Stratosphere will undoubtedly -- even at the $100 ticket price -- become a top tourist attraction. It will be a controlled free fall of 855 feet at as fast as 40 mph. SkyJump, the only one in the U.S. and the highest in the world, is set to open in April, runs until 2 a.m. and joins Big Shot, X-Scream and Insanity atop the tower. The entire experience for the six to 10 riders per hour, from preparation to landing, takes 30 minutes.

*Grab a cell phone and go! Caesars Palace is launching its iPhone application with everything you would ever want to know about what’s happening there updated every 24 hours. The free iTunes download includes a feature to personalize a Caesars Palace electronic postcard with your own photo on the resort’s giant marquee. Also available for U.S. guests is “Texpress,” designed to fast-track hotel check-in. One day before arrival, guests text the resort to check in, and instead of a front-desk line, you just go to the Bell Desk and pick up your keys. If my bet from the Consumer Electronics Show proves true, you’ll eventually use it to open your hotel suite without even stopping in the lobby.

Photo: Harrah's

The pools at Caesars Palace.

*The holidays are over, but there’s still fun to be had while we’re in post-CES mode and before the World of Concrete convention arrives. Amid all the resolutions to spend less or eat at home, January is a veritable hidden gem of incredible Las Vegas travel deals. They last through month’s end, so take advantage of a vacation in town or bring out all your relatives and friends.

At The Mirage, a two-night stay with two tickets to The Beatles Love is $318. When you book at either Monte Carlo or New York-New York, there’s free welcome cocktails, 50 percent off bottle service in the nightclubs, free appetizers at Gallagher’s Steakhouse and D’Vino and 25 percent off spa services, plus two tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity or Frank Caliendo’s show are $99 for the pair.

Photo: Tomasz Rossa

Zumanity.

It gets even better at the Luxor: Room rates start at $55. Stay a minimum of three nights, and you get the night with the lowest rate for free. At MGM Grand, where the rate has dropped to start at $75 a night, guests receive $60 of that in spa and dining credits, plus 15 percent off all retail shopping.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Usher hosts at Haze nightclub in CityCenter's Aria on Jan. 7, 2010.

Star surveillance

Superstar singer Usher and two friends enjoyed a spa and salon experience at Qua Baths in Caesars Palace. He was pampered with a “Red Carpet Facial,” one of Qua’s most popular hydrating treatments, followed by a manicure and pedicure at Michael Boychuck’s Color salon. … The cast of High School Reunion celebrated their show, which premieres on TV Land tonight, with dinner and a party last night at Lavo in the Palazzo. The Chaparral High School Class of 1989 here in Las Vegas reunited in Kauai for an eight-episode series and made HSR history with three marriage proposals and a wedding while old rivalries flared. Before the cast took over a VIP table onstage, LMFAO appeared and took over the microphone to entertain. The duo and their Party Rock crew performed their hit song “Shots” and did just that with Ciroc and Patron. UFC fighter Tito Ortiz was spotted in the crowd enjoying a guys’ night out with friends and Absolut Mandarin and 7-Up.

Tonight’s tips

If you are at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel, he’s giving away Red Monkey gift bags. … The 2010 Showgirl of the Year national finals winner will be named at Deja Vu Showgirls. … To celebrate the upcoming release of his newest album Venom, rapper Chamillionaire hosts, performs and will probably play guest DJ at Pure in Caesars Palace. … The highlight of the night, though, has to be caustic comic Robert Schimmel’s debut at the Riviera through Sunday with his savage views on sex and relationships. Robert beat cancer with an experimental chemical at The Mayo Clinic and used humor to help other patients get well with laughter. You might wince, but put him on your must-see list.

Tomorrow’s teases

We’ll take a photo look at the two Las Vegas nightclub beauties who blew the whistle on Tiger Woods and Rachel Uchitel to The National Enquirer that set off the golf superstar’s now 48-day disappearance. We’ll also check the rumors about Rachel’s photos with a nightclub czar and her alleged involvement with the ABC Girls – “always be closing” -- who shuttled back and forth to Dubai before that Mideast kingdom purchased part of a New York nightclub operation. Another major married showbiz star also is being linked to Tiger’s girls. Plus, the prestigious store Hermes prepares to open in Crystals at CityCenter, and we chat with the company’s U.S. president.

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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