Las Vegas Weekly

January 27, 2010 · 3:28 PM

Strip Scribbles: Blue Man Group appears on Wheel of Fortune

By Robin Leach

Pat Sajak and Vanna White flank the Blue Man Group on the set of Wheel of Fortune.

Photo: Courtesy

Another weeklong series of Wheel of Fortune shows taped in Las Vegas are set to air on Feb. 8 on more than 200 TV stations coast to coast. Longtime hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White taped the Las Vegas-themed episodes here last July.

Members of the zany, unpredictable Blue Man Group, who star nightly in their own custom-built theater in The Venetian and are celebrating their 10th anniversary on the Strip, joined the hosts for the shows -- and to say it was a unique experience would be an understatement! The weeklong syndication strip winds up with a Las Vegas Valentine’s Day and wedding-themed episode.

*The Report On Vegas Web site is reporting today that Harrah’s Entertainment is in negotiations to purchase BASE Theatrical Group, which produces Peepshow, Jersey Boys, Phantom -- Las Vegas Spectacular and the Wayne Brady show at Planet Hollywood, Palazzo and The Venetian, respectively. The rumors also suggest that after Feb. 19, when the deal should close, that the giant conglomerate AEG (The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel, The Colosseum in Caesars Palace and the theater in the Paris with Barry Manilow) will handle all ticket sales for BASE’s shows. This is the first I’m hearing of this possible major Strip showbiz transaction, so we’ll get an official yea or nay soon.

*Platinum blonde beauty and Peepshow star Holly Madison attended Monday’s performance of Jersey Boys in the Palazzo. She loved the show and went backstage to meet and congratulate the cast on their performance. She posed for an official photo with Peter Saide (Bob Gaudio), Jeff Leibow (Nick Massi), Rick Faugno (Frankie Valli) and Deven May (Tommy DeVito). They ribbed her for being the first celebrity to attend a performance in designer couture sweats!

*It’s fading quickly from the headlines, unfortunately, but the Haitian relief effort is not forgotten at The Tao Group restaurant and nightclub operations in The Venetian and Palazzo. Tao’s management team has already donated $50,000 toward UNICEF’s relief efforts in Haiti and is now encouraging guests to help bring the total to $100,000. Tao and Lavo patrons have the opportunity through this Saturday to add to the donation via a line item on their check, and Tao Group employees are being encouraged to donate a portion of their paychecks. Tao Group executives have promised to match all guest and employee donations made this week up to $50,000.

*The world light heavyweight championship is set for Gabriel Campillo vs. Beibut Shumenov for Friday night on Fox Sports taking place at The Joint. The weigh-in is at Carey Hart’s Wasted Space tomorrow at 5 p.m. Also on the undercard are undefeated rising star Erislandy Lara vs. Grady Brewer. Today, the four fighters will work out for cameras at Elite Boxing Gym on Dean Martin Drive. It’s a double-punch for fight fans this weekend, with Saturday’s welterweight confrontation between “Sugar” Shane Mosley and champion Andre Berto at Mandalay Bay.

*Three comedy finalists -- Alysia Wood, Jason Marcus and Carlie & Doni -- perform tonight at Harrah’s Improv to see who’ll be the next “Funniest Person in America.” The contest is tied to Universal Pictures’ Funny People. The winner receives a one-week, six-night run at the Improv. Previous stars who launched their careers at the Improv include Drew Carey, George Lopez, Wayne Brady, Adam Sandler, Tim Allen, Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Carey. Tonight, Last Comic Standing Season 1 winner and current Improv headliner Dat Phan leads the judging panel.

Tonight’s tips

Singer-songwriter Wynter Gordon performs hits he’s written for Rihanna, Mary J. Blige and J.Lo in a mini-concert at LAX in the Luxor. … Duo 51/50 appear at Wasted Space with a Steve Madden gift-bag giveaway. … Moaning Black Snakes slithers at Hot Rod and Bikers Night in Vince Neil’s Dr. Feelgood’s Rock Bar & Grill.

Tomorrow’s teases

The 2010 Miss America Pageant countdown gets closer and closer to Saturday’s coronation. We’ll have full photo coverage of the second night of preliminary competition, plus our Q&A with the celebrity judges. We’ll report from the Quality of Life Awards before joining the annual Miss America luncheon with previous winners, including Amazing Race star Ericka Dunlap and TV personality Lee Meriwether.

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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