Las Vegas Weekly

June 25, 2010 · 11 AM

Barry Manilow, David Copperfield, Cher to lead tribute to Dick Clark

By Robin Leach

Regis Philbin arrives on the blue carpet for the Viva Elvis world premiere at Aria in CityCenter on Feb. 19, 2010.

Photo: Glenn Pinkerton/Las Vegas News Bureau

Las Vegas superstar headliners are turning out in full force to ensure that the first Daytime Emmy Awards outside New York and Los Angeles become a major ratings success on CBS this Sunday. Entertainers from all over the Strip are adding to the all-new look of the 37th program and its black tie gala’s star power.

Dwindling ratings led to last year’s telecast cancellation, and network executives are hoping the switch to Las Vegas and the Strip stars will give it a much-needed audience boost. Host Regis Philbin nixed an opening number as an Elvis Presley impersonator. Instead, incredible illusionist David Copperfield will create the opening segment at the Las Vegas Hilton, where Regis appears onstage.

In addition to the daytime soap stars, look for other stars including Rachael Ray, Ellen DeGeneres, Judge Judy, Paula Deen, Martha Stewart, Giada De Laurentiis and Caesars Palace star chef Bobby Flay.

It’s the star-studded salute to 80-year-old TV veteran Dick Clark led by his heir apparent Ryan Seacrest that will likely grab the spotlight. Dick, a longtime good friend, hosted and produced the long-running American Bandstand. He suffered a stroke in 2004 but will be at Sunday’s show, as everybody from Cher, Barry Manilow, Garth Brooks, Donny and Marie Osmond and the cast of Jersey Boys at the Palazzo add a Las Vegas touch to the tribute.

Other stars honoring Dick include Ann-Margret, Jay Leno, Frankie Avalon, The Spinners, Tony Orlando, Chubby Checker and Simon Cowell. And there is more Las Vegas entertainment on the show, including Blue Man Group from The Venetian, Cirque du Soleil cast members, Mr. Las Vegas himself Wayne Newton, Luxor headliner Carrot Top, the Jubilee! showgirls and the cast of Disney’s The Lion King at Mandalay Bay.

A Lifetime Achievement Award from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will be presented to Agnes Nixon, creator of numerous soap operas including All My Children. There also will be a tribute to As the World Turns, which has 13 Emmy nominations and ends its long run this fall. Wheel of Fortune with Vanna White and Pat Sajak, Jeopardy! with Alex Trebek, Cash Cab, The Price Is Right with our Wayne Brady and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? are all nominated for outstanding game show.

Lynn Leahey of Soap Opera Digest and Soap Opera Weekly told The Hollywood Reporter: “You can do it economically and reach a different, more mainstream audience in Las Vegas. It really is a very good marriage between the market and the city.” Paul Pillitteri, NATAS chief administrative officer, said that while soaps fade, “other genres will come to the forefront: talk shows, the culinary category and judge shows. I don’t see daytime television disappearing; I see it changing."

Editor Don Chareunsy and contributing photographer Tom Donoghue will be on red carpet and behind-the-scenes duty Sunday to bring you the full report Monday.

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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