By John Katsilometes
So Michael Jackson is staying in Vegas, moving into the $60 million Spanish Trail estate owned by Prince (Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei).
Damn.
I thought he might be leaving. Not that I, how you say, “dislike,” the idea of Michael Jackson living in Las Vegas. It’s just that it makes my life a little complicated, because when I talk to friends-slash-family members who don’t live in Vegas, he-slash-she invariably asks, “What’s up with Michael Jackson?” I usually reply, “Well, anyone who thinks he’s going to front a big production here is smoking something.”
I don’t really know what Jacko has planned. I do that when I was at the Sun we ran a story (written by the vintage tie-wearing Brendan Buhler) speculating about Jackson’s options in Vegas. We (again, Brendan) floated the concept of Jackson performing at Wynn Las Vegas because he and Wynn are friendly. The day that story appeared, Wynn called Brendan and angrily denied any plans for a Jackson show (Jacko has always preferred magic; maybe he can step in for Pamela Anderson when she departs Hans Klok’s show at Planet Hollywood).
There does not seem to be a great deal of interest in Jackson performing in Vegas, other than the interest sparked by people in his camp who continue to float vaguely stated proposals about Jackson performing in Vegas.
A few months ago I did check out Jackson’s rented house just off West Sahara Avenue. Gary Payton has a home in the neighborhood, and the eminent Frank Marino of “La Cage” at the Riviera is also building there. And, on the day I visited, LeBron James was filming a commercial for a riding lawnmower company. It’s too bad Jackson moved out. It would have been a hell of a homeowners’ association meeting.
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I’ve wanted to meet Paul McCartney since 1976, when I was 10 years old, when my parents bought me the compilation double album “Rock and Roll Music.” Been a Beatles fan ever since (though I am not attending the Fest for Beatles Fans at the Mirage because I have a healthy fear of spending an unbudgeted $1,500 on a Yellow Submarine lunch box). I finally met Macca last Tuesday after the “Love” one-anniversary at Mirage. Here’s how it went:
John: “Hello. My name is John.”
Paul: “Hello, John.”
John: “Thanks for all the music.”
Paul: “No problem.”
That was it. Then he said he had to get out of a “flashy,” area. Too many cameras. But hey, it was a goal achieved, to say the least.
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Congrats to 7-Eleven for its inspired publicity strategy (or, if you will, “stunt”) in turning its store at Stephanie Street and Horizon Ridge Parkway into a Kwik-E-Mart, to coincide with the release of “The Simpsons Movie.” But if the 7-Eleven wanted to make some real news, it would have turned over one of the more, shall we say, colorful 7-Elevens in Las Vegas. The store on Wyoming Avenue between Main and Commerce streets would have made for a fun Kwik-E-Mart makeover. It’s a place where you want to get your business done real Kwik-like.
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One of the real characters in this city is Robert “Bubbles” Ubriaco, host at Rao’s Italian restaurant at Caesars Palace. Prior to being hired by the Pellegrinos (who know Bubbles from the original Rao’s in Harlem), Bubbles was a doorman at Crazy Horse Too. One of his favorite moments was meeting George Clooney at “The Horse,” about seven years ago. The two became friends, as the plump-and-loveable Bubbles makes friends with anyone he meets. He recalled a restroom encounter at Caesars when the guy in the next stall announced, “The water’s cold! And deep, too!” Recognizing the voice, Bubbles called out, “That you, George?” It was.
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We can now safely announce the title of the movie that I referred to as, “Bludgeon in The Next Room” a couple of weeks ago. It’s “Baby-O,” and it was (I think) Theresa Russell being attacked in the room adjoining our loft. Robert Goulet, who was not being bludgeoned (but could well have been the bludgeoner) is also in this set-in-Vegas saga.
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On our menus: Origin India is holding its Kebab Fest all month. After just a year in operation, the restaurant has gained a reputation for having come of the city’s best Indian fare – and these kebabs can be shared as appetizers or can be a meal unto themselves. The restaurant is down a few paces from the Rainbow Bar and Grill on the corner of Paradise Road and Harmon Avenue, across from the Hard Rock Hotel.
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Vegas moment: A few nights ago while awaiting the delivery of the FabMobile at the Venetian valet, a guy also waiting for his vehicle was in something of a tiff with a few friends he had apparently spent the evening with at the hotel. They were ready for the night to end; he was not (maybe he was off to the Crazy Horse Too). As his black BMW sedan (looked like a 350i, nice car) jerked to a stop, he rushed up to the valet attendant and asked him if he would, “Call those people f***ers. Right there. Say that to them,” and handed the guy a $20. Nothing. He peeled off a few more and pushed them into the attendant’s hands, repeating the request for the insult. Finally, the valet laughed and said, “They look like perfectly nice people to me,” and handed the wad of bills back. This episode disproves my long-held theory that valets in this city will do anything for a 20-spot.
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Release me: Word from Team Tiara is that Miss America Lauren Nelson (who was crowned right here in Sin City!) will be making TWO appearances on the Weather Channel on Wednesday. First, at 8 p.m., she will be the featured guest (and I guess, the only guest) on “Abrams & Bettes – Behind the Forecast,” where, according to a Team Tiara news release, “Lauren will talk about her travels and the impact weather can have planning for appearances and events.” At 9 p.m. she will appear on “Evening Edition,” where “Lauren will discuss growing up in Oklahoma and provide the forecasts for some of her favorite cities.”
The Miss America Pageant is still lacking a cable TV home for next year’s event (which really should return to Vegas, as it has helped put the city on the map). Am I too strident in thinking this Miss America-Weather Channel partnership might be a taste of bigger things to come? Hmmm? Hmmm?
Plate in my head: Reader reports LRN2RYD on a white Ford pickup with a horse and rider decal on the rear window.
Fabulous Las Vegas appears daily (well, almost) at this Web site. John Katsilometes can be reached at 990-7720, 812-9812 or at [email protected]