Vegas Popular

Girls, Girls Girls! Vince Neil from Motley Crue sings it, but Vegas lives it!


Sex kitten Carmen Electra is becoming Vegas' newest showbiz regular and the former wife of Dennis Rodman and Dave Navarro is already turning heads here.

This past weekend Carmen popped up all over town in advance of the new magic show she's headlining with Dutch illusionist Hans Klok at the Planet Hollywood this spring. At Studio 54 in MGM Grand she hosted a steamy one-night affair and knocked out party goers with her stunning beauty and seductive dance moves from her skybox, perched high above the dance floor.

Then, just 24-hours later, Carmen officiated at the grand opening ceremonies of the new adult entertainment topless Mens Club and told us that she was "totally blown away" when she watched Hans' magic tricks. "I love magic and am really looking forward to doing the show in Vegas," said Carmen. She's signed on for an initial 13-week run with shows every Thursday, Friday and weekends.


Gorgeous knockout Jenny McCarthy was another all-over-town beauty, turning up at TAO in The Venetian with her sister Amy and several friends, dancing the night away in black jeans and a sheer black and white see-through blouse to show off her black bra. Earlier, Jenny and Cedric the Entertainer dined at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms before hitting the Playboy Club.

A BUNNY BEAUTY

She's known as the Playboy Bunny who turns all the guys heads. Mischievous April Michelle is always asked by the stars for a souvenir take-home photo when they see her at the Playboy Club. LUXE LIFE caught the brunette beauty in the camera clinch with everybody from Cedric to Paula and Big Ben Roethlisberger.



FLIRT GIRLS
Flirt Fashions pulled out all the stops with a sexy fashion show at Tangerine and we just knew you'd want to see the photos!!!


STAR PRIDE

There was an all-star turnout for the second go-round of the mixed martial arts Pride Fighting Championships sponsored by Caesars Palace at the Thomas & Mack Arena. Caesar's president Gary Selesner took Pride fight fans Harrison Ford, Nicholas Cage, Chuck Norris and former NFL star Herschel Walker as his ringside guests. Dan "America's Best" Henderson KO'd Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva in the 3rd round of the fight to claim the Pride middleweight belt. Now Dan is the only American to hold a title in Pride and is the first ever in Pride history to hold two belts. He won the welterweight championship belt last October and he's now proven he can live up to his claim as the most feared fighter in the world!



STRIPPER FANS
Heart throb hunk and 'The Producers' star David Hasselhoff was only at Club Paradise for 30 minutes, winding down business meetings with his lawyer over a relaxing drink, but it was enough time for the entertaining ladies to provide him with several lap-dances. The busty beauties reported that he was a "kind, considerate, polite gentleman who goes into the big tippers book," and that he happily signed autographs for his scantily-clad fans.

STRIP SCRIBBLES
For two consecutive nights, Pittsburgh Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger and teammates Hines Ward and Clark Haggan played blackjack at the Playboy Club alongside Cedric the Entertainer who was all the rage with the Playboy bunny servers. ... Over at Tangerine, that was hypnotist Anthony Cools with boxer Eric "Butterbean" Esch and Pride fighter Mauricio "Shogun" Rua partying on the outdoor patio of Sirens Cove at Treasure Island. ... And hometown hero, tennis star Andre Agassi had cocktails over two hours of very serious business conversations at FIX restaurant in the Bellagio. ... Actress Mena Suvari kept to her yoga schedule with an individual workout followed by a Roman Baths soak at the new Qua Spa in Caesars Palace before dinner at Food Network star chef Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill restaurant. ... 'Top Chef' runner-up Marcel Vigneron and magician Nathan Burton led the cheers at the standing ovation given to the X Girls at the premiere of their new Harrah's show.

TONIGHT'S TIP
Congratulations to Chippendales as they celebrate their fifth anniversary at the Rio. They plan to pop up all over town surprising folks with gifts, autographed calendars, free show tickets and their hot bodies in random acts of chippness!!! ... I'll give comedy crooner Joe Piscopo an official welcome to Vegas as he starts his new run at the Hilton with a big boys cigars and champagne party at the Sterling Club in Turnberry Towers. ... Michael Madsen does a book signing party at PURE in Caesars at the same time as Jamie Kennedy hosts a MySpace party. ... At the Tennis Channel Tournament it's the round robin women's pro circuit matches at Darling Stadium.

TOMORROW'S TEASE
We'll check into the rumors swirling about a so-called Jackson family summit here in Vegas to get Michael Jackson to tour with sister Janet. And congratulations are due Hilton headliner Barry Manilow on his Vegas anniversary and we have the new backstage photos!

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It was the closest 'Mindfreak' Criss Angel has come to death. He claims he was less than ten seconds away from certain drowning during the filming a Houdini escape challenge with bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman at the Luxor's pool over the weekend in Vegas.

"I let my ego get in the way of safety," Criss told me. "I've done this escape since I was fourteen-years-old, but I'd never before done it underwater, and I almost drowned to death"

Chapman had bet Criss it would be impossible for him to escape from being tied up and manacled with 100 feet of rope. Criss took the challenge and let Dog tie his hands, his feet and his waist to a chair and then, in full view of rolling cameras for his top-rated A&E show, Dog put a lead weight on the chair and threw him into the deep end!

"I'd forgotten that water swells rope and thus tightens the knots even tighter than he had already tied them," Criss told LUXE LIFE in an exclusive interview. "I've practiced holding my breath underwater and can comfortably do three to four minutes, but that's without thrashing around trying to escape from something that tight. I got rope burns on my legs but managed to undo them. Then I managed to free my hands, but I couldn't free my waist."

"I've regularly practiced expanding my lungs holding my breath underwater, so I can take giant breaths before I go into the water, but now I'd used up all my air. I was now fighting to survive. I had no choice. It was drown or make one last desperate break for the surface. I used my last ounce of energy to get up and only then did my safety guys come in for me. They thought I was going to succeed with the escape and couldn't see me struggling underwater. I was completely out of it."


"I thought I'd died. I thought I'd failed the escape, but Dog told me he was absolutely astounded that I'd succeeded in getting my hands and feet loose. I have skin burns to prove the battle. Dog said not one of his fugitives he'd captured had ever broken free from the rope ties. I'd have done it on dry land but came mighty close to buying it in the water. Dog says I broke free and thus was successful. I say I failed because I couldn't get the rope around my waist undone. So now I'm going to his home in Hawaii and we'll film the escape twice more so it's a best of three and then I'll know I repeated Houdini's master escapes."

Criss's life and death struggle was filmed in its entirety and he plans to run it without editing on the TV series. "It's still a miracle I got out in the nick of time," he said. "But now I've got to show the bounty hunter I'm the only person in the world to fully escape his restraints. Next time I'll do it faster and get my waist untied, and be safe doing it. I'm not ready to die yet." Criss's brother, who flew into Vegas immediately after he heard about the brush with death, told me: "I'd have gone in much quicker to save him, and he's not going to do that again without proper safety observers in place. It's way too dangerous a trick."


A week earlier, as LUXE LIFE previously reported, Criss performed another dangerous illusion while lying on a sheet of glass so cameras could see the entire sequence he let a steamroller move on top of him all the way up to his chin! "That was way less life-threatening than this one," laughed Criss. "We're not going to let this near disaster stop us. I'm working on something twice as large and twice as amazing within the next two weeks for the TV series that will really baffle everybody."

LUXE LIFE has reported that it's expected within a month the Cirque du Soleil entertainment organization will announce its sixth Vegas spectacular, a new $110-million magic show they will produce at the Luxor which will star Criss.

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Comedian Roseanne Barr has made good on her promise to play Vegas and she's landed a six-week run in Rita Rudner's old theater at New York-New York. And Roseanne, who is never known to shy away from controversy, promises it will be "in your face humor" and warns that teens younger than 17 must be accompanied by adults!

Her first extended Vegas run since a series of concerts at the Riviera is titled "All You Can Eat Comedy" and will start March 15 and run through April 30. Tickets went on sale early this evening when her limited engagement was announced.

Roseanne told LUXE LIFE during her most recent visit here for the Comedy Festival that she was determined to find a Vegas nightspot for her comedy. "I want to be in Vegas. I need to be in Vegas," she told me at the time. She said she was in talks with several resort hotels and now the negotiations have paid off with the New York New York run. It's believed she will be welcomed to stay at the theater until it's converted into a planned nightclub. "This is in your face comedy and an all you can stand laugh fest," said Roseanne.

She has just finished hosting Nick at Nite's third season of "Funniest Mom in America." And the six-part reality series, will premiere while she's headlining in Vegas on Tuesday, April 3. The show follows the journey of moms across the country as they compete for the title of "Funniest Mom in America." Several of the semi-finalists will make guest appearances on stage during Roseanne's show at New York-New York. She was recently seen on HBO's top-rated comedy special "Blonde and Bitchin" and her Rockin' with Roseanna Calling All Kids DVD with 12 children's songs went nationwide last year.

"I can't wait to get settled into Vegas," she said. "I love the city."

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(CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM ELIZABETH TAYLOR'S DIAMOND JUBILEE!)

British born Hollywood screen legend Dame Elizabeth Taylor celebrates her diamond jubilee tomorrow night, unexpectedly out at Lake Las Vegas. A small group of family and friends will fete her at a quiet and very private celebration.

I've known La Liz over many years and have extraordinary memories of our friendly and sometimes feisty meetings around the world. Some of those highlights:


- I sailed with her from Singapore to Bangkok on Malcolm Forbes' mega-yacht and then flew back with her to the States from Thailand. For the tabloids around the world it all looked like a pre-honeymoon trip but, for those on the cruise, we knew they were just "great friends."

- I attended her wedding to Senator John Warner in Virginia horse-farm country and then rode with her on his political campaign bus as she too stumped for votes! Our story and photos wound up on the cover of a newborn People magazine back then.

- I watched in amazement at Sardi's celebrity packed restaurant on Broadway in New York City as she caught then husband Richard Burton cheating on her with Susan Hunt and then confronted them three tables away from mine!

- I remember when we both attended a private showing of Erte's paintings and sculptures at a prestigious Beverly Hills gallery she managed to sweet talk me into buying her one of the art pieces as a gift! Fortunately, I then managed to sweet-talk owner Harris Shapiro into selling it to me wholesale.

- When I asked her why she had ever married construction worker Larry Fortensky she explained: "I can't sleep around and have lots of boyfriends. I always marry my lovers. There have only been seven in my lifetime." She kindly gave me all the details of her wedding feast and party to put in my first 'Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous' cookbook!

It's fitting, the day after the 79th Oscars, to remember that Elizabeth, who's film career began at age 12 with 'National Velvet,' which won two Academy Awards. She also won for Best Actress in 'Butterfield 8' in 1960 with then husband Eddie Fisher, and again six years later for 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe,' which co-starred then husband Richard Burton. She was nominated for three other movies and in 1963 became the first-ever million-dollar actress when she became the highest paid movie star as 'Cleopatra,' where she worked for the first time with future husband Burton.

Elizabeth's other marriages were hotel-heir Conrad "Nicky" Hilton, Jr. in May 1950, which ended in divorce in 1951, actor Michael Wilding, which ended in divorce five years later, and the greatest love of her life, movie producer Michael Todd, which ended with his untimely 1958 death. Elizabeth always said that if he'd not been robbed from her she still believes that was the one marriage that would have lasted forever. She was married to singer Eddie Fisher from 1959 to 1964 and that was followed by two tumultuous marriages to Welsh actor Richard Burton from March 1964 until August 1976. Then followed Senator John Warner from 1976 to 1982 and the most recent and last marriage to Larry Fortensky (seen right) lasted from October 1991 to October 1996. All ended in divorce and Elizabeth told me once there would never be another. She has worked tirelessly raising over $50-million for her AIDS research foundations in recent years and simultaneously promoted her line of fragrances, cosmetics and jewelry. Her last TV appearance was in 'These Old Broads' back in 2001. However she did join Larry King in May last year to prove she wasn't close to death or suffering from Alzheimer's.

I hope to chat, however briefly, with Elizabeth tomorrow in between juggling two appointments, which were set long ago. If so, we'll have that here in LUXE LIFE early Wednesday morning, but meantime many sincere congratulations, Elizabeth and thanks for coming unexpectedly to Vegas to celebrate the marvelous milestone of 75 glorious years! It's a great diamond jubilee!

PARIS HILTON'S WEEKLONG PARTY
It began last weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel here and then wrapped over this past weekend back home in Los Angeles and a contingent of Vegas friends flew there to join the festivities. First Paris Hilton had a girls-night out with Paula Abdul, Nicole Richie and Courtney Love at Prime Grill while other guests gathered at her home. They included comedy heavyweight Jeff Beacher, colorist to the stars Michael Boychuck and new Hard Rock head honcho, Matt Armstrong. By all accounts it was a pretty sedate affair with parents, Rick and Kathy Hilton keeping a careful eye on all the fun.

SIEGFRIED & ROY AWARD

Legendary illusionists and Magicians of the Century Siegfried & Roy were honored along with the UMC Trauma Center where Roy was treated after the tiger injuries at the Heart of Gold Ball fundraiser of the American Heart Association. Criss Angel not only presented the awards to them but also won the winning $10,000 live auction bid to have a private at-home lunch with them! Singer Clint Holmes, who was also on the red carpet, told me that his new show has had a name change from Breathe to 'Just Another Man' which spells out J.A.M. as in jam session and as in a tight spot! Vegas friends get to see it from May 22 thru June 3 at UNLV before Clint heads off to debut it at its London West End premiere!

12 PLAYMATES
Tonight, on the very day that Hollywood spies are reporting that 80-year-old Hugh Hefner is planning marriage to his #1 pet bunny Holly this fall, my diary states that it's the Big Playmate Sleepover at the Palms with all 12 gorgeous knockout 2006 Playmates dressed in their super-sexy sleepwear. It's set to run till 5AM tomorrow and the party is not only in all the Fantasy Suites but also throughout the Nove restaurant and Moon and Playboy Clubs! Hugh Hefner's Girls Next Door, Holly, Kendra and Bridget were set to co-host the pajama party while the 12-pack of Playmates hope to win additional votes for the Playmate of the Year pick! In other Playboy news, expect some of the Vegas hutch to make the move to Macau when the second Playboy club opens there in 2009, plus Playboy fotogs will be out and about tonight capturing all the Vegas cocktail servers and dealers for an upcoming magazine layout!

STRIP SCRIBBLES

Now Miami Beach knows the power of PURE, the over-the-top nightclub here at Caesars Palace. Our Vegas PURE executives gave South Beach weekend preview of their nightclub, which will open there next Spring at the $1-billion renovated Fontainbleau Hotel. 'Nip/Tuck' starlet Kelly Carlson, PURE regulars Dave Navarro and Eric Balfour (all seen above) were among the 2,000 guests.


Meantime, back here in Sin City, PURE had a long weekend of celebrity events. It began with a 21st birthday party for 'Laguna Beach' star Stephen Colletti (seen above) who earlier had been sitting alongside yours truly and Frankie Munoz at the club's sister Social House in Treasure Island.


Then, after their dinner in Social House, PURE hosted Jared Leto and his band, 30 Seconds to Mars (seen above) to a rock star evening, which even attracted Harrison Ford on his first visit to PURE, enjoying himself until almost 2AM! The star had earlier attended the PRIDE fighting championships (as seen below) and several of the martial arts practitioners followed him including Frank Trigg, Nick Diaz, Antonio Nogueira and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Marc Coleman and Alistar Overeem.


In the adjoining Pussycat Dolls Lounge, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger arrived with a large group of friends to watch the "Dolls" dance moves. Kansas City NFL star running back Larry Johnson also hit PURE while Lamborghini model Karena Dawn hosted at Coyote Ugly.

The other headline names at Social House the past few days included Jessica and Ashley Simpson's dad, Joe for his birthday dinner, the world's fastest man and Olympic gold medal sprinter Maurice Green and actress Mena Suvari who took her boyfriend down to dance in the Tangerine Nightclub afterwards. ... Congratulations to everybody at Hooters with their first anniversary celebration this past weekend. ... Congratulations to magician Steve Wyrick on the opening of his new $35-million Triq ultra lounge and nightclub complex at Planet Hollywood's Desert Passage. ... And congratulations to our Convention Visitors Authority president Rossi Ralenkotter for being named "Man of the Year" at last night's local Arthritis Foundation Oscar Night dinner.

TONIGHT'S TIP
The Tennis Channel Open has the main-draw single elimination matches today at Darling Stadium as part of the 8-day tournament week. It may well be the meal of the month when the AquaKnox seafood restaurant at The Venetian teams with famous French vintner Chateau Haut-Brion for a 'perfect pairing' tonight. The seven-course masterpiece from Chef Tom Molony features six of the most famous Haut-Brion vintages plus a champagne and a dessert wine!

TOMORROW'S TEASE
A chilling and hair-raising exclusive interview with 'Mindfreak' magician Criss Angel as he relates in scary detail his near-death underwater Houdini challenge. "I wouldn't have even made it another ten seconds. I'd have drowned; simple as that. I was a split second from certain death," he tells LUXE LIFE. We have the full frightening details of how Bounty Hunter Dog Chapman tied Criss up with 100 feet of rope to a chair and then threw him in the deep end of the Luxor pool. His near four-minute-long bid to escape almost wound up in tragedy! Plus, Vegas belts out 'Girls Girls Girls 'as we play host to Carmen Electra, Jenny McCartney and a Playboy Bunny who turns all the guys heads!

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Is comedy star Nick Cannon married to Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks after just a three week whirlwind romance? Did they elope and marry here in one of our quickie wedding chapels?

LUXE LIFE has learned that US Weekly magazine will make that astonishing claim this weekend in its newest edition. The couple allegedly went downtown to our Marriage License Bureau and, unrecognized, paid the $35 cash fee and literally picked out a nearby wedding chapel for the ceremony.

Nick and Selita were in Vegas for the NBA All Star events and at his Hard Rock Hotel pre-game parties. Everybody who saw them said they were "hopelessly in love and inseparable." "You couldn't pry them apart," said one of my friends who saw them at Paris Hilton's 26th birthday bash at Body English in the Hard Rock. Nick had been dating Paris's best friend Kim Kardashian and I chatted with both of them recently when they were together at TAO in The Venetian. But they broke up when tabloid headlines screamed that Kim had made a sex video with previous boyfriend Ray J and now she's in a legal battle against Vivid Entertainment to prevent its release.

LUXE LIFE is monitoring this developing story and willl bring you further details as they become available.

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In the giant gridlock, rush hour traffic of NBA All-Star weekend, our favorite Strip singer Toni Braxton almost didn't make it to her very own Walk of Fame Star ceremony.

Her limousine overheated and came to a grinding stop, not even half-way between her Flamingo Hotel and the Brenden movie theaters at the Palms, where I was waiting with owner Johnny Brenden to make the presentation. She called on her cell phone to say she'd be late, but would complete the rest of the journey on foot if she couldn't hop a cab.

Now the sight of a diminutive pop princess struggling on the street would make any knight in shining armor come to the rescue, but it was fans riding as passengers in one taxi that spotted her sidewalk adventure. They pulled over, offered her a lift and delivered her right to the theater lobby!


I emceed the ceremony and Johnny presented her with a $2,500 check for her selected Autism Speaks charity. Her Celebrity Star is now placed alongside stars of Sylvester Stallone, Dennis Hopper, Nicholas Cage and Hugh Hefner. Said Johnny: "The star is presented to Toni for her outstanding contributions to the music and entertainment industry and your music has touched the lives of millions of people. Your kind heart and dedication to charitable causes has made a significant impact on the world."


The six-time Grammy-Award-winning artist, who now headlines nightly at the Flamingo, told us that she'd left plenty of time for the short trip but, because of all the chaotic traffic-jams, congestion and one boiled limousine radiator, the hop had taken two hours! Toni also opened the All-Star Game halftime show, following my booming voice-over introduction

25 YEARS OF MAGIC

Congratulations are in order for master magician Lance Burton (seen above with his mom and Criss Angel), who will celebrate his 25th year of Vegas shows in May. Actually, he still doesn't even look 25! His first gig was in Folies Bergere at the Tropicana back in 1982 and I remember walking, in hard hats, with him on the construction site of the Monte Carlo when execs there built him his own theater, where he's been the past 11 years.

Now Lance is finally taking the time to enjoy the fruits of his labors. He's put his home of 20-years near Sunrise Mountain up for sale, as he builds himself a modern-day 10-acre hilltop six-bedroom castle in Henderson! Workers are up there everyday while he checks out the view overlooking the entire valley; from the Stratosphere to as Far East as the eye can see.


Lance tells me the new home is about three months from completion with the interior designing and building that comes complete with a theater that can be used for television, movies and performing, and two garages -- one on the lower level of the three-level home and another on the second level, which is the main floor.

Only a small handful of performers keep rarefied company with top illusionists of all time, going as far back as Houdini! So special congratulations to Siegfried & Roy who were lauded in 8th place and Lance who made 9th place in Variety's list of the top 10 magicians of all-time. Houdini took 1st place. Richard Kaufman, editor of industry trade-magazine Genii, says achieving that level of success is "almost impossible," adding that "to become a superstar, you need a combination of inherent charisma, the desire to work harder than anyone else who's ever lived, ability in your field and financial capital." Nevada Magazine's panel of critics selected Lance Burton as "Entertainer of the Year/2006."

MORE CONGRATS
Our local hometown rockers, The Killers grabbed two prize trophies at Britain's prestigious music-industry awards -- The Brits, my country's version of the Grammy's. The Killers won for 'International Group of the Year' and with their 'Sam's Town' recording for ' Best International Album.' The Vegas group first found stardom with my fellow Limeys before their success moved back across the Pond to New York!

SIZZLING AD

From the "Only in Las Vegas" file, comes a new ad from hair colorist to the stars Michael Boychuck that's certain to become the talk of the town with its edgy smack in your face fun approach to the subject. Michael let LUXE LIFE have the first sneak peak at his AMP Salon at the Palms graphic that will run next month in the Racket and 944 magazines. "Controversy is good conversation," says Michael." "So if the clever copy-line gets talked about, it will have achieved its purpose." Michael just wrapped a full-day session with the Hogan girls, mom Linda and pop-singing daughter Brooke Hogan (seen below) and he gave them a whole new rich blonde look for their three month stay on the West Coast, wrapping up the third season episodes of their VH1 reality series 'Hogan Knows Best,' that began in their Florida home.



B-BALL LOUNGIN'

I deliberately kept one photo back from the NBA All-Star weekend so it wouldn't get overlooked, but its nice to know that, just like me, even Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith had to kick up his heels and stretch out and chill during all the excitement. He'd been playing in Magic Johnson's 8-Ball pool challenge at the Wynn and fortunately our smart thinking friends at Vegas Magazine had provided the right length bed in their booth!

RECORD SALES
Proving the Vegas condo market is surprisingly alive and very well thank you: more than 90% of the luxury residences at MGM CityCenter's Mandarin Oriental sold in a mere 14 days for more than $600 million! It's the first of CityCenter's four residential developments to be released to the public and the prices were well above expectations. Only pads left are the multi-million-dollar Mandarin Penthouses; including a three-bedroom, 4,259 sq.ft. unit. The first contract sales on the second residential unit, The Vdara, start today. The third Veer residences will begin sale April 2 and the final Harmon tower will be in June.

STRIP SCRIBBLES
Take a few moments and click here to read my pal Arash Markazi's column on Sports Illustrated for his report on the shoulder-to-shoulder battle-action we emerged unscathed from after NBA's red-carpet celebrity arrivals! ... Jessica and Ashlee Simpson's manager/dad Joe celebrated his 49th birthday after the All-Star game at TI's Social House. He sat in the Newspaper dining room and enjoyed garlic oil seared Kobe beef and the bone-in filet. For desert, Simpson was presented with a magnificent homemade birthday cake. Seated nearby was USA Olympic gold medal sprinter Maurice Greene who sipped hot sake with his garlic oil seared Kobe beef.

TONIGHT'S TIP
NFL Pro Bowler Steven Jackson and the sexy dancers from Sirens of TI team up to support Easter Seals at a charity fashion show in Tangerine starting at 7pm. Look out for all-pro NFL'ers including Marc Bulger, Andre Johnson, Jimmy Smith, Troy Brown, Drew Bennett and Willie McGinest, and UNLV greats Keenan McCardell and Adam Seward, amongst the crowd! The evening will feature a high-end fashion show, three new hot dance numbers by the Sirens of TI, and both a silent and live auction for autographed sports memorabilia, upscale dining and entertainment experiences, and designer fashions. Tickets will be $150 per person and are available by clicking here. Tickets also will be sold at Tangerine this evening. ... The music world's legendary Paul Oakenfold is at the Influence party in Studio 54 at MGM Grand.

TOMORROW'S TEASE
An exclusive candid conversation with David Copperfield as we talk about his discovery of "THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH" on islands in the Bahamas. This is one look into the future you will not want to miss and David even invites you to share the experience!

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The shock photos of Britney Spears' shaven bald head caused more buzz at hairstylist to the stars Michael Boychuck's salons at AMP in the Palms and QUA Salon at Caesars Palace than when Dennis Rodman came in for a haircut and coloring! Britney, who was video'd by LA's KABC with the new bald look at a Los Angeles tattoo parlor yesterday, was at AMP less than three weeks ago seeking help here for her hair in hopes of a public relations and professional comeback

I learned that her hair was so badly damaged from repeated cheap-peroxide bleachings that it had broken off and thinned to the point where bald-spots had begun to appear. Britney had used extensions to cover up the damage. Michael treated and softened the remaining hair enhancing its natural darker shade. But no sooner did she show the new look during NYC's Fashion Week than she changed it back to blonde yet again.

In Manhattan, there were lurid tabloid tales of her late-night binge of parties, dancing with female strippers and a PEOPLE Magazine report that she'd gone in for rehab at Eric Clapton's drug and alcohol Crossroads Clinic in Antigua in the Caribbean. Apparently she checked out within 24 hours. I used to live on Antigua and we knew that Crossroads was probably the toughest and most spartan of clincs in a sense the last resort for rehab. If Britney did go there and bolt because of the boot-camp facilities, no surprise. But with expensive jets on standby to ferry her across country, it's easy for her to turn up back in Los Angeles. But her shaven head has set off a whirlwind of controversy with everybody asking if this is the final stages of a major breakdown.

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My friends in guerilla gossip have confirmed this morning what I broke exclusively yesterday; Carmen Electra will headline a new magic show on the Strip. But here are the full details I had to hold until now.

UPDATE Feb. 21: Click here for a photo of the couple.

Carmen will be teamed with the self-proclaimed fastest magician in the world; a Dutch illusionist named Hans Klok. "He's on the on the scale of Copperfield with a full, night-long production show," a Vegas magic expert told me. "His performance style used to be very Pendragon-esque. He's appeared a couple of times on American TV magic specials, but has never played here except for a few magic conventions. He specializes in extraordinary big-box illusions and is known as the fastest magician in the world for the speed of his transformations. He'll become the next Siegfried & Roy rolled into one! He'll feature Carmen because nobody's ever heard of him here outside of magic circles."

The decision for Carmen and Hans to star at the Aladdin/ Planet Hollywood was made by an almost uncanny, and eerie, coincidence as former Aladdin magician Steve Wyrick opened his own theater downstairs in the hotel's Desert Passage shopping center. His new theater is a lifelong dream and a $35-million investment. Klok and Carmen, ironically, will perform in the theater upstairs that he used to work in.

The show's director will be Anthony Van Laast. He was the director of the original Siegfried & Roy show at the Mirage. Laast, who is British, was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) from Queen Elizabeth for his contributions to world theater.

Klok (left) is one of the entertainment world's leading stage magicians. He regularly performs with some of European showbusiness' biggest names and is renowned for the speed and agility of his illusions. In addition to several TV appearances, his 'Magic Impossible' shows toured 60 cities throughout Europe and he became an official ambassador for UNICEF. His 'History of Magic' show was the first ever tour of China where he performed at 64 venues in 8 weeks to an audience that totaled more than 200,000. Now he's bringing his new magic show "Phenomenon" to the Strip with Carmen. I'm reliably told that Carmen will have her own feature act as part of the incredible illusions show, but she will also participate as Han's assistant and take part in several of the amazing tricks.

Steve Wyrick has just started previews of his new magic show with a grand opening set for next month. Next week Hans and Carmen will be here in Vegas for a preview of their excitement and then the battle between the two magicians really gets moving! Steve has $35-million at stake and Hans has to win name recognition almost immediately.

Expect Vegas magic to be kicked up a notch instantly. All this comes as Cirque du Soleil is days away from officially and finally confirming their new $110-million spectacular at the Luxor with 'Mindfreak' magician Criss Angel. And there's no rest for the rest of the Vegas Magic community. David Copperfield continues his six-month annual set of engagements at MGM, Penn & Teller remain the resident show at the Rio, Lance Burton still wows them at Monte Carlo and The Amazing Johnathan is master of the macabre at Sahara.

Abracadabra; who makes who disappear?

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For the first time, 'Evening at La Cage' female impersonator Frank Moreno has talked about his friendship with Anna Nicole Smith, who died a week ago at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Florida.

Frank, who headlines here on the Strip at the Riviera told LUXE LIFE: "To me, Anna Nicole was one of the most misunderstood celebrities that I ever have had the privilege of meeting. She was a modern day Marilyn Monroe. She had it all; beauty, charm, sex appeal and one of the biggest hearts of anyone I have ever known."

"Hounded by the media, I'd often go out with her and she'd have to be in disguise. Because of the TV show making a mockery of her life, I don't think anybody got to see what an intelligent, grounded person she really was. She would always tease me and say 'I wish I looked like Frank Marino.' When the truth of the matter was, I think any woman on this earth would have given her right arm to look like her. In fact, over the years, she became the inspiration for many of the hair styles that I wear in the La Cage show. I will miss her very much as I'm sure many people will."

Frank told me that Anna Nicole visited him in Vegas several times as they became good friends. She was seen several times solo at the Riviera but they were spotted together shopping at the Fashion Show Mall, as well as having dinner together at Cheesecake Factory in the Forum Shops. He added: "She also loved the idea that someone was impersonating her in the La Cage show. She felt very honored. "

Frank's photo of he and Anna Nicole from his own personal memory-album was taken at a private party at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

The Hilton sisters are back! First of all -- confirming our exclusive Luxe Life scoop yesterday -- Paris will be here to celebrate her birthday with ex-flame Stavros Niarchos on her arm. "They are back together again and in full force," one of their friends told me. Then tonight, little sister Nicky debuts her new couture fashion line in a premiere showcase.

Paris' birthday bash takes place Saturday at Body English in the Hard Rock and Nicky's introduction of her new "Nicholai" label is at PURE in Caesars Palace this evening.

Today, though, 25-year-old heiress Paris is picking up a $1-million paycheck for flying to Vienna, Austria for a dinner-dance date with an ageing European mogul who shelled out the astronomical fee for Paris to attend the famous Opera Ball. Richard Luger, a 74-year-old married construction magnate, has previously escorted Carmen Electra, Pamela Anderson and Spice Girl Gerri Halliwell to the prestigious event long regarded as #1 on the European high-society social calendar! Paris' attending the ball has had European society up in arms about her visit because of the controversial headlines and sexy photos she's been involved in recently. Some 4,500 of the most wealthy and well-heeled aristocrats from all over Europe attend the annual ball. But all Paris prefers to do is dance: "I just want to enjoy the magic of the ball. I learned the waltz when I was young. I have been practicing my steps and now I'm ready to dance."

In addition to Paris' appearance fee, Luger has to shell out over $1,500 each for the tickets, limousine, hotel charges and flowers to decorate his private box near the dance floor! Tomorrow she'll fly back to LA, and then immediately pickup Stavros and private jet themselves into Vegas on Saturday. Nicky will stay here after her fashion show for big sister's Saturday party. She'll display the new Spring line of her successful "Chick" fashions and launch the new "Nicholai" designs.

Check back here early tomorrow morning for the up-to-the-minute photos from PURE. We'll also have a special posting early Sunday of Paris' party in the nightclub and then the unique 3AM Mini-Madhouse that her heavyweight comedy pal, Jeff Beacher is organizing in the Hard Rock's Penthouse bowling alley and indoor swim pool suite! I'm advised that Nevada gaming officials have told Beacher that he can no longer feature live goats and sheep as part of the circus attractions inside the private suites, so he's now checking to see if a lion and a collection of monkeys can be substituted! I've suggested "stuffed animals" as a safe alternative but he dismissed that as not "being outrageous enough."

CONGRATULATIONS

Happy 4th birthday! The cast and crew of the ABBA musical 'Mamma Mia!' celebrate 4 amazing years at Mandalay Bay tonight. They will receive a Senatorial commendation in a curtain call presentation before celebrating at the nearby Border Grill restaurant. Click here for our previous 'Mamma Mia!' coverage and check back with us next week after the NBA excitement for our photo report of the big birthday bash!

STRIP SCRIBBLES
My favorite diva, fashion model and designer Kimora Lee Simmons winds up in Macy's Fashion Show Mall this afternoon, hosting a runway models show of her latest hip-hop fashions including her Baby Phat smash. Kimora promises tickets to Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupree's concert at the Aladdin tonight and for Diddy's after-big-gamer party on Sunday at the Palms to folks spending more than $150 on the apparel. ... Tonight, expect to see Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony all turning up at the Hard Rock to support former Chicago Bulls player Trent Tucker. It's his charity poker tournament Hoopology, being played at Center Bar and followed by a Body English party with a show by The Roots. ... Our music scene here continues to grow from the strength of The Killers and Panic! At the Disco. Now The Screaming Meemees are getting an international reputation for their mind-blowing high-energy performances. In the year they've been together they've already racked up 80 standing-room-only, sell-out shows. Their "No Ordinary Girl" indie album is already the largest video hit on MySpace. Actor Lawrence Fishburne continues his night-prowls of Vegas clubs with a visit to the new Abbey Road bar at the Beatles Revolution Lounge in the Mirage alongside the 'LOVE' musical theater. ... Star Jones, former View co-host, is in town for the big-game and some shopping She hit Lush Puppy and Art of Shaving at Mandalay Place buying some Valentines Day gifts.

TONIGHT'S TIPS
- It's opening day of the All-Star Jam Session at Mandalay Bay

- Former UNLV star Shawn Marion, now with Phoenix Suns, hosts the Kick Off party at the Voodoo Lounge in the Rio.

- Allen Iverson presents Money, Power, Respect '07 with Lil Wayne and Chamillionaire with DJ Kid Capri at ICE.

- My masterful musical friends who make up Earth Wind & Fire swing their spirited soul into the Luxor through the weekend.

- Rap royalty reigns at Aladdin/Planet Hollywood with Nelly, Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, and Chingy.

- Boxing champ Winky Wright hosts a Studio 54 dance party at MGM.

- Just a reminder from our stories above; 'Mamma Mia!' celebrates its 4th anniversary at Mandalay bay and Nicky Hilton hosts at PURE.

TOMORROW'S TEASE
It's finally here: The super showdown. Luxe Life has all the highlights of the 56th annual NBA All-Star Game as the superstars strive for slam dunks and 3 pointers. Plus yours truly presents a Walk of Fame star to Toni Braxton and maybe even Shaquille O'Neil, and then I'll host the VIP red carpet arrivals for the premiere of the MVP movie financed by several NBA stars.

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Sexy Carmen Electra has signed to star in a new magic show on the Strip, and the sizzling actress will be in Vegas next weekend, after the NBA All-Star Game, for the big announcement.

Now, unknowingly, she's about to find herself center stage in the spotlight of a furious feud! Our LUXE LIFE scoop will instantly set off a major explosion with the fireworks reaching stratospheric levels.

First, I'll be reprimanded by all involved that I should never have revealed the news in advance of the official confirmation. Secondly, although I know the name and identity of the magician and have his phenomenal photos, I'll hold that for just a few days more because, thirdly, I don't want to start or be blamed for the ruckus that's certain to explode when I tell you where he will be presenting Carmen and his super-sized, incredible illusions.

No, this has nothing to do with Criss Angel's new upcoming $110-million Cirque du Soleil show at the Luxor or David Copperfield's incredibly successful ongoing shows at MGM (By the way watch for our exclusive Copperfield interview next week). But this murky mystery of Machiavellian proportions involves complicated leases, monumental monetary investments and an incredibly awful coincidence of opening dates. Sorry to be so chronically confusing, but this little teaser alone will probably start the fierce fighting. I promise you everything -- including the identities of all involved -- before the conjurer's cauldron boils over!

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Two stars are back in the arms of their former lovers this February 14th; reunited and reconciled thanks to Valentine's Day in Vegas and Cupid's arrows!

Tattooed drummer Travis Barker and wife Shanna Moakler -- who went through the most public of marital bust-ups via their MySpace blogs and her wild divorce party -- were lip-locked and cuddled up on the VIP couches at PURE in Caesars Palace last night.


The couple were at PURE for the showcase and launch of Barker's new clothing line "Famous Stars and Straps," and it was an all-star turnout that included Jermaine Dupree, Gene Simmons and ?uestlove, among others.


On Saturday, Paris Hilton, who is on a $1-million dinner-dance date today in Vienna, Austria, will arrive in Las Vegas with former beau Stavros Niarchos to celebrate her birthday at Body English in the Hard Rock. (Full intimate details on that Jeff Beacher bash in tomorrow's Luxe Life).

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Four-time Grammy Award-winning artist Christina Aguilera, winner of Sunday night's Grammy for best female pop vocal performance, and six-time Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Toni Braxton will join six-time Grammy Award-winning artist Mary J. Blige as the superstar entertainment for NBA All-Star 2007 in Las Vegas.

Christina and Toni will headline the halftime show of the 56th NBA All-Star Game, Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center. The game will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in 215 countries and territories. Toni, who can be seen nightly in 'Revealed' at the Flamingo, will open Sunday's halftime extravaganza by performing "Making Me High" from her Secrets album and "Take This Ring" from her 'Libra' album. To culminate the show, Christina will perform two songs from her 2006 Grammy-nominated, certified platinum album 'Back to Basics,' "Ain't No Other Man," for which she won best female pop vocal performance at Sunday's Grammys and "Candyman." This will be Aguilera's last live performance before kicking off her nationwide tour Feb. 20, 2007. (She'll be in Vegas March 3, performing at Mandalay Bay with the gorgeous Pussycat Dolls opening!)

On Saturday, Feb. 17, multi-platinum Mary, who won three Grammys Sunday night, including best R&B album for 'The Breakthrough,' as well as best R&B song and best female R&B vocal performance for "Be Without You," will pay tribute to NBA Cares, the league's social responsibility initiative with a special performance of her rendition of the U2 original hit "One" during NBA All-Star Saturday Night at the Thomas & Mack Center, airing live on TNT at 5PM PST.

In addition to the musical acts during Sunday's All-Star Game, Cirque du Soleil artists will perform a dynamic display of acrobatic martial arts from the opening act of 'KA,' the gravity-defying production presented at MGM Grand. Prior to the start of the All-Star Game, nine-time Las Vegas "Entertainer of the Year" Danny Gans, who is celebrating his 11th year as a Las Vegas headliner and seven years as a solo performer, will perform the National Anthem.

In a special performance, "Mr. Las Vegas" Wayne Newton will be part of the NBA All-Star player introductions, which will include the famed Folies Bergere Showgirls from the Tropicana Hotel and Casino will dazzle the crowd with their signature moves providing a Vegas-style show for the worldwide TV audience!

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Actor Kevin Spacey has two weeks left in Vegas, where he's on location, filming the extraordinary story of the MIT students who card-counted their way into the headlines for ripping off the Strip casinos.

"I don't think you could get away with that kind of a heist today," said Spacey. "There's just too much security."

We were chatting backstage in a rare interview session at the Keep Memory Alive Gala over the weekend at the MGM Grand. It's been seven years since the elusive and private actor last filmed here.

He admitted that blackjack also happens to be his favorite casino game. "I happen to love twenty-one," Spacey said. "That was one of the reasons I was attracted to this book and turning it into a movie; because I think it's the greatest game ever, and it's a beatable game. I've had some runs which have been pretty incredible." When I asked Kevin if he'd won enough to finance a movie, he laughed and replied, "Enough to finance a small independent movie, perhaps. A small, twelve-day shoot."


The current untitled movie began filming here last week and is in town for another two weeks before moving to Boston for location scenes near MIT. Actor Lawrence Fishburne plays the casino security chief who tries to stop the cadre of card counters. The cast has been shooting at the Aladdin, the Riviera, the Hard Rock and up at the Red Rock Resort. I asked Kevin if he found some delicious irony to the fact that the MIT students had been busted and run out of town back then, and that today the casinos were welcoming him back for the making of the movie!

"Probably Vegas will love us. In fact all the hotels have been great," Kevin told me. "I agree the movie will probably sell a lot of books on what the students did, and that'll send a lot of people to Vegas to see if they can still get the system to work for them. So actually, we'll probably send you a lot more business. I don't know what the analogy is but we've definitely been walking right into the den."

So does Spacey think it's possible to break Vegas? "If you read these books, it's absolutely possible to break Vegas," he said. "But, I don't know anymore if it's possible. There's so much technology now. There's face recognition so if they catch you and they know you're doing it, although it's not quote "illegal' because you're just using your mind. The people that are illegal are the ones who have cameras in their cuff links."


Spacey said it was more than his love of blackjack that led him to make the movie. "When I read Ben Mezrich's book 'Bringing Down the House,' which is what our film is based on, it just struck me as one of those great coming of age stories," he said. "It sort of follows his path. He doesn't have a lot of money, he's incredibly smart, perhaps a genius and certainly unbelievable at mathematics. He eventually discovered that he could count cards, up to six decks and his team was in with it. He goes on a kind of Faustian Bargain; the deal with the devil. These kids end up going to Vegas when they're not being MIT students and playing all these roles. They work as teams and play different people so they're pretending to be the son of a diplomat or the daughter of some southern rich guy but what they're actually doing is seeing how the deck is doing, they work in teams and they have all these signals."

"Of course now we're in a time when pretty much all this stuff would be spotted," Spacey continued. "But at the time these kids came to Vegas they made millions. There was one night alone when they made more than $650,000. And, of course, the movie is about what this kid loses in the interim, of himself and the kind of person he wants to be and ultimately he learns a great number of lessons. I met a bunch of the kids on the team and it's kind of an amalgamation of them all. The book was not specifically based on the actual people. We did a lot of research and then created some of the characters. The character I play is the professor that teaches them how to count the cards and organizes the team. There was a guy like that but it's an amalgamation of a couple people."


Kevin showed just how much he likes blackjack because after 3PM rehearsals and his hour-long, pre-midnight concert performing Bobby Darin and Dean Martin songs, he took off with his pals including Fishburne for the Playboy Club at the Palms. They stayed until 3AM enjoying the nightlife scene and playing several high roller hands. "We're just having a great time here," he told me. "We love the city. Everybody has been wonderful; and made us feel very much at home. We've had fantastic cooperation and we're enjoying a great shoot."

In the meantime, Kevin's movie for his own production company, Trigger and Sony Pictures remains untitled as the "Unknown Blackjack 21 Movie" while Hollywood studio lawyers try to clear a final name that prevents future lawsuits.

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'Mindfreak' magician Criss Angel has just pulled off the most dangerous illusion of his life, but he came perilously close to disaster.

It was a real dice with death when he faced down a steamroller in a deadly one-on-one, and you'll get to see the magical escape on the new season of his hit A&E TV series this Spring. I chatted with him at Vince Neil's surprise birthday party, and he told me that, to completely confound, he will expose the startling, Houdini-styled stunt by lying over glass when the heavyweight vehicle moves forward. His TV cameras recorded the fantastic feat at the weekend in a Luxor parking lot. The 10 ton steamroller somehow rolls right over Criss, all the way up to his neck and chin! But before it can crush his face, as he stares right into the jaws of definite death, he vanishes! There has never been an illusion like this before in magic history and it's so phenomenal Criss will be hailed as magic's 21st century Houdini! "If they'd been a millimeter out of synch it would have been certain disaster. It just doesn't get anymore dangerous than this," I was told.


Meantime, we move closer to the official Cirque du Soleil, Criss Angel and Luxor announcements about the $110 million magic spectacular they'll launch early next year at the resort; making it the 6th unique Cirque show to dominate the Strip. Previously I've called it the $200 million spectacular, but over and above the $110 million marked for staging the show's incredible illusions, the additional megabucks are earmarked for advertising, marketing and worldwide promotions. Expect the full details to be released in about three or four weeks.

Before I leave the subject of magic and move onto Vince's surprise birthday bash, I've got early details of another completely different magician coming to Vegas that will be so shocking and startling it's going to set off a firestorm of controversy. I'll even go so far as to say expect fireworks the likes of which we've never seen before in one of the biggest battles in Vegas entertainment history! Sorry to be so mysterious but I am only now tying up all the loose ends to be spot on. I'll probably be sent to the doghouse for revealing it ahead of the official announcement, but my sole mission is to ensure you're the first to read it. Expect the blockbuster news and then the instantaneous nuclear fallout within the week,

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Criss was joined by basketball bad boy Dennis Rodman and 40 of Vince Neil's closest friends at the surprise 46th birthday party, which the Motley Crue singer's stunning wife, Lia organized. We all huddled in the darkness of an outdoor, sky-high terrace as the couple was given a tour of the Nove Italiano in George Maloof's Palms Fantasy Tower. And when the door opened to the outdoor rooftop patio, we all yelled out "Happy Birthday," as the lights went on. The look on Vince's face was priceless.


"I had absolutely no idea, because I thought we were doing a birthday dinner tomorrow," he laughed. Among those celebrating were Planet Hollywood head honcho Mike Mecca and his wife, Sandy, heavyweight madhouse comic Jeff Beacher with Wee Matt, knockout Playboy bartender Teanne, who will be featured in Playboy magazine shortly, celebrity colorist Michael Boychuck and yours truly!


A special candle-laden cake (seen above) was rolled out before the party guests moved on up to the Playboy Club where we ran into New York Yankee Jason Giambi (below, left), partying with Bunny servers Cerra and April, who were later joined by Bunny Michelle at 2AM to welcome Rex Grossman (below, right) to the Blackjack tables for a pre-dawn session of stamina.


FINALLY OPEN!
Magic maestro Steven Wyrick (left) finally opened his long-awaited, and construction-delayed, $35-million entertainment complex at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood Desert Passages and the previews will run until the grand gala opening on March 16. "Previews are essential to fine tuning the show prior to the grand opening," says Wyrick, who has headlined in Vegas for more than 10 years, performing some of the largest illusions on the Strip. This time it's a new one-of-a-kind mega-illusion magic experience, faster-paced, more edgy and uncut, but with all the quality production values of a Broadway performance. Wyrick performs some of the most imaginative and mind-blowing illusions anywhere including making a Lear Jet 35 and an AS 350 helicopter appear and a West Coast Chopper disappear into mid-air. His signature, larger-than-life illusions are jaw-dropping. "I'll be introducing four new colossal illusions in addition to some illusions I've premiered on national and international television," says Wyrick. "I'm confident that my new show will give each audience member a unique and exclusive entertainment experience." The complex also features ventriloquist Ronn Lucas and Philippines heart-throb singer Martin Nivierra and a late night pre-midnight show will be added shortly. The most amazing part of this complex is that it all converts into 2 floors of ultra-lounges and four-level nightclub appropriately called TRIQ as of 11PM nightly.

ELTON JOHN'S LOOKALIKE

Three time award winning musical comedian, impressionist and actor Stephen Sorrentino (above with yours truly) returns tonight to the very spot that got him started 10 years ago to the day as host of the long running 24-years production show Legends in Concert at the Imperial Palace. For the 1st time the show will feature him in the dual role as emcee and in his stunning impressions of Sir Elton John, who will be starring in his Red Piano concerts directly across the Strip at Caesars Palace!! My friend Stephen has been the opening act for Dennis Miller, Dana Carvey, Patti LaBelle and Chicago, but now headlines himself on the Strip.

TWO WRONG ELVIS IDENTITIES
Meantime, Matt Lewis, who features as Elvis Presley in Legends, has always been the dead ringer for the King of Rock 'n' Roll; but because Vegas has so many Elvis wannabe, twice in recent weeks he's been the subject of mistaken identity. Call it good news, bad news. He wound up on the covers of two different magazines, but in both cases he was twice identified incorrectly as two of his competitors! Don't be that cruel!! Talk about a 'Heartbreak Hotel' publicity staff!! So Luxe Life will simple 'Rreturn to Sender,' the incorrect info and publish the correct photo with Matt's correct name!! Viva Las Vegas! Thank you. Thank you very much!

STRIP SCRIBBLES
For the second time, George Harrison's widow, Olivia, showed up to see Cirque du Soleil's Beatles 'LOVE' and met with the cast backstage afterwards. ... Talk about taking your mind off the pressures but just prior to his opening night for 'The Producers,' its star David Hasselhoff toured the Bodies Exhibition and the Titanic sinking at the Tropicana. ... Mark Nason from Foreigner put on a preview show for Skechers execs at the Rainbow Bar & Grill before the group's own shows at the Luxor over the weekend. ... Golf king Tiger Woods proved he's just a regular guy, albeit a multi-millionaire, when he hit the Tangerine Nightclub at TI, because he simply stuck with a bottle of Amstel Light beer all night long. ... Could it be the beginnings of a new romance for 'The Sopranos' star Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who enjoyed a romantic hand-holding lunch at Wolfgang Puck's Spago with NY nightclub operator Scott Sartiano?

CELEBRITY JUDGE
I've still found time to squeeze in the TV taping of Bravo's 'Hell's Kitchen' finals tonight out at Green Valley Ranch. Fellow boisterous Brit, Gordon Ramsey who oft-times terrorizes the would-be superstar chefs will have the finalists prepare us a final dinner, and we'll vote on the winner. I'll be sworn to secrecy right afterwards so the surprise winner's identity doesn't leak out but the final fire in the kitchen goes down tonight.

TONIGHT'S TIP
The brand new eight lusty ladies who makeup the X Girls debut their xcitement and xotic dance moves with their first night of previews at the Flamingo. ... Adult entertainment star Ron Jeremy, the #1 all-time male porn star of 1,700 x-rated flicks, will be signing copies of his new book "Hardest Working Man in ShowBiz" at the Reading Room bookstore in Mandalay Bay this evening starting 7PM. Despite his wild wanton, ribald reputation I can tell you from working with him on our current VH1 'Fame Games' hit he's a kind gentle guy with a heart of gold and can always go back to his math-teacher skills when his day job falls flat!

TOMORROW'S TEASE
Our week-long NBA All Star diary, a special edition with every event and every party. We'll tell you where basketball's superstars are staying, playing and partying and you'll want to print it and keep it as your best guide to our All-Star City right through to Sunday's 56th All Star Game and the after parties. Plus our regular Luxe Life journal with a startling confession from Charles Barkley about his $10 million Vegas gaming losses and his $700,000 winning Super Bowl bet.

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