Having moved into his new gated Spanish-styled Vegas mega-mansion (seen above) pop-singer Michael Jackson is trying to settle into the normal life we locals lead here. Except, when Michael goes to the movies, he's got to take at least four burly bodyguards with him!!
My pal, gossip guru Norm Clarke reports that "the gloved one' went to my local neighborhood Brenden Theaters at the Palms movie theater to watch the Matt Damon CIA spy-thriller 'The Good Shepherd,' which I'd thoroughly enjoyed two nights earlier in the same spot. No word as to whether he buys tickets for all four of his security staff or they wait outside while he watched the near 3 hour flick. Earlier, Michael had jetted in from Augusta where he'd spoken at the funeral tribute to singer James Brown.
Jackson, who is rumored to be negotiating a gig on the Strip, returned to the same theater the next night to watch Mel Gibson's 'Apocalypto,' even paying for his own ticket. He just missed Mario Lopez ('Dancing with the Stars'), who took in the last show of 'Night at the Museum' in IMAX, and pop-star Pink, with stunt man husband Cary Hart, who were there for Will Smith's 'The Pursuit of Happyness' the day after New Year's. It was almost celebrity box-office gridlock!
ESCALATING CIRQUE COSTS
Every time Cirque du Soleil presents a new Strip spectacular the initial costs keep escalating ever skywards. Now I'm hearing that the budget for their new Criss Angel (read interview) wizards' spectacular may well hit the magic and momentous $200 million figure. Production costs for the most recent Cirque show, the Beatles 'LOVE' (pictured left) at the Mirage soared somewhere between $135 and $165 million! Even Cirque's 'KA' extravaganza at MGM Grand hit $125-million to stage! "Cirque simply wants the best magic show in the world," I was told. " They are committed to delivering the most incredible illusion show ever created, and they're backing it up with a $200-million initial budget."
Luxe Life has learned that plans for the production to be premiered at the Luxor next spring are already well underway, with 'Mindfreak' mastermind Criss Angel (right) starring! He and his magic team have already begun the initial design phases of the illusions to be built. "Since money is no object here, Cirque simply wants it to be real magic," I was told. Cirque apparently sells over $1-million in box-office tickets every day for its five current Vegas shows and its creative director, Guy Laliberte is simultaneously planning another big budget $100-million+ Cirque show saluting Elvis Presley for the opening of the new hotel complex at center-Strip MGM's City Center! That's an incredible $300-million commitment to the future of Vegas entertainment for 2008 and 2009.Meantime, just look at how Hollywood has invaded Vegas to see 'LOVE. In recent days it's been a nightly turnout of VIP's for the Beatles musical. Star Trek's Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy flew 14 members of his family from all over the country just to see the show and then go backstage to visit with all the cast and crew afterwards. He commented: "This show is a wonder. I'm coming back to see it again very soon." ... JAG star David James Elliott attended with three guests. ... Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt with her boyfriend, actor Ross McCall, brought six of her family members including her mother who said : "I could see LOVE ten million more times." ... The Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers, who resides here, brought his wife, Tana, which started a musical turnout by Mick Fleetwood from Fleetwood Mac and John Stamos after his on-stage performance with The Beach Boys at the Luxor.
DANCE SHOW BATTLE
Once upon a time actress Jennifer Lopez was married to my pal, choreographer Cris Judd (above with yours truly) who has his "Fantasy" show playing at the Luxor here. It was supposed to be a happily ever after love story, but the 2001 marriage only lasted 9-months and she's now wed to singer Marc Anthony. Now J-Lo and Cris find themselves in another battle. This time they arecompeting with rival dance shows on rival cable networks! Cris has a reality version of "Dirty Dancing" on the WE (Womens Entertainment) cable channel where 18 women compete for a dance contract, along with a featured spotlight role in the Fantasy lineup of beauties, while J-Lo is the producer of MTV's "Dancelife" about six struggling, aspiring dancers which debuts January 15. Cris' show will air on Wednesdays in the same 10PM time slot. Ever the nice guy, Cris said, "Hopefully both shows will be successful. Everybody here is trying to do their best and you can only hope for the best and you can wish for the best for someone. I would never wish for something to be a failure"! Luxe Life hopes they are both winners!
BUCKING BRONCOS
A different kind of cowboy has ridden back into town today. The Championship Bull Riding star finalists are ready to compete this weekend for the World Championship at the South Point hotel's Equestrian Center. Forty five royal riders including B.J. Schumacher, the newly crowned World and NFR Championship, will be fighting the top contestants; Dustin Elliot, Wesley Silcox, Zeb Lanham, Jarrod Craig, J.C.Bean, Cooper Kanngiesser and Steve Woosley. Four-time world champion Tuff Hedeman, who is the CBR President commented, "We have grown tremendously over the past four years and are committed to even bigger and better in the future. More than $200,000 and a world title is on the line." There's a $25,000 bounty for the rider who can tame Lucky Strike, the most feared bull in the world. TV cameras from the Outdoor Channel will shoot the action-packed dangerous nonstop action. It's the 1st time that the World Championship has taken place in Vegas and the events start tomorrow and end on Saturday. The only Vegan to win the title of Miss Rodeo America, Pam Minick has become one of the most well-known faces in the rodeo world. She'll be the TV host for the show and points out that, while the Nevada High School Champion barrel Racer, she grew up riding her horses where the South Point resort hotel casino is now located!
FAVORITE FOTOS
As every old year ends and a new year begins we flip through photos to save to the files or discard to the trash. I wanted to share two of my favorites that I'm definitely keeping as we go into 2007: the first is my cigar duel with the sophisticated and suave George Hamilton and the 2nd is from my pal Vince Neil's opening night of his center-Strip tattoo parlor, Vince Neil's Ink at O'Shea's casino alongside the Flamingo. Pictured with Vince is showgirl model, Alison Gia.
THE LAST NIGHT
Tomorrow is the last night for The Sopranos Last Supper in its current home at the Harmon Theater in the Aladdin. Fortunately it will re-open in its new home at the Empire Ballroom beside MGM Grand next Thursday, Jan 11. That's good news for French Canadian born dancer Rachelle Sournier (above), one of the four Ba Da Bang showgirls. That gives Luxe Life a pleasant excuse to run a "Welcome to Vegas" photo of the sexy Rachelle who dances in two other show at weekends! She told Luxe Life: "I was a dancer on cruise ships for 3 years before moving to Vegas. I got tired living out of a suitcase. I have cruised all over the world: The Mediterranean, Alaska, Hawaii, Central America and the Caribbean. There just aren't many jobs for dancers in Canada."
STRIP SCRIBBLES
The star-studded holiday was topped off at Social House in TI when UFC Heavyweight Contender Tito Ortiz showed up with porn-princess girlfriend Jenna Jameson (above) for a long intimate dinner. The couple dined on Yellowtail Jalapeno and Filet Mignon, while sipping on Perrier Jouet Rose champagne. And they obviously clearly enjoyed their night overlooking Buccaneer Bay because the staff buzzed about their generous champion-sized tips. ... Comedian Pauly Shore and American Idol star judge Randy Jackson mingled with sexy locals at Sutra in MGM Grand to celebrate the release of Resident DJ Ob One's new CD "Live at Sutra." ... Jazz pianist and former Entertainment Tonight TV host John Tesh brought his wife, Connie and their family for dinner at Sushi Roku in Caesars Palace Forum Shops.
TONIGHT'S TIP
Since there is absolutely no special out of the norm event or party on the diary for tonight I'm going to unabashedly recommend my favorite lineup of sexy dancers, the Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls at PURE in Caesars Palace. The tantalizing sexy-stocking luscious lingerie laced ladies are knockout temptresses with shows every Tuesday through Saturday at 10:20PM and 12:30AM. If you want hot sizzling dance moves to hip song beats this is the place you can't miss. ... Big 'Deal or No Deal' star Howie Mandel starts a run in the Hollywood Theater tonight thru January 17 with his unique brand of humor. He's added special guest John Mendoza to the show to kick things off nightly.
TOMORROW'S TEASE
Vegas is getting ready to play host to the next Miss America beauty pageant but before that end-of-the-month extravaganza, in comes the giant Consumer Electronics Show and the controversial Adult Video awards ceremony with the princesses of porn in their next-to-nothing nighttime naughties! Luxe Life has the advance look. Plus our inside look at my new Surreal Life Fame Games TV show which premieres on Sunday on VH1- click here for the special salute to the ultimate in dysfunctional celebreality!
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