Memories of Elvis Presley and personal encounters with him have been front and center for this columnist since attending the “blue carpet” opening of Viva Elvis at Aria in CityCenter. I was both impressed and depressed at what we call star power. It was only natural that Priscilla Presley would be at the opening and also spotted was Ryan Seacrest and Eva Longoria Parker.  Recently, Eva has become known for attending an opening of an envelope.  Let’s be honest. What television’s Desperate Housewives has done for this Mexican spitfire is quite extraordinary. But I digress…. Watching the arrivals and checking the audience, I saw the media, the so-called media, the bottom feeders and who-the-hell cares.

Elvis Live, the latest of the Cirque Du Soleil shows is really a tribute to a legend. As a superstar, he brought worldwide attention to both Las Vegas and the International Hotel, which is now the Hilton. Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker were definitely a megaforce in rock ‘n’ roll. The show itself is filled with scenes from all the King’s movies, showcasing his vocal power and highlighting his unprecedented number of chart-topping hits. This extravaganza reminds us all of the earthshaking phenomenon that was Elvis Presley.

Back in 1968, when I opened at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas was buzzing with news about Evil Knievel, who was attempting to jump the fountains at Caesars; the latest too cool antics of Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack  and how Louis Prima and Keeley Smith were filling the lounges. In those days, and thanks to the mob, stars were provided such things as Rolls Royces, suites of rooms, and  unlimited credit at the tables. It was a special time.

Before making the Vegas scene, I had been working in Hollywood at the Red Velvet, which was also showcasing The Righteous Brothers, Freddy Walker and a New York hairdresser who called himself Monti Rock III. I remember Elvis and his bodyguards coming to the Red Velvet to see yours truly. At the time, I didn’t know, nor was I aware, of the enormity of Elvis Presley.

Anyone that saw Elvis perform live was well aware of the charisma and the magic this man possessed. The Elvis Live tribute show at Aria is a show that’s becoming a miracle in the making. Not everyone is going to like it, but this columnist loved it.

Thursday, February 25, was the official opening of Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas at The Imperial Palace. The evening started with it’s own red carpet and a celebrity-filled crowd. The key to this show, in addition to my friend Frank Marino, is the wonderful Larry Edwards, who has become a staunch supporter and the number one promoter of this exciting production. Larry, performing as Beyonce, is a showstopper. Adam Steck, who’s Frank’s co-producer of the show, is also the producer of Human Nature at Imperial Palace. Divas Las Vegas is sure to be a draw for visitors to our city.

John Stuart, a Las Vegas icon in his own right, and I recently spoke over the telephone and John informed me he will be opening three shows at Station Casinos in March. John is known for his Legends in Concert that held court at Imperial Palace for about 20 years before moving to Harrah’s. As producer/creator of Legends, John and I first developed a friendship when we talked about adding yours truly to the lineup several years ago. At the time, it was a great idea. Currently, John is producing Rick Thomas at the Sahara and Lani Misalucha in Voices at the Hilton. Here’s to John and his new venture with Station Casinos. I always wish the best for him.

Sad news– Our heartfelt sympathy to Marie Osmond and her family.  Marie is devastated by the loss of her son in California. who died last Friday. He,unfortunately, had been suffering from depression most of his life.

As of this printing, Harrah’s has officially taken over Planet Hollywood.  Robert Earl, former owner/president of Planet Hollywood, will continue as a consultant for Harrah’s. What Planet Hollywood needs right now is a total overhaul. Peep Show will soon re-open, but the main showroom, which is a great venue, remains empty.

Mandalay Bay has a special offer for locals that includes dinner at one of four signature restaurants with upgraded seating for Disney’s The Lion King. Restaurants in the package are Aureole, a favorite of mine, RM Seafood, Stripsteak and Fleur de Lys. Remember, it’s just for us locals, and it’s a great opportunity to enjoy a night on the town.  Call (877) 632-7400 for reservations.  Next door, at The Luxor, is one of our favorite buffets, The More Buffet,

An updated entertainment schedule was just released by the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Hard Rock is a favorite of the younger crowd, but I was mildly surprised by the schedule since it included country stars Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band and Kenny Chesney.

MGM’s Grand Hollywood Theater has booked the hit off-Broadway musical, “Girls Night: The Musical for a limited engagement beginng May 6.  Critics describe this as Sex in The city meets  Desperate Housewives  and Grease. Girls Night is a hilarious, feel good comedy with chaart stopping female anthems like I Will Survive, Lady Marmalade, and man more.  Tickets are now on sale.

Last Saturday, Barry Manilow was the star of Keep Memory Alive at the Bellagio. It was a fundraiser for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Barry was a true star when he generously waived his normal fee of $1.2 million and even went so far as to pay the musicians, too. Many people aren’t aware of Barry’s generosity, but it’s rumored he may make a special announcement for Las Vegas when he opens at the Paris in March.  Some anticipate Barry will initiate something similar to the Manilow Music Project in Palm Springs, where Barry resides. The project provides musical instruments and music supplies to both middle and high schools in the Palm Springs area.

It was a big weekend for the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Celebrities from all over flew into Vegas to catch the NASCAR events. With the draw created by NASCAR, this should have been a good week for the lagging Vegas economy.

Las Vegas has its own Walk of Stars, where Rich Little, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin have their names enshrined. Is it true that Frank Marino will be receiving his second star? The Monti Rock III star will be downtown, somewhere near the Golden Nugget.  Actually, I want my own street.

The original Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton, continues to be in the news. Sheriff deputies were reportedly turned away at the gates of his Las Vegas home, trying to collect a $500,000 judgement for money he owes to a former pilot. In addtion to this, NASCAR executive Burton Smith is seeking to seize Wayne’s home as repayment for a $3.35 million loan. In addition to this, Wayne’s infant grandchild is seriously ill and we hope thje child gets well soon.  And now Wayne’s contract at the Tropicana is up for renewal . Troulble just doesn’t let up for  Mr. Las Vegas . Rumor has it the Trop wants to close the showroom for a complete makeover and possibly go in a new direction. Many performers are in the wings with new shows ready to go.

Stephanie Sanchez – star of Fantasy for 10 years – has a brand new CD, Smalltown, about her hometown of Las Vegas. The CD had its debut this week and can be downloaded. This lovely performer has appeared in various Vegas productions since debuting at age 17 in Bob Stupak’s  “Halleluja Las Vegas.” In addition to nightly performances in several shows,  she worked a variety of other jobs to help raise her two children. We wish her the best in this latest venture.

Last week, my staff and I had a fabulous dinner at Ali Baba, the fine Lebanese restaurant located at 8826 S. Eastern Ave. The “mezza” appetizer combo consisting of 6-12 selections, is a must. They also feature belly dancing every evening. This is truly a fine dining experience. Check out their website:
www.alibabalasvegas.com  for more information.

Last week slso saw the grand opening of The S& K Music Studio on W. Flamingo Road. We now have a new  local state of the art recording studio, where, incidentally, I will record my next single. They also have a wonderful staff of music instructors, some of whom performed at the opening.  Owners Snake and Karen Rock, well versed in the music business have got themselves a winner.

COMING SOON: More news about the Rev. Monti’s Chapel of Lust in Rick Belcastro’s beautiful Badda Bing Club.

As always the Rev. Monti wishes you all a great week!

Surprise, surprise! For months I’ve been hinting, and rumors have been swirling, that international star Celine Dion would return to Caesars Colosseum. It was just announced that a three-year contract has been signed by Celine and amazing as it sounds, tickets went on sale Friday, February 12, 2010 for her show that will begin March 2011! Celine will be doing both contemporary and Hollywood ballads accompanied by a 32-piece orchestra.  She’ll be doing what she does best….. sing. Celine is the one star that consistently sold out the more than 4,400 tickets for every performance. No Cirque this time, just Celine.

Bette Midler appeared at the Colosseum for two years but her recent exit may have been surrounded with mystery. Questions have been asked, “Did she break even when she closed her show?” I was called on the carpet (again) when I reported there was a fire sale. There was talk that Bette was in negotiations with Steve Wynn. Of course, the Colosseum will continue to provide stellar entertainment with the likes of Cher and Jerry Seinfeld along with such stars as Lionel Richie, who will make his first appearance at the Colosseum in March (that would be March 2010). The house that Celine built will continue to thrive. It’s a fabulous venue for the entertainers and for the audiences.  A recent article was published that stated Barbra Streisand turned down $100 million for a three-year Colosseum deal, stating Babs was the only other star, besides Celine, that could fill the house.
The Las Vegas economy continues to make news. More rooms than people. But the upside is that by calling Expedia, as I’ve learned from friends, a $300 room has been reduced to $90, and they throw in a tourist type coupon.  Unemployment in Vegas is unbelievable, showrooms are closing and if the economy stays on this same track, there could be other major properties that might close within six months. Here’s hoping CityCenter will bring an increase on the plus side.

When it comes to CityCenter, I’m looking forward to my return to Aria to see the formal  media opening of Viva Elvis, the latest of our many Cirque shows. Time Magazine has given the show glowing reviews, calling it Cirque’s most joyous party ever. According to them, it is as much a dance show as a cirvus show and that the editing of Elvis clips and sampling of the musical material are superb. They say among other things  that no tribute show can touch this one

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Former President Bill Clinton. He was hospitalized with chest pains last week and two stents were placed in his arteries. In 2004, he underwent quadruple by-pass surgery, but that did not slow him down. His charitable work throughout the world keeps him running constantly  It’s time for him to slow down and relax. We want him around for many more Presidents’ Day Holidays.

The fashion and entertainment world are mourning the untimely death of fashion designer Alexander McQueen.  He has dressed people like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Kelly Osbourne, and Kristie Alley, to name a few. Alexander was found dead in his London home on Thurs 2/11.  His mother’s death last week and the pressureof the upcoming “Fashion Week’ are belng blamed.

Alec Baldwin and his daughter are reportedly at it again. Remember the phone call a few years ago? She allegedly called 911 las Thursady, ( for which he blames his ex, Kim Bassinger ), when Alec threatened to take pills during a discussion he was having with her over the phone. He was hospitalized and immediately released. His publicist claims it was all a misunderstanding. Evidently, the bitter, ugly and VERY public divorce of Alec and Kim  has taken its toll . Children are always the victims in these situations.

Last week I attended a fashion show at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse sponsored by RENTA-DRESS & TUX SHOP. This shop has the unique ability to dress a bride and groom in about an hour. A seamstress on site performs immediate alterations. Transportation to and from the wedding venue is available and the shop is open 7 days a week. For more info on the shop, check their Web site   www.tuxandgown.com or call 702-796-6444. A new young model, 17-year-old TINA WELCH (5′11″) stole the show! So remember her name-TINA WELCH.  Had dinner there with David Filter, owner of English Garden Florist.  David supplied all the flowers for the event and, once again, outdid himself with the beautiful arrangements.

Menopause the Musical at The  Luxor just recently celebrated their 1,800th performance here in Las Vegas. Menopause continues to be an ongoing and worthy production filled with laughs and music. I’ve seen the show several times and have never been disappointed. My friend Paige O’Hara is only one of the many talented performers to show up every night for Menopause.  Congrats to everyone that makes this show a must-see.

The showroom at Planet Hollywood currently has former Seinfeld star Jason Alexander in a new show called Donny Clay. Jason is a longtime Broadway favorite and really shines when it comes to singing and dancing as well as comedy. This show has it all, including partial nudity, and I doubt if they’re referring to Jason, even though his svelte appearance may be the result of his work for Jenny Craig  .Dates for Donny Clay with Jason Alexander at Planet Hollywood are February 11-14, March 4-7 and March 11-14. Word is the show will run as long as ticket demands warrant it. I was fortunate enough to see this GREAT performer , how shall I say, “kick butt”.  Jason Alexander is ‘Broadway all the way’. The show is fast-moving and entertaining as Jason takes full command of the stage in this one-man tour de force. As he says, this is not George Costanza, it;s Jason as Donny Clay

With Jason Alexander’s appearance at Planet Hollywood, maybe it’s a sign things are changing for the somewhat embattled Strip location where the Harmon Theater and Krave Nightclub filed for bankruptcy. The Steve Wyrick Theater at Miracle Mile in Planet Hollywood is also up for grabs. If you walk the Miracle Mile, there are  sales everywhere. If everyone can hold on for six months, there may be a turn around. And now Green Valley Resort has just filed for bankruptcy . This hotel/casino is a joint venture of Station Casinos and The Greenspun Corp. They claim that daily operation of the hotel will not be affected. We’ve got to be optimistic.

Some Monti news,(for those of you who might be interested.  I’ll be back in the recording studio shoprtly to do a song in conjunction with  old friend Platinum Rock I will be performing weddings in the CHAPEL OF LUST located in the beautiful RICK BELCASTRO BADDA BING CLUB..  And be sure to catch yours truly funning up and down The Strip on the Badda Bing Billboard vehicles.

Remodeling plans are in the works for the Tiffany Theater at the Tropicana after the current run of The Wayne Newton Show. The remainder of his run allows them time to decide on the new look and direction of the theater. Tropicana’s new management is working hard to bring this Grand Dame of  the Strip back on top where she belongs.

The Society of Seven has discontinued the afternoon performances of their wonderful show at The Gold Coast. They now only appear on Friday and Saturday evenings. If you haven’t seen them, you’re missing one of the most enjoyable and entertaining shows in town.

My longtime friends Buddy Greco and his beautiful wife  Lezlie Anders gave their final U.S. performance at Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs last weekend before heading to London’s West End to perform their show “Fever! The Music of Peggy Lee.”  Buddy arranged and performed with the Benny Goodman Orchestra in the early 1950″s.  He also played worldwide with his trio. Bon Voyage, my good friends!

Once again, the Rev. Monti wishes you all a great week.

Last weekend was spent with friends from Beverly Hills – Jodi and Franck Vialy with their son Franck. They had a beautiful suite of rooms at the new Aria Hotel in CityCenter. We spent two days walking around, enjoying the fountains and statues. With everything new and fresh at CityCenter, it was like being a tourist in my own surroundings. There was a sense that CityCenter definitely has a future and that maybe it’s just the beginning. Just another sign that the economy is making a turn for the better.

The visit started on a high note with dinner at  Bradley Ogden’s in Caesars followed by an evening with the Divine Miss M in The Showgirl Must Go On at the Colosseum where we all said farewell to Bette. No, we didn’t actually spend time with Bette, we just saw her show again. All in all it was an enjoyable and fabulous weekend.

While rumors continue about Bette Midler going to one of the Wynn properties, I think she needs some rest and recuperation. Rumor has it that most of her props were quickly removed from the property. Did they have a “fire sale”?

The Vialys and Monti Rock III have been friends for several years, but Jodi has just recently become Monti’s personal jeweler. I may be known for many things, jewelry not being the least of my passions.

Looking forward to a return trip to Aria to catch Viva Elvis, the latest Cirque show, when it  finally opens on February 19th.  In my opinion, this will be the last Cirque show for a very long time. My original introduction to Viva Elvis  at the Aria has been tweaked and reworked and hopefully will re-open with a “live” Elvis, which was missing in the preview.

What’s happening at the Sahara? For weeks I’ve written there was trouble and now the Sahara is closing all the show rooms on the second floor and the ones that remain will be crowded into Rick Thomas’ showroom. The Rat Pack show will now be at 5 p.m.!

Rush Limbaugh was one of the judges in the latest Miss America Pageant, which was held at Planet Hollywood. Miss America Pageant… ho hum. Rush Limbaugh…really?

Regarding Planet Hollywood, Harrah’s is taking over the management and the new tower has just opened at Planet. Wasn’t there a bankruptcy somewhere in there?

Not only in Las Vegas, but all across the country there’s been chatter about Senator Harry Reid’s best friend, President Obama. Oops! Mr.Obama did it again, telling people to stay away from Las Vegas during hard times. Don’t we just love our Mayor Oscar Goodman for his passion when it comes to Las Vegas? Oscar always gets our vote. He claims he will not be on hand to greet President Obama on his next vist to Las Vegas.

And what about the dirt Andrew Young is spouting on as many television shows as he can get on while promoting his book on John Edwards? Young and his wife made an appearance on The View, where Barbara Walters managed some pointed questions and ended by asking if Young was living a back-stabbing political game. Barbara mentioned Young was betraying a nation by writing this book and talking about “the sex tape” he’s holding.  Per Barbara, “I hope this book earns you enough money because you’re going to need it.” The whole thing makes us ask if anyone could ever trust this guy.

In writing this column, I sometimes feel like a broken record when it comes to shows I like. For example, I’m rooting for Frank Marino’s Divas at the Imperial Palace and the Singing Naked Boys at the Onyx Theater because it’s the smaller shows that are the true meat and potatoes of  entertainment.

In my travels around Las Vegas, I feel the economy is turning around. The shows are doing better business, rooms are getting booked, conventions are coming back. There’s an excitement and optimism in the air.

Is it true that Mike Tyson might do Dancing With the Stars?  No, no no!

Dr. Conrad Murray, physician to the late, great Michael Jackson, has just decided not to surrender to the local authorities just yet and is now awaiting formal charges.  It seems that charges were not filed last week  but postponed for several days.  Should he shoulder the guilt, or is he the fall guy in this drug-related death?

My friend Bob Anderson will arrive in Las Vegas next week to appear at the Cannery North.  At the Hilton, Lani Misalucha in Voices is still holding strong, but the Hilton hasn’t found a replacement for Barry Manilow, who’s moving to the Strip and will open in March at Paris. Cheap Trick would be my choice to replace Manilow. The right fit, but just a suggestion. And what about Andrew Dice Clay bringing his raunchy brand of comedy to The Shimmer Theater at the HIlton. His shows will be at 11 p.m.  At this writing, negotiations are on to bring Celine back to the Colosseum in 2011.  She will supposedly break the news on Oprah Wednesday, February 10.

Tickets went on sale January 30 for Lionel Richie’s two performances at Caesars Colosseum. He’ll appear March 26 and 27.

It seems The Orleans and The Suncoast are becoming the places where former Vegas Strip headliners are finding steady work as rotating stars in residence. The lineup includes Clint Holmes and The Scintas at Suncoast,  Engleburt Humperdink and the great Don Rickles at Orleans and Southpoint is where you can periodically see Tony Orlando and Sheena Easton. The locals now have the opportunity to see some of their favorites at prices they can afford.

The Chippendales will be celebrating their 3000 performance on February 11 at the Rio All Suite Hotel. Special gifts are planned for the ladies that evening. I wonder what these gifts may be like?

It was just announced that Gilley’s Saloon, Dance Hall and Bar-B-Que will open at Treasure Island on April 16. Gilley’s was a honky tonk that originated in Pasadena, Texas, and was the setting for the John Travolta smash hit Urban Cowboy. The Treasure Island version will be open for lunch and dinner.  Besides the well-known barbeque, they’re once again featuring Gilley’s infamous mechanical bull.

Las Vegas  now has 7 of the top ten nightclubs in the U.S.  XS(Encore) led the pack that includes Tao(Venetian), Pure(Caesars), Lax(luxor), and
Lavo(Palazzo).  Studio 54(MGM Grand), Rainn(Palms), and Krave(Planet Hollywood), among others ,were also on the list of The Top 100.    Awards will be presented on March 8 at the Night & Bar Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas

The day after the Grammy Awards were on television, Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie started work on ” We Are the World – 25 Years Later” with about a hundred stars adding their voices in an effort to raise money for Haiti’s recovery.

Now all the questions start about the money raised for the Haiti recovery. Is it getting to the right place? Millions and millions of dollars have been donated or pledged. My hat’s off to John Travolta, who personally flew his own jet to Haiti to deliver food, medicines and doctors. He also made sure that these supplies got to the right  people and places.  John, always the gentleman.

American Idol – I miss you Paula – but the show is still entertaining. Let’s see how Ellen DeGeneres does. I don’t see it, myself. Fantasia, one of the earlier winners of American Idol, is broke and crying. Wait a minute. Didn’t she do The Color Purple on Broadway? Didn’t she have a reality show on VH1?  Fantasia, you have to learn how to save when times are good.
And speaking of AI, Carrie Underwood, one of the true genuine stars from the talent show, will soon be seen on the silver screen. She’s landed a role in the inspirational film Soul Surfer, which is based on the life of champion surfer Bethany Hamilton who lost an arm in a shark attack.

Monti Rock III, who’s involved with local charities, says, “Let’s not forget our own!” The homeless problem here is devastating, the unemployment is beyond belief and Las Vegas has the highest home foreclosure rate in the nation.  Let’s concentrate some of our charity on the local economy.

As always the Rev. Monti wishes you all a great week.

This week in Las Vegas there seems to be some wonderful news on the real estate front. Financier Carl Icahn received the go-ahead on his offer of $150 million to purchase the stalled Fontainebleau Hotel. Experts report it was a steal since it was an estimated $2 billion project. Good news for both Icahn and Vegas. Hopefully, completion work will start soon and put some people back on the job.

Another real estate deal in the headlines was the sale of Nicholas Cage’s Las Vegas estate. Unfortunately, it sold for far less than the Oscar winner’s purchase price and the money went straight to Uncle Sam. Seems Mr. Cage’s tax status has forced him to sell several of his properties.

President Bill Clinton will speak at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace of Feb 22. His lecture is titled “Embacing our Common Humanity”. He will be sharing his insights and observations with audiences aroung the world.  President Clionton  will discuss the challenge of globalization, emphasize our growing interdependence and point the way to a common future based on shared goals and values. He hopes to bring global leaders to devise and implemet innovative solutions to the problems of Aids, Climate Control and economic growth.  This man keeps showing us his greatness,

With Bette Midler’s final show approaching at Caesars Colosseum, I decided to catch it one last time with some friends and was surprised when the tickets were less than $50.  Again, I have to hand it to this lady for having one of the most energetic, entertaining shows and for being the diva she is. Her closing night performance had a special first row section that included dinner at Bradley Ogden’s and a “meet and greet” after the show.This special was reportedly a mere $2010 per! Although Bette Midler and Monti Rock III go back a long ways, in the last two years since she’s been a Las Vegas headliner she has never acknowledged yours truly as a columnist, or anything else for that matter. Not to worry, life goes on. I recently heard through the grapevine that she will not be going to a Wynn property, though rumor has it negotiations have been taking place for months. Actually, Bette and the Wynn would be a good fit.

George Clooney immediately jumped in to organize and oversee a massive television event that ended up raising almost $70 million for aid to earthquake ravaged Haiti. His fast response to the reported devastation proved to all what a high-class gentleman he is. The A-List of movie and TV celebrities got on those phones and spoke to the public for at least 2 hours. The cream of today’s musical performers included, among others, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springstein and Taylor Swift.

Other television news included the cancellation of ABC’s Ugly Betty and the departure of Rob Lowe from ABC’s Brothers & Sisters. Once before Mr. Lowe left a successful television show – West Wing. Guess the long haul isn’t for him. Sunday, January 31, the television line up includes the Grammy Awards with Lady Gaga. I love her name. BET Honors airs on Monday, February 1. This year’s honorees include Whitney Houston and Queen Latifa.

American Idol continues to be a favorite of mine, even though I didn’t like the attitude or anything else about guest judge Katy Perry last week. A guest judge with a bad attitude doesn’t fit in with the No. 1 show on the tube, even though she’s had a couple of hits. Bad girl, bad! Let Simon keep up his role as Mr. Mean. With guest judges like that, I miss Paula Abdul even more. But I must admit the show is still entertaining to me.

Paula Abdul and ABC have reportedly been discussing her joining the cast of Dancing With The Stars, and now it was announced that Samantha Harris will not be returning as cohost next season.  Paula would be a good choice for this position, especially since she is, among other things, a dancer and
choreographer.

It was just announced that crooner Matt Goss will open at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace with tickets going for $40. Seems a bit on the high side but who knows how Mr. Goss will do. He just completed a successful four months at the Palms Resort. Maybe the Strip is the right move. He will be backed by a nine-piece band and sexy female dancers known as The Dirty Virgins. This production will surely add another exciting entertainment dimension to Caesars Palace. For those who may not remember, that venue was originally called Nero’s Nook and in 1968 yours truly, Monti Rock III, opened there with the Checkmates and Woody Woodbury. I was fresh out of New York City and I was the most controversial performer ever seen in Las Vegas. Of course, I did get fired after 14 weeks…but, the legend goes on.

For weeks we’ve been talking about Tony Sacca who opened The Marquee Room, his new lounge downtown. Jazz will be featured everly Tuesday. The restaurant is known as Las Vegas Rocks Cafe. Nothing bad to say and you definitely have to credit Mr. Sacca. This is a big undertaking. We wish him nothing but good luck.

The cast of  MTV’s surprise hit Jersey Shore is pulling a “Friends” act. They are asking to double their salaries from $5,000 to $10,000 a week. If you remember when Friends became a hit, the cast reportedly demanded and got what they wanted. Let’s hope these “reality stars” don’t cut their own throats in the process.

Once again the Miss America contest will be held at Planet Hollywood. Not much fanfare or much press. Miss America is no longer the draw it used to be, but Mario Lopez hosting again could help. Since his stint on Dancing With the Stars, Mario has been one of the busiest young men around with multiple TV shows, (America’s Best Dance Crew and Extra).. He is now being groomed for a role on Glee, the new hit series on Fox

Lily Tomlin will retulrn to MGM Grand in “Not Playing With A Full Deck” March 11-17. Lily is one of America’s most brilliant comediennes and is best remembered for the characters she created on “Laugh-In” – Ernestine, the telephone operator, and Edith Ann, the precocious child.

Also returning to the Vegas scene is singer Jimmy Hopper. Jimmy will be performing at the Palms on Sundays beginning February 14, 2010. Among his awards were “Las Vegas Entertainer of The Year,“  “Performer of The Year” and “Vocalist of The Year.” Welcome back, Jimmy!  Our good friend, the talented Bob Anderson will be at The Cannery North on Feb 19th and 20th. As we’ve said before, Bob should have his own room here.

Last Wednesday, I attended a VIP/Media event celebrating the opening of Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant on Paradise. This was the best mix I’ve seen in years. The ambiance, the food and the guests created one of the better openings I’ve attended. The food and wine, as expected. were top-notch and plentiful. Gino Ferraro hosts the restaurant and creates  the mood for a great dining experience. His chef son, Mimmo, trained in Italy,  creates the fabulous food.
Jay Leno appeared on Oprah last Thursday to discuss all the hullabaloo and misconceptions revolving around the NBC circus. Let’s face it, neither Jay nor Conan are to blame. NBC programming experts are the culprits. Jay will be back, where he belongs, and Conan will most likely be landing a night spot on Fox. We hope that any hard feelings will be mended in the near future. It’s now time for the late-night hosts to stop badmouthing each other. It’s fine to poke fun at one another, but in this case some of them have gone too far.

As usual, the Rev. Monti wishes you all a great week!

PLEASE DIRECT ANY QUESTIONS AND / OR COMMENTS  TO:          REVMONTI@YAHOO.COM

We’re all devastated by the Haiti earthquake, but Las Vegas has been very generous and most of the showrooms – from Bette Midler at the Colosseum to Carrot Top at the Luxor – didn’t hesitate to offer contributions to assist in what appears to be a long process of recovery. Las Vegas has an abundant Haitian community, and they have joined forces to establish a drop-off location for much-needed items. We all need to be aware when making contributions.  Keep in mind the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Hollywood’s elite and entertainers from all over were fast to join George Clooney’s worldwide telethon on Friday 1/22/10 and donate their time and money. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie already donated a million dollars. With so many left homeless in Haiti and the death toll rising every day, the work and healing ahead seem monumental.

In the late night television wars of Leno versus Conan,  I, like NBC, have to go with Leno. It’s all about ratings. Conan is leaving with a reported 32 million dollars plus about 12 million in severance for his 200 or so staffers. He also must honor a non-compete clause until September 2010. NBC is left with mud on its face.

Of course, Rosie O’Donnell, an original Miss Blowhard, Miss Bigmouth, and to this columnist, a classless and clueless person, said Leno should have left and handed Conan the torch. When Rosie first started her own daytime talk show, American women embraced her. Then she went to The View and created a fiasco and now we have to listen to her remarks and taking sides in a situation that has nothing to do with her. Keep it to yourself, Rosie.

The SAG Awards, along with The Golden Globes have finally given Jeff Bridges the awards he deserves.  This fine actor and gentleman has been overlooked too many times over the past 20 years.  Mo”Nique has deservedly won best supporting actress by SAG and Golden Globes for her searing performance in Precious. Let’s hope that Oscar will follow for them as well as Sandra Bullock or Meryl Streep.

For months the rumors were swirling that both Krave and the Harmon Theater at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile would be filing  bankruptcy. Reports are that Knave officials did file for Chapter 11 reorganization. Believe it or not, when Krave was on the drawing board the talk was that yours truly would become the host. But alas, I offered up the job to Larry Edwards who ran with it for three years. While the Amazing Jonathan is still holding court at the Harmon Theater, other tenants haven’t fared so well. Planet Hollywood and Miracle Mile are in a transition period with the takeover by Harrah’s. When I think back to the days of the Aladdin and earlier struggles at that location, I’m reminded of the urban legend that the Aladdin was built on Native American burial grounds. Guess we’ll all just have to wait and see what the future holds for that struggling Strip location.

Last week, Pure Management at Caesars Palace brought in White House crashers Tareq and Michaele Salahi, who were greeted with boos. The media, including this columnist, tried to get a glimpse and figure out why they were paid all that money by Pure Management to make an appearance here. What makes their 15 minutes of fame important to anyone? Supposedly Michaele Salahi had a deal with Housewives of Washington, D.C. but the deal fell through. Meanwhile, the Salahis’ appearance at a Congressional hearing was a real joke.

Last week  I attended a party for a new agency in Las Vegas. The event was held at Smith & Wollensky’s on the Strip and was top of the line all the way. The dinner was fabulous, the entertainment was fun and even included the legendary boxer Joe Frasier, who actually got on stage and brought the house down with his singing. The entire evening was a first class event, but this columnist was called on the carpet for not giving the agency and the evening enough press. Let’s see now…. Monti’s Blog and Gaming Today are prepared for publication on Fridays. The event was on Saturday. I’m good, but I’m not so good that I can see that well into the future.  C’est la vie, ladies!

There’s still rumors about Lady Gaga signing with the Palms. Singing sensation Matt Goss has ended his four months at the Palms, so there may just be room available for someone new. Over at the Luxor, Criss Angel in Believe is so quiet nobody can hear anything. The miracle is that the show is still running,  while my friend David Copperfield had to add extra shows at the MGM.  David had support from all of us, and it was good to hear the pending case against him was dismissed a couple of weeks ago.

The Palms has just announced that Playboy Comedy will become a new entertainment resident in The Lounge starting February 18th. They’ll be doing shows three nights a week and will feature different comedy acts, including Nick DiPaolo and Sebastian Maniscalco. Both are well known in the world of comedy and have made numerous television and movie appearances, as well as their stand-up comedy acts. This should be a good addition for the Palms.  We always need more laughs.

I have to clear up the misspelling of Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant. Earlier I wrote that Ferraro’s opened at a new location on Paradise and incorrectly spelled the name. My bad. The Flamingo location is also still creating those Italian delicacies that have made Ferraro’s a popular dining experience.

Hash House A Go Go has opened a second location in Las Vegas, this one at The Imperial Palace on the Strip. They are noted for their generous portions of what I call “down home” cooking. You’re never hungry when you leave there and are always satisfied.

Anita Mann hosted a wonderful dinner for yours truly and my darling friend Mimi Hines. We discussed a very hush, hush venture which would include Monti Rock III.

The February issue of Vanity Fair magazine has a very interesting article on The Disco Era. Among those interviewed are Gloria Gaynor, Nona Hendryx, Donna Summer, and yours truly, Monti Rock III.  Saturday Night Fever is mentioned throughout the article. This film, prior to release, was expected to run 3 or 4 weeks tops and then off to video–but we fooled ‘em!  As you know, this became one of the most successful  films of all time, and thankfully, I was involved.

Both the Las Vegas Hilton and the Gold Coast are offering some interesting specials in February. It’s hard to imagine, but the Hilton is offering a special “locals” rate for their buffet on Mondays and Wednesdays and their Sunday Brunch. When I say special, try $3.99 for a breakfast buffet. (Call The Hilton for details).  The Hilton also offers a complimentary wine tasting at Fortuna’s from 4 to 8 p.m. Over at the Gold Coast an online offer includes a complimentary steak and lobster dinner at TGI Friday’s with the purchase of premium seating tickets for Society of Seven. Both the Hilton and the Gold Coast offers are quite extraordinary, and since February is kind of a dull month, it would be a good time to take advantage of something special. Good food and entertainment. What a great combination. The Society of Seven has been a Las Vegas favorite over the years and  the lovely Jasmine Trias, who is an American Idol alumni, and Michael Laygo, a sensational young singer from Hawaii, recently joined the cast.

Chinese New Year 2010, Year of The Tiger, will soon be upon us. The Venetian and Palazzo are featuring Chinese decor, firecrackers and authentic dragon and lion dances on February 13-14. Chinese decor will be seen throughout both locations through the third week of February. Chinatown on Spring Mountain Rd. will also be a place to see.

As Always, the Rev. Monti wishes you all a great week!

The Las Vegas convention business was a successful way to start 2010. The best known and largest of the conventions, Consumer Electronics Show, always brings the tech folks to town and they didn’t disappoint us this year. I understand Lady Gaga was a standout at the convention, showing off her earphones. But the biggest hit was TV in 3D. It is estimated that 30 percent of American households will have 3D in their homes.

As of this writing, Bette Midler has only 11 shows remaining at the Colosseum. She’s had a very successful two-year run, but by her own admission, it’s time for a change. Don’t hold me to it but rumor has it she may be scaling down her show and moving to a Wynn property.

Caesars Colosseum is an entertainment venue like no other in Las Vegas. A number of headliners have appeared there, but Celine Dion seemed to be the one star that could sell out 4,500 seats on a regular basis and for more than five years. That’s no small record. The only thing to keep her away from Las Vegas would be if she were pregnant and word is she is not. Maybe there’s a chance she’ll return.

It’s just been announced that Grammy award-winning Mariah Carey will wrap up her eight-week tour of Angels Advocate at the Coliseum on February 27. This is expected to be a sellout, so mark your calendars to pick up your tickets starting Saturday, January 16.

In the meantime, the T&A shows seem to be doing well. Fantasy at Luxor continues to do capacity business, and of course, Peep Show at Planet Hollywood is making a few changes but will return it at full force soon.

The AVN (Adult Video News) awards show took place at the Palms Resort last weekend, and my sources tell me the participants were the best behaved and well-mannered of guests. It’s true. You can’t tell the book by it’s cover!

Off to TV Land…

American Idol is back and I’m still a fan, but I miss Paula. This will be Simon Cowell’s last year on Idol.  Next year he’ll bring his latest British hit, X Factor, to FOX. Let’s face it, Simon has a great record when it comes to successful shows so his newest import will be highly anticipated by his fans.

Another change in the television lineup for America’s Got Talent is that David Hasselhoff has turned his judge’s chair over to Howie Mandel and David will have his own show here in Vegas. Howie and his off-beat humor will be a welcome addition to the show.

We have new Dualing Divas in town. The new theatrical booking agency, Booking It In Vegas and Jaki Baskow. Competition is good, ladies.

Again it’s the Steve Wyrick/Planet Hollywood report. Seems Steve is being sued by everyone and it’s turned into a nightmare. Too bad! It’s a great space. Someone must have a good show to put in such a prime spot! It’s Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood. Is that David Saxe to the rescue?

The Society of Seven has opened for an extended run at The Gold Coast Hotel/Casino, performing Fridays-Sundays. This multi-talented group still has it and more. The two new singers, Jasmine Trias and Michael Laygo have given a new life to the group. Most of us know Jasmine as an American Idol finalist. By the end of this run people will know Michael , as his singing is something else. Leader/host Tony Ruivivar moves the show along at a fast and steady pace that keeps the audience’s attention at all times. There should be more acts of this type in Las Vegas.- No special effects, just pure talent.

Andrew Dice Clay, – The Dice Man – will be appearing from January 18-31 at the Mardi Gras Showroom at the Riviera. This man can be very funny without resorting to some of his more grotesque subjects. Let’s hope he cleans the act up a little.

UNITED WAY SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE  OF HAITI

United Way has just donated $400,000 to Catholic Charities. Keep up the good work, as they need all the help they can get. And remember , give anything you can to the people of Haiti. $10 donations to the Red Cross go a long way. The conditions there are horrible and it has been very difficult getting the needed supplies to the places where they are needed most. Thankfully many different countries are helping is their time of dire need.

R&B star Teddy Pendergrass died last Wednesday at age 59. His soulful voice and sensuous style made him one of the sex symbols of his time. Just go back and listen to some of his hits with Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes.

Paris Las Vegas will be the site of Sugar Factory, the sweet new dining and retail concept. Willy Wonka meets MTV is the theme of this fabulous new restaurant.

Cirque du Soleil and Wendoh Media are joining forces to publish an exclusive in-theater Las Vegas performance guide. The public will be given the unprecented opportunity to get behind the scenes at each of the seven Cirque du Soleil productions. They will be distributing 750.000 copies of the new publication

The Rev. Monti wishes you all a great week!

As we welcome 2010 and say farewell to 2009 we’re reminded it was a year filled with both high lights and low lights.  A year where tragedies became comedies for some.  Approximately 315,000 people filled The Strip to watch the fabulous fireworks display (back on hotel rooftops) help ring in the new year.

Las Vegas certainly had its share of losses with the sudden passing of Danny Gans whose name and performance became synonymous with Las Vegas.  Losing entertainment icons is almost like losing a family member.  We all think they belong to each of us alone.

Chip Lightman was Danny Gans manager for more than fifteen years and is currently producing the successful Donny and Marie Osmond show at the Flamingo.  Chip and yours truly recently spoke on the phone and Chip shared some of his insights about Danny. Dan    Danny Gans was not just a singer, not just a comic nor just an impressionist.  He was more than a one man show.  His talent took him from the Rio to the Danny Gans Theater at the Encore with several stops in between including Steve Wynn’s Mirage.  Chip is taking a well deserved two week vacation but I look forward to his return so we can continue our conversation.  There’s so much more to talk about.  For example, not everyone is aware but Chip is the man that brokered the deal between Steve Wynn and Garth Brooks,  who recently signed an extended contract to appear at the Encore.

Another loss that was felt around the world was the iconic superstar Michael Jackson.  Las Vegas had become Michael’s desert oasis and his shopping sprees and outings with his children were well known.  Of course there were always rumors that he would open a show in Las Vegas..  Michael’s film,  This Is It, created by Kenny Ortega has become a reminder to all of the talent this brilliant man had and what should have been or could have been.

We said good-bye to others too.  Patrick Swayze, Farah Fawcett and Bea Arthur, who I last saw at the Tropicana, and movie-TV star  Ricardo Montalban. , who helped open the doors for many Latinos to follow,  and Dom DeLuise, everybody’s second banana.   My long time friend Ed McMahon always had a kind word for this columnist and I remember him from my days on the Tonight Show when he would always stop by to check on Mr. Rock.  These are some of the people I will miss and who touched my life.

As some of the lights have been turned off in Las Vegas others have appeared.  The Sahara has closed some of it’s hotel towers as did Binion’s downtown but Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock have both just celebrated the openings of their hotel additions which sound fabulous.  Planet Hollywood is touting suites, not just rooms, and the Hard Rock has gone super-tech with their new digs.

The most anticipated opening in the last five years was CityCenter and for fabulous shopping, Crystal.  Surprisingly CityCenter is easy to get to and the architecture and beautiful water sculptors are beyond anything in Vegas.  It was exciting to be an invited guest for the opening.  It was almost like being part of the event.  As I wrote earlier, six months down the road will better tell the CityCenter story.

It was disappointing for all of Vegas when the work on the Fontainebleau came to a halt  Reportedly it was 70% complete but the financing went belly up.  Rumor has it the project may be saved by Carl Icahn and other investors.

Bette Midler will soon close her show at Caesars Colosseum but rumor has it that she may be headed to Wynn in a different show.  Will Celine return to the Colosseum?  Rumors say she will, and we hope so.  She and The  Colosseum are a perfect match.

I was thrilled when Elton John acknowledged yours truly at his final show of The Red Piano at the Colosseum.  It was divine and I felt honored.  Another rumor around town is that PeepShow at Planet Hollywood may close for a couple of months.  Maybe there will be some changes if Harrah’s takes over PH.

It is American Idol or American Idiot when we think of Adam Lambert?  Take a word from someone who knows, put a lid on it kid!

John Stuart is known around town as a true entertainment patriarch.  John created Legends in Concert that played for twenty years at the Imperial Palace and is now at Harrahs.  He also is  producing Voices at the Hilton as well as the Rick Thomas magic show at the Sahara.  We wish continued success to this man who has been so important to the Las Vegas entertainment scene.

Speaking of magic…. David Copperfield is back in Vegas and appears at the MGM.  I continue to marvel at David who is often underestimated.  Forget the scandals, he’s the very best at what he does.

We don’t hear much about Rita Rudner lately but she’s still holding strong at Harrah’s showroom.

What is anger management doing for poor Charlie Sheen?  He’s one of the highest paid performers on television but that doesn’t keep him out of trouble.  He always seems to manage a speedy recovery though.  Latest rumors are that he and his wife will try to iron out their  differences and reconcile.

The big surprise for Las Vegas was the appearance of Lady Gaga at the Palms.  I understand negotiations are under way in hopes she will become  one of The Palms seme-regulars..  What do I think of Lady Gaga?  To me she’s like a modern day David Bowie.

It was good news to hear Disney’s The Lion King at Mandalay Bay has broken all records for Mandalay Bay and generated more than $1,300,000 in ticket sales  for a single week in December.  The Lion King is one of the most successful and popular productions seen around the world.  Maybe this is the beginning of a new trend for all the Las Vegas shows.  Let’s hope so.

Having just returned from a very successful New Year’s Eve performance in San Francisco I must say it’s good to be home.  My appearances in Atlantic City, San Francisco and New York kept me busy in 2009 but my favorite is right here in Las Vegas being your special columnist for all things show biz and more!  It’s good to be home and it’s good to call Las Vegas home.

Here’s wishing a happy and prosperous New Year to all, may your wishes come true and may you have love in your hearts.  Dump the negatives, let’s have a positive New Year.

It was a spectacular opening for The Aria Hotel and Casino at CityCenter. Yours truly was a VIP guest with a few hundred others, including the well represented international press, and several local executives of the great suits from the MGM properties.

The beautiful water sculptures and features in front of the hotels and the restaurants were dazzling and enticing. Combine all this with the shopping experience of Crystals and it is one of the most extraordinary properties to be found anywhere and especially in Las Vegas,

To this columnist, the opening went smoothly and no expense was spared on food and drink. Aria’s hostesses were wonderful. In all honesty,

I didn’t see that many celebrities, but everyone was waiting for the official 11:00 PM opening. I managed to escape by 9:00. I did see all the local media, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Wait, wait…after all the years of writing columns I’m trying to turn into a more gracious columnist and not to be too quick to judge who’s the loser, who’s the bottom feeder, and who should really just get lost.

It seemed that each of the CityCenter restaurants had samplings to offer, and I must say the valet parking was quite easy. I was enthralled with the wonderful water features. One of the evening’s highlights for Monti Rock was seeing Mr.& Mrs. Richard Sturm. CityCenter, welcome to the Las Vagas landscape!

The day before Aria’s opening we were treated to a VIP preview of the Elvis show. Priscilla Presley and others were there to view the Cirque show. The only Elvis I saw was on stilts. Everything was done with photos of Elvis, Cirque acrobatics, and a huge guitar. I kept searching for and Elvis. I’m trying to be a fan of Cirque, bringing this great project to Aria and I don’t want to be quick to judge since my earlier comments about Cirque were not well received. I’ve been called on the carpet more than once. and I could be wrong, but I’m usually not..

The Aria theater was quite beautiful and the seats were comfortable. The media was treated wilth press kits, glossy magazines and whatever we wanted. All of this conjures up a huge thanks to Kirvin Doaks for doing such an admiral job. But a question remains for me. Will the locals embrace this property? As I wrote earlier, time will tell.

Could it be that there’s some mudslinging from Donald Trump aimed at CityCenter? He referred to it as “an absolute disaster” on the Larry King TV show. This could be in response to MGM CEO Jim Murren, who allegedly said that Trump Tower in Las Vegas ‘certainly is not Fifth Avenue”.  All this led to MGM’s allegedly saying that nobody really cares what “The Donald” thinks.

Received news this week that Anthony Cool’s Freaks at O”Sheas closed, and we were all disappointed that The Sahara closed two of its three towers. To top it all.

The Greenspun Corp has pulled most of its programming from Cable One Las Vegas. Face to Face and IN Business are moving to KVBC-TV Channel3. This leaves Cable One with only simulcasts and rebroadcasts of Channel 8 News.

The news is that the Steve Wyrick Theater at Miracle Mile, Planet Hollywood has closed. Rumors have it that Steve’s partners were not making enough money to keep the theater open. Steve Wyrick has been a great landlord for several years and everyone likes him and his efforts to copy David Saxe’s V Theater were well intended,. However, this theater has had its share of failures. For what it’s worth, David Saxe seems to know how to run the theaters at Miracle Mile and is reportedly negotiating to take over this theater. Others say Steve Wyrick may reopen with either a new show or with completely new acts, None of us enjoy show closings nor the downsizing and staff reductions happening all over our town.  I first saw Steve Wyrick at The Lady Luck, where he built his own theater, Leaving the downtown area, he went to The Sahara and opened a million-dollar theater. The next stop for Steve was his own theater at Planet Hollywood. There’s been one lawsuit after another but don’t count him out yet, He’s like a cat with nine lives.
We wish you luck, Mr. Wyrick.

I want to thank Rick Belcastro once again for hosting my Christmas party last week The event at Rick’s Badda Bing Club was a huge success. Frediani’s Italian Restaurant, Great Buns Bakery, and English Garden Florists also helped make this one of the best parties I’ve ever given.

For those fans of Barry Manilow, you still have a few days left to catch him at The Hilton before he closes on Dec 30th. His new show opens at The Paris in March.

Thanks to the Wynn properties for reaching out to yours truly with tickets to Garth Brooks. in January.  A review will follow.

We caught Vinnie Favorito’s show again at The Flamingo and he still keeps amazing me with his comedic talent. This guy is one of the funniest comedians around.

Are we ready for the Golden Globe Awards on Jan 17th? Meryl Streep , Matt Damon, Sandra Bullock , and George Clooney are among the competitors for these precursors of the Oscars. In my opinon, Mo’Nique gave the performance of the year in the movie Precious. This multi-talented comedienne-actress takes no prisoners with her searing portrayal of a monstrous character.

The Rev Monti wishes you all a fabulous week and a very Merry Christmas.

Well, party time came and went.  My Xmas party last evening, Sunday, Dec 13 was a huge success. My host, Rick Belcastro, along with pals Nifty, Steve-o, TJ and the fabulous staff at Badda Bing helped to make this one the best parties I’ve ever given.  Thanks to Frediani’s Italian Restaurant, Great Buns  the Badda Bing kitchen, and some of my friends,  there was delilcious food served all evening.  Wine flowed and people were enjoying the comfort and ambiance of Badda Bing’s private party room overlooking the entertainment floor. The beautiful floral arrangements were furnished by David Filter and his English Garden Florist staff. Thanks to all for a great evening.

With the New Year fast approaching, we can soon say goodbye to one of our most challenging years in recent history. Yes, there are small glimmers of hope that the economy is making a welcomed recovery - and it can’t happen fast enough! After all, Las Vegas has ranked near the top when it comes to unemployment and foreclosures. With a decade of unparalleled growth behind us, we’re reminded there’s always a price to pay. So we welcome the New Year with open arms.

Speaking of the New Year, BB King’s jazz joint at the Mirage had a grand opening  last weekend. But the big entertainment buzz around Vegas is about Garth Brooks, who is opening at the Wynn. Of course, the Wynn has gone to great lengths to make sure the ticket prices do not become inflated by scalpers. This may be a new trend for Las Vegas.

There are very strong rumors flying about a pending contract with Beyonce to be a semi-regular at The Encore as well as Bette Midler after she completes her contract at Caesars Colosseum. Steve Wynn is being very selective about who will appear at The Encore.

Donny Osmond called yours truly after reading last week’s column, where my choice for #1 of my Top 10 shows went to Donny and Marie at the Flamingo. I’ve seen the show several times and each time their act goes to the top of my list. In nine years of writing for Gaming Today, it’s been Donny Osmond and Elton John who were both gracious enough to reach out and acknowledge the column. Thank you, gentlemen! In both cases it was evident these stars are  entertainers who enjoy performing for their fans, and the audiences love them right back.

Another response from last week’s column came from Anthony Cools who appears at the Paris. Anthony sent an e-mail regarding my comments about some of the shows that had come and gone at Paris. The column was about the theater where Barry Manilow will soon open. My apologies to Anthony, who is actually a hit at the Paris. His show is frequently SRO, and Anthony is the exception to the rule when it comes to Paris. Does that make you feel better, Anthony?

Steve Wyrick and The Steve Wyrick Theater at Planet Hollywood are among the latest casualties of the current slack in our economy.  Steve abruptly closed his show last week and vacated the theater, which has had its share of  of failures,    Producer David Saxe is reportedly taking over the theater. Let’s hope he can add to his successes with this addition.

Zowie Bowie is breaking up.  The duo, who perform Friday-Sunday at The Monte Carlo has split. They hope to keep performing together until September,  2010.  It seems the move to The Strip was their swan song, as Marley Taylor reportedly has a new significant other.  Sometimes moving up is really more like moving out.

My dear friend Charo continues with her physical therapy and is almost ready to go back to work. Charo may be part of a new project with yours truly. Sorry… I can’t divulge all the details yet.

CityCenter continues to make headlines all over the country and be featured on the evening news of all the major networks.  My trip to Crystals was like shopping at a great mall with high-end stores. There were lots of shoppers, or maybe just lookers, but a lot of foot traffic. Of course, I had to make my stop at the Louis Vuitton store, which is a favorite of mine. I haven’t had a chance to check out the condos that are part of CityCenter, but I understand the prices have been reduced by some 30% and financing is available. I also heard about 70% of the condos are already under contract. It’s expected we’ll be able to see the economic impact CityCenter will have on Las Vegas in about six months or so. Time will tell.

The grand opening of Aria, the only casino in CityCenter is on December 16. This will probably be the largest of the CityCenter openings.  We’ll give our take on this next week.

The first family was on display this week. President Obama in Oslo, Norway, to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and Oprah’s Christmas at the White House,

while Sarah Palin continued her “bus” tour to sign her recently published book. She actually flies to the outskirts of these cities and then “buses” in. Fans are also charged to have their picture taken with the former governor - a move considered a tad greedy by veterans in the publishing biz.

The newly updated buffet at the Luxor offered a salad bar like no other. It was fabulous and the chef and manager should be commended. I’m not a foodie, but the Luxor’s More Buffet offers every type of salad that can be imagined. Another great feature is the ambiance. This is one of the few buffet locations where one can dine in relative peace and quiet. No sounds of kitchen noise here.

Two new restaurants had their grand openings this past week. Las Vegas Rocks at Neonopolis has Tony Saccca and Josette LeBlond at the helm. They feature many dishes dedicated to and named after the many celebrities who appear in Las Vegas.  This may be the “shot in the arm” that Neonopolis needs to succeed.

The other opening was Siena Italian, an Italian Trattoria.  Great ambience, and a great menu. The salads are phenominal as well as the rice cakes, the veal picata and a “to-die-for” tiramisu. Located at 9500 W Sahara, this is one of the best restaurants in The Lakes area, and that says quite a bit.

The holidays always prove to be a generous time of year, so it’s not surprising that I look forward to my annual White Party for my charities. It’s all about giving and I would invite the world…but space is limited.

As a columnist I always try to be fair and impartial when it comes to the Vegas landscape. Last week’s announcement that Greenspun’s Las Vegas Sun laid off some 40 employees was another sign of the current economy in our beloved city. It’s estimated that gaming is down about 30%.

On the brighter side, it was a great week to be here with the Vegas Marathon, the National Rodeo Finals at Thomas & Mack Center and NASCAR… all contributing to the Vegas scene in their own unique ways.

The Fontainbleau Hotel is still up for the bidding. They reportedly need about $1.3 billion to finish this building that’s already 70 percent complete. There are still some buyers who feel they can succeed with this undertaking. It would be nice to have another luxury hotel/casino on the northern side of The Strip.

MGM Mirage Resorts are ringing in 2010 in full swing. Each of their hotels are celebrating New Year’s Eve with spectacular nightlife, exciting shows and affordable hotel packages. Harrah’s and The Flamingo also have  many New Year’s Eve happenings.

The Rev. Monti once again wishes everyone a great week!

The venue has been changed for this year’s Monti Rock White Party for Charity, which will be hosted by Rick Belcastro, Paige O’Hara, David & Diane Filter from The English Garden, Lance and Eva Posner, Terese DiMartino, Marci Weiss, everyone from Great Buns and all the others donating food for the event.This invitation-only party will be held at Rick Belcastro’s magnificent club.
The Rev. Monti, as always, wishes you all a great week!