BBC visits to shoot documentary on probability
Las Vegas’ numerous claims to fame — from gambling capital to wedding capital to foodie haven — all capture a share of the location spotlight this week, with productions arriving from across the country. And across the pond.
Starting with the latter, the BBC returns to Neon Nirvana on Wednesday for a new documentary, “The Joy of Chance,” which focuses on probability — from its history to its contemporary applications.
Presenter David Spiegelhalter , Winton Professor of the Public Understanding of Risk at Britain’s University of Cambridge, won’t be making the Vegas trek.
Instead, cameras will focus on Las Vegas’ own “Wizard of Odds,” Mike Shackleford, at the Riviera.
In addition to discussing odds and long-run probabilities, Shackleford will play a few popular casino games, from blackjack to roulette, according to Dan Hillman of the show’s production company, Britain’s Wingspan Productions.
“The Joy of Chance” is scheduled for a November BBC broadcast, Hillman reports.
BRIDAL STYLE: Considering Las Vegas’ status as “Wedding Capital of the World,” it’s hardly surprising that a new TLC show — featuring “Say Yes to the Dress” host Randy Fenoli — would make Glitter City its first stop this weekend.
Paris Las Vegas and a Bally’s ballroom serve as the Strip backdrops for the scheduled four-day Vegas visit of Fenoli’s “Randy to the Rescue.”
In the eight-part series, scheduled to air this summer, Fenoli hits the road in a big-rig bridal salon on wheels, hauling couture gowns to the show’s cross-country destinations.
Upon arrival, he’ll offer his take on the latest bridal styles before future brides check out the traveling wedding gown show.
In addition, three participants will receive a personal consultation from Fenoli, who will create a “bridal blueprint” — a head-to-hem look, complete with accessories, hair and makeup makeover.
The event is open to the public (21 and over); ticket and other information is available online at http://theweddingguys.com/randytotherescue.html.
FIRING UP: Heading into its fourth week of production, Las Vegas-based director Albert Pyun’s “Cyborg: Rise of the Slingers” heads north, to Valley of Fire, for scenes featuring Paige Billiot , whom Pyun describes as “a young but very talented local actress.”
Formerly titled “Red Moon,” the production offers “an origins story leading up to the post-apocalyptic world of ‘Cyborg,’ ” Pyun explains. (Jean-Claude Van Damme, as you may recall, starred in the original 1989 “Cyborg.”)
QUICK BITES: Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods America” is expected to spend the week in and around town, with various MGM properties, downtown spots and North Las Vegas’ R.C. Farms reportedly on the itinerary.
According to host Andrew Zimmern’s blog on Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” Web page, the Vegas visit marks the show’s 100th episode, “and seeing as how (Las Vegas) is the city where all things are possible, I am very excited to finally shoot there after five years of trying.”
It’s the second food-oriented shoot here in two weeks; Food Network’s new “Restaurant Stakeout” series was expected to wrap last Saturday at the Arts Factory’s Bar + Bistro following a three-day, behind-the-scenes shoot.
And, speaking of last weekend, VH1’s “Top 20 Countdown” was scheduled to hit Caesars Palace last Friday, shooting stand-ups at a variety of casino locations for next Sunday’s telecast.
Also on last week’s production schedule: Flamingo headliner Marie Osmond at the Levy Production Group to shoot a public service announcement for the Children’s Miracle Network; and a Jeep commercial at Valley of Fire.
Carol Cling’s Shooting Stars column appears Mondays. Contact her at (702) 383-0272 or ccling@reviewjournal.com.
