King of Pop opts to let lease slip
Michael Jackson is on the move and is rumored to be leaving Las Vegas.
The self-proclaimed King of Pop is moving out of a 10-bedroom mansion in suburban Las Vegas, his spokesman, Ramone Bain, confirmed Monday.
Bain said Jackson will be out by June 30, when his $1 million lease deal expires.
“He loved the house but decided to allow the lease to expire because of concerns that security wasn’t sufficient,” Bain said.
As for rumors that he’s moving out of Las Vegas, where he had hoped to relaunch his career, she said, “I don’t know of any plans to leave.”
Jackson moved into the house in December after moving his family here from Ireland.
Bain again insisted that Jackson never intended to become an entertainer in Las Vegas.
The home is owned by San Francisco real estate mogul Luke Brugnara, who has plans to purchase a casino here and had an interest in buying the Crazy Horse Too strip club.
A source said Jackson was unable to get financing on the house and wanted to extend his lease but Brugnara wanted to use his house for his many business trips.
Jack Wishna, the Las Vegas dealmaker who arranged Jackson’s move to Las Vegas, acknowledged for the first time that he had a headliner deal put together for Jackson but “it went nowhere” when neither Jackson nor his team responded.
Jackson definitely wanted to work in Las Vegas, said Wishna, who put together Donald Trump‘s twin towers deal in Las Vegas.
“I had him (Jackson) on the telephone when he was in Ireland and he was all excited about working in Las Vegas. It even got down to the detail of a statue of himself that he wanted out front (of the hotel).
“He also came up with the idea of having his own slot machines. I have a signed contract that he wanted us to put together to market his slot machines in Europe and Asia.”
RUDNER EYES SITCOM
Harrah’s headliner Rita Rudner is moving closer to a TV sitcom that would pair her with Jon Lovitz as brother and sister forced to live together in middle age.
Rudner and Lovitz last week met with legendary sitcom writers David Isaacs and Ken Levine, who wrote for “Mash,” “Cheers,” “The Simpsons” and “Frasier.” The project’s executive producer is Gavine Polone, who currently produces “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “The Gilmore Girls.”
Rudner returns to Harrah’s on July 9th. She is offering $20 locals’ ticket for all of her July/August shows. Tickets can be purchased from the Harrah’s box office by showing proof of local residency.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison reunite today at The Mirage for a special dedication ceremony to the late Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison. They are in town for the one-year anniversary of The Beatles “Love” by Cirque du Soleil. Joining the four in the lobby of “Love” Theatre will be Cirque executives Guy Laliberte, Daniel Lamarre, Dominic Champagne and Gilles Ste-Croix; “Love” producer Giles Martin, CNN’s Larry King and Mirage president Scott Sibella. …
Grammy nominee Kid Rock is coming to The Pearl at the Palms Aug. 31, it was announced Monday.
SIGHTINGS
Actor Terrence Howard, star of movies, “Crash” and “Hustle and Flow,” lounging Monday at Venus Pool Club (Caesars Palace). … Actress Rachel McAdams and actor Michael Pena, partying Sunday at Asia nightclub (Planet Hollywood Resort) and Body English (Hard Rock Hotel). They were celebrating the wrap of their upcoming film, “The Return.” Also at Body English, San Antonio Spurs veteran Robert Horry and Davey Havok, lead singer of rock group AFI. … Manchester United soccer star Wayne Rooney, partying Sunday at the Rehab pool party (Hard Rock Hotel). Rooney was in town for countryman Ricky Hatton‘s fight against Jose Luis Castillo. … Comedian Wayne Brady, enjoying a few turns on the track with his family Saturday at Fast Lap Indoor Kart Racing. … Poker star Phil Gordon, having a bite to eat with friends Sunday at Lucky Strike Lanes (Rio). … Chazz Palminteri and Christine Lahti, at Michael’s (South Point) on Saturday.
THE PUNCH LINE
“This week in Texas, a fire broke out in a warehouse destroying 2,000 pounds of marijuana. Officials say more than 60 firefighters and 2,000 college students responded to the blaze.” — Conan O’Brien
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
NORM CLARKEMORE COLUMNS
