Local columnists exchange barbs
The fur is flying — or at least the leopard-print fake fur — in a catfight between two columnists on the periphery of local entertainment journalism.
An Internet entertainment columnist said she fears for her safety after twice being verbally accosted at media events by Gaming Today entertainment columnist Monti Rock III.
Esther Lynn, who writes under the nom de plume of Claire Voyant, said she has gone to Clark County authorities about seeking a restraining order against faux fur aficionado Rock, a 1970s gay icon who had a cameo in “Saturday Night Fever.”
Lynn said the incidents occurred on May 24 at a media event for Venetian headliner Wayne Brady and on June 2 at Planet Hollywood Resort’s introduction of “The Beauty of Magic.”
Rock used “disgusting” language in both cases and called her a cripple during the second outburst, said Lynn, who requires a wheelchair.
She said her response after the second incident was: “Your 15 minutes of fame were over 50 years ago.” She added, in an interview Wednesday, “I can be mean, too.” They had no previous history of bad blood, she said. A longtime Las Vegas entertainment writer and publicist, she skewers local writers, headliners and publicists in her column and in scathing e-mails.
She has not taken legal action against Rock but characterized him as a “sub-species” in her column.
In an e-mail Thursday, Rock said, “To be verbally assaulted and criticized for no apparent reason is no fun. To discuss this any further is beneath me as I’m above all that.”
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Ten months after being let go at KLAS-TV, Channel 8, meteorologist Kevin Janison is reportedly interviewing with KVBC-TV, Channel 3. That lends credence to rumblings that KVBC is planning to move lead weatherman Dana Wagner and his wife, Kim, to the morning and noon newscasts. Sue Manteris, who teamed with morning and noon anchor Mitch Truswell, was promoted to evening anchor this week. Truswell is reportedly leaving this summer. Janison, chief meteorologist at KLAS from 1994 to 2006, has been filling in at Reno’s NBC affiliate, KRNV-TV. …
Marcel Vigneron, “Top Chef” runner-up for the second season, has left Joel Robuchon‘s kitchen, but he has plans to stick around and open his own Las Vegas restaurant. Turns out he went to culinary school with Hung Huynh, 29, a member of the show’s current cast and a member of Restaurant Guy Savoy’s team at Caesars Palace. Don’t be surprised if Vigneron and Hung join forces on a “Top Chef” tour. Vigneron relished his role as the second season’s villain, and Hung declared himself the show’s “C.P.A.” — certified professional a-hole — in Wednesday’s debut. Vigneron has interviewed with MGM Grand’s big enchilada of chefs. …
I’m in Denver this weekend to cool off and attend a retirement party for old newspaper pal Denny Dressman of the Rocky Mountain News. We met at the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1973 when he was the prep editor and I was a staffer in The Associated Press office, which adjoined the sports department. Eleven years later, he hired me at the Rocky to cover big league baseball’s arrival. The newspaper business will miss him.
MAY I RECOMMEND…
Tonight’s “Sound the Alarm” Firefighter Bachelor Auction, hosted by the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation, runs from 6 to 11 p.m. at The Pearl inside the Palms. Highest bidders win date packages with the firemen. Tickets: $40. Live entertainment. Information: 485-6820.
SIGHTINGS
Singer Elvis Costello and actor R. Lee Ermey of “Full Metal Jacket” fame, at separate tables Wednesday night at Morton’s. … Sting and Police band mates, on the town Thursday after flying in for their concert at the MGM Grand Garden. Sting has been a regular at Spearmint Rhino when in town on past visits. … Warren Buffett, shooting a Wynn Las Vegas promotional spot at the McCarran Executive Airport.
THE PUNCH LINE
“More problems today for Paris Hilton in prison. Apparently she saw another woman wearing the exact same outfit that she had on.” — Jay Leno
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
