Lady Gaga’s halftime spectacle would play well at T-Mobile Arena
The Kats! Bureau at this writing is the Super Bowl of house parties, the annual shindig at the Henderson home of Jeff Molitz, who is Carrot Top’s personal assistant. Just moments ago I chatted up Marc Roberts of Blue Man Group and turned to find the vocal group These Guys Worldwide just feet from Paris Las Vegas hypnotist headliner Anthony Cools, Four Queens magician Mike Hammer and rock star John Payne of Asia.
All of these entertainers, and others, stood between me and the deep-fried Nutter Butter cookiess (not kidding, there are trays of them).
More from this fete, and elsewhere:
GAGA FOR LADY
Lady Gaga’s blazing halftime show (great use of the keytar, aerial straps and fishnets) has accelerated speculation about her having an extended residency on the Strip. One informed individual has floated this idea: Gaga playing a series of dates at T-Mobile Arena similar to George Strait’s run at the venue.
Performing six to eight weekends in 2018 would be an option for Gaga, who is expected to tour behind her latest album, “Joanne,” this year.
As recently as last week, Gaga told Mercedes Martinez and JC Fernandez of “Mercedes in the Morning” on Mix 94.1-FM she was “excited” to perform here. “I love Las Vegas and the people there, and I love show business.”
NIGERIAN E-MAIL ACTION
The next announced show at The Space is “The Nigerian Spam Scam Scam ,” set for March 31. Produced by Mark Shunock (he’s also here, somewhere) and Brandon Ellyson, the comedy starts with the e-mail subject line: “Please help me transfer $100 million to the Bank of Nigeria!”
Receiving this message is actor Dean Cameron (“Summer School,” “Straight Outta Compton” “They Came From Outer Space”). He poses as a sexually confused Florida millionaire whose only friends are his house boy, pet cats and his personal attorney, Perry Mason. This goes on for 11 months as a Nigerian con artist, played by Victor Isaac, continues to hound his subject. It’s a great concept that has drawn great reviews .
BANG A GONG
“The Gong Show” lives!
The legendary game show hosted by manic TV visionary (and possible CIA agent) Chuck Barris from 1976-1980 is being revived this summer. Will Arnett, who portrayed Gob Bluth in “Arrested Development,” is co-producer and host. Naturally, the show is seeking fresh talent in Las Vegas — at the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana.
Club operator and veteran standup Harry Basil is hosting a “Gong Night” audition for potential contestants from 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 24. Artists are required to perform a 3-minute act. Basil says he’s already booked some Vegas acts, including magicians Fielding West and Murray Sawchuck, and needs to keep the list to around 15 (interested parties can contact him at HBASIL75665@aol.com).
A SHAKE WITH THAT
Keep an eye on the tambourine used by Elisa Fiorillo at her show with the Bruce Harper Big Band 7 p.m. Monday night at Cabaret Jazz. Prince’s longtime backing singer and songwriting partner plays a tambourine she used on tour with the New Generation. It shows the famous, androgynous “Artist Formerly Known As” symbol, and while a bit scarred, still works as good as ever.
THE MOB SCENES
As the Mob Museum prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary in downtown Las Vegas Thursday night, we we were surprised to encounter Jay Bloom, who operated the Mob Experience museum and walking tour at the Tropicana from 2011-2013. At the Super Bowl party, Bloom said he plans to reopen as soon as he finds a suitable home for the collection — in California.
The Mob Experience was filled with personal artifacts fromorganized-crime figures including Tony Spilotro, Sam Giancana, Meyer Lansky, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, Mickey Cohen and Lucky Luciano. The original tour featured live actors and video appearances from such celebrity guides as James Caan, Frank Vincent, Mickey Rourke, Steve Schirripa and Tony Sirico.
But The Mob Experience in Vegas ended badly, closing in November 2013 after a series of lawsuits disputing ownership of the families’ artifacts. For mob artifacts, Las Vegas is a one-museum town.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section, and Fridays in Neon. He also hosts “Kats! On The Radio” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on KUNV 91.5-FM and appears Wednesdays at 11 a.m. with Dayna Roselli on KTNV Channel 13. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
