Agassi event continues tradition of good deeds

Andre Agassi finds it sad that more media attention goes to celebrity misbehavior than to the stars who do good deeds, such as making time to perform at his annual Grand Slam for Children.

"There are so many inspiring stories of people and role models and celebrities and artists who are doing so much to make a difference," Agassi noted. "It just doesn't get enough attention. It really doesn't."

Great point, and one that may explain Paris Hilton's announced trip to Rwanda.

But it later got me thinking: Why must good deeds and bad behavior be mutually exclusive?

Las Vegas has a long history of hard partying for a good cause. It goes back as far as the famed 1960 "Summit at the Sands," when newspapers reported the Rat Pack doing an extra show for locals, raising money for a World War II-related memorial. (It's less clear if or where the memorial was built.)

The Agassi benefit continues the tradition, at least where the crowd is concerned.

It's the only place where you see $55,000 bid to attend Elton John's Oscar party, but also drunken women crashing the men's restroom stalls when their own line is too long, just as they do at Def Leppard concerts.

I hope the stars have as much fun in the green room or the after-parties as the well-dressed crowd does on the open-bar floor. But in this era of big-dollar gossip, stars can't get away with anything close to what they did in the '70s, when all Vegas headliners turned out for the annual "Nite of Stars" to benefit St. Jude's Ranch for Children in Boulder City.

I've heard some of the stories, such as Pat Buttram (Mr. Haney on "Green Acres") being carried out of the event he emceed from 1969 to 1971, complaining that he'd been "overserved." Or a famous comedian getting visibly agitated each time the ranch's director, the Rev. Herbert Ward, made reference to his wife.

Finally, someone pulled Ward aside and whispered that it wasn't his wife, but a hooker.

Some of the great moments were even onstage. Impressionist Fred Travalena, who works the Suncoast Oct. 26-28, remembers the 1979 edition. "I was doing my 'Rocky' routine and when I started in as Stallone, the place went crazy. I knew it was gonna work, but it was like they went nuts."

Travalena figured out why when he looked over his shoulder to discover "Stallone is coming at me," he recalls with a laugh. "I hide behind the piano, and Stallone is pushing it across the stage."

Travalena also remembers Sinatra telling the stage orchestra to take a break, preferring to perform with just the rhythm section. That would have been a rare treat in Las Vegas, where Sinatra routinely used a big band.

I hope all the ladies got through the restroom line in time for that one.

Mike Weatherford's entertainment column appears Thursdays and Sundays. Contact him at 383-0288 or e-mail him at mweatherford@reviewjournal.com