News of ‘Cops’ shooting had hearts racing
News of the Omaha, Neb., shooting tragedy involving a crew member of the reality TV show “Cops” struck close to home Thursday.
Chris Young, son of former Sheriff Bill Young, and Mike Bryant, a former KVBC-TV, Channel 3 (now KSNV), photographer, have been working for “Cops,” which was shot in Las Vegas for years.
Friends and family were frantic when news outlets reported a crew member of the show was killed from “friendly fire.”
Bryce Dion, 38, was operating sound equipment when he was fatally shot when police officers opened fire on a man who shot first inside a Wendy’s restaurant.
Dion was caught in the crossfire. It was later learned the suspect was carrying an air soft gun with plastic bullets.
Bill Young was often featured on “Cops.” Chris Young reportedly was with the “Cops” crew very recently.
The Young family has close ties with John Langley, who produces “Cops.” Langley sponsors Bill Young and his other son, Bill Jr., in the SCORE World Desert Championship, a 447-mile off-road race in Baja California.
PEACE MEAL?
Steve and Andrea Wynn dined with SLS Las Vegas chiefs Sam Nazarian and Rob Oseland at Bazaar Meat on Wednesday.
That meeting came five days after “Girls Gone Wild” founder Joe Francis somehow made it onto the red carpet for SLS’ gala opening last Friday and put his longtime friend, Nazarian, in an awkward spot.
Francis, who is facing another jail term for his latest legal sparring with Wynn, appeared to be taking glee that he was on Wynn’s turf.
All smiles and suggesting to TV host Maria Menounos that they should “make out,” the soft porn king told reporters, “Thank you, Sam, for building this compound for me just so I could come to Las Vegas. He actually helicoptered me in from the border of California straight to SLS. He said, ‘You’re safe here.’ So I said, ‘Good.’ ”
Wynn won a defamation lawsuit against the X-rated video purveyor two years ago after Francis claimed he was afraid for his life during Wynn’s attempt to recover a $2 million gambling debt.
Francis called Wynn a “bully” and attempted to gain a restraining order against the Las Vegas casino mogul.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Britney Spears’ camp announced on Thursday that her year-plus romance with David Lucado is over. The Planet Hollywood headliner acknowledged the breakup when she tweeted, “Ahhhh the single life!” She split with fiancé Jason Trawick in early 2013. ...
It was reported Thursday that Robin Williams’ ashes were scattered in San Francisco Bay off the coast of Marin County, which is where the ashes of his mother, Laurie Williams, were scattered in 2001. I’m in Denver this week and an old friend of mine, David McReynolds, fondly recalled Williams delivering the eulogy at the 1997 funeral of Herb Caen, the iconic San Francisco Chronicle man-about-town columnist. McReynolds’ favorite line: He said Williams contemplatively stroked his chin and said, “This is an Episcopal church, right? Very good. Episcopal — that’s Catholic lite: same religion, half the guilt.” Two other Williams’ lines: “A very special Herb communion will consist of dry martinis and sourdough bread. And if you don’t see God then, you never will” and “I’m sorry you had to leave, man, but you’re still here. See ya.”
SIGHTINGS
Homegrown and now Philadelphia-based sports broadcaster Molly Sullivan, celebrating her birthday party Wednesday with a dozen galpals at La Comida restaurant. The former Green Valley High swimming great is a Comcast SportsNet/NBC Sports NBA sideline reporter for the Philadelphia 76ers. ... Celebrity blogger and entertainment personality Perez Hilton, with a group at chef Kerry Simon’s Carson Kitchen on Wednesday night. ... U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, ordering the veal special while dining Tuesday at the Bavarian Castle German restaurant, 10890 S. Eastern Ave. in Henderson, with his security detail. ... Pam Anderson and Rick Salomon, playing electronic bingo Sunday at Red Rock Resort.
THE PUNCH LINE
“Did the Emmy Awards seem like a long show? I felt like Sofia Vergara’s dress. I could hardly stay up.” — David Letterman
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Reach him at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow @Norm_Clarke on Twitter.
