Celebrity Gossip From Las Vegas With Robin Leach | Luxe Life Digest

Expect to see The Venetian's own trademark gondolas sailing thru the spectacular as well. In addition, the full orchestra will also be in sight of the audience, who will be wrapped inside the draped stage environment from the moment they enter its new lobby. Sounds like they're almost ready to do battle against Cirque! Almost 11 million people have seen the show on Broadway to date, and yet the Schubert Organization says ticket sales indicate there's no end in sight for the production. They expect a double-digit run in our desert playground, too with this also 90 minute-length version. Theatrical producers acknowledge there are just too many diversions in Vegas, and theatergoers here want an early 6:30-7 PM curtain as well, so they're changing the Broadway timings here in the desert.

Next up will be Eric Idle/Monty Python's 'Spamalot' which I'm jetting into NYC this weekend to check out, and will report on progress for its opening at the WYNN upon return next week -- along with some Vegas-bound Big Apple restaurants and nightclubs.

Lyle Lovett brought his 16-piece band along to entertain -- but it was the surprise addition of comic actor Dan Aykroyd that put the icing on the cake. With harmonica in hand, he joined Lyle for a no-holds-barred reprise of the classic John Belushi-era Blues Brothers. It brought on a five-minute standing ovation from 500 people lucky enough to attend the private party. Everybody agreed the new twosome ought to "take the show on the road."

There's a real boom going on in Alberta province -- so much so that the tax revenues from oil are spilling over into a $400 Cn refund check for every provincial resident this week, which certainly helped both the party atmosphere and the gift-giving mood. Highlights from the live auction were the $20,000 raised for a NHL star-studded hockey match on the upstate New York home rink of Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon; the $15,000 raised for a lunch and horse drawn carriage ride at Martha Stewart's upstate New York home; and the $40,000 for a 'Saturday Night Live' get-together with Dan and Donna Aykroyd in New York City.

"We did this once before," Donna told me, "and I even cooked dinner in our Manhattan apartment. But this year, I don't cook. We're taking the winners to the top of Rockefeller Center, and then they meet the cast after the show." I've known Donna for more than the 25 years she's been with Dan (they celebrate that jubilee anniversary next year). You couldn't find two better, nicer people, truly meant for each other. "We're still on our honeymoon," laughed Dan. And Donna chimed in: "One day recently he told me that he was so glad we'd married for life, and I told him 'It's still not long enough.' We couldn't be happier." Dan has just formed a new liquor importing company, Alloy Brands, and while he's bringing his favorite Patron Tequila to the homeland, Donna is developing a film empowerment program to showcase the strengths and intelligence of women scientists.

The entire event was filmed for a one-hour February TV special -- but you get to see these exclusive Luxe Life photos of the fun and festivity in advance of everybody else!

Back in Vegas, the 4-month-old  hot and hip TAO restaurant-nightclub complex hit all-time record numbers this past weekend, with several thousand people lining up for the unique nightlife experience. (I thought they'd been packed since opening day, but I guess they found room to squeeze in some more!)  Mike Tyson was there in the VIP area when 30 models for 944 Magazine took over the dance floor. Next night, 'Oz' star/ex-Laker Rick Fox made the scene with the NFL's Amani Toomer and Rande Barber...

The Tonight Show's Jay Leno has been appearing so often in Vegas on recent weekends we wondered where he spends his off-hours here. It turns out ... he doesn't! Bringing new meaning to the words "frequent flier," after each of his Mirage shows, he goes right back to McCarran airport and hops his plane home to Hollywood. Jay said if he was single, he'd stay but he prefers to get back home to the family! (Thanks to showbiz writer Mike Weatherford for helping answering that query) Leno, of course, remains host of the Tonight show through 2009, when Conan O'Brien is set to replace him...

Finally, a community goodwill note today: Congrats to the Jubilee! show at Bally's, which is kicking off its 25th anniversary in a very unique way. Our community blood bank is in emergency crisis mode with a blood shortage. So the cast is not only donating blood, but giving away tickets to all blood donors for the remainder of this month -- a nice incentive (pictured: Marilyn Winn, President of Bally's, Paris and Rio Casinos with Ron Hein, Exec Director of United Blood Services and cast members)... 

We'll be back tomorrow with an exclusive advance in-depth look at the transformation of the old San Remo hotel into the new Hooters resort. Yes, you'll get to meet the girls close-up! Don't forget to click 'Alert Me' atop the Luxe Life Journal so we can let you know every day when the new edition is ready with its razz-ma-tazz! And as always, email us at robinsvegas@aol.com with questions, comments, and quandaries.