I received a media alert about covering the opening of Spam-a-lot at the Wynn in Las Vegas. At that point in my life, I had never been on a Red Carpet, nor a celebrity studded event. The roster included
A- list celebrities including Diane Sawyer and her husband Mike Nichols. In my mind, all I was hoping for was to get a glimpse of George Clooney. I had no idea if George would be there, but my intent was to make sure I was there if he was!!! I was determined to meet him - (which I did at a later time!)
The Red Carpet was overwhelming. I didn't quite expect what I found. Wall to wall people, cameras, and reporters all jockeying for position in the line - all wanting to get first dibs on whoever appeared first. I was placed at the very end of the line - the place where the celebrities couldn't wait to get off the Red Carpet! I was nervous. I didn't know what to do - I wasn't totally prepared, because I didn't have Google with me. I was positioned between the woman from the NY Times and Richard Abowitz who was reporting for the LA Times. Norm Clarke, The Las Vegas Confidential, from the Las Vegas Review Journal was milling around. I was still focused on getting into the party...where I would find George! (Great imagination!)
John O'Hurley, his wife Lisa, and their newborn baby were the first to arrive on The Red Carpet. I was listening to all the reporters ask questions... they all asked the same ones. I became a little discouraged, thinking if I was a celebrity, I would be bored with the interviews after the second person. It was at that moment I decided I didn't want to ask any questions. I would rather interview them for twenty minutes in the radio studio where I could get one on one time.
I just watched and listened. At this point, Norm Clarke started to badger me to get in the line to ask questions. I replied, "No, it's ok...you go ahead." I listened to Richard Abowitz's questions, and he was the only one to impress me. I thought, "Wow" this guy knows his stuff. I need to stay close to hear what he has to say!" The next in line was Eric Idle, one of the creators of Monty Python. Norm, once again was harassing me to get in line. I was perfectly content in listening to Richard. I stuck my microphone out there just to record what he was saying so that if I needed the soundbites, I would have some good material.
Next up, Robin Williams. Now Norm is yelling at me to get in line to interview Robin. I told him sternly, I don't work for you....what's the deal? I don't want to interview Robin! What am I going to ask him that five people in front of me already asked?" Norm just looked at me and said, "Well, I'm not interviewing him...he's all yours! At that exact moment, Norm jumped out of the line, and standing right in front of me, was Robin Williams. I looked at him and smiled. He smiled back. Seconds felt like an eternity! I had no idea what I was going to ask him. All I could think of was his days as Mork! That wouldn't work!!!! I smiled again...here's where the Divine Intervention took place. I said, "Hi"... pausing.....smiling again! You can see Robin getting agitated. I had to come up with something...Now! I looked at him and said...."I'm the Vegas Insider....give me the scoop on something in your life that no one knows about!" Robin stopped his antics...looking at me inquisitively - and said... "What???" I said... "Tell me something that no one knows about you... give me some shit!" You know...dirt!!!" He started to laugh...and rattled something off...
I am not sure what he said, or even where that came from, but I knew something just happened! I didn't have time to fall on my knees and thank the Lord, Steve Martin was next up. Looking at Steve, I said, this time more confidently, "I'm the Vegas Insider - give me the scoop on something in your life that no one knows about". He laughed, catching him off guard as well. He said -" OK - I am writing a book that no one knows about - and started to tell me about his book, "Born Standing Up!"
Next was Ben Vereen... and the Dancing with Stars guys, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Tony Dovolani. Maks professed that he was not having an affair with his partner. He lied! And....I called him out on it! He hugged me after that! Smooth operator that guy!
Everything else after that was a blur. I never did get into that party. George Clooney was not there. I actually forgot about him - for a brief moment!
What occurred on the Red Carpet that night changed my life! Born on the Red Carpet to Spam-a-lot, was, "The Vegas Insider!" That became the name of my radio show, and the very last question I would ask my guests during their interview. Quite confidently I would ask, "I am the Vegas Insider, give me the scoop on something in your life that no one knows about....." The answers I received....well...that's a whole other story!
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