Judy Thorburn and Debbie Hall

The Media Divas
By Judy Thorburn and Debbie Hall

Everywhere we looked, we saw double! Actually, we experienced the World’s Most Beautiful Twins, Celebrity Impersonators, two ceremonies for a living “Legend,” The Beatles in not one but two incarnations, two new adult shows (yes, that can be considered double), and our BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.

We are so excited that we can’t contain ourselves. The Media Divas are hosting their own radio show. We will be broadcasting live from the Ice House, 650 S. Main Street, from 4 pm to 5 pm. This is part of Meltdown Sunday from 5 pm to 2 am with drink specials, food specials, art, entertainment, DJ and a diverse crowd. You can listen to us here (Click "podcasts") or, www.talkradiolasvegas.com . Check out our upcoming guest list on our website. See someone you like? Then come on down and be part of the audience. Normally, the cover charge is $5, but mention the radio program and you and a friend come in as 2-for-1 and you can stay after the show for some great music and shows. Also, when you are part of the audience for the radio program; there are 2-for-1 drink tickets (with beer specials at $2 and martini specials for $4), gifts, and other special surprises just for our audience. So come on down to the Ice House on Sunday 4 pm to 5 pm and see us on the radio!

Speaking of the Ice House, Lady J Joyce Huston puts on a phenomenal show as demonstrated during Memorial Day weekend during Meltdown Sunday. She combines blues, jazz, R&B, soul, ballads and showmanship. She has just released a new CD, “Soul Stir Fry.” To pick up a copy, go to Big B’s Records, 4671 S. Maryland Parkway or go to our shopping page.

Now that we have told you our BIG news, we are still trying to “straighten” out our eyes from all of the double vision. On Saturday was the taping of “Body Doubles” at Mandalay Bay Resort, the international twin search finals where the most beautiful twins in the world were announced. Hosted by Rachel Perry, VH1 VJ and Adam Carolla’s sidekick on his morning radio show, the syndicated TV show will air on June 24 announcing to the world what we already know as the “Most Beautiful Twins in the World.”

Emcee Rachel Perry and Celebrity Judges Kylie Bax, Jose Eber, and Amy Gruenhut of the Body Doubles Contest - Photos by Stephen Thorburn

Celebrity judges Sabrina and Kelly from “8th and Ocean,” Extra TV Show correspondent Jon Kelley, supermodel Kyle Bax, hairstylist to the stars Jose Eber, and Amy Gruenhut, Fashion Editor of Elle Magazine, were some of the celebrity judges as fifteen sets of twins ranging in age from 18-28, from Australia, Canada, Shanghai, London, Scotland, Rio de Janeiro, Italy, South Africa, across the United States from Los Angeles, New York and our own Ruth and Ryan Quinn (former Palms girls and now with Wynn Resorts) strutted their stuff in several categories that included swimsuit/lingerie, cocktail dresses, a mock fashion shoot with a motorcycle, and contrast, how well do you know your twin? Ashley Parker Angel supplied the musical entertainment with his hard rock band, and comedy relief was provided by the “Olsen Twins,” who, in reality, are twin actresses/comediennes, The Jones Twins. Check out the TV listings for the broadcast of this show to see who won.

Speaking of doubles, last week visitors to the strip must have been thinking they were actually seeing the likes of Liza Minelli, Robert De Niro, Paul McCartney, Tom Cruise or even President George Bush, to name a few recognizable faces, if they were in or about the vicinity of the Imperial Palace. But, of course, they were not the real thing. That’s because they were celebrity look-alikes who converged at the Imperial Palace for their annual Celebrity Impersonator Convention.

Celebrity Impersonators - Photos by Stephen and Judy Thorburn

Tuesday’s noon luncheon and talent showcase, hosted by Kenny Kerr, also proved to be the perfect opportunity to honor the man who started the worldwide impersonation empire, the creator and founder of Legends in Concert, John Stuart. At the closing of the talent showcase, the Walk of Stars Ceremony took place with Stuart receiving a star, along with a Lifetime Achievement Award, from the convention itself. The following day, there was another ceremony for the actual placement of the star at the New York, New York site. Besides being presented with the star by Bob Alexander, President of the Walk of Star, representatives of local dignitaries and legend performers who have worked with Stuart, his wife and son were on hand in the Legend’s showroom to present Stuart with additional honors. Mayor Goodman proclaimed “John Stuart Day” and Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt sent a Certificate of Congratulations.” Tyrone Thompson, from the Clark County Commissioner’s office stated that Stuart deserved his award for his contribution to the “charm and recognition of Las Vegas.” Legends’ impersonators, Steve McCoy (Tom Jones) and Heidi Thompson (Cher) each gave a speech thanking Stuart for the impact he has made on their lives and as Heidi said, “For creating a template that all after has followed, the best production show with the best talent, that create cheer, gasps and applause from audiences.” She than added, “John has a zest for life and injects an abundance of energy in everything he does, and contributes to the energy and creativity of our city.”

John Stuart receives Walk of Fame Star - Photos by Judy Thorburn

John Stuart at Walk of Fame Star installation - Photo by Lindsay Hebberd

Stuart’s son, John Michael (who is physically handicapped) gave an emotionally charged speech about his father, saying how proud he was that his father is a legend, one of the few people he knows that creates new ideas literally 24 hours a day and a person who has influenced his life for good with his warmth and support.”

With lots more projects on his agenda, including co-producing a full length documentary, “Heart of the King” with his other son, Shane and with musical rights to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, there is no stopping THIS living legend.

Along with the new Cirque du Soleil show, “LOVE,” the Beatles were represented in two very different ways this week with Classical Mystery Tour and the arrival of the “Original” Beatles at Madame Toussauds Wax Museum.

It was one night with “The Beatles” backed by a full orchestra at the Las Vegas Hilton for an amazing tribute where four look-alike and sound alike musicians recreated some songs that were never performed live during a tour. With cuts from the White Album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Revolver, this group is incredible in their musical rendition of some of the best music the Beatles ever created. The show begins with a trip back to the 1960s and with costume changes, progressed to the later years with Imagine and Live and Let Die (from 1980 and 1971 respectively) thrown in. The two encores were incredible with “Hey Jude” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” creating two thundering, standing ovations. When Classical Mystery Tour comes back, be certain to check them out for a night back in time.

We continued to see double with the arrival of the Beatles Tribute Band and Fab Four Mania who were on hand to help welcome the unveiling of the “original” Beatles wax attraction, which is on loan from Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London. The likenesses of John, Paul, George and Ringo as they looked in 1964 are on display at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas through July 4, 2006.

Just like their TV appearance, where they first took American audiences by storm, Fab Four Mania (part of the variety show V at the Aladdin) were introduced by an Ed Sullivan impersonator before entertaining the crowd with sound alike renditions of two Beatles songs, “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” and “Twist And Shout.” The wax attraction presents the Beatles, circa 1964, with mop-top haircuts dressed in white shirts and ties and the collarless jacket suits that eventually became known as “Beatles” suits. The four musicians’ wax “doubles” are seated on a sofa with Paul McCartney seated next to drummer Ringo Starr, then John Lennon and George Harrison in a left to right order as the public faces the attraction. McCartney, Lennon and Harrison are holding electric guitars while Starr holds a set of drum sticks.

The Beatles wax figures will be displayed in the new “On Stage” attraction with fellow music superstars Mick Jagger, Elton John, Elvis, Bono, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, James Brown, Tupac Shakur and a host of other legendary figures who celebrate the diversity of popular music.

“The Beatles are a staple of our London attraction, but they have never been here in Las Vegas. We thought it especially appropriate to have them visit to mark the opening of ‘LOVE’ the Beatles-themed Cirque show,” said Adrian Jones, general manager of Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Jones also said June is an appropriate time to have the Beatles in Las Vegas because the attraction will help mark McCartney’s 64th birthday on Sunday, June 18. “Madame Tussauds wax figures were used on the iconic ‘Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band’ album cover in 1967 which features the song ‘When I am 64’ and the lyric ‘will you still need me when I’m 64.’ On June 18, we can finally answer the question with a very big, yes,” Jones said.

Madame Tussauds is an international wax attraction that offers the public the unique opportunity to “interact” with famous people at the Venetian Hotel on “The Strip” in Las Vegas, NV. Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is open seven days a week. For attraction hours and pricing, please call 702-862-7800 or visit online at www.mtvegas.com.

Headlights and Tailpipes, one of the newest adult shows, premiered at the Stardust Hotel and Casino with hosts Lorenzo Lamas and Playboy Playmate Lauren Anderson (July 2002). The show consists of exotic dance numbers choreographed to songs with a car, motorcycle or hotrod theme. The opening number features the very beautiful dancers in colored unitards matching the color of the car they drove including a red corvette (Prince’s Lil Red Corvette) and bright yellow (Little Deuce Coupe). The dancers are fabulous and very beautiful, with incredible natural (not enhanced) figures. Also included is extreme BMX Bike stunt performances by BMX Road Warriors and the husband and wife comedy team of Ludo Vika and Lonesome Dove. Produced by legendary Las Vegas showman Jeff Kutash, along with Vince Vellardita (ValCom Studios) and Richard Shimtaku (CAG, Inc.), Kutash envisioned, “to revive the traditional Vegas-style production with a fresh look that fits well with a young, hipper party crowd that Las Vegas is known for.”

Showtimes are 9 pm on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday 8 pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10:30 pm with the show dark on Mondays. Tickets range from $43.95 to $65.95 and are available at the Stardust Theater Box Office or call 866-525-2077.

The other ‘double’ entry into Las Vegas was Harrah’s Bareback, another sexy, high-energy show produced by Greg Thompson (Skin Tight). This time Thompson delivers a country and western adult show that should be very appealing to C&W fans. While men will appreciate the dancers who possess the perfect mixture of beauty, sex appeal and talent along with a featured female singer who can belt out a tune, for the ladies, the hunky singing and dancing cowboy quartet, The Wild Bunch, fit the bill. The best scene has a male member of the audience brought onto the stage to share in some fun, and interact with the dancers in a risqué tribute to Shania Twain’s hit, “Whose Bed H Your Boots Been Under.” Bareback is subtitled Hot Rockin Honky Tonk Heaven. That about says it all.

BAREBACK now runs nightly at 10:30pm and there is an added show at 7:30pm Sunday show which is covered. Tickets can be purchased online at www.harrahs.com  or calling 702-392-9002.

Remember, The Media Divas make entertainment news DIVALICIOUS!