"American Idol" judge, Simon Cowell is coming to Las Vegas to search for our next headliner. "Personally, I hope to find the next Siegfried and Roy," Cowell said.

NBC is expected to launch the show based on his quest this summer. Of course, this was tried by Wayne Newton's "The Entertainer" which resulted in winner Delisco's one year contract at the Las Vegas Hilton. But repetition isn't really the problem since "The Entertainer" did not make much impact on the nation or Las Vegas. Actually, the real problem is that Las Vegas entertainment has changed since the days of Siegfried and Roy. When was the last time a major headliner opened that wasn't a show ("Hairspray,"  "Avenue Q," "Ka," "La Reve") or already a star draw (Celine Dion, Elton John, Barry Manilow and Reba McEntire)?

Besides Siegfried and Roy weren't discovered. They built a following by spending years working in variety shows, eventually becoming the featured act, and were already well established in Las Vegas before Steve Wynn gave them their theatre at the Mirage. But most shows like "Lido de Paris" (where Siegfried and Roy once performed at the Stardust) are gone and the few that remain like Folies Bergere (another former home to S&R) at the Tropicana are no longer where producers look for up and comers. (In fact, Folies future is as in extreme doubt as the Tropicana has stopped taking room reservations past April 15 on its website.) 

Las Vegas entertainment today is based on only two things: big names and bigger spectacles. Of course, Cowell has a shot on the first point. Former "American Idol" Kelly Clarkson just sold out the theatre at the Aladdin for a concert. And, it is possible that the winner of Cowell's show will have gathered enough fame from the experience to fill a showroom for a year. That is probably what the casino is betting; Cowell won't find a star but that television will mint one.

(photo by Jennifer Graylock/AP)