Entertainment notes: Robin Williams, Amazing Johnathan and Dita

05:55 AM PT, Apr 4 2007

1. My favorite interview at the opening of Spamalot was a brief and kind-of odd one with Robin Williams. Though the interview lasted less than two minutes, Williams managed to be funny and offensive and more interesting than most. Here are highlights:

Robin Williams (looking at my tape recorder): I see they gave you the good stuff: a nice little Jap recorder.

Richard Abowitz: It's a digital recorder. It can upload right to MP3.

Williams: Yes, of course, it can. Anyone can get one, and then you can have your own blog; so we'll be right back.

Abowitz: Don't take my job. Tell me though, would you ever come to Vegas to do a permanent show as a headliner?

Williams: I wind up playing Vegas about once a year. But oh, no. I can be here for about a day, but then I've got to go!

Abowitz: Why is that?

Williams: Something about the just getting out of rehab thing.

Robin Williams should have a talk with Britney.

2. On the subject of Robin Williams and health, the comic still owes local gossip Czar Norm Clarke an apology for a too long, too extreme attack a couple years ago on Norm's signature eye patch. The eye patch, of course, is not a gimmick, but a result of Norm's very serious health struggles. Anyway, Norm reports this morning that Sahara headliner Amazing Johnathan may need a heart transplant. An optimistic Johnathan is quoted in Norm's column: "If I lose the weight and keep my blood thin, I should be alright. They are seeing what they can do without doing the transplant." In all sincerity, I wish Amazing Johnathan good luck and many more happy and healthy years ahead.

3. I am to interview Dita Von Teese later this morning. As always, readers are encouraged to e-mail me their questions for her: Movablebuffet@aol.com

4. Some of you have noticed that I have not reported on the latest Michael Jackson rumors. There have been a handful ranging from illness, to a giant Michael Jackson robot in the desert to a seemingly fake invitation to a show at Luxor. Here is the deal: I've come to the conclusion that until something is officially announced, nothing continues to happen in the world of Michael Jackson. I suspect that will be the case for the foreseeable future especially if he is trying to get a resort to hire him in Vegas. If I interview Michael Jackson, or I get something solid about Michael Jackson, you'll read it here first. But until then, I am off the gloved one.

(Photo by Sarah Gerke)

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