Last night: I don't even know where to begin.

 

Yesterday's first big event for me was at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club. The Venetian's new Palazzo casino surprised everyone by soft opening a couple of hours before 40/40 was set to grand open there. The new casino was packed with the curious enjoying a first walk-through and gamble. Brighter than the Venetian and more decorated, it gave a very positive initial impression. But I had a job to do and no time to fully explore.

 

Press were to arrive at 40/40 no later than 8:15 for an event to begin a 9. But the massive list of celebrities on the tip sheet were mostly not appearing as 10 p.m. rolled around. Press left to themselves on a red carpet gossip. One story I heard from a couple of people involved K-Fed's appearance at LAX  Saturday night. Apparently, the man best known for being a lesser-of-two-evils father and the ex-Mr. Britney attempted to resurrect his rap career by spitting some lines out at LAX at Luxor on Saturday night. The result, according to the received wisdom of the red carpet, was mockery and booing from the attendees at one of the hottest nightclub's on the Strip. I am betting the Hilton sisters get a better reception tonight at LAX.

 

Speaking of the Hilton sisters: Norm reports that Mischa Barton, the dis-invited host of CatHouse's opening Saturday, tried to have the Hilton sisters blacklisted from the event. "Mischa's team did not want her associated with the party girl scene," a source tells Norm. Wow, pot apparently did not want to meet kettle?

 

Meanwhile, my favorite overheard comment of the evening concerned the giant PH atop Planet Hollywood.

 

"Every time I see that PH I think of Paris Hilton and then remember Planet Hollywood, because she is so much better branded."

 

Eventually, the red carpet press began hearing that a late start time for Beyonce's concert at MGM was going to make the A-list late to 40/40, and I could not stay past 11. But before I left, I had one of the most surprising red carpet interviews of my career: the Rev. Al Sharpton. 

 

Talking to a minister on a glitzy red-carpet grand opening in Vegas?

 

I asked him if it was the gambling or drinking that brought him out to Vegas. Rev. Al demurred, claiming not to gamble at all and to be there only to support Jay-Z.

 

That was nice to know, because I had to leave before Jay-Z arrived to support Jay-Z. (Photo by Sarah Gerke)