Maybe Carrot Top should have opted for ‘Zoolander 2’; Intrigue seals Seal deal

By John Katsilometes

Wednesday, April 13, 2016 | 1:36 p.m.

The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is the food court at the atrium level of the Luxor, and from this position I can see the entry of the “Bodies” exhibit.

So, I won’t be ordering any jerky (#sheckykats).

The purpose of this visit is to catch up with Carrot Top, which is a “must” show — as in I must see it every eight weeks or so. Actually, one of C.T.’s best jokes is to mention “Bodies” and cue up a photo of Keith Richards. It’s a funny bit, even at the expense of his home hotel.

The latest from the Topper is that his highly anticipated cameo in the Melissa McCarthy comedy “The Boss” has been cut. Last April, Topper filmed a scene in the movie, then titled “Michelle Darnell,” in which he portrayed a centaur — half-man, half-horse and all-prop comic.

This character appeared in a scene where McCarthy hallucinates. The representation was shockingly deemed too weird for the final cut and lopped. But Carrot Top wound up in the zany outtakes played during the closing credits (the movie opened over the weekend in first place).

This is particularly frustrating for C.T., as he turned down a cameo in “Zoolander 2” to film with McCarthy in Paris. He wrestled with that decision but stayed with his first commitment, which was McCarthy.

As they say, c’est la vie.

That’s the scene from this pyramid. Let’s rake from elsewhere:

• The first headliner at Intrigue at Wynn Las Vegas is Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Seal, set for a May 21 appearance at the new nightclub that has replaced Tryst and opens April 29. Mark Shunock, who oversees the entertainment in the nightspot, posted a photo of Seal on his (Shunock’s) Instagram page with the note, “First of many killer concerts and events coming to @intriguevegas @wynnlasvegas.”

Elsewhere, in unannounced but widely understood news out of Intrigue, expect Cheryl Daro (the wondrous singing wife of Shunock) and burlesque stars LouLou D’Vil and Kalani Kokonuts to perform in the under-development cabaret shows at Intrigue.

• MGM Grand comedy-club overlord and expert standup Brad Garrett has landed what he says is “the darkest role I’ve ever played.” He is cast as a corrupt and violent (and also tall) corrections officer at Rikers Island jail in the final two episodes of Season 17 of “Law & Order.” Those episodes air on NBC on May 18 and May 25.

In a text message, Garrett says: “The finale is incredible, amazing writing. I’m very honored and excited to be cast in this iconic show and this amazing crew and cast.”

Garrett also is celebrating the fourth anniversary of his club at MGM Grand from Monday through April 25. He’s hosting that week, with headliner Quinn Dahle and guest Jeff Richards in the mix.

• Easing into her return to “Fantasy,” Lorena Peril was back in the show Monday night. We’ll be reunited with her soon. The show’s outgoing primary singer, Jaime Lynch, is taking time away (she left Saturday night and celebrated her birthday Tuesday) to focus on her recording career. The Luxor show’s main swing is Anne Martinez, who swings in three shows on the Strip (“Steve Wynn’s Showstoppers” and “Zombie Burlesque” are the others) aside from her production, direction and performance in “Alice.”

Also available to sub in the show is one of the city’s great artists/real estate agents, Adria Lawrence.

“Fantasy” producer Anita Mann has plans to create at least one new number for Peril, who has teamed with comic Sean E. Cooper on a rollicking run through “Hips Don’t Lie” in her previous run as headliner in the show. Peril has most recently performed a cabaret show with her husband, Ray Jon Narbaitz, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Her contract was due to end in April as Mann was looking to bring in a new singer to replace Lynch, who had stepped in for Peril when Peril left the show in 2013. It is said that once you are in that “Fantasy” family, it’s a lifetime thing. Mann herself forges that environment.

• His father was an undisputed legend among Las Vegas entertainers, but Louis Prima Jr.’s performances in the city have been scant. His backing band, The Witnesses, and he are at Lounge at the Palms at 10 p.m. Saturday, a fully ticketed show hosted by hotel CEO Todd Greenberg, a big Louis Prima fan. The show is $38.50 per ticket, comparatively high for a room that usually charges, well, no admission for shows.

But Prima Jr. effectively revives that hard-charging, horn-blaring time when his father and Keely Smith tore up Casbah Lounge at the Sahara.

• On the topic of cool lounge experiences, Kenny Davidsen’s “Playlist” show Tuesday night at Copa Room at Tuscany Suites rolled through 32 Eagles songs in just under four hours. It was fantastic, like an Eagles telethon.

Highlights abounded, especially the appearance of “America’s Got Talent” champ Michael Grimm (for a soulful take of “One of These Nights”), members of “Rock of Ages” (Brandon Nix and Becca Kotte), Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie, Tony Davich of Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns and the earlier-mentioned Daro and Martinez. This monthly, no-charge show is a real treat if you can hang with a long night of music that runs from 10 p.m. to, like, 1:30 a.m.

Tuesday night, also at the Copa Room, is a benefit show for Las Vegas performer Kirbi Long (“Vegas! The Show” and “Jubilee”), her husband, Laz Rathonyi, and their baby, Corbin. Their child suffers from myriad health conditions and was the focus of a recent “Confessions of a Showgirl” column by Maren Wade in sister pub Las Vegas Weekly. The show starts at 9:30, which means 10 p.m., and is to be loaded with the requisite talented lineup of performers.

The “Playlists” series continues May 10. Up next is a John Mayer night. My push for an all-animated night (“Archies,” “Josie & The Pussycats” and the like) has gained no traction …

• Remaining in the lounge scene, David Perrico’s Pop Strings lineup caught fire after midnight Saturday as members of Britney Spears’ band jammed and Melody Sweets of “Absinthe” also took the stage. People who wandered in from the casino floor were surprised to see what was happening in that room and who was making it happen.

Years ago, I was hearing buzz about that room being taken apart for some inventive concept, I believe bingo, but it remains standing as one of the best small venues in the city.

• Wassa Coulibaly is a big film buff. Who knew?

The proprietor of Baobab Stage Theater at Town Square, Coulibaly is opening a classic-film series May 1 with “Charade.” The 1963 romantic comedy stars Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant and Walter Matthau and was directed by Stanley Donen.

Doors and socializing action begins at 6 p.m., and the film starts at 7. Admission is but $5 at the door. Coulibaly is looking to expand the entertainment offerings at Baobab Stage, where she hosts variety, burlesque and culturally inspired productions.

The film series will continue with two movies playing per day during the week at 1 and 3:30 p.m., with films noon and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. And each Wednesday, she plans a 6 p.m. showing, too. Check the Baobab Stage Facebook page for listings and Coulibaly’s live-production schedule.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow Kats on Instagram at Instagram.com/JohnnyKats1.