NFL broadcasters predict Super trouble
W Ecan hope that what happens in Joe Buck’s head, stays in Joe Buck’s head. The sportscasting great is not calling play-by-play at Sunday’s Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. But he’s providing color commentary, from afar.
Buck was a guest Monday on “The Opening Drive,” co-hosted by Randy Karraker and Brooke Grimsley on 101 ESPN in St. Louis.
The hosts asked the ESPN and ABC lead broadcaster if he planned to visit Vegas for the game.
“I do not have any desire to be there,” Buck said. “It’s a lot of logistics. It’s a lot of congestion. I’m just not that way. I’m not looking for the Maxim party and going out all night. It’s just not my thing and you combine that with Vegas … . There’s going to be some story, there’s gonna be something that happens because it’s Vegas and it won’t stay in Vegas.”
Buck also forecast, “There’s gonna be a big something that happens. I don’t know what it is. I have no idea. That is going to be a mess, in my mind.”
Las Vegas NFL Host Committee Chairman Sam Joffray declined comment, at least until Monday. LVCVA officials have not responded to requests for comment.
EX-NFL QB and current CBS broadcaster Boomer Esiason also voiced speculation about the game being played in Las Vegas. During a gaggle interview at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday afternoon, Esiason said players should stay in a neighboring state in the runup to the game.
“Trouble, potential for trouble. They did keep us out of here for a reason, all those years, when you think about it,” Esiason said, then referred to his playing days. “I’m glad we’re here, I’m loving every minute of it. But I’m not playing. I’m not distracted … . This is kind of playing with fire, a little bit … . I would have kept them in Arizona, myself. Keep everybody out of here, until the game. Get them here the morning of the game, that’s what I would say.”
Esiason chuckled through the comments. We’ll see. As they say, this is why they play the game.
Celine sings
The night Celine Dion appeared on stage at the Grammys, she sang backstage.
Singer-songwriter Sonyaé Elise shared video of Dion backstage in a series of highlights from Sunday’s show.
The two harmonized and alternated lines in an impromptu, gospel-style performance. Dion also sang briefly alongside Stevie Wonder backstage. Wonder led the night’s tribute to music-industry stars and dignitaries who died over the previous year.
Dion had not appeared before an audience since March 2o20, sidelined by the rare neurological disorder Stiff Person Syndrome. She was the unannounced presenter of the Album of the Year award, won by Taylor Swift.
Swift and Dion attempted to diffuse controversy over Swift not mentioning or recognizing Dion after winning the award. On Monday, Dion shared a Tiktok slideshow from the ceremony on Monday. The first photo was a shot of the two superstars in an embrace.
Mariah at Dolby Live
Mariah Carey is still
“Mimi” to her worldwide following.
Having released “The Emancipation of Mimi” 20 years ago, Carey returns to the Strip for eight shows in April at Dolby Live. “The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas” runs April 12-27 at the Park MGM venue.
Tickets will go on sale to the public 10 a.m. Saturday.
Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million records sold.
This is Carey’s third Strip residency, but first at the Park Theater venue. She’s also starred in two residencies at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, “#1 to Infinity” from 2015-2017 and “The Butterfly Returns” from 2018-2020. “Infinity” was a conveyor belt of Carey’s 18 No. 1-charting hits from 1990-2008. “Butterfly” was a roll-out of fan favorites and Carey’s own favored selections.
The show is a celebration of “Emancipation,” deemed a comeback album in 2005. At the time, she told Rolling Stone the project was “the real essence of who I am.”
Usher’s kickoff
Usher’s halftime show is also a kickoff.
The Strip resident superstar announced his world tour Tuesday morning. “Past Present Future”opens in Washington D.C. on Aug. 20, closing Oct. 29 in Chicago.
Las Vegas is not a tour stop. Usher has performed two residencies, at the Colosseum and later Dolby Live, and is the halftime performer at the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. PT Monday at Ticketmaster.com. Presale is 10 a.m. Friday. Usher’s next album, “Coming Home,” is due out Friday.
Cool Hang Alert
Eddie Clendening, whom we met with the “Heartbreak Hotel” musical at Harrah’s a few years back, plays Nowhere at Fontainebleau at 8 p.m.-midnight Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. No cover. Be swanky.