No, the movie’s not called Juice Bigalow: European Gigolo, but one guest at the Las Vegas premiere of Rob Schneider‘s new sequel was even more notorious than the Man-Whore himself: former NFL great and acquitted murder suspect O.J. Simpson.
Simpson’s Sin City appearance on the leopard-print carpet at the debut of Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo outside the Palms Hotel & Casino came as a surprise to guests and looky-loos alike as an unlikely assortment of celebrities–including another Simpson (Jessica’s dad Joe) and a pair of unrelated Jacksons (Michael’s papa Joe, and Kevin Federline’s babies’ mama Shar)–joined stars Schneider and Eddie Griffin for the premiere at the hotel’s Brenden Theaters.
“I love Vegas,” proclaimed O.J. Simpson. “I love to come here and play golf. It’s a bit hot though in the summer. I’m staying here at the hotel and I’m a friend of Eddie Griffin. He said they were having the premiere and I thought I’d come support him.” Word circulated that Simpson had also appeared unexpectedly at the hotel’s famous Real World suite for Extra‘s reporter Jon Kelley’s birthday bash–with a video crew in tow–the night before.
Griffin‘s actual date for the evening had a more wholesome reputation: he brought his mother. Nevertheless, the comic actor was already embracing the oft-repeated mantra of Sin City: “It’s Vegas, baby,” he told us. “Everything is legal. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Just don’t tell O.J. that, Eddie.
Schneider reminded us that the only place more liberal-minded than Vegas would have to be Amsterdam, where portions of the film were set. “When we were walking around Amsterdam, I was taking some friends around the Red Light district with me on a tour, and three Thai hookers walked out and said ‘Deuce Bigalow, Deuce Bigalow,'” Rob recalled. “So now I know I’m popular in Thailand. I’ll take it anywhere.”
Despite the worldwide popularity–and quote-ability–of Deuce, the fans gathered outside the Palms chose instead to chant “YOU CAN DO IT!”–an homage to Schneider‘s line in The Waterboy and other Adam Sandler-starring comedies.
Schneider–who swiped some of Deuce’s flashy vests and suits from the film for the premiere but had to resort to Armani tailored for him at the last minute when he realized he’d had a little post-film weight gain–was flying high on his low-brow comedy, which was being celebrated at the Palms with Deuce Bigalow Day.
“I couldn’t be more proud,” he said. “We had a great time at the pool today for the Male Gigolo contest. I can’t believe how early people drink around here. No wonder there weren’t as many women there, because the men are just so drunk and disorderly. I felt that I could be attacked at any moment.”
“This is so cool to have the premiere in Las Vegas,” cooed Deuce’s love interest and Vegas virgin Hanna Verboom. “It’s actually my first time here, and it makes sense because it’s a wild movie and we’re in a wild town. So far it’s been fun, and I’m just getting used to it. I’ve only been here two days but I really like it. I’m looking forward to seeing the Strip.”
The film’s famous producer Adam Sandler opted to skip the premiere, instead grabbing dinner at the Palm’s N9NE Steakhouse before stopping by the after-party and then heading up to the hotel’s rooftop GhostBar to party with friends at a private table. Schneider and guest David Spade, who was in town also for his comedy show at the Mirage, continued the night at Body English–the steamy hot spot at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino–while Griffin moved on to the Venetian’s V Bar.
Joe Jackson, sire of the Gloved One, told us that the recently acquitted Michael is doing “fine” as he was whisked by with a quartet of Asian female singers called N2U, the latest group to fall under his professional tutelage. Joe Simpson shared the spotlight with daughter Ashlee’s beau Ryan Cabrerra (which is apparently getting serious–a new generation of Newlyweds, anyone?). Meanwhile, Shar Jackson looked to be solo without rumored back-on boyfriend Quentin Tarantino (the two were spotted back together over the July 4th weekend at Body English). Looks like Britney Spears had to babysit little Kori and Kaleb while Miss Shar played in Vegas–and let’s hope Brit didn’t give them a BB gun to keep them occupied.
It was a busy weekend in Sin City, with Vegas sporting almost as many stars as Hollywood. In town for the Sweet Water Festival at Mandalay Bay (which Prince, Steffi Graf and Charles Barkley attended), Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott–and their respective entourages–convened at the of-the-moment nightclub OPM at Caesars Palace’s revamped Forum Shops; Wilmer Valderrama lounged by the Hard Rock’s pool with his boys at Rehab Sunday during the day before re-amping at Body English until closing and walking across the street with his entourage for late night pizza at the Rainbow Bar & Grill; NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal from the Indiana Pacers dined at N9NE and thanked chef Barry by signing a basketball for him; and Mena Suvari, who co-stars with Keira Knightley in the Vegas-set biopic Domino, was spotted at THEhotel on her way to a chic fashion shoot.
Margi Blash contributed to this article.
