2015 was full of blunders, rebounds, quotes and feuds

Some of the best news-making memories of 2015:

The Ouch Award: Steve Harvey's epic blunder as a host of last Sunday's Miss Universe pageant apparently won't cost him the job. Harvey named the wrong winner. He announced Miss Colombia instead of Miss Philippines. Entertainment Tonight reported this week that Harvey could be back for several more years because a multiyear contract.

Breakups and rebounds: After recent divorces, new Caesars Palace headliner Mariah Carey and Food Channel star Giada de Laurentiis found themselves back in relationships. Carey started dating Australian gaming mogul James Packer last summer after her six-year marriage to Nick Cannon dissolved. Early in her headliner residency at Caesars Palace, Carey thanked Packer from the stage for the necklace she was wearing. De Laurentiis' 11-year marriage to designer Todd Thompson ended in September, and she has been dating TV producer Shane Farley. She opened her first restaurant, Giada, at The Cromwell in June 2014.

Best food fight: Food Network personality and Las Vegas restaurateur Guy Fieri turned up the heat in the feud with ex-chef Anthony Bourdain. Fieri lashed back at Bourdain, telling GQ magazine that Bourdain has "definitely gotta have issues, 'cuz the average person doesn't behave that way." Bourdain, host of CNN's "Parts Unknown," has questioned Fieri's credentials as a chef, his penchant for wearing shirts sporting flames and his spiked hair.

Most emotional show: Celine Dion's return to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in August after a one-year leave of absence to care for her ailing husband, Rene Angelil. In a heart-aching tribute to Angelil, she swapped out about 10 songs on her set list that reflected her emotions. They included "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Power of Love," "All by Myself," "The Show Must Go On" and, for her encore, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Missing: the French classic "Ne Me Quitte Pas", which left her, and the audience, in tears every night.

Set 'em up: Crooner Rod Stewart took "drinks are on me" to another level in August. At the end of his show at the Colosseum, he invited the audience to join him for a cold one at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill. Several hundred took him up on the offer.

Best quote: KMXB-FM, 94.1, morning show deejay Mercedes Martinez finished an interview with Gwen Stefani with a round of rapid-fire questions. Stefani, who split with Gavin Rossdale amid rumors he had an affair with their nanny, was promoting her new single "Used to Love You." The last question: "Have you ever stolen anything?" Stefani: "No! I am NOT a stealer or a liar or a cheater!"

Frankly speaking: Frank Sinatra impressionist Bob Anderson channeled Sinatra's plainspeaking side after watching the CBS special: "Sinatra 100: An All-Star Grammy Concert." Anderson said "a whole lotta people should be fired" and called the 100th birthday tribute "a tremendous letdown." He added, "How could the Sinatra family and Steve Wynn, a friend of Sinatra's, present that show to the world?"

Best sighting: Oscar winner Angelina Jolie was back at the Bonanza Gifts souvenir shop in January, loading up on gag gifts. Among her purchases: "freeloader forks," which telescope to an extra 2 feet in length. Six-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox left with lightsabers.

Best sighting, runner-up: Tony Sanchez, UNLV's new head football coach, came up with a cool idea on how to break up the practice routine in 100-degree heat. He took the Rebels, the entire roster 125, to the Hofbrauhaus to chill out on burgers, chicken sandwiches and tap water.

The scene and heard

We've been in Lincoln, Neb., all week, hoping for a white Christmas. Well, did we ever get one. Happy holidays folks, and best wishes for 2016.

The punch line

"Congress this weekend ended the federal government's ban on medical marijuana. Good news for people with glaucoma as well as people with 'glaucoma.' " — Seth Meyers

— Norm Clarke's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. On Twitter: @Norm_Clarke.