Keeping up with Kardashians — O.J. Simpson does it
O.J. Simpson spends a lot of time keeping up with the Kardashians via the TV in his cell and telephone calls, according to a recently retired prison guard.
"He's stayed close, like he's a godfather. He talked about Khloe a lot," said Jeffrey Felix, who went public this week about his seven-year friendship with Simpson at Lovelock Correctional Center in Northern Nevada.
Simpson, 68, was so confident that he was going to be released on appeal this fall that he lost 40 pounds, Felix said. "He ate salmon and rice for all three meals for four months. He was motivated like he was back in the NFL."
The pro football Hall of Famer was denied a new trial in September when a Nevada Supreme Court panel sided with the lower court that presided over the case.
Simpson is up for parole in 2017.
In 1995, Simpson was acquitted of the 1994 slayings of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
The Simpsons were close to Robert Kardashian and wife Kris, who married Bruce Jenner after Kardashian's death. After the killings, Simpson briefly stayed in the Kardashians' home.
Felix, who grew up in Las Vegas and was a 1981 graduate of Valley High School, is shopping the book that was ghost written by Corey Levitan, a former Review-Journal staffer.
Simpson keeps a shrine to his ex-wife in his cell, Felix said.
"He got down real bad every year when it was his and Nicole's wedding anniversary (Feb. 2, 1985). I'd give him hugs," said Felix, who retired in September.
They had long talks in Simpson's cell and often went for walks around the prison track. Prison management was aware of the friendship and didn't discuss it, Felix said. "I think they liked that someone was looking after him. They'd know if something happened to him," and with Simpson's high profile, it was important that he was kept safe.
"My wife said to me yesterday, 'You were like a double O.J. spy.'"
Felix said he's not concerned about the confidentiality agreement that corrections officers have to sign to work in the prison system.
"What can they do now, write me up?" he said.
Felix said Simpson has mapped out his post-prison life.
"He said he's moving in with his daughter in Florida and he's got his money from the NFL and from making movies and $3,000 a month in Social Security. Roughly $9,000 a month. He made most of his money from being put on boards for corporations."
Felix told the New York Post that he earned Simpson's trust by having his back when trouble arose.
A neo-Nazi vowed to kill Simpson for cutting in front of an Aryan Nation member in the cafeteria line. Felix said he went to the group's leader and worked out a truce.
Felix said Simpson emphatically denied the rumor that Khloe Kardashian is his daughter.
"I would never do that to my friend Bob (Kardashian); I would never tap Kris."
I asked Felix if he asked Simpson if he had killed his wife.
"He gave me the look," Felix said, "like shut the hell up, we're not going there."
The scene and heard
Saturday is the 20th anniversary of the demolition of the Landmark, which was located west of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Billionaire Howard Hughes opened the 36-story tower in 1969. Email or call me with your favorite stories or sightings at Norm@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0224.
Corrections: Travis Cloer's Christmas show is Dec. 7 at Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center at 6:30 and 8:30. The release party is this Monday, 6-9 p.m. at the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay. "Conversations With Norm," featuring Rick Harrison of the "Pawn Stars" reality show, is Dec. 9 starting at 7:30 p.m.
On this day
Nov. 4, 1967: The first Las Vegas Roundup, a celebration of sobriety sponsored by Alcoholics Anonymous, concludes with a banquet at the Showboat. Though the founder describes it as only a "mild success," the roundup grows into a major four-day event with meetings, workshops and a golf tournament.
Nov. 5, 1958: Las Vegas city commissioners vote to recommend that casinos not hire women as dealers. Women, usually relegated to jobs such as cocktails waitresses and cashiers, don't regularly take their places at the gambling tables until the 1970s.
Sightings
Steve and Andrea Wynn, taking in "Jersey Boys" at Paris Las Vegas on Sunday with Nicole Kaplan, one of the featured singers in Wynn's "Showstoppers." Her husband, Graham Fenton, rotates as Frankie Valli in "Jersey Boys."
The punch line
"In England, Halloween is very much a holiday for children. Here, it's been completely hijacked by adults who've gotten totally carried away. Here's a general rule of thumb: If you spent more time on your costume than your kid's costume, you're the most frightening part of Halloween." — James Corden
— 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
