‘Modern Family’s’ Sofia Vergara pranked at Vegas shoot
Sofia Vergara and her prankin’ co-stars of ABC’s hit TV series “Modern Family” are filming a special Las Vegas episode this week.
Vergara tried taking a catnap with a tissue over her face during a break in Monday’s shoot.
A series of hilarious photos posted online showed her co-stars hamming it up next to her while she slept.
“Never take a little nap around this people again!!!” the Colombian beauty wrote on Who Say, the social media site favored by many celebrities.
She was seen shooting scenes with her on-screen husband, Ed O’Neill.
Shooting took place in Mandalay Bay’s lobby, the pool and casino (for a craps scene).
Also spotted: Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet.
GENEROSITY TO THE MAX
The $1,000-a-plate Chefs to the Max benefit raised $275,000 on Sunday for critically injured food critic Max Jacobson .
Silent and live auctions accounted for $175,000 of the total. Chef Rick Moonen hosted the fundraiser at his Rx Boiler Room at Mandalay Bay.
Acclaimed chef Thomas Keller, best known for his famed eatery The French Laundry in Napa Valley, had the full attention of admiring participating chefs.
“All these outstanding chefs were watching chef Keller plating. Bobby Flay was taking pictures like a fan girl. It was like God was in the kitchen,” a Moonen exec told me.
Organizers said philanthropist Larry Ruvo of Southern Wine & Spirits purchased 25 of the 100 tickets.
Proceeds will go toward defraying Jacobson’s mounting medical expenses. He has been in an induced coma since Dec. 23 when he was struck by vehicle while crossing an intersection.
Top chefs and music greats will team up Feb. 27 to salute chief Kerry Simon and raise awareness of the disease he is fighting.
He was diagnosed in 2013 with an aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease.
GOOD NEWS FOR ROGERS
Las Vegas television mogul Jim Rogers got some news he’s been praying for: His cancer is in remission and a scheduled surgery has been canceled, according to KSNV-TV general manager Lisa Howfield and Bob Stoldal, executive vice president of news.
Rogers, who informed his employees late last year during a Channel 3 newsroom meeting that he was facing a new cancer challenge, received the update Tuesday while visiting his oncologist.
He had undergone chemo and radiation, according to KSNV-TV general manager Howfield and Stoldal.
Rogers told Howfield and Stoldal, “one of the greatest things out of this is now I can go to the Final Four.” He has been attending the NCAA championship for decades.
“He said, ‘I’ve returned to my normal abnormal self,’” Howfield said.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Florence Henderson’s entourage at her Woman of the Year tribute on Saturday will include Barry Williams and Christopher Knight of “The Brady Bunch.” Henderson’s friend comedian Judy Gold will emcee what will be the Nevada Ballet’s Black and White Ball’s 30th anniversary and Henderson’s 80th birthday.
Also making appearances will be Mitzi Gaynor and Rita Rudner. Marie Osmond is the honorary chairwoman. …
U.K. singer/songwriter Sam Smith was in Las Vegas recently to film a music video at Fun City Motel and Strip Gun Club. While he was here, he won the Brit Awards’ Critics Choice prize in the “sound of 2014” category. Adele and Florence and the Machine are recent winners of the award.
SIGHTINGS
Brad Garrett, dining with a friend and writer from his show at Crush (MGM Grand) on Monday night. … Members of the Welsh rugby team, taking in “Zumanity” (New York-New York) on Tuesday. The team is in town to compete in the HSBC Sevens World Series, which kicks off this weekend.
THE PUNCH LInE
“The Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks advanced to the big game, which means this year’s Super Bowl will have teams from the two states where recreational marijuana is legal. Or as pizza delivery men put it, ‘Pray for us.’ ” — Jimmy Fallon
Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. “Norm Clarke’s Vegas,” airs Thursdays on the “Morning Blend” on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.
