Newton, a Las Vegas headliner since his teens, is the longest of longshots in the competition. He and his partner Cheryl Burke are 25-to-1 choices, according to Wynn Las Vegas oddsmaker John Avello, who posts the odds only for entertainment purposes.

Newton and Burke opened at 15-1.

The favorites, at 4-1, are race car driver Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough, a former Las Vegas resident.

Model Josie Maran was the first celebrity ousted, that coming during Wednesday's show.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Hung Huynh, an executive sous chef at Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace, was among a trio of challengers who advanced to the finals of Bravo's "Top Chef" competition during's Wednesday's episode. The finale, filmed in Aspen, Colo., airs next Wednesday at 10 p.m. ...

Restaurant news: We hear rumblings that the Maccioni family of the Cirque fame might be putting a restaurant or two in MGM Mirage's $7 billion-plus CityCenter. They operate Le Cirque in New York as well as Le Cirque and Circo del Osteria at Bellagio. ... James Beard Foundation award winner Chef Louis Osteen from Pawleys Island in South Carolina will be bringing his Southern-style cuisine to Town Square, with two restaurants, Louis's Las Vegas and The Fish Camp. Town Square, located south of Mandalay Bay near the Las Vegas Beltway and Interstate 15, is scheduled to open Nov. 14. ...

At Mandalay Bay, Artexpo Las Vegas will honor cinema legend and artist Tony Curtis on Saturday with a lifetime achievement award to be presented by fellow motion picture studio artist Tom Zotos, who has been commissioned to do the artwork. ...

The ARTV Awards, an international art event scheduled for Saturday, has been moved from The Pearl at the Palms to the showroom in the back of Sapphires, 3025 Industrial Road. Entertainment includes Frankie Love, Gennifer Flowers and Tony Sacca. ...

Over the years, they have seen a little of everything at the Double Down Saloon, a local institution for the dive-bar crowd. Everything but a baby shower. The first one takes place from 5-8 p.m. Sunday to honor mom-to-be Desiree Celli, a popular bartender at the Bunkhouse Saloon, and Tad Hashey, lead guitarist for the Peccadilloes. The after-party moves to The Beauty Bar at 9 p.m. and the after-after-party returns to the Double Down at 2 a.m.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

Strip House, the latest New York City entry in the local steakhouse wars, has opened at Planet Hollywood Resort, with sensual wall-to-wall visuals that have the dining community buzzing. Chef John Schenk's solid menu backs up the brothelesque boldness. The owner, The Glazier Group, is the same company behind Michael Jordan's The Steak House N.Y.C. Strip House's hours are: 5-11 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 5-11:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday. For information, call: 737-5200.

SIGHTINGS

Music producer Scott Storch and mixed martial arts fighter Wanderlei Silva, partying Wednesday with separate groups at LAX nightclub (Luxor). ... Singer Ryan Cabrera, dining Wednesday at Social House restaurant inside Treasure Island before heading to LAX nightclub (Luxor). ... BMX star Dave Mirra, dining Wednesday at Social House restaurant inside Treasure Island.

THE PUNCH LINE

"One bad night of dancing, and it's all over. Like Britney Spears." -- Jimmy Kimmel, on Josie Maran being voted off "Dancing with the Stars."

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.