David Cassidy on the Web
Michel remains in 'Rat Pack Is Back' despite report
March 19, 2002
By Mike Weatherford Las Vegas Review-Journal
A national magazine has contributed to confusion about the future of "The Rat Pack Is Back" with a premature, possibly not true at all, report about Dean Martin's son joining the show.
TV Guide reported Saturday that Ricci Martin would join the show April 1. Both a hotel spokeswoman and the show's producer say Rick Michel will continue as Dino for as long as the show is currently contracted, which right now is through April 30.
Fans of the show know it seems to be in perpetual negotiations to stay at the Sahara, but the two sides have always come to terms in the past.
The younger Martin recently caught "Rat Pack" as part of a promotional tour for his book "That's Amore: A Son Remembers Dean Martin." He's longtime friends with David Cassidy, the show's co-producer, as well as Boulder City resident Desi Arnaz Jr., who was part of the '60s pop group Dino, Desi and Billy with Martin's late brother Dean Paul.
Mark Tratos, attorney for the producers, says he is "totally unaware" of any of the negotiations hinging on a legal challenge from Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.'s heirs.
A federal judge dismissed the families' lawsuit against Sheraton Desert Inn Corp. about advertising for "The Rat Pack Is Back," but the families have appealed the decision.
"The Sahara took the show when the case was alive and well, so I don't know why they would be worried about the appeal," Tratos says. ...
