Agassi book fails to discuss Rogers

Their 15-year relationship was severed in stunning fashion a year ago when Agassi announced the split. Three weeks later, Rogers sued Agassi’s wife, tennis great Steffi Graf, claiming breach of contract as her agent.

Sources tell me considerable passages about Rogers were hastily excised from the book, titled, “Open,” which includes Agassi’s shocking confession that he used the drug crystal meth, according to published reports.

The book, which comes out Nov. 9, has been seen by a limited number of people in the media.

Among them is Sports Illustrated tennis writer Jon Wertheim, who noted Rogers’ absence in an interview Friday with his magazine’s Web site, SI.com.

Asked whether there was anything he expected to be in the book that was not, Wertheim pointed to the split.

“If you talk about crystal meth,” said Wertheim, referring to Agassi’s acknowledgment, “one would think there would at least be some mention of a pretty dramatic split with your boyhood friend, longtime consigliere and the man to whom you entrusted all off-court aspects of your career.”

Rogers, reached by telephone on Friday, told Vegas Confidential that he hasn’t seen the book.

“I wish Andre all the best,” Rogers said. “We were blessed to have all those great years together. It was just an absolutely great time. I have no comment on it at all.”

His response comes amid rumblings that both parties have signed a confidentiality agreement that probably contains a no-disparagement clause.

Two Agassi insiders who were contacted Friday said to dismiss what Rogers said for public consumption.

“It’s World War III,” said one.

Both suggested that Agassi went public with the meth disclosure as a pre-emptive move, out of concern that someone could use it against him in the future.

PEEPSHOW CHANGES

Colleague Mike Weatherford reports that Planet Hollywood’s topless revue “Peepshow” is cutting back.

Aubrey O’Day, the co-lead with Holly Madison, won’t be renewed when the pop star’s limited run ends in December, Weatherford said in a posting on “Vegas Voices,” the R-J’s blog site.

Director Jerry Mitchell “agrees we can get a pretty terrific person locally to play that role,” co-producer Scott Zeiger says of the “Peep Diva” part played by Spice Girl Mel B. when the show first opened.

Madison will continue to be the show’s marquee draw, and producers have high hopes for an E! series, tentatively titled “Planet Holly.”

“If the pilot resonates and ends up getting picked up the way we think, something like that could change the show,” Zeiger said.

He confirmed he will be talking to the Actors Equity union about a January break for “Peepshow,” similar to Cirque du Soleil’s annual extended vacations.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Comedy icon Shecky Green, who got raves when he returned to Las Vegas in May after a long absence, is back in January. He’ll be at South Point on January 8-9-10. …

Deal of the Day: Monte Carlo and Excalibur are offering deals for the National Finals Rodeo (Dec. 3-12). Excalibur rooms start at $36 per night, plus taxes; Monte Carlo, $55.95. Information: www.montecarlo.com or call 866-934-1242; Excalibur reservations: (800) 937-7777 or www.excalibur.com

SIGHTINGS

Comedy legend Jerry Lewis, in bedroom slippers surprising Pete Rose, who was signing autographs Friday at Field of Dreams (Forum Shops at Caesars). Lewis was shopping with daughter Danielle. … Actor Dan Aykroyd, hanging out at Binion’s Haunted Casino attraction. … Pro wrestling legend Ric “The Nature Boy” Flair, on the starting line Friday for the NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. … At Vintner Grill on Thursday at separate tables: Agassi and Graf, Gov. Jim Gibbons and both Judge Bonaventures. … Randy Jackson, the late Michael Jackson‘s brother, at “Voices,” the Hilton Las Vegas show featuring Lani Misalucha. … Boxing promoter Don King with a party of 20 at Ruth’s-Chris Steakhouse late Thursday.

THE PUNCH LINE

“Brett Favre is so old, his social security number is 1.” — From David Letterman‘s Top Ten Revelations In Chad Ochocinco‘s Autobiography

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.