Practically ready for the Marines. (Photos by Erik Kabik | Retna)

Hirsute prestidigitator Penn Jillette made with the scissors — rather, his partner, Teller, did — today at the Rio for Locks of Love. The shorn magician tightened it up to about shoulder length to benefit the charity that makes wigs for kids who lost their hair due to chemotherapy.

An employee at the Rio has a granddaughter undergoing chemo, so Penn & Teller joined the Locks of Love Cut-A-Thon where Teller, with an assist from stylist Barbara Kilkarsky, got to make the final snip at the Rio Spa. Next season: Why buzzcuts are bullshit.

By Jason Scavone

Good ploy for a show, Shaq. Always rig your production for maximum showgirl time.

Shaquille O’Neal knows that if you’re going to be a basketball star with a television show, don’t make it tacky. At least don’t make it the biggest middle finger to a city since we sent Nagasaki our regards. O’Neal joined up with Penn & Teller for his show Shaq Vs. where he and Teller took on Penn in a magic competition. It appears Shaq was on Team Pink Sparkly Vest, and Penn was on Team Look At All These Awesome Showgirls. O’Neal also is boxing Sugar Shane Mosley at Caesars Palace for the show.

By Jason Scavone

GAH! TOO MUCH SHAQ!

We know when we think of 7 feet, 320 pounds of basketball fury, we think of the delicate machinations of sleight-of-hand and the presence of mind to control crowd misdirection. It’s exactly why Patrick Ewing nearly was the star of Believe. Shaquille O’Neal tomorrow, puts it to the test when he’s doing a live taping of Shaq Vs. with Penn & Teller at the Rio at 11 p.m. The show, where Shaq will team up with Teller against Penn, is free and open to the public. Teller might not fare so well in one-on-one, but Penn matches up well against Shaq. He could probably guard No. 32, and we know if he ever gets possession, it’s not like Shaq’s going to play any defense.

Shaq is also getting in the ring against Sugar Shane Mosley on Friday. He’ll square off at Caesars’ Roman Plaza at 9 p.m., in another taping open to the public. This won’t be the first time loading up and punching Shaq is a viable tactic for his opponents to take.

By Jason Scavone

HA-hah, hosting a 1:35 a.m. show. That makes him like the blogger of late-night. Wait.

Finally, you can see Penn & Teller without having to leave your couch and go down to the Rio. Or subscribe to cable. Or get any of their DVDs. It’s the moment you penny-pinching shut-ins have been waiting for! Headliners Penn & Teller will appear on Last Call with Carson Daly at 1:35 a.m. Let the soothing tones of Penn Jillette lull you to sleep through your tequila haze. Well. That would probably be the opposite of “lull.” Penn’s good at lots of stuff, but we’re pretty sure “comforting, soothing presence during your addled state” isn’t one of them.

By Jason Scavone

If we were AIDS, we’d be terrified of Penn bearing down on us at the head of some kind of army. (Photo by Jacob Andrzejczak)

AFAN Executive Director Jennifer Morss said this year’s goal would be to match last year’s numbers and pull in 8,000 walkers at Sunday’s 20th annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas. Turns out that was a conservative guess — this year’s walk drew 8,500, with 1,000 joining the Penn & Teller Challenge Team.

That group has raised $88,000 so far, all of which will be matched by the Rio headliners. Total dough for the fundraiser, which took place downtown with entertainment from DJ Axis, Cher choreographer Doriana Sanchez, Josh Strickland of Peepshow and the ladies of Crazy Horse, is still being calculated.

By Jason Scavone

It’s not just us: Teller looks scarier here than the guy from the horrorcore band, right? (Photos by Erik Kabik | Retna)

Slipknot lead singer Corey Taylor, who just got married here just a couple weeks after helping organize the Trinity of Terrors around the Slipknot show at The Pearl Halloween weekend, was in town last night to celebrate his 36th birthday. He hit up Penn & Teller at the Rio and went backstage before the show. He’s also doing New Year’s Eve at Dead Man’s Hand with his Junk Beer Kidnap Band.

Here’s the bad thing about being in a gimmick band like Slipknot: Eventually, you’re staring down the barrel of 40 and facing the prospect of having to wear a mask four times a week in your professional career. Guess that’s why he’s making with all the side projects — otherwise you just turn into Paul Stanley, and no one wants that.

By Jason Scavone

NPH + P&T 4EVA.

Everyone’s new best friend, Neil Patrick Harris, went to check out Penn & Teller at the Rio Monday night when he was invited backstage to hang out with the magicians. Harris is a big magic fan and sits on the board of directors of the Magic Castle in Los Angeles. We were all into the idea of a Magic Castle and all, but when we found out that it neither floats on a cloud nor is guarded by man-eating unicorns, we were pretty crushed.

He was in town to tape an appearance on Live with Regis & Kelly, which will feature a live open from the cast of The Lion King from Encore Friday at 9 a.m.

By Jason Scavone

Never trust a man with a flame halo. (Photos by Erik Kabik | Retna)

The Rio is marking Penn & Teller’s 35th anniversary with a 26-story, 27,000-square-foot wrap on the southeast side of the building that was unveiled last night. Now you, too, can say you spent a night in Penn Jillette’s crotch. Live the dream, kids. Live the dream.

Penn & Teller have spent the last eight years at the Rio, and have garnered 11 Emmy nominations without a win for Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, which will soon start its seventh season. It’s also one of the best shows on TV. Maybe not Rock of Love Whore Bus good, but pretty awesome nonetheless.

By Jason Scavone