CES Celeb Watch: Darth Vader Swoops Into Sin City

Last year, I whined about the quasi-famous personages CES touts among its “celebrity” appearances (see CES Continues to Stretch the Definition of ‘Celebrity’).

Will the 2011 CES be any different?

You be the judge: Topping the list is R&B act Full Force. (As in, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force.) I’m sure they’re absolutely very nice guys… but “celebrities”?

I guess 50 Cent counts. Also worth noting: Earth, Wind & Fire will headline Monster’s Retailer Awards and Concert on Friday at the Paris Hotel.

But seriously, Ivan Seidenberg — Verizon’s chairman and CEO, who’s retiring this year and will deliver a kind of valedictory keynote at this year’s confab — is a bigger celebrity than, say, ex-hoopster Rick Fox or Aiden Turner (Dancing With the Stars, All My Children).

Have you ever heard of “renowned artist David Garibaldi“? Some members of Bob Marley’s extended family (but not Ziggy, apparently) will be at the show promoting “eco-conscious” audio products, and Cheryl Davis — daughter of legendary trumpeter Miles Davis — will be at Monster’s booth to debut some new headphones.

CES organizers seemed especially desperate in noting that former CNN primetime player Larry King and Survivor’s Jeff Probst will simply be walking around the show floor checking stuff out.

Then, lo and behold, a truly boldface name: Darth Vader is scheduled to appear at the Panasonic booth on Thursday, complete with a phalanx of stormtroopers, related to an announcement about 20th Century Fox’s Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray.

To quote the Dark Lord: “I have you now!”