Thursday, December 09, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

NORM: Spears makes quick exit at Hard Rock

Britney Spears, husband Kevin Federline and puppy pose on red carpet.

Britney Spears stumbled again in Sin City.

This time, a sobbing Spears had to be carried out of the Hard Rock Hotel and ended up getting sick in the parking lot.

The incident happened Tuesday night after dinner at Nobu, where her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake also was attending a record industry party.

Spears, who was in Las Vegas for the first time since her 55-hour marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander, was seen being carted out of the Hard Rock by her mother, Lynn, and her bodyguard.

Spears, a presenter at the 2004 Billboard Music Awards show Wednesday at the MGM Grand, could not be reached for comment.

One for the road

Retiring UNLV football coach John Robinson will ride off into the sunset in style.

During the farewell party at the Four Seasons (Mandalay Bay) on Friday, NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson and UNLV football academic adviser Janice Henry had a surprise for Robinson: the keys to a new, silver Mercedes-Benz 500 E, a gift from nine players who played for Coach Robinson.

They included Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Ronnie Lott, Keyshawn Johnson, Willie McGinest, Daylon McCutcheon, Brian Kelly, Sammy Knight and Chris Claiborne.

The Scene and Heard

Motley Crue's original foursome, with Las Vegan Vince Neil as frontman, officially reunited Monday and plan a March 20 tour stop at the Hard Rock Hotel. Neil and his girlfriend Lia Gerardini are getting married Jan. 9 at the Four Seasons here. ...

Kevin Spacey has added Dec. 28 to his Stardust singing engagement to promote his new Bobby Darin film "Beyond the Sea." The show opens on the 26th; it is sold out on the 27th.

Sightings

Spears, before her evening turned sour on Tuesday, out with hubby Kevin Federline at Ruth's Chris Steak House on Paradise for a snack and at Cirque du Soleil's new show "Ka" (MGM Grand). ... Gloria Estefan, joining cast members of "Havana Night Club" (Stardust) for their finale Tuesday night. ... Pop singer Aaron Carter, celebrating his 17th birthday at Planet Hollywood in the Forum Shops on Tuesday night with his twin sister, Angel. Aaron's face was a bright red from frosting after Angel pushed his face into their birthday cake, a payback for what he did at their 16th birthday. One of Aaron's birthday presents: a new Dodge truck from manager Lou Pearlman. ... Ashlee Simpson and her parents, having lunch Wednesday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab (Forum Shops phase III). ... Speaking of Ashlee, spies attending what was billed as " Legendary Dolly Parton -- Live" at The Colosseum (Caesars Palace) on Tuesday say it was all lip-synced, even though she wore or held three microphones. A teleprompter hanging from the first balcony prompted her with the words to all songs, along with notes where she was to show her voice raising higher, where to giggle, where to breathe, and where she was to play louder on a piano that did not face the audience. ... Las Vegan Steve Schirripa of "The Sopranos," co-hosting "Casino Cinema" Tuesday on Spike TV with Beth O, better known as Beth Ostrowsky, Howard Stern's girlfriend. ... Coby Dick, lead singer of Papa Roach, at Chinois (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Tuesday. ... At Teatro Euro Bar's pre-opening party Tuesday at MGM Grand: Usher, Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, Boyz II Men, Cris Judd, Jermaine Dupri, and Tommy Davidson.

The Punch Line

"I wanted to be a doctor but that wouldn't work." -- Stevie Wonder, talking about his early dreams while accepting the Century Award for creative achievement at the Billboard Music Awards.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.