Chris Rock attended Prince's show at the Rio on Friday.
Members of a birthday party got the surprise of a lifetime when Britney Spears sang "Happy Birthday" at the Spanish Trail Country Club.
Spears remained out of sight, but the celebrants and staffers knew who it was after word spread like wildfire that she was in for dinner Wednesday.
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Spies say Spears avoided the media for two days by staying in a private residence in Spanish Trail.
She surfaced on Friday when Palms owner George Maloof took her on a shopping spree and later accompanied her to one of his nightclubs, where they joined her former manager Larry Rudolph and "Dancing With the Stars" runner-up Mario Lopez.
After hanging out at Moon nightclub in the Palms Fantasy Tower, they played basketball in the Hardwood Suite.
Maloof, who has made no secret of his interest in having Spears perform at the Palms' new 2,400-seat venue, was seen purchasing the former pop princess a dozen dresses, along with accessories and other clothing at Dolce & Gabbana, which was closed for almost two hours, and Chrome Hearts at the Forum Shops at Caesars.
Spears, who was reportedly working on her music in the Palms recording studios, spent Friday in one of the Palms' $25,000-a-night sky villas with her two children and nanny.
With Thanksgiving weekend looming, it's unlikely she will still be in town when her estranged husband, Kevin Federline, arrives in Las Vegas. He's here for a Friday appearance at Tao (The Venetian) to promote his new rap CD, "Playing With Fire."
ROCK-ING OUR WORLD
Chris Rock had high praise for veteran stand-up comedian George Wallace during an event honoring Rock at The Comedy Festival at Caesars Palace.
Rock said Wallace, who has been headlining at the Flamingo for several years, was "my idol ... a real hard-working road warrior-type guy," at a time when Rock was trying to establish himself after a post-"Saturday Night Live" lull.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Organizers of The Comedy Festival are gnashing their teeth over published comments by Dave Chappelle's rep that contract issues were behind his last-minute bailout. A festival exec says negotiations had nothing to do with his backing out.
SIGHTINGS
Rock, at Prince's show (Rio) on Friday. ... Barry Manilow, at the Stirling Club (Turnberry Place) on Friday to hear David Pomeranz perform. Manilow watched while Clint Holmes joined Pomeranz. ... Ozzie's spawn, Jack Osbourne, celebrating his 21st birthday with dinner at Fix and partying at Light (Bellagio) with Kimberly Stewart. Also at Fix: Mark Wahlberg, Kathy Griffin and Samantha Harris, co-host of "Dancing With the Stars."... At Stack (Mirage): cast members of "Entourage."... At Jet (Mirage): Dane Cook and friends. ... Composer David Foster, at Danny Gans (Mirage) on Friday with a galpal. ... Holmes, singing "The Christmas Song" during Roger Williams' 14-hour piano marathon Friday at Fashion Show mall. ... Martin Bergman, taking over when his wife, Rita Rudner, had to leave for her show at Harrah's, won the "Comedy Cares" celebrity poker tournament at Pure (Caesars Palace) on Friday. Adrian Grenier of "Entourage" was second. Also competing: Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Roseanne Barr, Gabriel Iglesias, Steve Schirripa, former NHL star Luc Robitaille and Grenier's "Entourage" castmates.
THE PUNCH LINE
"I have no talents. Without comedy, I'm a busboy. I'm pointing people to Aisle 9." -- Chris Rock, on why he's a comedian.
