Joshua J. Campbell and Suzie Jacobsen Balser share a scene in "Mamma Mia!," whose long run at Mandalay Bay will end in late summer of 2008.

In a day of surprise announcements, Mandalay Bay said it plans to close "Mamma Mia!" in late summer of 2008, and Commander's Palace, a spinoff of the New Orleans fine dining icon, said it will shut down Jan. 16.

"Mamma Mia!" is the third Broadway production to call it quits in Las Vegas, but the ABBA-based show will have lasted 5 1/2 years and 2,300 performances. "Avenue Q" lasted nine months at Wynn Las Vegas; "Hairspray" had a four-month run at Luxor.

It was not immediately clear whether Commander's Palace, which opened shortly after the new Aladdin's rebirth in 2000, was heading for another location, as rumored. Chef Carlos Guia confirmed the imminent closure of Commander's Palace in an e-mail.

Also announced Thursday, but not unexpected, was Celine Dion's end date at Caesars Palace. Her 4 1/2-year run will end Dec 15.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Pamela Anderson on Thursday confirmed what appeared to be obvious: She was so concerned about her safety during the New Year's weekend visit here that she hired celebrity bodyguard Chuck Zito. In a Web site posting, Anderson made it clear she was concerned about Kid Rock's erratic behavior. "A rock star scorned ... it's been a hard month -- completely childish threats. I'm so disappointed ... that's why my friend Chuck Zito has been with me -- my friend of 15 yrs. He's great security. He's like family." She had reason to be nervous about Kid Rock. The Hard Rock Hotel acknowledged that he was involved in an attempt to kick down a door on the VIP floor, believing it was to Tommy Lee's room. ...

A Florida nightclub owner says he has fired Paris Hilton as the face of two clubs known as Club Paris. Fred Khalilian said Hilton failed to attend scheduled appearances at one club. A similar deal with Aladdin/Planet Hollywood here never got off the ground after the hotel announced it. ...

After 15 years as morning show host, Tom Chase is moving from the Melanie & Tom show on KSNE-FM, 106.5 (Sunny). He's swapped places with midday host Michael Neal, who has been at Sunny for 13 years. Chase has been wearing many hats, including KSNE program director and operations manager of four Clear Channel stations. ...

The latest round of cuts at KVBC-TV, Channel 3 have claimed Paul Heine, corporate director for KVBC and Sunbelt Communications, and Bob Miller, creative marketing director. In the past 90 days, more than 150 years of experience has left the station, some nudged and others moving on. ...

Local author Jarret Keene will sign his new book, "The Killers: Destiny Is Calling Me -- The Untold Story of America's Hottest Rock Band," from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at The Reading Room at Mandalay Bay. ...

A typographical error led to misstatement of the price of Cristal champagne sprayed by boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. A bottle goes for $900.

MAY I RECOMMEND ...

Rao's, a 110-year-old New York City institution known for its baseball-sized meatballs, has opened its sister establishment at Caesars Palace. Chef Carla Pellegrino's fusilli with hot and sweet sausage, cabbage and San Marzano tomato sauce is $22. Open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations: 731-RAOS.

SIGHTINGS

Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr., in town to check on their dad's Trump Las Vegas project. ... Among the 80 new citizens being sworn in today by new U.S. District Court Judge Michelle Leavitt: Florence "Flo" Rogers, the new president and general manager of Nevada Public Radio. ... Wednesday at Rao's: New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi and Brooklyn native Zito, the former Hells Angels chieftain. ... Former "Taxi" regular Jeff Conaway, at Eiffel Tower Restaurant (Paris). ... Mario Lopez and his "Dancing With the Stars" partner, Karina Smirnoff, taking in "Night at the Museum" at Brenden Theatres' IMAX over New Year's weekend. Pink and her husband, Carey Hart, attending Will Smith's "The Pursuit of Happyness." ... John Tesh, at "Tony & Tina's Wedding" (Rio) where he jumped in and performed the chicken dance.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Britney Spears' manager is denying reports that Britney passed out on New Year's Eve and instead says she was exhausted and fell asleep after leading the New Year's Eve countdown. When asked why she was so tired, Britney said: 'Countin' is hard!' " -- Conan O'Brien

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