Paula Abdul's irregular behavior has many people looking puzzled these days. Molly Ball shows "Millionaire" moxie. Larry Flynt will ask for liquor license. Jon Secada and wife celebrate anniversary.

Paula Abdul's erratic behavior is keeping organizers of the Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black & White Ball on their toes.

At least one major entertainer has declined an invitation to perform over concerns about Abdul's recent train-wreck TV interviews, I'm told.

Abdul, the gala's "Woman of the Year" honoree, created a public relations disaster with her slurring and loopy interviews that were intended to promote the sixth season of "American Idol."

Instead, she and her reps have been forced to fend off allegations that she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Twice last week, "The View" host Rosie O'Donnell suggested Abdul was drinking before the wacky interviews.

Craig Cavileer, co-chair of the Black & White Ball with his wife, Charlene, said Friday that Abdul is "fully committed" to the Nevada Ballet fundraiser.

"The New York publicity week was full of headlines but ... her executive producer role for the 'Bratz' movie, the new TV show with Bravo and her being honored by 'Project Runway' all seemed to get missed. I wish someone would take the time to focus on some of these items," Cavileer said in an e-mail.

As to rumblings that "American Idol" finalist Chris Daughtry will perform, Cavileer said, "Chris may join us as well as other celebs."

GOOD GOLLY, MISS MOLLY

R-J political writer Molly Ball won't be stressing over leftover wedding bills in August, not after winning $100,000 on ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" on Friday's episode.

She got to the $4,000 level on Thursday, then relied on a college pal as a "lifeline'' on the $100,000 question: What fraction of Earth's gravity is gravity on the moon?

New York attorney Jason Heller, a friend from their Yale days and a "very serious trivia nut," had the right answer: one-sixth.

She called it a day on the next question: Dumbledore, a character from a Harry Potter book, is an archaic term for what?

Ball is getting hitched in Denver and plans to spend some of the windfall on her cats, Stuff Stuff and Heavy.

ROOT'S RESPONSE

In Thursday's column, I stated that Wayne Allyn Root, a well-known Las Vegas sports handicapper and potential Libertarian candidate for president, bought his star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. Root denies buying his star.

Root was nominated for the Walk of Stars by Bruce Merrin, his publicist for several years.

A donation of $15,000 is required for a star. Robert Alexander, head of the Walk of Stars, on Friday refused to release any information as to who paid for Root's star.

"We don't really release that information," Alexander said. "To some people that would be embarrassing. Some of our biggest stars have paid for their own stars. Sometimes it's fans, fan clubs, friends, corporate sponsors, family members and sometimes the stars themselves.''

THE SCENE AND HEARD

"Hustler" publisher Larry Flynt has an application before the county gaming and liquor licensing board Jan. 23 to open a Hustler Club at 3131 Ponderosa Ave., former site of Chez Moi. He's going for a liquor license, not gaming, he told Steve Friess and KVBC's Miles Smith on "The Strip" podcast Thursday.

SIGHTINGS

Kevin Federline, at Tao (Venetian) on Thursday night with 10 pals. ... Another Britney Spears ex, Justin Timberlake, telling the crowd at his concert Friday at the MGM Grand to toast his mom, Lynn Bomar, on the occasion of her birthday at midnight. She was in the crowd. ... Jon Secada and his wife, having their 10-year anniversary dinner Friday at SW Steakhouse (Wynn) before heading off to see the Chippendales and Prince (Rio).

THE PUNCH LINE

"This is Paula Abdul. I just want to say, hey, wha' the ... like, when, wow, I heard ... OK, later." - From David Letterman's Top Ten Messages Left on Fidel Castro's Answering Machine.

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