Justin Timberlake hugs his mother during her birthday party at Jet at The Mirage on Friday.

Odds are improving that Donald Trump and NBC are leaning toward filming a full season of "The Apprentice" in Las Vegas.

During a meeting with TV critics last week in Los Angeles, Trump was asked whether the seventh season might pop up in other cities.

Trump said he could see it going back to New York "every other year" because NBC likes "the idea of roving it. If you look at 'Survivor,' every year it's a different jungle."

Craig Plestis, senior vice president of alternative programs & development for NBC Universal, "has been talking about Miami, Las Vegas, Chicago," Trump said.

That fits with what Trump's Las Vegas associate Jack Wishna senses.

"Las Vegas has an excellent shot," said Wishna, who brokered the partnership between Trump and New Frontier owner Phil Ruffin for a hotel-condominium tower.

A Las Vegas episode of "The Apprentice" will be part of this current season, which was shot in Los Angeles.

CENTER OF ATTENTION

Justin Timberlake raised eyebrows when he spent a lot of quality time with ex-gal pal Alyssa Milano and Eva Longoria during an all-night party.

After splitting with Cameron Diaz, Timberlake is believed to have invited Milano and Longoria to Las Vegas for a birthday party Friday for his mother, Lynn.

Spies saw Timberlake playing basketball with Milano and Longoria about 5 a.m. Saturday in the Hardwood Suite in the Palms' Fantasy Tower. When the party broke up, many headed for the Wynn, where Timberlake had a floor of rooms reserved for his pals.

Earlier, after his concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Timberlake celebrated his mother's birthday at Jet (The Mirage) with a group of 30 that included Milano and Longoria.

He serenaded his mother with "Happy Birthday" and hugged her after she was presented with a cake prepared by MGM Mirage pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury.

SIGHTINGS

At Tryst (Wynn) on Friday: Enrique Iglesias and supermodel Paulina Rubio, at separate tables. ... At Tao (The Venetian): Kevin Federline, David Hasselhoff, Chris Noth, Taye Diggs, "24" co-star Roger Cross and "Lost" co-star Harold Perrineau. ... In The Mint, the Palms high-roller salon on Friday: Shanna Moakler, Miss USA 1995 and now in a messy divorce from drummer Travis Barker, formerly of blink-182. ... At Light (Bellagio): actor Nick Stahl, who played John Connor in "Terminator 3" and is rumored to be in the upcoming "Terminator 4." ... At Fix (Bellagio): actor Rick Yune. ... At Pure (Caesars Palace): New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau, who is on injured reserve. ... At Nove Italiano (Palms): Eva Mendes, before a tour of the Hardwood Suite and moving on to the Playboy Club. ... At Moon (Palms): DJ Timbaland, guest spinning for more than two hours. Also in the house was the cast of "C.S.I. New York," Andre Royal from "The Wire" and Bokeem Woodbine from "Ray."... Also at Jet: Timberlake's "Alpha Dog" co-star Olivia Wilde stopping by to say hello to Timberlake after her Vegas magazine cover girl party at Light. At another table: Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees and Jim Edmonds of the St. Louis Cardinals. ... At Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce (Mandalay Bay): Allison Janney of "West Wing" in Table No. 1. ... Boxer Winky Wright at Scores strip club. Also there: the UFC's Joe Stevenson.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Donald Trump got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this week. At the ceremony, Donald became so choked up that he forgot to say that Rosie (O'Donnell) is fat." -- Conan O'Brien.

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