Everyone likes to start new year here

In keeping with an anything goes theme for New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, Carmen Electra might let someone talk her into wearing a bikini when she hosts "Billboard's New Year's Eve Live" at Mandalay Bay's beach tonight.

The Fox show will be shot here from 8 to 9:30 p.m. for live broadcast to the East Coast, and can be seen locally at 11 p.m. on KVVU-TV, Channel 5.

Since they're throwing a beach party while they count down to 2010, it's only fitting that the host partake in some of the festivities going on around her. Lots of girls will frolic in the water wearing their bathing suits, Electra says. And even though the air temperature probably will be in the 40s, the water is climate-controlled.

"I think I might change a couple of times," Electra says. "Maybe I'll get talked into a bikini."

Electra will introduce a musical lineup including "American Idol" season eight winner Kris Allen and finalist Allison Iraheta. Both plan to perform a couple of selections from their albums. Most memorable moments from the Billboard Music Awards will be shown as well as a top five countdown in movies, music and television for 2009.

In addition, Eva Longoria Parker will make an appearance from her new restaurant, Beso, and nightclub, Eve, at CityCenter.

Separately, cameras also will shoot the ball dropping in Times Square in New York City.

This will be Electra's second New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. The first she spent partying with friends on the Strip so she knows what to expect.

The Strip on New Year's Eve is "very crowded," Electra says. "Everywhere you go there's something going on, a lot of action, everyone's celebrating. Everyone. It's almost so crowded you get pushed around. It's crazy but it's fun."

Even though she's technically working, Electra says it doesn't feel like work to her.

"I think we're going to have a really good time," she says.

After the show, Electra will still have time before it's officially 2010 in Las Vegas. She says she has no plans yet, but if you're on the Strip, you have to have a strategy for the night, she says.

"The trick on New Year's Eve is to find your spot and you almost have to stay there," Electra says. "If you try to get somewhere else it's almost impossible."

The public can attend the beach party, with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. Mandalay Bay is selling tickets to the Block Party, which cost $30 and include one drink at five Mandalay Bay bars and a ticket to the Billboard beach party. The event is open to those 21 and older.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@review journal.com or 702-380-4564.