Britney Spears’ tour ready or not
The rumor has gone global: According to the reports, Britney Spears will kick off her 2009 tour with a New Year's Eve appearance at the Palms.
No one's confirming or denying it at the Palms, but here's my theory:
It's not going to happen.
She might show up in Las Vegas on New Year's Eve, but not to launch her tour.
What I think will happen is her manager, Larry Rudolph, who has built her comeback around baby steps, will make certain her confidence is unshakeable before the tour launch is announced.
To do that, Spears has got to get comfortable with the media again; and my hunch is the timetable involves getting her out there soon for sit-downs and cover stories to promote her new album, "Circus," which comes out on Dec. 2, her 27th birthday.
The first single, "Womanizer," is coming out on Monday.
Given her fragile state earlier this year, and with so much at stake, the last thing Rudolph has in mind is to rush her back.
Spears' walking away from the MTV Video Music Awards as a triple winner was the starting point of Rudolph's grand plan. She's been on her best behavior, another big step.
I say the launch will be closer to February.
AGASSI ANNOUNCES
Andre Agassi has announced the first batch of entertainers for his Grand Slam for Children on Oct. 11 at Wynn Las Vegas.
They include Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, local favorites The Killers and David Spade.
It's the first appearance at the event for The Killers and Spade. The Killers' third album, "Day and Age," comes out in November.
More names will be announced later; and Agassi, along with musical director David Foster, always have some special guests.
The event, which benefits underserved children, is being held at the Wynn after more than a decade at the MGM Grand Garden.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Woo hoo, it's Vegas, baby! A woman whom onlookers described as close to 60 shed her clothes and dashed through the Wynn late Friday night. A big crowd was right behind, cheering her on. Sounds like someone lost a bar bet.
SIGHTINGS
Boxer Fernando Vargas, shown the door at Zuri Bar in the MGM Grand after getting unruly Saturday. He was in town for the Juan Manuel Marquez-Joel Casamayor fight. ... Placido Domingo, dining at Strip House before heading for Privé late Monday after his concert at Planet Hollywood Resort. Also at Privé: Rudolph, with a lady friend, and rapper Lil Jon, in to watch hip-hop artist/producer Ryan Leslie perform. ... Jamie Foxx and Lil Jon, working the crowd while alternating on the mic Monday at LAVO (Palazzo). ... Wade Robson and a group of his friends at CatHouse on Monday, celebrating winning a second Emmy for his choreography on the hit show, "So You Think You Can Dance."
THE PUNCH LINE
"This week, Karl Rove said that John McCain's attack ads on Barack Obama have gone too far. When Karl Rove says you've gone too far ... that's like Mel Gibson saying you've had too much to drink." -- Craig Ferguson
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
