Whitney Houston loses her voice

Whitney Houston's comeback plans, including a rumored Las Vegas engagement, got off to a shaky start Tuesday.

Her voice gave out during an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" in front of 5,000 fans in New York City's Central Park.

She apologized to the crowd after struggling during her fourth song, "I'm Every Woman."

Houston, whose new album "I Look to You" is expected to debut at No. 1 next week, sang "Million Dollar Bill" and "I Look to You" from the album and "My Love Is Your Love."

There have been rumors that she has a long-term deal in the works in Las Vegas, through local producer Joey Battig.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Andre Agassi's 14th Grand Slam for Children will surpass the $75 million mark during the Sept. 26 event at Wynn Las Vegas. The lineup includes comedian Dane Cook, former "American Idol" star Daughtry, country icon Tim McGraw and R&B favorite Brian McKnight. ...

Paris Hilton's tipsy condition at Privé nightclub did indeed come up during the Clark County commissioners meeting Tuesday. The spokesmen for Miami-based Opium Group brought it up in an apologetic tone, suggesting that when your clientele includes Hilton "and other celebrities," it goes with the territory. The commissioners could have issued a 90-day temporary license to Privé on Tuesday but put off a decision until October. Planet Hollywood recently paid a $500,000 fine for failing to sufficiently monitor the nightclub's behaviors, including serving visibly intoxicated patrons. ...

Mrs. Nevada 2009 April Swartz of Las Vegas has left for Tucson, Ariz., site of Monday's Mrs. America pageant. She had a sendoff Sunday at Ruth's Chris Steak House, her sponsor. ...

Las Vegas resident B.B. King is opening B.B. King's Blues Club this winter, featuring his music and creole cuisine, in a 558-seat venue at The Mirage.

SIGHTINGS

"Peepshow" co-lead Holly Madison, who is throwing out the first pitch at the Las Vegas 51s game tonight, spotted practicing her fastball Wednesday in a corridor in the Planet Hollywood Resort Conference Center. By lucky coincidence, carpet installers working in the area happened to require a break, which they spent checking out her curves. ... Mary Wilson, one of the original Supremes, chatting backstage with Bette Midler (Caesars Palace) on Tuesday. ... KVBC-TV, Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs, on NBC's "Today" show Wednesday talking about her chance meeting with Paris Jackson, the 11-year-old's first contact with the media. The report focused on what happened during a haircut, believed to be the girl's first in a salon: A security guard instructed the stylist to sweep up the hair trimmings, presumably to avoid them being used to determine parentage through DNA. ... Larry King's wife, Shawn, spotted Tuesday at Tao (Venetian). She's in town for the MAGIC clothing convention. She tells me she has a clothing line coming out in 2010 and she's doing her due diligence for next year's show here. ... Kenny Chesney, performing Tuesday at the Hard Rock Hotel pool for the launch of his new clothing line, Blue Chair Bay. ... At XS (Encore) on Tuesday: former "Girls Next Door" stars Madison and Bridget Marquardt, MTV star Rob Dyrdek and skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, hanging out at the Creative Recreation/Hudson Jeans party. ... Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am, celebrating his new clothing line, I.Am, with a turn in the DJ booth at Privé on Tuesday. ... The Veronicas, performing on the patio of Blush Boutique Nightclub (Wynn) at the Rock & Republic party. Also there: singer Eve, dining on a vegetarian meal in a VIP room. ... At Rain (Palms) for the official "Street at MAGIC" party Tuesday: pro skateboarder Jake Brown, rapper Paul Wall, Tech N9ne rapper Aaron Dontez, DJ Mix Master Mike, DJ Premier, hip-hop producer and emcee Alchemist and rapper Skillz.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Does my homeowners insurance cover a United States airstrike?" -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Questions to Ask Yourself Before Letting Moammar Gadhafi Live With You

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.