SHOOTING STARS: Three’s a party with New Year’s Eve TV trio

  You think of a party, you think of Vegas.
  At least that’s what three TV networks thought when it came to celebrating the transition from 2009 to 2010.
  Fox’s “Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Live,” ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” and CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live” all will feature Neon Nirvana in their coverage Thursday night — some more than others.
  No. 1 on the charts: the Fox Billboard bash, which goes live from Mandalay Bay Beach from 8 to 9:30 p.m. (that’s 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on the East Coast), with Carmen Electra (pictured) hosting a musical lineup including Sean Kingston and “American Idol’s” Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta.
  With the pool heated to 90 degrees and bonfires lighting the night, “we’re presenting this sexy beach alternative to freezing your ass off in Times Square,” says Bob Bain, the show’s executive producer.
  There’s room for 4,000 partygoers at the pool and "this will be the first stop on New Year’s Eve for many, many people,” Bain predicts. (After all, when the show ends at 9:30 p.m., Vegas’ citywide party will just be getting started.)
  As for Las Vegas’ popularity as a New Year’s Eve location, “there are precious few places that have a built-in buzz and party sensibility,” he points out. “Live from Dallas? Who’s going to watch that? New Year’s Eve is a party — and there’s no bigger party place than Las Vegas.”
  In addition to the Mandalay Bay action, “Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Live” will include segments featuring Eva Longoria Parker (joined by Kim Kardashian) at her new CityCenter restaurant Beso and club Eve, plus a variety of pop-culture countdowns and memorable Billboard Awards performances from years past. (One that Bain is sure will be included: Britney Spears’ 2002 appearance in front of Bellagio’s dancing fountains.)
  The show’s production officials have been “filtering in to Las Vegas” since “right after Christmas,” Bain explains, so by now “we’re rockin’ — building, rigging, focusing lights,” as well as capturing “beauty shots” of various Las Vegas locations to be featured on Thursday night’s telecast.
  When 2010 is mere seconds away, “we will go to Times Square” for the traditional countdown and ball drop, Bain promises.
  Otherwise, he adds, the Fox show is “clearly an alternative to Times Square and Dick Clark,” who’ll once again be joined by “Rockin’ Eve” co-host Ryan Seacrest.
  Bain hopes Fox’s Las Vegas alternative will continue for years to come.
  “It’s based on the numbers — we’ll see how we do,” Bain says. But he’s betting that “a lot more people would rather look at Carmen Electra than Ryan Seacrest.”
  Rockin’ Aria: Then again, Ryan Seacrest’s not the only co-host on ABC’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”
  While he’s handling the East Coast hosting duties, Fergie (pictured) of the Black Eyed Peas (who’s also currently appearing in the big-screen musical “Nine”) welcomes viewers to the West Coast portion of the show, which for the first time shifts from Hollywood to Las Vegas. (Joining Fergie and her Black Eyed Peas band mates: Colbie Caillat, Robin Thicke, Keri Hilson, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber.)
  “Rockin’ Eve” may be in its 38th year, but the Las Vegas portion of the show spotlights the Strip’s newest star: CityCenter’s Aria, where “a gigantic ballroom” has been transformed into “a cool club in Vegas,” notes producer Larry Klein.
  The change of the location changes the vibe of the show,” he adds.
  But “just to make a change to go to Chicago,” for example, wouldn’t make sense.
  Las Vegas, clearly, does.
  “Vegas is that other kind of Hollywood,” he explains. “It’s the feel, the flavor of ‘Yeah, we’re ready to party.’ ”
  As for the chances of a possible “Rockin’ Eve” return to Las Vegas, “I sure as hell would,” Klein says. “You go to Vegas, it adds a cachet to the show.”
  Live from Las Vegas: Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin may be the stars of CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live,” from Times Square, but Lance Bass will serve as Las Vegas correspondent.
  He’ll be based at Planet Hollywood, but he’s expected to spend the evening outside, talking with some of the revelers transforming the Strip into New Year’s Eve party central.
  Bass will be on the scene from 8 to 9:30 p.m., local time — which is when CNN’s coverage airs live to the East Coast. The show will be repeated from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for us West Coast types, according to a CNN publicist.
  Although the focus of CNN’s coverage is New York, the program will include celebrations around the world, from Honolulu to Miami. And, naturally, Neon Nirvana.