Britney Spears Circus Tour stop at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 25.

The question you would naturally ask of Britney Spears, the artist in concert, is, “Is she singing?” It’s a fair question, as singing is integral to a performance by any recording star, but Spears seems to have rendered moot that question. It is so evident she doesn’t sing. She can’t be singing. She’s running the equivalent of several 110-meter dashes across three stages — one a giant circle set in the middle of the arena, and two other smaller circular platforms on either side — and never sounds winded. There is no panting, gasping or lapses in her perfectly balanced vocal track to indicate that she is actually singing without some sort of technical assistance or audio augmentation. There are no big screens to show the audience her pretty face, to match her mouth movements to the soaring vocals filling the arena.

But Spears has pulled a fast one on us. Her astonishingly loyal fans don’t seem to care if she’s singing, or even if she addresses them directly. Last night, I attended Spears’ “Circus” performance at the Grand Garden Arena, an 85-minute showcase during which she changed costumes a dozen times and spoke hardly at all to her wildly loyal fans. People traveled from across the globe, or at least the hemisphere — I sat in front of four young women who made the trip from Windsor, Ontario, just for the show — to watch Spears perform. Spears never took time to get real, to say, “You know, I’ve been through a lot already in my career, but here I am, in fabulous Las Vegas, giving you my best, because I’m still just a gal from Louisiana who loves to dance around in shiny lingerie and three-inch heels.”

Instead, she waited nearly 30 minutes before asking, “Las Vegas! How you doin’?” Thirty minutes later, it was, “Las Vegas, you rock!” If you sub in, say, “Phoenix” or “L.A.” as the city, it’s the same shtick she performs at every tour stop. But if those in last night’s announced sellout crowd of 14,500 who paid up to $275 face value for tickets at the Grand Garden don’t care if she sings or even talks, who’s harmed? At this level of entertainment, ignorance is not only bliss, it’s euphoric. After two songs, when it became obvious we were watching the grandest karaoke act ever, I turned to one of the Canadians, Rosanna DiCarlo of Windsor, and asked, “What do you think so far?”

“Totally worth it,” she shouted.

Kendra Wilkinson, Bridget Marquardt, Hugh Hefner, Holly Madison and Crystal Harris.

Just hours before Playboy king Hugh Hefner jets into town for the first ever unveiling here of the new Playboy Playmate of the Year, he’s admitted that he’s still in love with Holly Madison — and says he’d welcome his 29-year-old former flame back to The Playboy Mansion in an instant.

The surprise — and shocking — revelation will be found tomorrow in our sister Niche Magazine glossy Los Angeles Confidential. In an exclusive interview with my longtime friend Jason Binn, 83-year-old Hef admits, “Holly is still the love of his life.” When I interviewed Hef recently for Vegas DeLuxe on camera, he admitted that her loss was a major emotional speed bump for him.

That was despite the fact he was celebrating his birthday at Palms Place here with new gal pal Crystal Harris and the two Shannon twin sisters Karissa and Kristina. “How serious and intimate and important that works out to be, well, we’ll have to wait and see,” says Hef in tomorrow’s new issue. “It is only a couple of months old.”

However, Holly doesn’t look to be moving back in with Hef. She told me at his recent birthday celebration: “I think the world of Hef, and I had a wonderful time at the Mansion, but it was time for us to go on our own way and lead our own lives.” Holly, however, has accepted Hef’s invitation to attend the PMOY unveiling here. Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson, the other two blonde Girls Next Door, also have moved out of the Mansion.

Meantime, Holly’s already busy developing her own reality TV show to start filming — hopefully here in Vegas — after her run on The Girls Next Door ends this season. Holly, who dated magician Criss Angel after the breakup with Hef, had her Playboy tattoo removed yesterday, reports our colleague Melissa Arseniuk — click HERE for that story!

Hugh Hefner celebrates his 82nd birthday party last April at Trader Vic’s. Kendra Wilkinson and Bridget Marquardt are seated to Hef’s right.

Hef confesses to Los Angeles Confidential he regrets that his two marriages failed. The first was to Mildred Williams in 1949 and the second to Playmate Kimberly Conrad in 1989. They are actually still legally married, having never divorced.

The weekend celebrations here at the Palms mark the first time that Hef has left the Mansion for the annual PMOY luncheon, which will be held as a star-studded dinner party at Palms Place. I was invited to the unveiling, but because of major wedding anniversary commitments, I wont be able to attend.

Jennifer Campbell, Hugh Hefner and Natalie Campbell.

It’s a huge celebration weekend for Palms hotel tycoon George Maloof when he welcomes his hero Hugh Hefner back to the casino resort for the first ever Las Vegas unveiling of Playboy’s 2009 Playmate of the Year. The winner will be the 50th annual PMOY!

Traditionally, the Playboy founder has always introduced the new beauty at a Playboy Mansion luncheon in Beverly Hills. Now it will be at a special dinner in chef Kerry Simon’s restaurant on the sixth floor of Palms Place.

Brande Roderick, who stars in Celebrity Apprentice and was Playmate of the Year in 2001, will be the host for the event, and some 60 Playmates from the past 55 years of Hef’s history will brighten the pool deck and patios at the celebrity- filled restaurant.

The identity of the winner is kept a secret right up until the last moments, but we do know she will win $100,000, a 2009 Mazda6 and a one-of-a-kind engraved bottle of Patron Platinum tequila.

Although I will be at a wedding anniversary dinner tomorrow night, I will have a one-on-one interview with the new PMOY early Sunday morning. Vegas Deluxe also will have full Sunday coverage from our contributing photographers and our colleagues here at Greenspun Interactive.

Hugh Hefner and Kelly Carrington.

George’s splashy extravaganza weekend kicks off today with the opening of his third summer season at the Palms pool and bungalows for “Ditch Fridays.” Hosting the debut day is Michelle McLaughlin (February 2008), A.J. Alexander (May 2008), Juliette Frette (June 2008), Laura Croft (July 2008), Kayla Collins (August 2008), Kelly Carrington (October 2008) and identical twin sisters Jennifer and Natalie Campbell (December 2008).

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey.

The dynamic duo of Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon have popped in and out of Las Vegas during their first year of marriage. Now they are celebrating the actual anniversary, although no word that she will be on her hubby’s arm when he spins a guest DJ set tonight at Moon in the Palms Fantasy Tower. The event invitation is to “Come Celebrate Nick and Mariah’s 1st year of marriage.” I don’t know anybody who actually celebrates 12 months of marriage by working in a nightclub for a paycheck, but partying in one — absolutely yes! So let’s hope the newlyweds show up together for the party portion of the night.

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey cut their first anniversary cake at Moon in the Palms.

Superstar singer Mariah Carey and comedy actor and hip-hop star Nick Cannon celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary last night — as we first reported on Vegas DeLuxe yesterday — and they were still celebrating early today!

They checked into George Maloof’s Palms and then started the partying with dinner for 50 family and friends at Iron Chef winner Kerry Simon’s celebrity haunt Simon at the adjoining Palms Place.

Among those partying with the romantic and happy couple were Floyd Mayweather Jr., Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Sanaa Lathan, Steve Bartles and Tyrese Gibson.

Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian.

Two of the three Kardashian sisters are back in town this weekend, and they’re joining basketball star Robert Horry to host the grand opening of the sexy Brazilian theme Sapphire Pool at The Rio. Yes, that world famous Sapphire Men’s Adult Club, which means if you don’t want tan lines, just toss your top! Musician Alisa Apps will present a special live performance, too.

The NBA star played ball for 16 years, winning seven championships while with the Houston Rockets, the L.A. Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs. Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian will be representing the Keeping Up clan while Kim is away in New York. Khloe and Kourtney are about to open their second Dash boutique in South Beach, and the cameras will follow them there to record those adventures for the reality show. Tomorrow’s party runs for three hours starting at 7 p.m., with the red carpet photo op at 8:30.

We’re calling it “Bottle Mayhem” for no other reason than the fact that we’ll be giving out bottles and VIP tables left and right. All you have to do is enter to win. And to kick start Bottle Mayhem 2009, we’ve decided to give away FOUR free VIP tables with bottle service this Wednesday April 15th at the nightclub. Yes, FOUR.

Here’s how it works. All you have to do is join the guest list for ND’s “The Club” for this or ANY Wednesday by clicking the guest list link from the venue page or the events pages. Once you’re on the guest list, you will gain complimentary admission and one free drink ticket with local ID. On top of that, you’ll be automatically entered into our Bottle Mayhem Giveaway. You MUST check-in at the club on the guest list on the Wednesday in which you have signed up for to be eligible to win. The winner will be announced at the door and will be awarded the FREE VIP Table and complimentary bottle (gratuity not included!).

On top of everything the MyVegasScene.com Crew have worked out some killer deals for the people that do show up and don’t win the table. Simply ask a host about the MyVegasScene.com Bottle special for the night to see what kind of crazy deal we have worked on bottle each night. Who knows it could be $25 bottles or it could be $150 bottles only way to find out is ask a host once your inside.

You have nothing to lose. Join the guest list and come check out ND’s “The Club” on Wednesday. The MyVegasScene crew will be there as well as our good friend DJ Roger Gangi – spinning hip hop and top 40’s. And NO, this is not strictly a Latin-club! See you there. Let’s pop some bottles during Bottle Mayhem!

Miss USA 2009 contestants rehearse at the entrance of Planet Hollywood.

Taking a page out of the new adult burlesque Peepshow, the 51 Miss USA pageant princesses will peel off in their opening number for next Sunday’s live NBC telecast. And judging from rehearsals, it will be the hottest, sassiest dance routine ever staged for an American beauty pageant.

“It will be hot. It will be sexy,” I was told. “Think of it more as an MTV video dance routine than a Dancing With the Stars waltz! There’s never been a sexier opening dance number in our history.”

Last night, Miss USA assistant choreographer Stephani Kammer put the girls through their paces and masterminded the maneuvers as official photographer Greg Harbaugh captured these exclusive shots.

I learned that Miss USA President Paula Shugart ordered the hot and steamy opening number as a ratings grabber from the get-go to ensure that viewers who tuned in stayed without reaching for the clicker.

“We’ve got America’s most beautiful, talented girls, and the dance number lets them all shine with their best assets. Viewers won’t be going anywhere when they see this,” I was told.

The beautiful blondes and brunettes appear first in short bathrobes as they provocatively parade and prance over the stairs and forecourt of their home at Planet Hollywood. Then the glamour girls strip off the wraps to reveal sparkling bra tops and shorts underneath!

The “shake it, baby,” number, which is certain to raise eyebrows and create controversy, will be pre-recorded. That will enable the TV directors to cut right from the Planet Hollywood exterior to the stage at the resort’s Theatre for the Performing Arts, where all 51 contestants will be waiting to kick off the two-hour showdown.

The pageant participants and executives attended a preview performance of Peepshow earlier this week. Click HERE for our exclusive coverage yesterday of Peepshow with new photos of stars Mel B and Kelly Monaco and the gorgeous striptease dancers!

I’ve also learned that, as part of modern, cutting-edge Internet technology in the Miss USA Web site arsenal, a male contestant will be added as a viral-marketing surprise starting early next week. Known simply as Awesome, he is a genetically engineered perfect man, and his arrival in the pageant is both unique and bizarre. His adventures in all the categories of competition will turn up on YouTube and the Miss USA Web site starting Monday. I’ve got the first exclusive interview with him after he discovered a loophole in pageant regulations allowing him to compete.

Miss USA 2009 contestants rehearse with assistant choreographer Stephani Kammer at the entrance of Planet Hollywood.

Justin Timberlake and Robin Leach at the pop superstar’s local 901 Tequila event.

Justin, who has begun planning his fall Shriners charity golf tournament and all-star concert here, chatted with me yesterday afternoon at the private launching of his new 901 Tequila. Then last night, he had his very first nightclub sampling of the drink at Victor Drai’s XS at Encore.

There was no sign of actress girlfriend Jessica Biel on his visit here. Justin had a small group of friends with him as he held court in a secluded and private VIP cabana on the second level of the pool area outside XS.

Several security guards were on duty to ensure a fun, peaceful time for the singer and his friends by keeping partygoers away from their prime real estate. During the hour at XS, Justin opened up his new 901 Tequila for cocktails and a celebratory toast. He selected the branding of 901, the area code for Memphis, Tenn., his hometown.

Security escorted his party out through a private rear exit of the pool area later, and the no photograph rule was strictly enforced!

Justin also hit Blush at the Wynn and The Playboy Club at the Palms during his nightlife whirl.

At each stop, it was time for 901 to be pulled out for his one-man sales storm. He arrived at The Playboy Club at 2 a.m. with his seven friends, and they spent another hour there doing 901 shots and still talking launch strategy and marketing ideas for the new tequila.

Peepshow at Planet Hollywood.

There’s no question about it! There’s no doubt at all! Peepshow, the new adult burlesque show set to premiere April 18 at Planet Hollywood, is one beautiful, big, brash and ballsy show. The full-blown Broadway-styled song and dance striptease production has “giant hit” written all over it.

Las Vegas needs a show like this that it’s never seen before. Scary Spice girl Mel B is a total joy and the ultimate hoot as the mistress of ceremonies. Her singing is sensational. Her humor and comedic timing is right on target. And then there’s her body. At 33, she will be the hottest siren on the Strip. The mother of two is an unleashed temptress as she cracks the whip over her stunning sexy singers and topless dancers! Her corsets and costumes will send chills to tingle every erogenous zone of your body. Mel brings provocative passion to her uncaged cougar antics.

General Hospital actress Kelly Monaco is a delightful and darling innocent who transforms into a daring and decadent hot-blooded woman. If you think the pink-paint scene is her pathway forward, just wait till the beauty almost bares all and dives into the real hot water of a bath routine that will go on record books as one of the “sexiest and steamiest seductions” ever. The Dancing With the Stars Season 1 champion and former Playboy cover girl is a dream woman at the finale wearing Swarovski pasties and panties that leave nothing to the wild imagination. Let lust live!

The choreography is sensational. The costumes are a miracle of sewmanship that somehow defy wardrobe malfunction by a centimeter.

There are two numbers that will have people talking for months: the blindfolded topless dancer who writhes with pleasure on a sex saddle that swings out over the audience and the trio of tigresses lined up in a huge tank of milky water who miraculously and marvelously perform an in-sync dance number with breasts and bums pressed against the glass.

I’ve traveled the world and have never seen that one before. Totally original. Totally unique, and no wonder it had the preview audience of men and women cheering and applauding with over-the-top enthusiasm!

Mel B in Peepshow.

Creator, director, choreographer and acclaimed Broadway hero Jerry Mitchell has inserted every fantasy known to man and woman. It’s why his revue is so different from any other on the Strip. There’s a strong hint of what Vegas shows used to be way back then — with boas and Swarovski crystals used for the barest of minimum pasties and G-string coverage allowed under the law!

Yes it’s unbelievably sexy, complete with fishnets, firing garter belts, thigh-high boots, ripped blouses and unhooked bras, but all done in great taste so even women will want to see the action. Tom Jones had better move over because the ladies are going to want to take home Peepshow’s hunky singers and dancers who thrill with both their soaring voices and boundless body movements.

I talked with Peepshow producer Scott Zeiger about the unique production. He told me: “It’s a little daunting when you launch a brand new show and concept that’s never been done before. I think if we’d done this on Broadway, there would have been a theatrical community around us to endorse a completely new work with anticipation and interest, but we don’t have that in Las Vegas. I’ve produced Phantom of the Opera, Jersey Boys and Stomp here, and they were already branded productions.

Kelly Monaco in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood.

“This show, though, is an only in Vegas experience. Maybe you could have seen something near this in Paris because this is a genuine spectacular. Normally, we talk about a category killer, but Peepshow is a category creator unto itself. It’s impossible to explain it or convey it because we’ve created an experience for people to embrace. It’s a fantastic production, but I have to admit I’m nervous because it’s a new genre of entertainment, and there’s been nothing like it before in Vegas.

“It will blow people away. Right through the preview period, we have the laser and scalpel out to fine-tune it. In today’s world, every nuance has to be polished as if you are attacking the very craft itself. The cast and crew are all so motivated because it’s like a Big Broadway spectacular with production numbers that will make jaws drop.

“Mel B is an extraordinary woman — a true entertainer, way more than a pop star. Kelly is just gorgeous and much more as she goes on the journey of transformation into woman powered by fulfillment. Of all the shows I’ve been involved with, none have been as challenging or as satisfying as this because it’s simply the first time something has been done like it. You could call it a hybrid show — but it’s cool and provocative at the same time as being a topless adult show, but not in any way raunchy. It’s also a great excuse for grand production numbers. In many ways, it’s back to the days of old Vegas but totally updated. This is the new version of what Jubilee! began with floor shows all those years ago — except we have no comedian, no juggler to break the flow of the gorgeous girls dancing.”

Jerry Mitchell with Kelly Monaco and Mel B.

Scott revealed that the $500,000-a-week production is lavish because he sent $12 million to stage it even before Planet Hollywood converted the real estate of the old Stomp theater into a modern cabaret clubroom. “This is way more expensive than lighting up a movie theater. But the adrenaline keeps pumping nightly her with its excitement live.”

He summed up: “Our diva guide Mel B is one killer singer, and she has no competition in any other Strip show. Josh Strickland, who came out of American Idol to play Tarzan on Broadway, is a sensation with the ladies in the audience. We don’t have them singing or performing to track. The beautiful band of ladies is live, and our singers are live. That gives the show a real sound instead of cheap canned recordings.”

We’ll be back on the red carpet gala opening night next weekend and will have the full review of the show. There are so many more things to tell you about, including the full details of the human spinning disco ball, the pink-paint erotica, the seductive showstoppers, the sexy schoolgirls and the seven stripper poles! Most of all, we’ll rave about Mel and Kelly.

Peep Show cast mates Allie Meixner, Josh Strickland, Kelly Monaco and Michelle Martinez.

I can tell you already that Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler popped in to watch it and loved it. She raved to the cast afterward. I can tell you that Dancing With the Stars winner Brooke Burke also popped in and cheered on the cast with a standing ovation! I can tell you that — and you heard it here first — Brooke and Holly Madison may well wind up in that brazen bathtub boiler down the road as conversations, with a rotating celebrity cast every three months, continue. I can tell you that Mel B and her family have moved here because I think they know they’re going to be here for quite an extended stay!

The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel.

Guitar great Carlos Santana will join our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman on Tuesday afternoon to cut the red ribbon of his new residence — the new $60 million, state-of-the-art Joint concert venue at the Hard Rock Hotel. Then 24 hours later, The Killers will take over the empty facility and start dual-purpose rehearsals!

First to run their act down before they perform there at the premiere night April 17 and then their other weekend concert at Coachella in Indio, Calif., near Palm Springs. Secondly to “blow the dust out of the theater and its extraordinary sound system.” It takes a real-live band for that final tweaking! The Hard Rock could have hired a local group to just keep playing as all the systems were finally finely calibrated, but who better than our hometown heroes The Killers to accomplish both purposes?

For six weeks now, a French sound engineer has done nothing but walk every inch of the new tri-level facility. In a sense, he’s “balanced” the massive venue (3,000 seats or 4,000 standing) using white and pink noise. Often he’s played French pop music at full blast as he’s checked that the sound standing in the mosh pit at the stage has the exact same clarity, depth and feel in the speaker system aimed at those in the last row of seats upstairs.

Carlos Santana.

D&B Acoustics from Germany, hailed as the rock world’s top sound system providers, has installed the top-of-the-line, spare-no-expense audio set-up. Paul McCartney says it’s his favorite sound system and told Hard Rock officials that it was a lucky coincidence because he only found out that it was D&B after he signed the contract to perform there two days after The Killers! Carlos Santana’s people have already been here to “kick its tires” and are totally happy with the first listening. The star guitarist will hear it for himself Tuesday just ahead of the ribbon cutting.

I went on a private tour of the new Joint with Hard Rock’s entertainment VP, Paul Davis. He told me that when he spent time on a day of media interviews with Santana last week that Carlos said: “I could have just retired right after Supernatural. I’ve been blessed, and I get more joy than drugs or music or anything knowing that I can be of service.” Accordingly, Carlos confirms that helping others is the main motivation for signing the 36-shows-a year residency at the Hard Rock. Says Carlos: “There are a lot of Latinos and poor whites and poor blacks who graduate from high school with high grades but have no money to go to college. So I’m inspired to play Vegas and turn the money over to them so they can go to college.

“We will seriously kick your booty with some music to make your molecules go damn. When Santana plays, time disappears. People start dancing, laughing, crying, and they remember that your inheritance, which is the glory of God, is to be healthy, happy and with peace of mind that you can’t get even if you break the bank in Vegas or win the lottery.”

The Killers.

The new Joint has doubled in size, although I think it looks even larger than that, but all the original vibe is still in place. The farthest seat is still only 155 feet from the massive stage, plus there are 38 flat HD TV screens throughout the place. Bon Jovi is set for April 24 and Kenny Chesney on April 25, with Carlos beginning his run May 27. The first four shows are already sold out, and in McCartney’s case, it took legendarily less than 10 seconds to sell out!

Paul Davis apparently wanted to put on a “good old-fashioned rock show,” so he insisted that the venue have the option of standing and seating. Paul told me: “We will have 3,000 people seated for shows or 4,000 when it’s standing general admission. Ticket sales for Carlos have come out strong and very positive. The reaction from the music business has been overwhelming because we picked an icon to knock it right out of the ballpark. Carlos, of course, had played the old Joint, and we sent him the architectural drawings as we progressed. His people have come here the past few weeks as we finished, and they are excited and absolutely genuinely thrilled to be the first residency here.

“Carlos said he’s not retiring and that this is a break from the rigors of touring. He will still go with international and East Coast shows, but for two years, he’s got a place to put down roots on the West Coast. We have the first 16 Carlos Santana shows on sale now. We haven’t started the marketing for them, so we are very happy with the start of the sales, which are evenly spread throughout the first set.”

Paul McCartney, shown during a 2002 show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Prized real estate at the new Joint will be the seven VIP suites on the second level for $3,500 to $5,500 for 20 people. Those seats are dead center just 100 feet from the stage. The Joint will present Mixed Martial Arts fights and on May 9 the first of HBO’s live boxing events with the light heavyweight showdown between Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson. The adjoining ballroom for corporate meetings and dining has given the Hard Rock larger-than-expected bookings for corporate events and entertainment.

Today is exactly one week before the first public showcase of the new Joint with The Killers. That makes the Frenchman with “the best ears in the world” just a little bit nervous. “I think we will have the best sound in America, if not the world. But it’s not until you’ve got 4,000 people packed in here and everything is still perfect that you know my job is done. Only then do we know because it’s one thing to be perfect in an empty theater and another thing in a packed theater. It changes everything, but I have a very good feeling we are right on the money. I wanted to make it sound even better than if you were in the actual recording studio with the band. I think we have succeeded!”

Check out two fascinating design functions there when you visit: the eight giant authentic Zilgen cymbals that hang from the back bar ceiling as lighting fixtures. You can reach on tiptoe to bang your fingers on them and get that authentic sound! Down both sides of the inner walls of the theater is a set of “guitar string bars and dots” supersized but identical to a real guitar the entire length from the head of the instrument down its throat. I’m not sure, but I think they call that the “full fret.” Totally unique and so subtle, you do need to look hard at it. Those replace the original Joint walls, which featured all the actual old guitars. Those were removed over the last weeks before it was demolished and given to the last performing rock groups, including Motley Crue, who closed the Joint. Our local hometown hero Vince Neil returns with the boys for Crue Fest 2 this summer to the new Joint.

So Tuesday afternoon, Carlos will be standing in his new home for the first time with Hard Rock President Randy Kwasniewski and AEG Live President John Meglen, who signed Carlos to the residency similar to his deals with Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Cher and Sir Elton John at Caesars Palace.