Her return would be welcomed, said Gary Loveman, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Harrah's Entertainment.

"There have been discussions. Stay tuned," Loveman said. "She's been a spectacular success. There's a very short list of people who could fill this venue."

Dion also hinted that she might have eyes for another career as well. "I hope to do some acting someday."

Before the show, her 717th paid performance, I ran into Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, Dion's partner in the Caesars deal. Asked when there might be an official announcement about a rumored deal with Cher as a headliner at The Colosseum, Leiweke's two-word response was, "Very soon."

Grammy-winning composer/producer David Foster offered an opinion on a future candidate to help fill Celine's void in Las Vegas: "Michael Buble," said Foster, who signed the Canadian crooner in 2000.

Pointing toward the entrance of the Colosseum, Foster said, "I think Buble could do it." He was escorting 15-year-old Filipino sensation, Charice Pempengco, who is appearing on Ellen DeGeneres' show on Tuesday.

R.I.P. 'SWEET LOUIE'

Marvin "Sweet Louie" Smith, a member of the R & B group The Checkmates, died Saturday, hours before a show on a Caribbean cruise ship, according to his agent.

Smith, 68, fronted The Checkmates with Sonny Charles, who founded the group about 40 years ago.

Their biggest hit, "Black Pearl," reached No. 13 in 1969 and landed them appearances with Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson and headliner gigs in Las Vegas. They opened for Bill Cosby, Sammy Davis Jr. and the Fifth Dimension.

The Checkmates also spent time as the house band for "Playboy After Dark," a syndicated show featuring Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.

"Sweet Louie" wowed crowds with Louis Armstrong's version "It's a Wonderful World." He performed it last month at the mock funeral for former Nevada Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren. See it on YouTube.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Continuing a holiday tradition, Dion sent a Christmas catalog to her nieces and nephews, who number almost 50, to have them pick out their gift.

SIGHTINGS

Dion, dancing with galpals at her after-party at Pure (Caesars), which was closed to the public. Joining her: Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte, Mirage headliner Danny Gans, illusionist Criss Angel, Foster, Loveman, Caesars Palace president Gary Selesner, former Caesars Palace president Mark Juliano and Univision owner Haim Saban. ... Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., making a 1 a.m. grand entrance at Tryst (Wynn) on Saturday, accompanied by sparklers and the song "The Champ is Here." ... At Tao Las Vegas (Venetian) on Saturday: "High School Musical" star Lucas Grabeel, Pauly Shore, actor Shawn Pyfrom from "Desperate Housewives" and actor David Moscow. ... New York Yankee slugger Jason Giambi, at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) on Saturday. ... Singer Josh Todd of rock group Buckcherry, dining Saturday at Sushi Roku restaurant (Forum Shops at Caesars). He was in town for Buckcherry's performance Saturday at the House of Blues (Mandalay Bay). ... Playboy cover model Taryn Terrell, hosting her 23rd birthday party Friday at Diablo's Cantina (Monte Carlo). Also at Diablo's: Actor Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton on the hit TV show, "Fresh Prince of Bel Air," and Playboy models Dana Dicillo and Roxanne Dawn. The group later headed to LAX nightclub (Luxor). ... Singer/songwriter Nikki Costa and actor Jon Gries, checking out Pure on Friday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"You're Michael Jackson's P.R. guy." - From David Letterman's Top Ten Signs You're Not Getting a Year-End Bonus

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