It was the second time in eight months that Spears made $250,000 for a brief appearance at a Las Vegas nightclub. Her New Year's Eve countdown deal at Pure ended prematurely when she was carried out by a bodyguard before 1 a.m.

But we hear Paris and Nicky Hilton will take the soaring appearance fee trend to record heights this New Year's, with a $500,000 jackpot to co-host at Pure, the sister club of LAX.

At least this trip was uneventful for Spears, who has been making headlines for everything from erratic behavior to child custody battles with her ex, Kevin Federline.

The late-arriving Spears, who was under contract to spend at least 90 minutes for the LAX appearance, flew in with some girlfriends, and hung out with Criss Angel at both clubs while smoking and drinking champagne.

She reportedly will open the MTV Video Music Awards next Sunday at the Palms with some Angel-assisted illusions.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Wayne Newton has a leg up on his "Dancing With the Stars" competition. He's been paired with Cheryl Burke, a two-time winner with Drew Lachey and Emmitt Smith on ABC's hit show.

Newton told Mark & Mercedes, during an interview on their morning show at KMXB-FM, 94.1 (Mix), that he began rehearsing with Burke last week. He was asked to participate last year, he said, but had a scheduling conflict. ...

The schedule for local connections in the Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon: Sunday - 6 a.m., Flying Elvi and Matsuri; 8 p.m., Celine Dion and Ronn Lucas, 10 p.m., Louie Anderson; 11:15 p.m., Terry Fator and Mamma Mia!; Monday -- 12:15 a.m., Bill Medley; 4 a.m., Zowie Bowie; 7 a.m., ICE; 9 a.m., Tony Orlando and "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular"; 10:30 a.m., Carrot Top; 11:35 a.m., Lance Burton; 12:40 p.m., Matsuri.

SIGHTINGS

Kid Rock and a party of 30, camping out in the main party booth at Moon (Palms) on Friday after his concert at The Pearl. ... Celebrities who attended Kid Rock's concert included Justin Timberlake, his mother and friend Trace Ayala; David Spade and Mark McGrath. Afterward, Timberlake and a small group dashed over to New York-New York to see the 10:30 p.m. performance of "Zumanity." ... Also at LAX: Nicky Hilton and her boyfriend David Katzenberg, Wilmer Valderrama, Dave Navarro, Brody Jenner, Frankie Delgado and Josh Henderson. ... At Jet: music producer Timbaland. ... Federline's ex, Shar Jackson, at Light (Bellagio). ... At Tao (Venetian): NBA stars Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, and Valderrama, at a table near the dance floor. ... NBA All-Star Tim Duncan at Fleur de Lys (Mandalay Bay) on Friday.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The terror alert level in our nation's airport bathrooms has been raised to lavender." -- Jimmy Kimmel, on the Sen. Larry Craig sex scandal

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