It couldn't have come at a worst time as far as her aspirations to land a Las Vegas headliner job.

With all of the new venues set to open in the next three to five years, a strong showing by Spears would have local talent bookers lined up at her door.

Las Vegas deal maker Jack Wishna, who had exploratory talks with Spears two years ago about a headliner deal here, said the former pop princess seriously damaged her chances.

"It was abominable and embarrassing. It definitely hurt her. I don't know how many takers there would be for a live show based on what we saw last night," Wishna said.

With a half dozen new venues opening at new properties, Wishna said he is getting calls every week from agents and bookers.

"There was an opportunity there," said Wishna, who added that Sean "Diddy" Combs' open-mouthed reaction to the performance said it all.

"It was like she hadn't rehearsed, her timing was off, she had the wrong outfit," he added. "That had to have the hair standing up on the back of George Maloof's neck," he said, referring to the Palms owner who has had hopes of booking Spears.

All is not lost, Wishna said. "Americans are a forgiving society," he said, noting comebacks by Liza Minnelli and Johnny Cash.

One of the biggest mysteries of the night was the absence of the illusions Angel had recommended to MTV.

Angel told the syndicated TV show "Extra" that "in the initial meetings that we had, I gave my professional creative advice ... but I stepped out of the picture."

Angel, Cirque du Soleil and the Luxor might be breathing a sigh of relief today that Angel, who is having a Cirque show built around his illusions, wasn't involved in one of the classic meltdowns in show business.

FIGHT AFTERMATH

Kid Rock had a hunch he would be hearing from the police after slugging Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee during Sunday's VMA show.

Someone who was seated at the table with Rock said the singer turned to a friend and said, "You got cash on you? Bail me out."

Las Vegas police gave him a misdemeanor battery citation late Sunday. In a police report, Lee said Rock tapped him on the shoulder and punched him in the left side of his face.

A spy at the table said Lee elevated the well-known tension between the two by leaving his assigned seat and going to Rock's table.

"He was pushing Kid Rock's buttons. Kid told him, 'You should get out of here.' Diddy was sort of instigating it too. Tommy stood up and was showing some attitude, and Kid smacked him."

SIGHTINGS

Janet Jackson, Nelly, Jermaine Dupri and Robin Thicke, singing their songs Sunday at Tao nightclub in The Venetian. Also there: Alicia Keys, Ashanti and Jamie Foxx, who flashed his flashlight on his favorite ladies. ... Paris Hilton, Maloof and Jeff Beacher on Sunday at Blush in Wynn Las Vegas after dinner at N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms. ... At another table in Blush: Pamela Anderson and Rick Solomon, who, with Hilton, know something about best-selling videos. ...

At Sunday's official VMA after-party at the Palms' pool and bungalows, hosted by Foxx and Jennifer Garner: Kanye West, 50 Cent, Kid Rock, Angel, Hilton, members of the rock group Fall Out Boy, the cast of the HBO hit show "Entourage," members of the group Gym Class Heroes, singer Serj Tankian of System of a Down, rapper Lil' Wayne, comedians Pauly Shore, Sarah Silverman and Jeff Ross, Ron Jeremy, Suge Knight, members of the group Foo Fighters, actress Megan Fox, singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, actor Shia LeBeouf. ... Rapper Eve had dinner for the second consecutive night Sunday at Fix restaurant inside the Bellagio. But the highlight occurred when Eve had an alcohol-monitoring device removed from her ankle. Not long after the SCRAM bracelet was taken off, Eve ordered a cocktail -- a vodka soda with a splash of cranberry -- to go with her meal. ... Foxx, at Brenden Theatres in the Palms on Saturday to introduce a special VIP screening of his new film, "The Kingdom."

THE PUNCH LINE

"Spears appeared to be acting out the classic nightmare of arriving at a party and realizing you're naked while people point and laugh." -- ABC News.

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