Vegas’ biggest pool party got off to a rocky start yesterday. It all began well when a Chippendale’s dancer was first through the gate for REHAB at the Hard Rock Hotel way before 12-noon. But by early afternoon with so many people there a health inspector ordered everybody out of the packed pool—and then forbad anybody back with drinks in hand. He told Hard Rock officials the pool would be closed and remain closed if anybody went back in with drinks.

Then when a circling helicopter dropped multi-colored foam balls onto the property, a crazed frenzy broke out in the scramble to find the three, big-money red balls. In the uproar, the crowd knocked over the stage set up for Akon’s rap concert last night and a flying metal pole knocked out one of the cocktail servers cold. She was taken away with serious concussion and a large bump on her forehead. Hard Rock workers managed to get the stage back together for Akon’s performance.

“There were far more people at Rehab this year than last” said one cocktail server. “Some of the partygoers get a little bit out of hand and we have to remind them to behave.” The health inspector warned he’d return next Sunday and shut it down if the drinks ban in the pool rule was broken!

BRITNEY PLANS VEGAS COMEBACK SHOW: Pop-queen Britney Spears will perform at Mandalay Bay—but not as a strikpper at Ivan Kane’s 40-Deuce burlesque club. Instead she’ll take to the stage next Sunday May 6 at the House of Blues in the resort-casino. LUXE LIFE first reported Britney’s desire to make her comeback song and dance show last week after intensive rehearsals in a Hollywood dance studio and at the burlesque club. But she canceled at the last moment and has now instead penciled in at least three House of Blues mini-shows. The first will be in Sam Diego, then Los Angeles and then her hop over to Vegas next Sunday. Stay logged onto Luxe Life for more developments of Britney’s comeback!

ROSEANNE TO REPLACE ROSIE ON THE VIEW?: Strip comedy headliner Roseanne Barr is being tipped as Rosie O’Donnell’s replacement for The View this morning. Overnight New York news reports indicate the NYNY comedy star is the front-runner for the daily ABC-TV females only talk show.

Roseanne, who has moved in with her family who live in Vegas while starring on the Strip, commented this morning: “It would be a real honor. I haven’t talked to Barbara Walters about it yet but I would certainly jump at the opportunity if it becomes true. I heard the news reports and of course that would be very exciting. I don’t know yet if my agents are talking with ABC’s business executives.”

Roseanne’s current run at New York-New York is due to end tonight but conversations have been ongoing to extend the engagement or have her return later for additional shows.

THIS JUST IN: Roseanne Barr has extended her “All You Can Eat Comedy” show at the Cabaret Theatre inside New York–New York with a new run starting
tomorrow until June 17.

Pamela Anderson’s countdown to the June 2nd opening of her new Beauty of Magic show with European illusionist Hans Klok has begun ticking in earnest!

This week the busty sex-icon will begin rehearsals, and I’ve learned that famous fashion fotog David LaChappelle will be recruited to shoot the sexy cutting-edge advertising and marketing campaign. The surreal photographer has shot many of Pam’s previous layouts including the erotic black and white photo and video sequences of her used by Sir Elton John in his Red Piano show across the Strip at Caesars Palace. Pamela is expected at that show before its current run ends on May 13th.

Hans and Pamela plan to move back into the Theater for the Performing Arts at the new Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino within ten days—after Burger King vacates its corporate rental of the property to showcase its sponsorship in the new Spiderman 3 movie at Thursday’s premiere screening there for Burger King franchise holders.

Pamela will work out with the stunts and illusions on the Planet stage for the first time by May 12th with previews of the actual show to start May 24th.

Their stage spectacular will combine the magic of Klok, fresh off his sold-out European tour, with brand new illusions created just for Las Vegas, and Pamela co-starring in the completely new and unique production.

“I love magic! I love doing things out of the ordinary, I’m always up for an adventure, and this will definitely be one,” gushed the former Baywatch star. “I knew that one day my dream of being a Vegas showgirl would come true—even better as a magician’s assistant. It’s every girl’s fantasy, and I’m thrilled because my kids will think they’ve got the coolest mom in the world.”

Hans commented: “Pamela is the kind of international superstar that transcends entertainment. She is absolutely gorgeous and audiences are going to be amazed when they see what she can do in our show.”

This sudden changeover from the quickly departed Carmen Electra, who only lasted six days after she was introduced as Klok’s co-star, comes against ugly background talk of potential lawsuits and legal fights. I know Carmen signed her contract for the 13 week engagement even though she complained back in Hollywood later that she never realized it entailed so many rehearsals and weekly performances that would keep her in Vegas every Wednesday through Sunday.

Meantime, producers have discussed various scenarios of how to recoup their extraordinary expenses, including changing ad campaigns and the lost box-office revenues. Carmen, I’m told, is furious that her former Baywatch pal didn’t even wait for the magic-boxes to grow cold before stepping into them for the tricks.

Incidentally, Hans won’t be the first magician to make Pamela float in midair. From the Luxe Life fountain of knowledge we recall that master magician Lance Burton, who appears at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, performed the trick in a chance encounter when they both happened to be booked together on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno.

Lance recalled, “Pamela is an ex-gymnast so she’s very flexible. She’ll handle everything brilliantly. I may have to take the credit, though, for getting her hooked on magic!”

LUXE LIFE will follow all the developments and breaking news of the Pamela Anderson-Hans Klok-Carmen Electra magic show saga as it unfolds. We’ve got that all-access backstage pass which guarantees the whole story faster than live TV.

Neither cops nor lawyers shut down hip hop star Ray J when he celebrated the release of his Kim Kardashian sex-tape with an Adult Video Release party at JET in The Mirage.

Kim, a busty Hollywood socialite often seen across the Strip at TAO nightclub with best-femme-friend Paris Hilton, used to date Ray J before being linked with Nick Cannon. Insiders whispered that amateur porn-star Ray J wanted to officially unveil his secret sexual romps to the world with the nightclub party in Las Vegas.

Ray J with entourage in tow posed for red-carpet photos and then, with Dom Perignon champagne and Grey Goose vodka, took part in a Kimmy K look-alike contest—with first prize being a starring role in his next movie!!!!
Believe it or not, the competition was fierce, but Ray J narrowed it down to three long-black-haired contestants who were dead ringers for Kim. After picking the winner, he thanked the crowd for turning “something negative into something positive.”

He stayed, dancing with at least a dozen different women, until 4.30 am. When quizzed about his alleged new romantic hook-up with singer Whitney Houston he commented, “We are just good friends. I am her support system in her times of need.”

UPDATE!!!
Luxe Life learned this morning that Kim Kardashian dropped her lawsuit against Ray J and the Vivid video distribution company late Friday when she accepted a $5-million payday settlement check to allow the film to be released. The hip-hop star went ahead with the premiere screening of the tape at JET nightclub in The Mirage over the weekend.

Don’t invite porn-princesses Jenna Jameson and Tera Patrick to the same cocktail party: they are in a knockdown drag-out courtroom catfight over money!

Jenna -worrying fans who think she’s looking thinner than ever- partied at PURE from midnight to 3am drinking Moet Chandon rose champagne with six of her girlfriends. Jameson is being sued by Tera.

She claims that when Playboy bought Club Jenna last year it included the revenue and royalties contract that Teravision had with Jenna. Now Tera alleges that Playboy Enterprises and Jenna have failed to provide accounting and payments, and the x-rated dispute will now wind up unspooling in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Legendary Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler handpicked the items that now make up a multi-media display at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Included are some of his stage clothes, handwritten music notes, plus various undergarments he collected from female fans who took them off at concerts and threw them at him!

The incredible collection also contains the suit he wore on the group’s 2005 world tour, his Hohner harmonica, and his stage shoes. Video of that world tour runs on a TV screen inside the showcase.

Hard Rock executives, Suzanne Philips of Special Events, Giuliana Mayo, and Tod Waters of Junker Designs, who are his personal designers, made the dedication. After the ceremony the rock superstar and girlfriend Erin Brody treated a large group of friends to dinner at Kerry Simon’s Bar and Kitchen celebrity restaurant—where actor Shane West was also dining with friends.

Australian rockers JET who played at the Hard Rock pool at the same time picked the hotel’s Japanese restaurant Nobu for their pre-show dinner.

Heavyweight comedian Louie Anderson was totally surprised when fellow Strip comics Roseanne Barr, Carrot Top, and George Wallace wheeled a birthday cake on-stage in the middle of his act- and sang him a suprpise Happy Birthday to mark his first year anniversary at the Excalibur Resort & Casino.

“Vegas used to be where comics came to die,” joked Louie. “Now look at us—we’re the new Rat pack!”

After the show Louie chatted candidly with me: “You don’t think a year is a long time until you are in the 340th day. Of course everyone has been great here at the Excalibur, but the secret to working here is to make each day like it is your first day back in Vegas. That is what I try to do, so the show is fresh and real and good.”

“It’s amazing how many people it takes to produce a show in Vegas, the people that come here have no idea that the people in this town work very hard to make it seem like their show is just fun and easy. I was originally only coming here for a year, but it went so fast and everybody I work with at the Excalibur and the MGM family have been wonderful that I am here now until they tear it down or I die—whatever comes first!”

“I now live here, and I am really happy. I didn’t realize that the town was so livable. I really love it. But I do go back home to Minnesota often- I still have ten brothers and sisters there that I try to take good care of. I love them all so much.”

Excalibur’s President, Renee West told LUXE LIFE, “Louie just fits in so beautifully here at the Excalibur. What we hear from our customers is that they come back to the castle because it is great and they are treated like family. Who better to represent that than Louie? He is truly like a family member. It is going so well and we love having him here; I think we will have a long relationship with Louie.”

Hometown hero and USO Ambassador, Mr. Las Vegas himself, the legendary Wayne Newton resumes headline performances tonight, and he’ll play the main Harrah’s showroom right through Independence Day weekend.

He’s reunited his great orchestra and fabulous backup singers and promises an exciting rundown of his classic hits.

Tickets went on sale over the weekend for Lionel Ritchie’s same holiday shows at the Collosseum in Caesars Palace.

The 100-million-album worldwide selling singer/songwriter will perform July 5th and 6th. My good friend has racked up five Grammy awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe and 11 American Music Awards, making him one of the most recognized and rewarded artists in the world with over 22 top ten hits.

Tickets go on sale today for pop-queen Avril Lavigne’s charity fundraiser concert at the Pearl in the Palms on June 7th. Avril will also attend the pre-VIP reception in ghostbar helping the silent auction to raise money for the Rape Crisis Center of Nevada on the 4th annual Nina’s Night Out, sponsored by our hometown News anchor Nina Radetich of KVBC-TV.

… Dining at Steve Wynn’s steakhouse in his WYNN resort at the weekend were one-time antagonists Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields who had battled separately on Oprah Winfery’s show about his Scientology opinion contradicting Brooke’s view that psychioatrist help did assist her through post-partum depression. They’ve since made up. Tom was with
wife Katie and fans went frantic with flashbulb frenzy!
… When supersinger Barbra Streisand was in a group of six for dinner at the exclusive Guy Savoy restaurant in Caesars Palace she asked the star French chef for two bottles of Krug Clos du Mesnil to go with the magnificent meal
… Cirque du Soleil founder Guy LaLiberte going more or less unrecognized as he played his way into the Final eight at the Bellagio’s million-dollar World Poker Tour tournament over the weekend
… Rapper Nas and his R&B singing wife, Kelly enjoyed a romantic dinner for two at Spago in Caesars Palace. They dined the following night at TAO, munching on tuna sashimi, Buddha chicken, shrimp pad tai, duck fried rice and the TAO Tiger Lily cocktails before his House of Blues concert
… Cirque du Soleil will now also dominate the Macau entertainment scene. I’m hearing that Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson has inked them for six different shows in collaboration with the BASE Group producers who already present Stomp Out Loud, Wayne Brady, and Phantom here in Vegas.

TONIGHTS TIP: Naughty next-to-nothing ladies lingerie for bedtime romps are how to dress to impress tonight at JET nightclub in the Mirage for the annual Lingerie bowl event
… Veteran jazz saxophonist Jimmy Mulidore plays with sax guest star Tom Scott at the GoldCoast for new Monday night jazz sessions
… If you want a taste of everything British, tonight my home country mates are throwing the biggest British bash Vegas has ever seen. Come on down to the Alexis Park Hotel and you’ll think you’ve landed in London with the bright red phone boxes and the double-decker red buses! Magician Jeff Hobson and I will handle the MC chores and introductions of visiting Brit bands, Mayor Oscar Goodman and comedienne Rita Rudner.

TOMORROWS TEASE: Hard to believe, but superstar singer Paul Anka is now celebrating his 50th anniversary in showbusiness. In advance of his weekend concerts at the Hilton, LUXE LIFE talked with him in an exclusive interview.

Plus, astronaut Buzz Aldrin takes magicman Teller on a ZeroGravity space flight to kick off our city’s newest tourist attraction for high rollers who want to float in mid air!
Later in the week, an exclusive interview with Bette Midler as she finally reveals a special secret.

Touch-and-go tonight if the planned video release party at JET nightclub in The Mirage featuring the x-rated antics of Hollywood socialite Kim Kardashian and one-time lover hip-hop-star Ray J will go off as planned. Kim’s legal team has been fighting the video’s release. Now that she’s learned that their most intimate secrets may go on public-party display she may even try to block tonight’s JET festivities.

Her former beau Ray J is the brother of Brandy Norwood. Kim is the daughter of the late OJ Simpson lawyer Robert Kardashian and widowed Christi who is now married to Olympic champion Bruce Jenner. Kim was in Vegas just two weeks ago for her party celebration at the rival TAO nightclub across the Strip at The Venetian.