Today is the opening day of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which runs through Dec. 9. If you have any doubt about how totally Las Vegas transforms with these cowboy days look no further than the Las Vegas Hilton's entertainment roster. Instead of Barry Manilow, there's Big & Rich (Dec. 1-3), Brooks & Dunn (Dec. 4-6) and Vince Gill (Dec. 7-9).

Some other entertainment notes:

Britney Spears has been signed by Pure nightclub at Caesars to do the New Year's Eve countdown. I would love to know what she is being paid to do this.The overheated competition between Las Vegas nightclubs for celebrities has resulted in appearance fees of late said to routinely hit six figures. Yet no one has fully reported the exact numbers and which clubs are paying and which celebrities are receiving. I have some information, but nothing concrete enough to share on the Buffet yet, so I am not too proud to put out an open call here: anyone who can give exact information on appearance fees at Strip resort nightclubs, please, get in touch with me!

The annual Billboard Music Awards are being broadcast from the MGM on Monday night. Unlike previous years, no one has assigned me to cover it. In fact, I am amazed by the nominees. When did I get so out of it? I can't name a single song by any of the nominees for artist of the year: Chris Brown, Nickleback and Rascal Flatts. I know I have at least been exposed to the names of the two groups, but who is Chris Brown? Well, looking over the other categories, at least, I know T.I. isn't just the name of a Strip resort.

Finally, looking way ahead, Norm Clarke is reporting in his column that after Celine Dion's show ends its run in December 2007, she will be replaced by Cher in spring 2008 followed by Bette Midler that fall.