Columnist Kate Maddox: Is it live or is it Britney?

Kate Maddox

Friday, Nov. 16, 2001 | 4:32 a.m.

Britney Spears' video shoot on Bellagio's lake is strictly for Billboard Music Awards watchers. The singer taped the segment on Friday night and the finished product -- erupting fountains and all -- will be what the Billboard producers roll when they announce Spears' "live" performance during the Dec. 4 awards show at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Last year's Billboards featured Creed, also performing "live" on the Rio rooftop.

And forget Spears' previous concert requirements. On her past two tours the teenager insisted her private backstage dressing room be stocked with Fruit Loops and Pop Tarts. This time around, Spears reportedly wanted grown-up beverages from Las Vegas' brand new Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Spears is a big fan of the Los Angeles Coffee Bean and was thrilled to learn its new outpost at the Palms would be more than happy to supply her caffeine fix this weekend.

Saturday night's big bout after-party was at the Rio's Palazzo Suites. Maxim (the men's mag that's just a pastie or two shy of Playboy) has made a deal with Harrah's to throw celebrity parties at its properties a few times a year -- as long as the stars are assured privacy privileges. Part of the deal requires Harrah's to allow celebs (such as Saturday's attendee list of Charlize Theron, Matt Damon, Cuba Gooding Jr., Drew Carey, Macy Gray, Tara Reid, Jon Lovitz, Jeremy Piven, Mark McGrath and assorted others) to do whatever they please in the Rio's 4,000-square-foot high-roller suite.

Yes, I'm excited about the Palms. Yes, I think George Maloof Jr. did a spectacular job creating a hip, new casino for both locals and free-wheelin' visitors. Yes, I can't wait to eat in all the new restaurants and christen the furniture in Rain with a spilled cocktail and high heel or two. But, no, no ... No, I could've done without the opening-night crush. Sure, it was a generous gesture for Maloof to ask close to 10,000 of his nearest and dearest to the invitation-only, VIP pre-party. But I wonder if anybody really got to see the forest through the trees, if you know what I'm saying.

Perhaps my only moment of peace and tranquility came when I briefly locked eyes with actor Samuel L. Jackson at Buddha Bar. Through the sea of revelers, nude performance artists, passed sushi plates and personalities, it was just me and Sam -- getting pushed by the masses while trying to look cool. It was then that I spilled my drink. And he tripped on the person in front of him. Yep, another casino opening extravaganza.

Later, after Jackson found his way out of the Asian boite, he dashed to the blackjack tables so he could be there with thousand-dollar bets when the clock struck 11 p.m.

As did Dennis Rodman.

The oft-troubled former NBA star, who apparently feels a sentence just isn't complete without a little swearing, loudly announced "What that Maloof (insert profanity) did here is (another profanity) amazing!" An excited Rodman then paused briefly and wondered aloud when he would get thrown out of the (hyphenated profanity). Just don't handle the staff, mmm-kay?

Lola and Tony, live on the Strip? (Well, she does have the feathers in her hair and the dress cut down to there ... ) Barry Manilow says "Copacabana" could be Vegas-bound. "There is talk about this fantastic version of 'Copacabana' coming to one of those fabulous showrooms," said Manilow in an interview with the Sun. "It belongs there -- it's such a crowd-pleaser." Manilow is working the media circuit to sell seats for his Dec. 13-15 shows at Mandalay Bay's Storm Theatre.