MTV Video Music Awards take over Vegas

LAS VEGAS - Scores of bikini-clad babes and bare-chested hunks downing drinks by the pool. Gift suites overflowing with swag, from diamonds and designer jeans to fancy shades and hotel stays. Concerts by Kanye West, 50 Cent, Maroon 5 and Joss Stone for crowds that included Jamie Foxx, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Paris Hilton and Ashlee Simpson. With the MTV Video Music Awards in town, Sin City took its debauchery and extravagance to a whole new level. The awards, featuring a much-hyped opening number by Britney Spears, are set to air live Sunday from the Palms hotel. The unpredictable pop star was the talk of the weekend. People bragged about Britney sightings, buzzed about what events she would attend and offered opinions on her chances for a comeback. Security guards, hotel workers, fans and photographers clamored and jockeyed for position at the mere rumor that Spears would show up at the Venetian hotel's gifting suite on Saturday. She never showed. But she did stop by the Palms to rehearse her show-opening routine for her new single, "Gimmie More." Still, gift suites â