On his super-private personal life: Manilow's primary residence is in Palm Springs, Calif., where he lives with two Labradors whose names he declines to reveal. "I have to put a wall up. There's a line that I've drawn about my personal life. Everyone's invited into my music, but you can't come into my personal life unless I invite you in." And he will never write a tell-all book.

On Vegas living: In January, Manilow kicks off his third and perhaps final year performing at the Las Vegas Hilton. Manilow spends his weekdays in Elvis Presley's old 15,000-square-foot suite with a spectacular view of The Strip. "They've redone it, and I don't know whether it's better or worse because it's pink — pink! It's pretty Vegas. It has a swimming pool, and I turned one of the bedrooms into a recording studio. It's crazy."

On his fellow headliners on the Vegas Strip: Elton John, who has been performing at Caesars Palace on Celine Dion's off nights. "We talk on the phone a lot. I'm really having a better time, I think. It may be harder for him to stay in a hotel room. He plays three weeks in a row without getting a chance to go home like I do, and by the time that third week comes around ... But he loves performing, so that saves him."

Bette Midler, who is taking over for Dion at Caesars. "When we were working on (Midler's) Rosemary Clooney tribute (album), she came over and saw my (Vegas) show. I told her, 'It's a lot of fun here. It's not what you think it is. It's not as much work as touring.' I don't want to tour anymore, and neither did she. So she looked into it, and Caesars Palace grabbed her. And it's going to be huge — they're spending millions and millions of dollars."

On Britney Spears: "I love Britney Spears' new album. I do. Though I fear for her as a person, somebody took care of her (with the project). The album was wonderfully produced. With this new technology, I don't know how much of that she really sang, but she's OK on it. She has talent — that's why (her current state) is so heartbreaking. I hope she pulls herself together."

He is critical of Spears and others who rely on stunts over personal interplay with their audiences. "I miss the guys that connect with the audience (by) telling a joke and something about their background. It was one thing for Michael and Janet (Jackson) to do it, but now they all have a batch of dancers who do aerobics during their songs — and that's it."

On skipping out on his September appearance on The View: "I was uncomfortable with this gal (Elizabeth Hasselbeck). She's got her (conservative) view, and I asked not to be interviewed by her, and they wouldn't do it. So I left. Everybody understood (that) it just didn't make me feel good. I begged them, for two months, and they said they'd have me interviewed by Joy (Behar), but at the last minute, they changed their minds, and I said, 'No thanks.'" He has no plans to return to the daytime talk show.

On his future: "I'm writing (an album) that, believe it or not, is more rock-oriented. I'm not sure I can sing it, but I was able to write it. It's very gritty, rock 'n' roll. I know that sounds weird coming from me. This is my next challenge," says the singer who counts Mandy, Copacabana and I Write the Songs among his hits.