This is how far VH1 is going to keep its “Divas” concert series interesting this year’s “divas” include Ellen DeGeneres and Wayne Newton.

VH1 says it’s “reinventing” the show, which has lost viewers the last two years.

But the new “divas” are not singing. Newton will be the guest announcer, since the show (Thursday, 8 p.m.) is being telecast live from his hometown, Las Vegas. DeGeneres, who was last seen as host of the 2001 Emmy awards, will perform the host’s duties for “Divas.”

Last year’s initial telecast (the show is rebroadcast later) averaged 1.8 million viewers, down from an average 2.2 million the previous year and 3.2 million the year before that, according to Nielsen Media Research data.

This year’s “Divas” bill includes Stevie Nicks and Anastacia, Cher, Mary J. Blige and Shakira.

“I think that Ellen can add some glue between the performances that will keep the show going,” said VH1 vice president and “Divas” executive producer Lee Rolontz.

Tom DeCabia, executive vice president of media buyer Advanswers PHD, agrees.

“I think the right host can make a difference,” he said. “When you grab someone like Ellen, who has a standup comedy background, they’re quick on their feet and they can handle anything that’s thrown to them in a live situation.”

For DeGeneres, “Divas” marks her first night out since she announced plans to develop a syndicated talk show for the fall of 2003. “I’ve always wanted to do a talk show and I hope to do things that Johnny Carson used to do, where he’d have on both regular people and celebrities,” DeGeneres said. “I’d like to do man-on-the-street-type stuff and go out into the audience and talk to people.”

Her CBS series, “The Ellen Show,” was dropped from next year’s schedule after drawing an average of 5.9 million viewers. That audience would be a jackpot for “Divas.”